BOX SCORE   

    Normally, these CSL game recaps celebrate the performers of each contest that light up the box score, but in Pippen 55-46 defeat over Rainmakers, the story is much more about their teamwork. With only three games in the books, most teams are still struggling the find cohesiveness with minutes and shots. Pippen though have solved that problem earlier than most.

      Lead by captain Mike Masura, Pippen’s rotations work like clockwork. Working with nine players, no lineup through the 40 minutes is without scorers, ball handlers, or bigs. That balance allows the team to maximize their potential, as opposed to other squads who are held back by imperfect rotations.  Wednesday’s game was another demonstration of that balance. Of the nine players that appeared, no one took more than eight shots or played less than 12 minutes. 

    While the Rainmakers are still working on some team issues, they showed strong signs of life. It wasn’t looking good early on, as Pippen started the game up 17-2. But Larry Li dropped two straight threes and Baz Sledziewski went to work on the inside and by halftime, Rainmakers were only down four.

    However, while Li and Sledziewski worked hard on the offensive end to bring Rain back in the 1st half, they did not get the same looks in the 2nd. Li ended up with 9 points on only 5 shots and Sledziewski got 16 points on 8 attemps. Without the touches, Pippen were able to cruise in a 2nd half in which they never trailed. 

    Pippen were lead by Jackson Genovese who continued his excellent shooting. He’s shooting 72% on the season and Wednesday was no different, going 5-8. Derrick Walker added 15. Another Pippen speciality is their excellent free throw shooting, they shot 80% from the charity stripe, led by George Williams perfect 6/6 night.