Taking offense to Jack Taylor’s offensive performance

As seen at PickinSplinters.com

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

Everyone grew up with the kid that never learned how to pass the ball. In pick-up games during grade school, nobody wanted to end up on that guy’s team because they knew it wouldn’t be any fun.

In high school, “that guy” would almost be good enough for the school team, but he would inexplicably get into a yelling match with the varsity coach during tryouts and get cut after two days. So he would flood an otherwise fun loving recreational league, demanding passes and shooting dirty looks every game, all season long. “That guy” would lead his respective team in points, shot attempts and arguments created.

And everybody hated playing on “that guys’s” team. It was more out of frustration than fear; more of a headache than a heartache; everybody hates playing “that guy.”

Well forever in the vernacular of our beloved country, “that guy’s” name is Jack Taylor. Jack Taylor is a total jerk.

While I am sure Taylor enjoyed the fifteen minutes of fame he got from ESPN and every basketball writer under the sun – humbly including myself – in the wake of his record-breaking, 138-point performance, it should be noted just how unimpressive this performance really was. Suddenly the most prolific scoring record in single-game NCAA history is owned by a 5-foot-10-inch sophomore guard at the Division III level that needed 108 attempts from the field to do so.

This shooting obscenity is not iconic, it is idiotic. But wait, it gets worse.

Oswego men’s basketball season begins tonight in annual basketball tournament

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

Jason Leone’s second season as head coach of the Lakers begins tonight, as Oswego State welcomes D’Youville College to Max Ziel Gymnasium. The winner of tonight’s game advances to the Max Ziel basketball tournament championship game Saturday at 6 p.m.

Oswego State returns five seniors this season. First team all-SUNYAC selection Hayden Ward is a conference player of the year contender after leading the conference in rebounding a season ago. Ward scored 22 points and collected seven rebounds in the team’s exhibition game against Queens University (Canada).

Ward is captaining the Lakers along with teammates senior Sean Michele, senior Alex Mirabito and senior Brenden Nollet. Michele was a second-team all-SUNYAC selection after leading the conference in assists-per-game and three-point shooting percentage last season. Mirabito figures to have a crucial role on the team this season, both as a senior captain and replacing Conor Monaghan and Ryan Sheridan on the wing. Nollet is the team’s biggest body and will be asked to secure the interior of a defense that led the SUNYAC in scoring margin.

Arguably the Lakers most important piece is senior Chris Gilkes, who plays multiple positions and is a true playmaker offensively. Combining the last two seasons, Gilkes is the team’s third-leading scorer. He was top six in the conference in both field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage a year ago.

Sophomore Rashawn Powell looked impressive in the game against Queens, posting four points and four rebounds while looking much more comfortable in Leone’s inside-out offense. Powell is a natural forward who demands attention on flashes to the high post and his growing chemistry with Lakers guards makes him a dangerous weapon in the pick-and-roll game.

Lakers make Mike Brown the scapegoat for early-season sheepishness

As seen at Pickinsplinters.com

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

Everything out of Los Angeles through Thursday was an effort to calm the masses. They had won just one game dating as far back as May 18. They dropped games four and five in the second round of the playoffs against the Thunder then lost every preseason game this fall and began the regular season 1-4. But tinseltown was going to be okay if they stuck to the plan and gave their well-respected, veteran head coach, Mike Brown, a chance to work with his team. That is what the players, the owner, EVERYBODY in the Lakers were preaching: “Do not panic.”

At some point on Friday, however, management decided to scrap that idea, at around lunch time on Friday, Brown was out in Los Angeles. The $100 million Lakers’ roster was suddenly coach-less hours before their game against the Golden State Warriors.

Describing the move as an overreaction would say that it was like most overreactions, therefore insulting them. This move was much more than that: the move was about as abrupt as throwing out the leftover Thanksgiving Day turkey on Saturday; the firing was as heavy handed as an actual giant’s hand. Letting Mike Brown go after five games will go down in the books as not a reaction at all, but a pre-determined stance that was really decided upon months before.

Six Divisions in Six Weeks: Central Division

As seen at Pickinsplinters.com

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

5. Cleveland Cavilers (’11-’12 record: 21-45)

Best player:

Kyrie Irving did not just silence any doubters heading into his rookie campaign, he eliminated them. Irving might be the best number one overall selection since Derrick Rose in 2008, showing poise and efficiency that John Wall and Blake Griffin, despite their obvious talents, have not consistently brought to the table.

While Wall was the league’s worst three-point shooter last season and incredibly erratic with the basketball, Irving posted polished shooting splits of .469/.399/.872 while besting Wall by nearly a full turnover per game. Yes, Blake Griffin has averaged 21, 11 and 3 in his first two seasons, numbers that first-year Irving simply can not compete with. But Griffin also cannot shoot free throws, does not block shots or collect steals particularly well and turns the ball over far too much for a power forward.

Irving is an ideal guard to build around, both on and off the court. He is probably only a year or two away from all-star contention.

Starting lineup:

The Cavaliers will trot out Anderson Varejao for the ninth season and he will be the opening day starting center for the third consecutive season. Varejao, when healthy, can be highly effective as both a rebounder and a finisher around the basket. The issue with the Brazilian is keeping him on the court, as he has missed over 62 percent of the team’s games since the ’10-’11 season. With rookies Tyler Zeller and Micheal Eric as the only true centers behind Varejao, it is essential the veteran stay healthy all season long.

The only other guaranteed starter for Cleveland is second-year player Tristan Thompson. He averaged 8.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg last season in 23 minutes, but he averaged 9.6 ppg and 7.4 rpg in 27.6 minutes per game during April last season. The Cavs will need him to replace veteran Antwan Jamison in the offense, which means Thompson will have to give the team more field goal attempts and points.

The wing positions will be made up of five players: Alonzo Gee, Omri Casspi, C.J. Miles, Daniel Gibson and Dion Waiters. Gee and Miles appear to be the starters for the Cavs out of the gate, but all five will get plenty of action. Gee is coming off of his best season as a pro, averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg. He is not a great shooter or playmaker, but has earned a reputation as a plus-defender. Miles comes from the other end of the spectrum; he is the team’s best shooter but provides little else.

Bench:

Lottery pick Dion Waiters will play the sixth man role that he thrived in at Syracuse University. Waiters has great quickness and can score in spurts, which could make him deadly as a weapon off the bench for head coach Byron Scott at either guard spot. Waiters will be among the team leaders in points this year and will see plenty of minutes.

Whether or not below average guards Donald Sloan and Jeremy Pargo make the final roster, whatever bench minutes in the backcourt Waiters does not gobble up will be handed to Daniel Gibson. Entering his seventh season with the Cavs, Gibson’s experience, underrated three-point shot and low turnover numbers all point to him being an ideal backup guard behind Irving. The guard trio of Irving/Waiters/Gibson will be amongst the best in the eastern conference.

Casspi will see minutes behind Gee, looking to return to form from behind the arc. He shot .372 in ’10-’11 but just .315 last season. If Casspi can shore up his below average free throw shooting and continue to be an effective rebounder, he will earn the roughly 24 minutes per game he has averaged for his career.

In the frontcourt, Zeller will be the primary backup for Varejao at center. At power forward, Samardo Samuels will make the roster and see the floor night in and night out, if for no other reason other than potential. That leaves young players Jon Leuer and Luke Harongody to battle for a roster spot, with the edge going to Leuer because of his advanced perimeter skills for his size.

Bottom line:

The Cavs will be very young and small. They lack big play potential. Inexperienced players Thompson and Waiters will have to score for this team and take pressure off Irving, who will undoubtedly be on double duty as the team’s leading passer AND scorer. The team will probably have a bottom dwelling defense once again (26th in points allowed, 100.2 ppg) and after losing Antwan Jamison, at best, they will remain scoring in the middle 90s, if not fall off to the low 90s or high 80s.

Beyond Irving, there is nothing guaranteed about this team. They could overachieve and finish 9th in the east or struggle mightily and falter to 15th. It all depends on the coaching job by Byron Scott and the development of their young roster around Irving, who is also, let us not forget, in just his second season.

Preseason expectations, grade:

C-

Irving will probably be the best player in the league left out of the playoffs while the team around him earns another lottery pick, although they should improve upon last season’s .318 winning percentage.

4. Detroit Pistons (’11-’12 record: 25-41)

Six Divisions in Six Weeks: Atlantic Division (Part Two)

As seen at Pickinsplinters.com

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

3. New York Knicks (’11-’12 record: 36-30)

Best Player:

Carmelo Anthony finished two full points below his career ppg mark last season, in large part because of the strike-shortened season, a coaching change and injuries. His field goal percentage (.430) was the lowest since his second season in Denver. Carmelo was taking 18.6 shots a night this past season, the fourth-lowest total of his career, meaning he was not over-shooting, rather just taking less quality shots.

His stats in New York have certainly been a by-product of the failing partnership with he and Amar’e Stoudemire. Both forwards look for the same shots and neither Mike D’Antoni nor head coach Mike Woodson have figured out a scheme for both where they can coexist. It is essential that Carmelo, clearly the superior player between them, demands that the offense run through him this season. It is the Knicks best shot at progressing.

Starting Lineup:

The Knicks will once again have major roster changes to get used too early in the season, as both starting guard spots will be filled by players who were not Knicks last season. Raymond Felton will reclaim the job that he nearly turned into an all-star selection back in ’10-’11 and Ronnie Brewer will provide the Knicks with a lockdown defender on the wing with playoff experience. If Felton can keep his turnovers down and shoot a respectable percentage, he will be more than capable of logging starters minutes and sharing the ball with Carmelo in the biggest moments of the game. Brewer will play a similar role with the Knicks as he did with Chicago. He could play upward of 35 minutes a night as long as his jump shot is falling, but if it is not, then J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert will take away a lot of his second-half action.

Amar’e and Tyson once again create among the league’s most talented frontcourts. Whether or not Amar’e is capable of excelling alongside Carmelo is absolutely debatable, but his talent alone will keep him in the discussion for all-star consideration. Chandler will once again be called upon by Woodson to anchor the defense, a unit that surprisingly finished in the top 11 last season in points allowed and opponents field goal percentage.

Bench:

The Knicks, who were one of the league’s youngest teams just two seasons ago, are suddenly very old. Considering that Stoudemire and Chandler have played in the league for over a decade and that Carmelo, Brewer and Felton are established veterans, the Knicks added forwards Kurt Thomas (40) and Marcus Camby (38) and point guard Jason Kidd (39). You wonder if the Knicks are confusing playing experience and age with a thorough team concept and identity.

Even still, Thomas and Camby are more than capable of spelling the Knicks high-payed forwards for a few minutes here and there, while Kidd will be a wonderful teacher behind Felton at the point guard position.

The Knicks return their wing depth from a year ago, as J.R. Smith and Steve Novak will see plenty of action. Iman Shumpert will miss a large portion of the season recovering from an ACL tear – his injury and time-table are very similar to what Derrick Rose is dealing with – but should have enough flier miles during the second half of the regular season to be a factor in the post-season.

Bottom Line:

For a team with arguably the league’s best pure scorer, best defensive big man and with an incredible mix of veteran experience and youth, there are an awful lot of question marks. Can they share the ball? Can they stay healthy? Can they continue to improve defensively? It just seems like the question marks will weigh the Knicks down.

The Knicks will be a great home team that wins the games they are supposed too, but unless they take a huge step forward in Woodson’s first full season as head coach, they will not be much better than an average road team that will continue to falter against the Celtics and the Heat.

Preseason expectations, grade:

The Knicks will peak and valley with the best of them, earn a middle playoff seed for the third year in a row and, if they are lucky, see the second round.

B

2. Philadelphia 76ers (’11-’12 record: 35-31)

Six Divisions in Six Weeks: Atlantic Division (Part One)

As seen at Pickinsplinters.com

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

5. Toronto Raptors (’11-’12 record: 23-43)

Best Player:

In some ways, the Raptors best player is former lottery pick DeMar DeRozan, who could be on the cusp of stardom entering his fourth season. In other ways, it is newcomer Kyle Lowry, coming off the heels of his best season as a professional. The most important piece to the puzzle, however, will once again be the Raptors former number one overall Andrea Bargnani.

Bargnani has avoided the bust tag by averaging over 15 ppg each of the last four seasons while adding plus shooting numbers for his career (career splits of .440/.365/.824). But honestly, a seven-footer with his talents should be putting up those numbers anyway and should be doing much more. Granted, Bargnani has not always had much to work with in Toronto, but any seven-footer who averages more three-pointers per game than foul shots makes a lot of their own problems.

If he can get to the line more, add to his woeful rebounding totals and avoid the injury bug (he missed 51 out of 148 games the last two season), Bargnani might make his first push for an all-star spot and help the Raptors take the next step from unwatchable to tolerable.

Starting Lineup:

Adding Lowry at point guard will change the culture in Toronto, as he will provide instant offense and an influx of hustle to the roster. Lowry figures to get a lot of minutes at both guard spots and if he can learn how to play with former starter Jose Calderon, the Raptors will certainly have among the most formidable backcourts in the league.

In fact, the Raptors have depth at the guard positions to boot. Number eight overall selection Terrence Ross could be a sleeper ROY candidate, as he figures to get starters minutes at shooting guard. Ross has superb length and should develop into a quality defender (1.3 steals per game, 5.1 defensive rebounds as a sophomore at Washington University). Throw in the addition of Landry Fields off the bench, and the Raptors will be competitive on both sides of the ball from the guard positions.

At forward, DeRozan and Bargnani will once again be expected to carry the team’s scoring. Both players struggled with shot selection and saw their field goal percentages drop significantly for the second consecutive season, a trend that will have to change in ’12-’13.

The Raptors also add 2011 lottery pick Jonas Valanciunas to the roster, who played overseas last season. Valanciunas will get the bulk of the minutes at center and while his talents are limitless, it is unclear how effective he will be against NBA competition in year one.

For the Raptors to take the next step with the Lowry/Calderon pairing at point guard, the scorers will have to be more efficient. If they can get 40 ppg from Bargnani/DeRozan, another 10 ppg from the rookie starters and Lowry can expand on his success as a starter in Houston, the Raptors will have one of the best starting lineups in the eastern conference.

Bench:

The depth at the guard positions speaks for itself, although an injury to either Lowry or Calderon would change that overnight. At the forward positions, Amir Johnson, Ed Davis and Linas Kleiza are all talented reserves with size and rebounding ability. Kleiza should provide about 10 ppg off the bench if he can stay at around 25 minutes per contest.

The bench needs to help the Raptors improve from their embarrassing 90.7 ppg last season. Opponents will put a lot of pressure on the Bargnani/Valanciunas pairing and there might be plenty of times this season that foul trouble forces head coach Dwayne Casey to call on Johnson or Davis to play big minutes down low. In games against elite big men, scoring from inside the arc will be a nightmare without Bargnani on the floor, unless the reserves can fit the bill offensively.

Bottom Line:

The Raptors are the type of franchise that has been down for so long, it is almost impossible to imagine this roster exceeding or even improving gradually. With that said, the young talent they possess is unmistakable. If given time and groomed correctly by the coaching staff, the Raptors should continue to form their identity as a defensive stickler (9th in points against, 7th in opponents field goal percentage a year ago) with developing weapons on the offensive end. The Raptors could make a jump up in ’12-’13, maybe finishing around 35 wins.

Preseason expectations, grade:

Improvements on both sides of the ball will better the Toronto franchise, but will not get them out of the division’s basement.

C

4. Brooklyn Nets (’11-’12 record: 22-44)

Six Divisions in Six Weeks: Southeast

As seen at Pickinsplinters.com: http://www.pickinsplinters.com/2012/09/26/six-divisions-in-six-weeks-southeast-division/

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

1. Miami Heat (’11-’12 record: 46-20)

Best player:

LeBron James is the best player in the world. His performance on a national stage during the playoffs and on the international stage during the Olympics speak for themselves. As long as James is on the floor, the Heat have a player who controls every aspect of the game. It might not be possible to stop James from furthering his legacy in ’12-’13 if he continues on the tear he has been on over the last year.

Starting Lineup:

But of course, what separates Miami from just about every other team is their full starting lineup.  Combining James with Wade and Bosh has changed the league; seldom has a roster carried a trio with as much athleticism, length and determination. Honestly, mentioning Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers as members of the starting lineup is not important, because Miami’s 4-12 pieces are very much rotational and malleable. It is the constant presence of James, Wade and Bosh that set the Heat apart and make them the team to beat in the NBA.

Bench:

This is where team president Pat Riley really thrived last season, as he surrounded his star players with valuable bench pieces who were more than willing to do the team’s dirty work. Battier and Chalmers are perfect for the Heat, as they both can hit wide-open jump shots, play defense and get out of the way once it is time for James or Wade to take over.

Chalmers knows his job is to forfeit the floor general duties to James whenever the three-time MVP says so; instead of fighting that, Chalmers hands the ball over and gets ready to catch-and-shoot off the ball.

Battier was as essential to the NBA title as anybody on the Heat last season, considering that he was the most notable addition to last season’s team following the loss in the 2011 finals, and that Battier shot out of his mind in the 2012 finals. Not to mention that Battier’s defense and length really helps the Heat against bigger teams, as it frees up Bosh to take on easier assignments and save energy for offense.

The Heat added a future hall-of-famer to their bench for this season, one that has many Celtic’s fans (and players) livid. The effect of Ray Allen on the Heat is immeasurable, considering that it is a huge blow emotionally to the team’s biggest competition, and it gives a Miami team that hit 42 three-pointers in five NBA finals games the league’s greatest shooter. Anytime Allen/Wade/James are on the floor together, the defense will be asking themselves how they can possibly double team James, check Wade and cover Allen all at the same time.

The answer is that it probably cannot be done, which is scary to think about.

“The Brooklyn Nets new advertisements are merely distractions designed to keep their fans hopeful – hopeful for successes that the Nets franchise has evaded since their inception.”

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

The New Jersey Nets franchise joined the NBA in the 1976-77 season, after winning two championships in the ABA led by the Doctor, Julius Erving. Since joining the NBA, they have had just 13 winning records in 35 years, with an 89-96 record in post-season play and no NBA championships.

To put that in perspective, the San Antonio Spurs joined the NBA the same season but have 27 winning records over the same span. The Spurs also have 170 post-season wins and four NBA championships. Yes, getting blessed with franchise defining players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker helps. At a certain point, however, the losing is what defines a franchise, not the players.

Some lowly franchises change their fates by compiling draft picks and rebuilding with young talent, like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Some team’s just get lucky, and land a star with the number one overall pick, such as the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Clippers. Other franchises whose struggles can be measured in decades not seasons save money and make large pushes for big talents. This is the route the now Brooklyn Nets have taken under new age owner, Mikhail Prokhorov.

After failing to land LeBron James or Dwyane Wade in the summer of 2010, Prokhorov worked a trade with the Utah Jazz to land star point guard and current Team USA member, Deron Williams. With a young roster lacking discipline or playoff experience, the Nets failed to make the playoffs in their first two seasons with Williams, and with Williams’ contract set to expire, the Nets organization entered full scramble mode over the past few months in order to convince their best player to stay in a Nets uniform.

The Nets went to such lengths as to trade their 2012 first-round pick, which became the number six overall selection, to acquire forward Gerard Wallace, in order to appeal to Williams before entering his free agent negotiations. The Nets also trudged themselves neck-deep in the Dwight Howard circus, as it became no secret the Nets were willing to trade anyone on the roster not named Deron Williams to help land the league’s best center in Brooklyn.

Once it became evident that A) Dwight Howard was not getting dealt ANYTIME soon and B) the Nets needed to add another star player or else they would lose Williams to Dallas, Brooklyn traded five expiring contacts and a future first-round draft pick to Atlanta to pry away six-time all-star Joe Johnson.

Deron Williams signed with Brooklyn the very same day.

And with that decision by Williams, the rest of the Brooklyn off-season came together very nicely. With the exception of the occasional “Dwight Howard to Brooklyn trade rumor – this time Brooklyn is offering Prokhorov’s house AND yacht,” the Nets have simply gone about their business.

The Nets have “reinvested” in their relationship with their 7-foot-2 center Brook Lopez. They re-signed their double-double machine, Kris Humphries, to a respectable two-year deal. They also added veterans like Jerry Stakehouse, Reggie Evans, C.J. Watson and kept promising young guards MarShon Brooks and Tyshawn Taylor.

Prokhorov has been so pleased with himself and his new look Nets, he has launched an advertising campaign as cocky as the Russian owner himself. He is introducing a “Hello Brooklyn” marketing campaign, which features the teams “Core Four” as Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez. The advertisements give the players a platform to “build a connection between Brooklynites and the players” and “to share something about themselves in advance of their debut at Barclays Center,” said CEO Brett Yormack.

Examples of some of the “Hello Brooklyn” ads were leaked to ESPN on Monday, and they look something like this:

“Hello Brooklyn. I’m #8, Deron Williams, three-time NBA All-Star and father of four.”

“Hello Brooklyn, I’m #7, Joe Johnson, six-time NBA All-Star and lifelong Razorback.”

“Hello Brooklyn, I’m #11, Brook Lopez, 20-point scorer and Batman’s biggest fan.”

“Hello Brooklyn, I’m #45, Gerald Wallace, All-NBA Defender and offseason fisherman.”

In an attempt to further inform the Nets fan base on what their ’12-’13 team will look like, I decided to make up a few advertisements of my own. I find these advertisements to be a bit more honest and “to the point” with a fan base that, quite frankly, has been misled in the past. While the move to Brooklyn may be long over due and the addition of new talent is always welcomed, the fans should be informed of exactly what they have before they consider themselves the favorite in the East.

Junior Chief’s Alliance Bank Stadium season opener extends winning streak to 10 games

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

6/27/12 – SYRACUSE, NY – During a ten-game winning streak dating back to June 9, the Syracuse Junior Chiefs have platted a league-high 109 runs.

The winning streak has pushed the Junior Chiefs into first-place in the NYCBL East Division, an impressive five games ahead of the second-place Adirondack Trailblazers in the loss column. Led by the league’s best offense and a formidable pitching staff, the Junior Chiefs have taken the NYCBL by storm in just its second summer under GM Mike DiPaulo and manager Casey Scott.

Following yesterday’s 10-3 victory in Alliance Bank Stadium over the Geneva Redwings, the Junior Chiefs have won by at least seven runs in five of their eleven wins this season. The red hot Junior Chiefs have scored double-digit runs in four straight games, and in seven of their last ten games.

The Junior Chiefs are leading the league in runs per game (10.3), batting average (.337) and on-base-percentage (.437), with the second place team in each category noticeably behind their pace. Despite playing in five less games than the Utica Brewers, the Junior Chiefs have drawn more walks (76 compared to 74), driven in roughly the same number of RBIs (108 compared to 112) and seven more runs (134 compared to 127). The Junior Chiefs have seven batters hitting over .278, with nine of those players collecting at least nine hits through the first thirteen games.

Everyday shortstop Alex Sanchez Jr. is leading the NYCBL in batting average at .509 in 12 starts, hitting safely in every game while scoring a run in all but one game this season. Sanchez Jr. is one of only two players in the league with at least 27 hits and 14 RBIs.

His double-play partner, second baseman Frank Salerno, is having an astonishing season of his own. Batting .382 with 21 runs scored (3rd in the NYCBL), Salerno is one of only two players this season with double-digit walks (13) and at least half the number of strikeouts (6). He has led-off in every game this season, hitting safely in all but one game for the Junior Chiefs.

The Junior Chiefs number four hitter Dave Wolak (.345 with 20 hits) is the only player in the NYCBL with at least 19 RBIs (3rd in the NYCBL) and 19 runs (4th in the NYCBL). When Wolak scores multiple runs this season, the Junior Chiefs are 6-0 and outscoring opponents by 39 runs (74 to 35). When Wolak scores one run or less, however, the team is 5-2 and only outscoring opponents by 17 runs (60 to 43), proving his incredible value to the team.

With the phenomenal offensive accolades posted through thirteen games, it would be easy to claim that their pitching has been carried by the over-achieving offense. But the Junior Chiefs have arguably the best starting pitcher in the league, with an established four-man rotation and bullpen to boot.

Starter Alex Basso has not allowed an earned run in over 17 innings of work, as he remains the only pitcher with a perfect ERA with multiple starts this season. His three wins are tied for the league lead, and his ratio of five strikeouts for every walk (16K, 3BB) is among the best three such ratios in the league. Basso teams up with Keenan Stare, Ethan Striz and Nick May to form one of the leagues strongest rotations.

The team’s pitching staff has allowed the lowest total earned runs (58), total runs (78) and hits (112) this season. They have allowed the third-lowest batting average (.246) and fourth-lowest slugging percentage (.357). The Junior Chiefs have five pitchers with a K/9 ratio above 12.00: May (who is averaging 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings), Jed Lehman, John Silvestri, Robert Frank and Kevin Carroll.

The team plays a double-header tonight against the Utica Brewers at Alliance Bank Stadium, with scheduled start times at 5 and 8 p.m. The probable starter for game one is Striz, who is 2-0 on the season with a respectable 4.80 ERA. Both May and Basso appear to be unavailable for game two, as they would be throwing on short rest, meaning Scott will probably choose a member of the bullpen for a spot start.

-JM

New bat creates questions for NYCBL’s best offense

By: Joe Manganiello

STAFF WRITER

Jun 21, 2012 – SYRACUSE, NY – Zach Lauricella has had a wild ride this year. Adjusting to life as a collegiate freshman and as a starting third baseman on a nationally ranked St. Johns team provided a lot of changes for the 18-year-old.

As of June 16, Lauricella is now providing big changes in the offensive and defensive rotation of the NYCBL’s best team: the Syracuse Junior Chiefs.

Lauricella, who only left St. Johns University last week after an improbable, dream-like run to the Super Regional of the NCAA tournament, first reported to the Junior Chiefs on their road trip to Boonville, NY, as the team prepared to take on the Trailblazers.

Manager Casey Scott was not planning on using him on his first day, but when the Junior Chiefs took a 15-8 lead heading into the ninth inning, Scott decided to give a Lauricella a pinch-hit at bat. Lauricella entered the box and proceeded to humbly ground into a 4-6-3 double-play to end the inning.

Anyone around the Junior Chiefs team had to smile after the play, as the irony of one of the most talented amateur baseball players in the country joining the team and grounding into a double-play in his first at bat is somewhat comical. Lauricella certainly seemed to take it well, as he hustled all the way down the first baseline and back into the dug out without any outward anger at himself or anyone else.

But the moment sparked a lot of questions about the Syracuse Junior Chiefs, the most important of which being how the team figured to acclimate a player of Lauricella’s abilities into a lineup and rotation that had already produced a startling 76 runs through the first seven games. Additionally, the double-play begged the question if meddling with the team’s lineup in the middle of winning streak was going to work out for the Junior Chiefs.