An early season rivalry last Tuesday, matched the 2014 champion Swamp Donkeys against the restructured runner-up Rec Legends, who are being led by Captain Frank DiStefano and former 1,000-point scorer Sam Henderson.
The Rec Legends overtook the Swamp Donkeys to head into week two of the regular season atop the standings with a 2-0 record, despite only having five players available because of questionable weather and traveling conditions.
Even though the final score was recorded as 69-55 in favor of the Rec Legends, it was no indication of the competitive nature of the matchup in the first of three games between the two teams.
The Rec Legends went on a 13-2 scoring run, leaving the Swamp Donkeys on their heels at 0-1.
DiStefano earned his second double-double of the season, with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Henderson finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Adam Hogan scored 15 points.
In the Swamp Donkeys debut, Bates brothers, James and Peter, paced their team by scoring double digits with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Matt Day followed closely behind with nine points and 14 rebounds.
In the second game of the night, The Sofa Kings and Monstars were both hungry for their first win, but it was The Sofa Kings rolling to a 60-45 win and leveling out their record to 1-1.
The Sofa Kings were once again led to success behind the dominent play of co-captain Adam Carter, who scored 21 points with five field goals in each half and 15 rebounds. Chad Duff had a strong outing scoring 14 points and Andrew Savage hit double figures by netting 10 points.
On the losing side of the court, Flewelling hit four 3-pointers in the game, finishing with 16 points, as the Monstars dropped to 0-2 on the season. Jeff Curtis tallied nine points.
The Rec Legends hold an impressive 3-0 record after their latest win over the Sofa Kings, 71-50, last Sunday.
DiStefano played very aggressively in the second half scoring 14 of his 24 total points (10 rebounds) for his third double-double in as many games. Hogan, 23 points, established a season high mark of six total 3-pointers for a single game for a total of 12.
The Sofa Kings dropped to a 1-2 record, and were never allowed to get closer than 15 points in the final half of action.
The Sofa Kings were led by point guard Seth Dorr with 12 points, seven rebounds and a steal. Jeremy Tarr making his first court appearance of the season finished with 11points.
In the final game of the Sunday evening, the Swamp Donkeys (1-1) overtook the Scalabrine Squad, 62-47.
The Swamp Donkeys were with Peter Bates due to an early season injury, which has sidelined him until later this month.
Day took complete control and led his once championship team, by pounding the ball inside, and scoring 17 of his 27 total points in the second half to go along with 10 rebounds. Justin Lenentine finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Scalabrine Squad was led by Emery Lincoln with 11 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the regular season. Tim Williams ended up with 11 points and Pat Goodall finished with 10 points and seven robounds.
The Houlton Basketball Association Men’s League has a short break in the schedule, with no regular season games next week due to the Christmas holiday. The teams will be back in action at the Houlton Recreation Department on Dec. 28 at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.
