It’s time for the Moncton Miracles (1-0) to make a comeback after
losing 97-125 against the Saint
John Mill Rats (1-0) in their
season opener.
After, their devastating loss, the organisation shook things up by
releasing 6’5 shooting guard Matt
Hunter and 6’7 forward Decourcey Jones. The team was without Trayvon Lathan and rookie Harold Washington due to
waiting for FIBA clearance.
The Miracles have since signed former
Storm player Shawn Vanzant and the “lethal shooter,” Chris Matthews, formerly of the Rainmen.
Vanzant, the Butler University
graduate, ranked number seven in the NBL standings in assist to turnover
ratio (2.326), played 52 games with the Island
Storm in the 2013-14 season,
averaged 6 points per game, shot 42% from the floor, 42% from the 3 point
range, and 77% on the free throw line.
Matthews knows how to run the court
and take care of business, ranked number eight in the NBL standings for total 3 point field
goals made (106). Played in 49 games for the Rainmen,
averaged 14 points per game shot 46% from the floor, 42% from the 3 point
range, and 84% on the free throw line. Matthews style is comparable to former Miracle players Devin Sweetney and Johnny
Mayhane.
With Vanzant,
Matthews, Lathan and Washington, the Miracles have the recipe to take down the Rainmen. The Miracles had a good scoring balance offensively
last game, but need to turn it up when it comes to steals, rebounds, and
keeping the ball in their favour.
Tip-off is 7 p.m. on
Friday, November 7th at
the Moncton Coliseum.