A quick statistical review of our final 5 regular season games.

@ AFC vs. Alges (1)

66-55 LOSS

15 points – 5 rebounds – 3 steals

@ Montijo (8)

80-83 WIN (OT)

10 points – 9 rebounds – 1 block – 3 steals – 3 assists

@ AFC vs. Quinta dos Lombos (4)

80-67 LOSS

15 points – 10 rebounds – 2 steals

@ AFC vs. CAB (6)

91-85 LOSS (OT)

28 points on 13/13 shooting – 8 rebounds – 2 steals

@ Olivais (unranked)

83-75 WIN

20 points – 16 rebounds

Two personal highlights from the past month have been career high statistics in both scoring and rebounding. I had 28 points versus CAB as well as 16 rebounds versus Olivais. It seems like whenever playoffs are approaching I begin to play my best basketball. It’s too bad that it takes me almost an entire season to find my groove, but better late than never I guess!

Our team has forced overtime in two of our last five games. In the overtime loss however, we were leading almost the entire game. In the overtime win we fought back in the 4^th quarter to force extra time. We really struggle to play consistently for an entire 40 minutes — we either have a great first half and build a solid lead but later lose it OR have a slow start and need to dig ourselves out of a big hole in the second half. Besides our inconsistency during games, the overall vibe of our team has really improved. Our tenacity and desire to compete has been the biggest upgrade. It’s evident since the start of the New Year through our ability to keep up with top ranked teams, often losing by only single digits now compared to blow-outs in the first half of the season.

This weekend marks the start of the post season. Ranked 7^th in an 8 team playoff pool, we face #2 ranked Vagos in a best of 3 series. This is the same team that hit 18 of 24 threes against us in a nationally televised game in our gym in early January. Hopefully, their shooters aren’t as hot from behind the arc in the next 2, possibly 3 games. We don’t match up very well with this team – they seem to run on us in transition and we lose confidence in our offensive ability because of that. We have struggled with our on ball defense all season long and Vagos definitely takes advantage of knowing that. The key to our success this weekend is containing their ball handlers, defending ball screens with good rotation, as well as shooting a decent percentage from the field. If we can do this for 40 minutes, while playing in our own gym, then I think we could have a chance to pull off an upset!

Wish us luck!

Matteke Mary

It’s crazy to think that my time in Portugal is quickly coming to an end. Already we are beginning another new month and my mid-April departure date keeps creeping closer. Since coming back after Christmas, time has just flown by. I’ve also had some Canadian visitors keeping me company, which creates a much livelier daily routine. We’ve spent lots of time in the downtown core of Porto during the days and nightsshopping, eating and enjoying the nightlife are the primary activities that fill our itinerary. The weather has more than co-operated with sun–filled days of at least +14 degrees. This past week is only the third time we’ve had rain since the New Year.  It’s pretty easy to be motivated to get up everyday and get to work when it’s so beautiful outside… not to mention there’s now snow to deal with!

We finally got our first win of the New Year as well, with a 75-52 road win over Barcelos, where I posted 19 points and 9 rebounds. I think the key to our win was that we played 40 solid minutes as a team. We worked in sync offensively and defensively in such an efficient way that it fueled us with unbelievable motivation. Even our team practices over the last month have been on another level of focus, intensity and passion. It’s great to win, but it’s an even better feeling when you’re proud of the effort of everyone involved.

Our most recent game was against last-place ranked Algueirao. The week leading up to this game was really unorganized because of lack of practice time due to the Carnival holiday.  A regular week consists of four team practices and 4 individual practices but this week was half of that typical workload. The night before game day, our coach warned us not to underestimate our opponent and keep focused on the goal even though we faced some adversity during the past week. Unfortunately, that message must have fallen on deaf ears as we lost 69-70. Trailing by one at half time, we struggled to maintain a defensive consistency and couldn’t contain their 55% field goal percentage. After going 7-7 from the free throw line the game before, I could not convert on 2 free throw attempts with 4 seconds left in the 4th. For me personally, it was a heart breaking loss because I had a great offensive and defensive game putting up 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.  I was feeling great the entire game and was confident when I went to the free throw line. Mind over matter I guess because mentally I failed to cash-in on the opportunity to win the game or at least send my team to overtime. Moving on now though, missing a free throw definitely is NOT the end of the world… it’s just the feeling of temporarily failing your job that sucks. But failure is not fatal and it’s the courage to continue that is most admirable. All I know for sure is the next time I get to the line, I am hitting those free throws.

This past weekend was an off weekend and I had the chance to get to Lisbon for two days. Just over 300kms to the south, Lisbonis Portugal’s largest city with a metro population of 2.8 million people. After a 2.5 hour train ride, we arrived in Lisbon and checked into our Hostel. The city was much different from Porto because it thrives on tourism. Porto has much more of a small town feel whereas Lisbon is much more Americanized for tourists; Starbucks, Hard Rock Café, McDonalds and a high end shopping district. It was a great weekend overall and I was excited to tour a new city. I think I may have the travel bug and try to get to a few more European cities before I head back to Napanee.

This weekend we travel to Torres Novas to play a game that we need to win. With our loss to Algueirao, our margin for error has gotten smaller. If we want to make playoffs we need to get at least two more wins. And one of those wins needs to come this Saturday. Wish us luck!

Evaldas Zabas racked up a game-high 28 points, while going 12-of-16 from the free-throw line on January 29^th against Uppsala.

To finish off January on a high note, Jamtland defeated Stockholm on the 31^st with Evaldas scoring 23 points, grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 5 helpers.

Zabas’ next game is February 3^rd.

For more on Evaldas: http://slansportsmanagement.com/evaldas-zabas

Andrew Wedemire – Glasgow Rocks (United Kingdom)

Wedemire helped his team to a win on January 28^th against Leicester scoring 10 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

The next night against Plymouth Wedemire scored 7 points going 3-for-3 from the field in 10 minutes of action.

Wedemire’s next game is February 5^th against Guildford.

For more on Andy: http://slansportsmanagement.com/andrew-wedemire

Yannick Anzuluni – Quebec Kebs (NBLC)

The Quebec Kebs had no games this week.

Yannick’s next game is February 3^rd against Halifax Rainmen.

For more on Yannick: http://slansportsmanagement.com/yannick-anzuluni

Joseph Schow – Medway Park (United Kingdom)

Medway Park was victorious this week, however no stats were available from the game.

Schows’ next game is February 4^th against Reading R.

For more on Joseph: http://slansportsmanagement.com/joseph-schow

Tut Ruach – Oshawa Power (NBLC)

Tut Ruach had a huge week, starting it off with 23 points and 4 rebounds against the Mill Rats on January 26^th.

Later that week, Ruach helped his team to a win over the Moncton Miracles on January 29^th dropping 19 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

On February 1st, Ruach helped the Power defeat the Summerside Storm finishing with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

For more on Tut: http://slansportsmanagement.com/tut-ruach

Augusto Matos – Barcelos (Portugal)

Augusto Matos posted 14 points, shooting  75% from the field, and 40% from three on January 29^th against Barreirense.

Augusto’s next game is February 4^th against CAB Madeira.

For more on Augusto: http://slansportsmanagement.com/augusto-matos

Spencer Johnson – Oliveirense (Portugal)

Johnson recorded a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds on January 28th helping Oliveirense defeat Povoa.

Johnson’s next game is February 4th against Galitos-Tley.

For more on Spencer: http://slansportsmanagement.com/spencer-johnson

Nick Lother – Moncton Miracles (NBLC)

In a tough battle against Oshawa on January 29^th, Nick dropped 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 point in 9 minutes.

The next night against Halifax Rainmen, Lother scored a season-high 11 points going 3-for-3 from the three -point range.

Lother’s next game is on February 1^st against the Mill Rats.

For more on Nick: http://slansportsmanagement.com/nick-lother

Isaac Kuon – Saint John Mill Rats (NBLC)

Isaac notching 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal helped his team to a big win over the Oshawa Power on January 26^th.

Later that week, Kuon had a team-high 20 point game, pulling down 3 rebounds to go along with 2 steals against the London Lightning on January 29^th.

Isaac’s next game is on February 9^th against Quebec .

For more on Isaac: http://slansportsmanagement.com/isaac-kuon

Megan Pinske – Saarlouis TV Royals (Germany)

Pinske played just 6 minutes with a rebound this week.

Pinske’s next game is Febuary 3^rd against Rhein.

For more on Megan: http://slansportsmanagement.com/megan-pinske

Matteke Hutzler – Academico FC (Portugal)

Matteke notched 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals against Boa Viagem on January 27^th.

Hutzlers next game is February 11^th against CAB Madeira.

Check out Matteke’s most recent blog, with a quick recap on her season in Portugal: http://slansportsmanagement.com/pro-blog

For more on Matteke: http://slansportsmanagement.com/matteke-hutzler

A few things…

1. We are 0-4 in 2012.

2. In those 4 games I am averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

3. My free throw percentage competes with Shaq’s. But I’m working really hard to improve it!

4. Our twice-weekly shooting practice is paying off for me. Compared to when I started four months ago, my percentages are up across the board.

Paint: 69.1% (That’s an increase of +19.7% since September 2011)

Middle Distance: 61.7% (+7.5%)

3-point: 40.7 (+2.5%)

Free Throw: 81.9% (+9.6%)

5. My family is in the Dominican Republic celebrating the marriage of my brother. I am SO jealous because I want a tan too : ( But sending love to Kevin and his new bride Rachelle <3

6. Our next game is this Sunday against Vagos in another Portuguese Cup game. These games mean nothing in terms of statistics and standings. You qualify to participate in the tournament based on current league standings.

7. It has been 13-16 degrees and sunny here everyday except for a couple since I’ve oame back to Portugal after Christmas at home.  I hope I didn’t just jinx that though :/ (See my picture to the right)

8.  I need you guys to send all of your positive thoughts across the Atlantic so we can get a win this weekend!

Miss you Canada!

xo Matteke Mary

Joseph Schow did all he could to help his team to a 1-1 record this past weekend, notching consecutive double-doubles.

On January 21st against Tees Valley, Joseph poured in 21 points while pulling down 10 rebounds.

The next night, Schow scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds helping Medway Park to a two-point victory.

Schow’s next game is January 28th against the London Capitals.

For more on Joseph: http://slansportsmanagement.com/joseph-schow

Tut Ruach – Oshawa Power (NBLC)

On January 20th, Tut Rauch poured in a team and season-high 26 points, going 7-of-13 from the field and dishing out 9 assists to just 1 turnover.

Rauch’s next game is January 26^th against the Saint John Mill Rats.

For more on Tut:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/tut-ruach

Evaldas Zabas – Jamtland (Sweden)

Zabas had a game-high 31 points on 62% shooting, dishing out 6 assists to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 steals against Solna on January 24th.

Zabas’s next game is January 29th against Uppsala. The game will be webcast.

For more on Evaldas: http://slansportsmanagement.com/evaldas-zabas

Isaac Kuon – Saint John Mill Rats (NBLC)

On January 22nd, Isaac scored a team-high 15 points, going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Two of Kuon’s three triples came down the stretch in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for Saint John. Check out highlights of the game below and be sure to watch for Isaac putting his body on the line for the loose ball going up on over the oppositions bench. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5UFidCqXbY

Kuon’s next game is on January 26th against Oshawa Power.

For more on Isaac: http://slansportsmanagement.com/isaac-kuon

Andrew Wedemire – Glasgow Rocks (United Kingdom)

After a long bye week for the Glasgow Rocks, on January 22nd, Andrew Wedemire dropped 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to go along with a steal.

Wedemire’s next game is January 28^th against Leicester.

Check out Wedemire’s thoughts on the first half of the season and his hopes for the second half in his blog: http://slansportsmanagement.com/andrew-wedemire-from-uwo-to-the-uk-part-4

For more on Andrew:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/andrew-wedemire

Spencer Johnson – Oliveirense (Portugal)

Johnson’s stats were unavailable this week. His next game is on January 29^th against Electrico FC.

For more on Spencer:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/spencer-johnson

Augusto Matos – Barcelos (Portugal)

Barcelos had a bye week this week.

Augusto’s next game is January 29^th against Barreirense.

For more on Augusto:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/augusto-matos

Yannick Anzuluni – Quebec Kebs (NBLC)

On January 21st, Yannick notched an impressive double-double with 12 points and a season-high 17 rebounds to go along with 2 steals.

Anzuluni’s next game is February 3rd against the Halifax Rainmen.

For more on Yannick:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/yannick-anzuluni

Nick Lother – Moncton Miracles (NBLC)

On January 23rd, in just 12 minutes against the Summerside Storm,  Nick Lother scored 4 points and grabbed 2 rebounds. Playing the final 6 minutes of the game, Nick helped the Miracles cement a much needed victory by controlling the pace of the game and playing his typical shutdown defense.

Lother’s next game is on January 26th against the London Lightning.

For more on Lother: http://slansportsmanagement.com/nick-lother

Matteke Hutzler – Academico FC (Portugal)

Matteke Hutzler posted 10 points and 3 rebounds when facing GDESSA in Portugal on January 22nd.

Hutzlers next game is February 11th against CAB Madeira.

Check out what Matteke has to say about life at home and on the road as a professional athlete, in her most recent blog: http://slansportsmanagement.com/matteke-hutzler-seventh-blog-from-portugal-new-year

For more on Matteke:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/matteke-hutzler

Megan Pinske – Saarlouis TV Royals (Germany)

Stats were unavailable from Megan’s game this week.

Pinske’s next game is January 28th against Halle.

For more on Megan:  http://slansportsmanagement.com/megan-pinske

So here we are… off into the second half of the season.   After having an ‘OK’ start to the season, we are currently sitting in 4^th place in the BBL. Our team has come a very long way and has overcome a ton of obstacles in our path. We are still playing without EJ Harrison and Sterling Davis, our two most veteran players, while others continue to play with nagging injuries.  But our team has no quit – guys have stepped up their play and helped our team stay amongst the top half of the league.  We are looking to get Sterling back in the next few days heading into a hard end of the month.

It’s going to be great playing this weekend after having no games last week, which made room for A LOT of practice over the past twelve days. Personally, I have had a great last month. My numbers are up, and I am one of the top free-throw shooters in the country at 89%. But now is the time for our team to really focus and try and string a few wins together to help us climb back into the hunt for the league championship.

My experience in the UK as a whole has been very good. I have met tremendous people, who I otherwise would never have had a chance to meet.  The culture has definitely grown on me, I have had the chance to indulge in it and that has been the biggest upside. The Scottish accent has grown on me and I have actually started catching myself using some of the slang they use over here in Scotland.

I’ll get back to everyone soon with an update. Thanks for keeping up with me!

Andy

***Note from Slan Sports Management***

Below is excerpt about Andy from a recent Glasgow Rocks fans’ blog:

“You know what you’re going to get from Sterling (save for an uncharacteristic game against the Kings), but in his absence Andy W has really stepped up.  He took a bit longer to find his feet in the league than I expected, but he’s really emerged and shown what a good player he is (and what a great player he can be). He’s tougher than he looks, and did a particularly great lock-down job on Andy Thomson when we played the Eagles and has had progressively better rebounding and scoring numbers throughout the season.

Andy’s a player who might not produce many highlights, but makes the valuable contributions that count – the intangibles, if you will.  (Reaching for my book of American basketball slang it says “he’s a glue-guy”).  Believe me when I say that if Andy doesn’t play well then it’s an uphill battle for the team to win, and he should seriously be considered for team MVP come the end of the season in this form.  Plus his voice just cracks me up.”

Okay, that greeting may be a few weeks late. But it’s the thought that counts, right? I celebrated New Years day packing to go back to Porto. I spent two amazing weeks in Napanee during the holidays, but those two weeks went by in a flash. It was so nice to get back to Canada for some family time after spending three months in Portugal concentrating on basketball. I’m such a family person, so whenever I get the chance to come home, I’m always beyond thrilled. Okay, my brothers can be more annoying than a mosquito buzzing around your ear as you’re trying to fall asleep. But regardless of all the nuisances belonging to family life, I’m really hopelessly in love with my family.  Maybe my admiration for them stems from fact that I have spent the majority of my adult life living across the country, really sealing truth to the quote, “distance makes the heart grow fonder”. Sometimes however, when that quote applies, you can find yourself highly irritated when it comes to actually spending face time together. But during my visits home in the last couple of years, the arguments between my Mom and I have waned, I compare my brothers less and less to a mosquitos and more as my best friends, and my Dad and I have great ‘life’ talks during car rides to and from the airport. I love home but Napanee of ALL places isn’t somewhere I want to be right now. There is nothing there to keep me motivated on my journey. So going home is just a checkpoint for now to recharge, refuel and send me back out into the world.

It is this understanding, of my limited potential at home, that motivated me to get right back on the plane to Porto. As sad as I was to leave, I knew that leaving was just as much a part of the journey as my destination. I was excited to begin the second half of the season with Académico because we had already won as many games as the club won during the entire previous season. Our first game of the New Year was extra special too because it was broadcast on Portuguese SportTV. Four cameras, announcers and intense signage surrounding the court that lit it up so bright it was distracting. Académico hasn’t seen TV interest since the 1970’s so this was a big deal. The week before the game, half of our court was replaced because it had been rotting due to leakage from the roof. New lines were painted and the entire court was re-varnished. The stage was set to play the top ranked Vagos on national television, but unfortunately we did not perform. Vagos shot a ridiculous 72% from behind the arc on 18-of-25 shooting, eventually beating us 102-69. On a positive note however, we scored 69 points, which is 15 points more than our average offensive output. So as pretty as we looked that Sunday morning for the cameras, nothing was going to save us from being slaughtered after the 3-point clinic Vagos put on.

But moving on.

This past weekend we travelled 1,600 kilometers to Terceira, the third of seven Portuguese islands for a game against Boa Viagem, whom we lost 60-47 back in November. Terceira Island is much different from Madeira, the other island we visited earlier in the season. Known mostly for it’s agricultural landscape, the island of 56,000 people produces world famous cheese and other dairy based products. Flights in and out of the island aren’t scheduled as regularly on weekends, so our travel schedule for this game was not fun.

4am – wake up

4:30am – picked up by team van to drive to airport

6am – fly ½ hour from Porto to Lisbon

9:30am – connect in Lisbon to a 2hr flight to random Portuguese island

11:30am – fly 20mins from random Portuguese island to Terceira

11:30am – arrive in Terceira (time zone change)

1:00pm – pre-game meal

2:00pm – naptime

3:15pm – wake up and get ready for game

4:00pm – leave for game

5:00pm – GAME TIME

Needless to say, this game day was filled with adversity. After a LONG day, our team failed to put together a full 40 minutes and we lost 67-50. We were out rebounded 57-18 and it wasn’t until the 4^th quarter that we started to really pressure full court, resulting in 28 Boa Viagem turnovers, compared to our 11.  Another crucial decider of the game came at the free throw line, where we went 4-for-16 compared to their 12-for-19. Where is WORLD CLASS shooting coach Vic Juzenas when you need help at the line? He must be on vacation in Florida or something! Well, get here soon Vic, because we need your help! Our flight back to Porto Sunday morning wasn’t as terrible with only a connection in Lisbon. Travel home took most of the day but it was more than welcomed after playing 40 minutes against one of the biggest import ‘bigs’ in the league who attracted 26 rebounds during that game :/.

Now it’s the start of another workweek and we are back at it.  Training for another game at home this Sunday against GDESSA, who we lost to by two points in one of our first games of the season. Looking to improve on that loss, we are hoping that we will be able to showcase our progress since the beginning of the season. Wish us luck!

Much love from Porto,

Matteke Mary

@MattekeHutzler