ABBA Round 15: Ottos edge Baldwin Braves by two points

Roger Hood

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in ABBA. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 15 in the ABBA took place in . This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 5th ranked Baldwin Braves (8-7) to sixth ranked Ottos (8-7) 74-72 in the game for the fifth place. Ottos outrebounded Baldwin Braves 69-50 including a 42-31 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was guard Xavier Meade who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds. American guard Troy Vasco (196) chipped in 16 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Roger Hood (196-96, college: Kalamazoo) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. Baldwin Braves' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ottos moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Baldwin Braves. Ottos is looking forward to face Freetown T. (#9) in the next round. Baldwin Braves will play against the league's leader Cutie Ovals Ojays (#1) and are hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Flyers (11-4) against fourth ranked Stingerz (10-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Flyers were defeated by Stingerz in 69-57. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Flyers. It was a good game for guard Keroi Lee who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Moriba Defreitas contributed with 4 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Canadian center Torey Fassett (198) answered with 13 points and 4 steals for Flyers. Stingerz have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 10-3 record. Defending champion Flyers keep the third position with four games lost. Stingerz will play against Yorks Crushers (#7) in the next round. Flyers will play against the league's second-placed Potters S. (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Cutie Ovals Ojays delivered the fourteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 8th ranked HS Outlaws (3-14) 96-78. It was a great evening for Joshua Minner who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Cutie Ovals Ojays' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Andrew Venture with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Cutie Ovals Ojays. They maintain first place with 14-1 record. HS Outlaws at the other side keep the eighth position with 14 games lost. Cutie Ovals Ojays will meet Baldwin Braves (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. HS Outlaws will have a break next round.
The game with biggest result difference took place in . Local Baldwin Braves (8-7) outscored 9th ranked Freetown T. (2-11) 91-65. It was a quality performance for Ronald Lucas-III who led the winners and scored 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Baldwin Braves maintains fifth place with 8-7 record, which they share with Ottos. Freetown T. lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Baldwin Braves' next round opponent will be league's leader Cutie Ovals Ojays and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Freetown T. will play against Ottos (#5) and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 15 bottom-ranked Rebels were crushed by Ottos in a road game 82-56. Potters S. smashed Yorks Crushers at home 81-59.