Week 8 Power Poll - A new leader!

Wow! What a week!!! An incredible game between the Joy Boys and Green Dot.....back to back upsets on thursday night......things are getting interesting in the City of Alexandria league. Even though the the faceoff between the top two teams ended up with a combined 7 players missing, they still put on another classic, with GDB coming out on top. The Ballers now have the inside track to the number one seed. Let's see a rematch of these two next month!! In the meantime, the final two spots are still up for grabs with four, errr, I mean FIVE, teams angling for a ticket to the tourney.

Already Platinum (clinched a spot)

#1 Green Dot Ballers (8-0) - It appeared early on that the top ranked GDB defense would carry the day. They gave up just TWO POINTS in the first eleven minutes, but the Joy Boys came roaring back in the second half with a 16-0 run over the last eight minutes of the game that almost wrested the victory away. After all that, the Ballers find themselves with a chance to join Grant Thornton as the the second team in three years to run the regular season table. Of course, they hope that their ultimate fate will be better than GT, who were upset by the Ballers in the semi-final that year. Matchups with GT and Bullets remain after a bye week.

#2 Joy Boys (6-1) - The sick bug hit Joy Boys hard with multiple players out. It took awhile for the reserve squad to get their legs under them, but once they did, they almost rode a full court press from the depths of a 24-2 deficit all the way to victory, before coming up just short. The loss really shouldn't stop the Joy Boys going forward, and hey, no one has swept both games of a season series in this rivalry, so maybe the Joy Boys are playing the long game?? A game with the Monstars precedes a home and home with Beat Durangos to end the season.

Jump Around (Competing for last 2 spots)

#3 Monstars (4-2) The Monstars were the main beneficiary of upsets this week when they were able to tip toe their way around an upset bid by OOCD. Trailing at the half, Monstars rallied to the victory and moved into the third spot when upsets hit both of the other contenders on thursday night. A tough road ahead, but a clear chance at the ever elusive playoff spot if Monstars can find a way to split the last four games. Matchups with Joy Boys, Beat Durangos (x2) and Durangos remain. Projected final record - 5-5

#4 Beat Durangos (3-2) BD has been living on the edge the last two weeks and it finally caught up with them. After squeaking out a win over GT by one point, BD faced off with the Bullets. When the Bullets have their full complement of players, they are a tough out, and they posted 72 points in pulling off the 1 point upset. How quickly things change. Beat Durangos, looked to have a clear path to the playoffs, but now must take care of business against OOCD and then navigate 2 games with Monstars and 2 games with Joy Boys to find their way into the dance. Projected final record 6-4

#5 G-Men (3-4) The bye week results were promising for G-Men. They now have their destiny back in their own hands with games vs GT, Bullets and OOCD left on the docket. If they run the table they will be in. Projected final record - 6-4

#6 Bullets (3-4) - Breathed life back into their playoff chances with the upset win against BD. Can they keep getting these types of performances? They still have life with games vs Durangos and G-Men as chances to beat teams they are competing for playoffs with. Will they still have their playoff hopes alive for a final week showdown with top ranked GDB? Projected final record - 4-6

#7 Durangos (2-5) - The defending champs are in deep trouble. They could only muster 37 points in an upset loss to Grant Thornton and have four teams ahead of them for the final two playoff spots. Originally they would have been favored in all three games, but their erratic play this season makes games vs. Bullets and Monstars toss ups. Projected final record - 5-5

Sipping on Gin and Juice (eliminated)

#8 Grant Thornton (2-6) - GT dreaming of what could have been after just missing an upset of Beat Durangos last week, they took the advice of said club and beat Durangos this week! Could have been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season for the purple and gold squad. Games vs. G-Men and Green Dot remain to play out the string.

#9 Only One Can Dunk (0-7) - OOCD put a big scare into the Monstars this week, taking a halftime lead and staying around until the end. They will have three more shots but tough competition along the way in a quest for their first win.

Games of the week

Tuesday 3/10 #6 Bullets vs #7 Durangos - This is now an elimination game. Whoever loses will be out of the playoff chase. Will the defending champs dig down and keep their hopes alive? Will the Bullets use their big upset of BD to further push their way into the playoff race.

Thursday - 3/12 - #4 Monstars vs. #2 Joy Boys - If the Monstars are going to finally break through to the playoffs, they need to find a signature win. The Joy Boys present such an opportunity. Can the Monstars control pace? Or will the Joy Boys return to their runaway ways?

Standings Key

Green means a win, Red means a loss, white is the game this week.