BuzzerBeater Forums

Hello everyone to a new season! We begin the season with a scrimmage against Singapore (see match report below) and then two Consolation Tourney matches against tough opposition in Serbia and Israel, with the other matches coming out later in the season. I hope that you will enjoy the U21 team's journey this season!

Scrimmage - vs: Singapore: LOSS: 127 - 128 (59735)

A narrow loss to one of our rivals last night. By the looks of it, an exciting game too, going into OT. Great performance all across the board, which should hopefully set us up for a successful season.

MVPs:
1. Konar Askey - 3 votes.
2. Ralph Monk - 2 votes.
3. Brendon Saxby - 1 vote.

Next Game:
vs Serbia in the Consolation Tourney. Tune in!

Note(s):
- Like I said earlier, our first two matches in the Consolation Tourney has been drawn. We play Serbia and then Israel - two tough opponents, with the remaining matches revealed later in the season.
- Scouting for Season 53 is still going on. If you believe your player deserves a spot in the roster this season, BB-Mail me. Likewise, if you'd like a training plan for your player(s), BB-Mail me too.

Game 1 - vs: Serbia: LOSS: 76 - 98 (59753)

We begin the season 53 campaign with a 22 point loss to an impressive Serbian team. There were mind games played by each coach prior to tip off, with each coach setting out their teams a few hours before the game. A frustrating loss from our side, losing in each facet of the game. 15 turnovers is a worry, and is something I hope we can touch up on before the next game.

MVPs:
1. Ralph Monk - 3 votes.
2. Brendon Saxby - 2 votes.
3. Rod Fawaz - 1 vote.

Next Game:
vs. Israel. Tune in!

Game 2 - vs: Israel: LOSS: 78 - 97 (59790)

What was initially an experiment match, nearly gave us a win... at least until the fourth quarter. Whilst the result didn't go our way, the 19 point loss has definitely taught me a lot about the patient/FCP tactic. Our chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the consolation tourney are now slim, after two straight losses, but experience has taught me that a 5-3 record + a great PD should get you through. I am trying my best and that is my goal, given the opponents we drew.

MVPs:
1. Ralph Monk - 3 votes.
2. Rod Fawaz - 2 votes.
3. Troy Christie - 1 vote.

Next Game:
vs. Jamaica. Tune in!

Notes:
- The rest of our games for the rest of the season has been drawn. We will play Jamaica, Wales, Denmark, Armenia, Slovenia and Columbia - it will be tough but we can only afford to lose one of these games.

Game 3 - vs: Jamaica: WIN: 118 - 42 (59842)

It was a much needed 76 point win against Jamaica. We exerted our dominance from the start, ending the first quarter with a strong 32 - 7 lead. We dominated in all areas of the game, with impressive stat lines in total rebounds (62), assists (28), steals (15) and blocks (14). This dominant win now places us in the top 40 of the consolation tournament standings and puts us that step closer to qualifying for the knock-out rounds, though it will be a hard task.

MVPs:
1. Brendon Saxby - 3 votes.
2. Rod Fawaz - 2 votes.
3. Ned Coghill - 1 vote.

Next Game:
vs Wales. Tune in!

Apologies for being missing in action these past few weeks. Have had a few issues in real life and only had time to set lineups.

Game 4 - vs: Wales: WIN: 114 - 43 (59885)

MVPs:
1. Brendon Saxby - 3 votes.
2. Rod Fawaz - 2 votes.
3. Jan Macfarlane - 1 vote.

Game 5 - vs: Denmark: LOSS: 64 - 85 (59936)

MVPs:
1. Ralph Monk - 3 votes.
2. Brendon Saxby - 2 votes.
3. Xavier Kainth - 1 vote.

Game 6 - vs: Armenia: WIN: 132 - 45 (59979)

MVPs:
1. Jan Macfarlane - 3 votes
2. Brendon Saxby - 2 votes.
3. Ralph Monk - 1 vote.

Game 7 - vs: Slovenia: LOSS: 70 - 124 (60013)

MVPs:
1. Xavier Kainth - 3 votes.
2. Ralph Monk - 2 votes.
3. Brendon Saxby - 1 vote.

Summary:
It was an eventful month of U21 ball, with two wins and two losses. Unfortunately, it is not enough for us to advance to the knock-out stages of the Consolation Tournament. It is heartbreaking, given the strength of the roster this season - but I guess that is how life goes sometimes.

We must move on and look forward to next season. With one official competitive game remaining, against Columbia, preparation for Season 54 will begin soon - with BB-Mails sent out this week about potential players next season. With an initial look, it doesn't seem like it will be as strong as the roster this season but I will endeavour to make sure it is ready for next season - and possibly the next coach if I am not elected.

If you receive a BB-Mail from me within the next week or so - it means that your player is in contention for a spot in next season's roster. Finally, a formal forum post will be posted at the conclusion of this season.

Game 8 - vs: Columbia: WIN: 121 - 112 (60056)

Our final game of the competitive season was a success. We end up winning by 9 points against a higher ranked Columbian team. Whilst we didn't qualify for the knock-out stages of the consolation tournament, I was happy with a 4-4 season, considering the strength of some of the teams we played.

Offseason begins now, and I will slowly integrate new players into our scrimmages in the next few weeks.

MVPs:
1. Xavier Kainth - 3 votes.
2. Brendon Saxby - 2 votes.
3. Vihaan Singh - 1 vote.

Next Game:
vs Japan. Tune in!

Hey mate!

Just found the thread. Excellent write ups. Looking forward to following them for future games

A bit long overdue but here is an MVP recap of the final four scrimmages we played last season. The next write up is a summary of the whole season, including totalling MVP votings and a look to season 54!

Scrimmage - vs: Japan: WIN: 99 - 90 (60298)

MVPs:
1. Brendon Saxby - 3 votes.
2. Konar Askey - 2 votes.
3. Ralph Monk - 1 vote.

Scrimmage - vs: Croatia: WIN: 126 - 124 (60402)

MVPs:
1. Ralph Monk - 3 votes.
2. Xavier Kainth - 2 votes.
3. David Thornton - 1 vote.

Scrimmage - vs: Lithuania: LOSS: 140 - 146 (60444)

MVPs:
1. Ralph Monk - 3 votes.
2. Rod Fawaz - 2 votes.
3. Xavier Kainth - 1 vote.

Scrimmage - vs: Egypt: WIN: 109 - 53 (60485)

MVPs:
1. Brendon Saxby - 3 votes.
2. Xavier Kainth - 2 votes.
3. David Thornton - 1 vote.

EOY Summary:

It was suppose to be our season. We had strength across the floor and even in our substitutes. However, the luck didn't go our way with the draw, having to play against tough teams, including the eventual winners, Israel. However, we gave it our best and overall, finished the season with a 4-4 record which meant that our season finished early.

Our post season scrimmages went well though, beating Asian rivals Japan, and Croatia, as well as Egypt and losing to European beasts Lithuania in a close game.

MVP Voting:

1. Brendon Saxby: 22 votes.
2. Ralph Monk: 21 votes.
3. Xavier Kainth: 12 votes.
4. Rod Fawaz: 9 votes.
5. Konar Askey: 5 votes.
6. Jan Macfarlane: 4 votes.
7. David Thornton: 2 votes.
8. Vihaan Singh: 1 vote.
8. Troy Christie: 1 vote.
8. Ned Coghill: 1 vote.

In a tight MVP voting, Brendon Saxby has gone on to become our back to back MVP, after winning it last season in a tie vote with Ralph Monk, who came second this season. Congratulations to both Brendon Saxby and Ralph Monk and their managers on two outstanding season. Congratulations to Xavier Kainth and his manager on a great season and coming third in the competitive MVP voting.

I'd like to also take this time to thank every manager who had a player in the U21 team this season. It was truly an amazing team that gave me a lot of headaches come selection day.

Outlook to Season 54:

Whilst our season 54 roster doesn't look as strong compared to the season 53 roster, it does have familiar faces in Ned Coghill and Ishrant Jagganathan who played a few games in season 53. We have been drawn into an Asian Championships group containing Asian giants in Hong Kong and China, as well as dark horses in Kazakhstan. We should be able to get out of the group and into the second game but with BuzzerBeater, there is always a chance that something unexpected occurs.

If you are looking to get involved with the U21 team, please join our offsite forum at: https://newzealandbb.freeforums.net/
When it asks for 'Your Name', please put your BB alias.

Get excited for season 54 because it's going to be a ripper!