RS Round 3: Monday, April 14th, 2025 Rajdersi v Buckner Bandits
(133880014)Rajdersi 123 - Buckner Bandits 93Buckner Bandits Overwhelmed by Rajdersi's Relentless Attack in 123–93 Defeat
April 14, 2025
The Buckner Bandits were brought back down to earth Monday night as they ran into a well-oiled Rajdersi squad that dictated tempo, dominated the paint, and never took their foot off the gas pedal en route to a commanding 123–93 road win. The loss dropped Buckner to 1-2 on the young HGL season and served as a wake-up call for a team still seeking its identity on both ends of the floor.
First Quarter Blues: Bandits Struggle Out the Gate
Rajdersi came out blazing in the first quarter, outscoring the Bandits 36–18 behind their "Push the Ball" offense that blitzed the Bandits’ 2-3 zone. Buckner’s interior defense was exposed early and often, as P. Robaszkiewicz muscled his way to 26 points and 18 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards that set the tone for Rajdersi's dominance on the glass.
The Bandits, meanwhile, couldn’t get much going on either end. The ball movement was sluggish, and their shot selection reflected it, shooting just 38.8% from the field and committing 19 turnovers that gave Rajdersi plenty of transition opportunities.
Mick Hunt's Lone Flame
Despite the blowout, Mick Hunt once again shined as the lone bright spot for Buckner. The ever-reliable shooting guard poured in 25 points on 8-of-21 shooting, adding 7 assists and going 7-for-8 from the line. His ability to keep attacking the rim despite Rajdersi’s strong perimeter defense was a small victory in an otherwise dismal outing.
Hunt's leadership on the court was clear, but he desperately needed more help, especially on the boards and in transition defense.
Rajdersi: Efficiency, Hustle, and Balance
Rajdersi didn't just win — they executed with surgical precision. They shot 51.4% from the field and had eight players score 8 or more points, showcasing depth and balance across all five positions. Their ball movement was crisp, with 33 assists on 55 made field goals, and they completely controlled the tempo throughout.
S. Spólnik added 25 points and 4 assists, while big man L. Kornatowski chipped in with 18 points and solid interior defense that neutralized Buckner’s inside threats.
G. Patterson: Quiet Double-Double Amid the Chaos
Forward Greg Patterson quietly collected 14 points and 19 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards, in a gritty performance that went largely under the radar. His hustle and positioning were among the few positives for Buckner, especially as the rest of the frontcourt struggled to contain Rajdersi’s inside game.
The Paint Battle: A Losing War
The key difference in the game? Interior scoring and rebounding. Rajdersi outmuscled Buckner with a +12 rebounding advantage (53-41) and dominated the painted area with strong inside scoring ratings. The Bandits’ inept rebounding rating came back to haunt them, and their 2-3 zone couldn’t rotate quickly enough to stop second-chance points.
Rajdersi’s forwards were surgical in pick-and-rolls, slipping screens and punishing slow close-outs. The Bandits’ decision to run zone backfired badly — Rajdersi moved the ball too well and punished every breakdown.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, the Bandits fall to 1-2 and must now regroup quickly before their next matchup. Defensive rotations, rebounding effort, and bench productivity are clear areas of concern that need immediate attention.
Coach's message will be clear heading into the next game: tighten up the fundamentals, get back in transition, and protect the paint — or risk digging a deeper hole early in the season.
🔥 Player of the Game: P. Robaszkiewicz (Rajdersi)
26 points, 18 rebounds, 4-4 FT, +23 plus-minus
Dominated the paint from start to finish.
Last edited by T-Lit at 4/14/2025 10:28:16 AM