UPDATE AUGUST 17, 2015 - The newcomers from Week 3 proved to be more than just one-week flings. The additions that proved to fill big holes on July 8 continued to fill those holes and flourished through playoffs on August 8, and it showed in the postseason all-league selections.
Man Up's Mike Wine, a junior at Guilderland, ended up finishing 2nd in the league in scoring at 19.57 PPG - and really, 1st in the league out of regular attendees. Although Man Up finished with a 3-11 record, those included 2 overtime losses, 2 other losses of less than 5 points, and a 49-39 L to Team 518 which proved to be 518's closest & toughest game of the season. Wine was an easy selection to Empire State Takeover's all-league 1st team.
Marcella Appliances' Devin Boyle, a senior at Johnstown, wasn't that far behind in the scoring column and had every bit of the impact for his team as Wine did for his. After his first night on July 8, he didn't miss a game through the rest of the summer and was one of the league's most consistent contributors. He was good for 6th in the league with 14.3 PPG, and his 143 total points was good for 4th. He knocked down 29 threes on the season, which was tops in the league. Devin's impact for a Marcella Appliances team that shifted heavily in its first few weeks was extremely evident, and his ability to score along with run the show and keep everyone involved garnered him a 2nd team selection.
His Marcella Appliances teammate, Jamie Gonzalez, also made his season debut on the 3rd week. He was an alternate before the season started that happened to make his first appearance for Marcella on July 8, but he also didn't miss a night after that one. Though he didn't stand out as much in the box score, he brought another legitimate backcourt scoring threat to the table that could also put the ball on the floor, use strength to get to the rim, and set others up. He was a consistent 8-12 point contributor, averaging 9.67 PPG with a season high of 15. The senior hailing from Leominster, MA earned an honorable mention spot.
Last but not least, Ty'Jon Gilmore was a huge addition for a reeling Upstate Select team. A 6'2" guard with legitimate Division I interest - most recently UIC - he brought a variety of things that Select desperately needed. He was a scorer that get his own shot, where they had a number of scorers that needed screens or to be set up to be most effective. One of the physically strongest guards in the league, he could get a step on defenders and use the strength to finish through contact. He also did a good job getting everyone else involved, and he became a vocal leader that was instantly respected by his teammates - a rarity in any summer league, especially one with top talent across the board. He averaged 10.67 PPG, but his contributions to Select went well beyond the scoreboard, and he earned a 2nd team all-league selection.
July 9, 2015 - The boys league has been one of constant tweaking and addition this summer. The same was true for this past Wednesday, the 3rd installment of the 7 week summer event. With such low numbers across the board due to various basketball events in other parts of the country, it opened up an opportunity for some new guys to come in and shake it up - and that's exactly what they did.
Marcella Appliances has been one of the teams with the most shifting early. Through three weeks, they've seen 14 different people put on a green jersey, the highest number of any team. Last week, it was Caleb Lapinel's turn to be a big surprise contributor in his debut. Last night, Devin Boyle filled that role. The 6'0" senior combo guard came out in attack mode against Rising Stars and turned some heads in his game high 22 point performance. He followed it up with 12 points in the following game - his 17 PPG puts him at 3rd in the league behind Zach Radz and Andrew Sischo. Not bad company.
For Man Up, Mike Wine made a difference upon stepping on the court. The rising junior was the starting point guard at Guilderland last year, and with standout Andrew Platek heading to prep school, him and the aforementioned Sischo will look to take the reigns themselves. He showed he's up for the task of anything tonight, scoring 18 points in a loss to undefeated Team 518. Wine had one of the best showings against the best defense in the league this summer - perhaps 2nd to just teammate Zach Radz, who had 24. Mike can make a serious difference to a Man Up team looking for stability.
Upstate Select needed a strong guard who can create for himself and others in a variety of ways, along with some more toughness and a leader. They got all three in one addition this week - Watervliet senior standout Ty'Jon Gilmore. He instantly changes the team in white, and he's dangerous in many different ways when fully invested. An opposing team coach had some very high praise for him last night in comparison to some of the more recognizable names in Section II. He had 14 & 9 points in two losses, but he also racked up rebounds, assists, steals, and became their on-court vocal leader. They may have a couple debut appearances in Week 4 from Oneonta standout wing Albert Odero and 6'10" Troy product Jack McLaren - despite a 1-5 record, that could make Select the team no one wants to play.
Even in the weeks with the lowest numbers - the dog days of summer - the quality of Empire State Takeover's inaugural run is continuing to improve. Rosters look to be a lot closer to full next week... and I can't wait to see the level of play when that happens, thanks in part to new blood injecting life in the league.
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