Cantaloupe Pick Up Heated Win Ahead of Big Week 3 Matchup

The Fighting Cantaloupe squared off against the Out of Shape All-Stars last week in an early game of the year candidate. 1-1 all-time against each other, last Thursday's rubber match was one for the books as the Cantaloupe etched out a narrow 48-43 victory for their second straight win to start the Spring season. After early reports confirmed that the teams leading scorer, Ryan Welsh was out with an illness, the Cantaloupe knew they’d need to bring the intensity to help pick up the slack.

Unfortunately, the Cantaloupe took that game plan a little too literally as Lou found himself in foul trouble early, and Chris and Kevin both talked their way into a couple of technicals. With Lou stuck on the bench, Tim had to step in as the team's primary ball-handler, and even though he struggled to get the lid off the basket, the team's ball movement was arguably the best it’s ever been. Good thing too as offense was hard to come by last week. Nick led the team in scoring with an inefficient 13 points on just 4/14 shooting from the floor but Kev and Mikey G who each finished with 8 apiece flourished off of the open looks they were getting going 3/6 and 4/7 from the floor respectively. Chris, Lou, and Tim all finished with 5 for the team's next highest point total, but aside from Lou whose play was handcuffed a bit on account of some questionable foul calls, Chris and Tim’s contributions were centered around their work on the glass. Tim had a huge night in the paint, bringing down a team-high 9 rebounds while Chris brought his usual brand of hard-nosed defense and fought for 5 boards of his own. Anthony also had a solid 4-point, 3 rebound night while Tyler came up with a few big rebounds of his own and notched a nice assist late in the game.

Now 2-0 on the young season, the team is off and running, but it looks like they might be running right into a brick wall this week as they take on defending champion Too Tuff who are 1-1 to start the Spring. Ryan will be back in the lineup this week, but as one Welsh Bro returns, the other takes a seat as Nick joins Kevin on the inactive list for tonight’s week 3 matchup. Fans also had to say goodbye to Tim last week as he sets off for Utah and hands his spot off to Mikey G for the remainder of the Spring. While we wish you safe travels Tim, we wouldn’t have minded seeing you squeeze in one more game as Tyler has been listed as a game-time decision tonight as well. If he’s unable to go, it’s looking like Lou, Conner, Ryan, Anthony, and Mikey G as the starters with Chris as the first and only option off the bench. Fans are excited to see Anthony get the start as many hoped he’d be able to see an increased role in the offense this Spring after his off-season work with Strength & Conditioning Coach Aldrin. We asked Alday how Butler had kept up with his gym routine since the season started, but he had no comment. Tip-off is set for tonight @ 7:30 on Court #5. Be sure to tune in to see if the Cantaloupe can take down the defending champs and keep their early undefeated streak alive as the halfway point of the season draws near.

Written by: Jonathan Abbott

April 21st, 2022