Week #3 of the 2011-12 National Basketball League of Canada brought along some sad news and exciting showtime basketball, with intriguing match-ups and a few surprises simply kick back and digest the latest BasketballBuzz NBL Canada Power Rankings.
#1 London Lightning – (6-2) (LW: 1)
London is currently the second best defensive squad in the league and held two of their opponents below the century mark. Still the team to beat and we don’t expect this to change anytime soon.
Previous: Quebec Kebs, W 85-79, Oshawa Power L, 100-96 OT, Oshawa Power W, 105-93
Upcoming Games: Moncton Miracles
#2 Halifax Rainmen – (3-2) (LW: 3)
After a 0-2 start the Rainmen have racked-up three-straight and look poised to remain amongst the league’s premier squads. Vancouver native and former St. Mary’s Huskies Joey Haywood continues to shine and has established himself as a go to guy in a team stacked with talent.
Previous: Saint John Mill Rats W, 122-104
Upcoming Games: Oshawa Power
#3 Quebec Kebs – (5-4) (LW: 4)
The boys from La Belle Province have won three out of their last four games and move one spot up to #3. The combination of Ralphy Holmes and Royce Parran is very exciting to watch. The Kebs and the NBLC morned the sudden passing of 26-year old Sam Carey, a former player with the team.
Previous: Oshawa Power W, 97-88, London Lightning L, 79-85, Summerside Storm W, 108-89
Upcoming Games: Idle
#4 Summerside Storm – (4-3) (LW: 4)
A disappointing week for the Storm. They shot a combined 9-for-43 from downtown in their two defeats last week and their only victory came against the winless Miracles.
Previous: Saint John Mill Rats L, 90-106, Moncton Miracles W, 119-101, Quebec Kebs L 89-108
Upcoming Games: Oshawa Power
#5 Saint John Mill Rats (4-4) (LW: 6)
The Mill Rats are on the rise and have won four of their last five contest. Exciting 5’11” 185-pound guard Anthony Anderson (Lynn MA) earned player of the week honors after dropping a league and season-high 35 points.
Previous: Oshawa Power W, 88-91, Summerside Storm W, 106-90, Halifax Rainmen L, 104-122, Moncton Miracles W, 97-92
#6 Oshawa Power – (3-4) (LW: 2)
Steep decline from the #2 spot, two very tough losses by a combined three-points. Avoided a three-game losing streak by earning a signature victory over the Lightning.
Previous: Saint John Mill Rats L, 88-91, Quebec Kebs L, 88-87, London Lightning W, 100-96, London Lightning L, 93-105
Upcoming Games: Summerside Storm, Halifax Rainmen
#7 Moncton Miracles (0-6) (LW: 7)
At this point, a trade or a big splash acquisition might be the Miracle they need.
Previous: Summerside Storm L, 101-119, Saint John Mill Rats L, 92-97
Upcoming Games: London Lightning