The sixteenth of our weekly Cryptic Saturday stories from our bothan spies.  Yet again, we have a picture, no explanation, no clue, no nothing.  On the bright side, we have a gif this time and if a picture is worth 1000 words, a gif is worth a lot more.  A gif of the famous Seinfeld episode where George Costanza saves a whale from certain death.  Is it George?  Is it Jerry?  Is it George's girlfriend?  Is it the whale?  Is it Kramer's golf ball that lands in the whale's blowhole?  Is it Brad and James Smith teeing balls off the Eucla cliffs like Kramer did?  So many questions but we'll confess we're completely stumped yet again.  Interesting times, interesting times.

As we said last week and the week before, it's registration time, folks.  Register for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival at the following link and stay tuned for more details.  https://salvationarmy.typeform.com/BNC2024

And so we have it, the last minor round game of the season as the Thunder come up against the Futures Pioneers for ... well, not a lot.  Both teams are locked into their ladder positions of 1st and 3rd respectively so this is all about getting the rust out for some of the injured players returning to action and form for the rest.  The Thunder come in without four players, their absence sure to make this one just that little bit more interesting.  Two teams enter, one team leave. With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v Futures Pioneers.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD-TO-HEAD
18/3/2024:  Gateway 61 (D.Smith 20, Jon.Smith 19, B.Smith 11) d Futures Pioneers 50
29/1/2024:  Gateway 64 (D.Smith 20, Penn 13, Sleep 12) d Futures Pioneers 51
4/12/2023:  Gateway 55 (Jon.Smith 19, D.Smith 14, Vucetic 6) d Futures Pioneers 51 
20/11/2023:  Gateway 41 (Vucetic 14, B.Smith 10, Penn 8) d Futures Pioneers 30
25/9/2023:  Gateway 77 (D.Smith 25, Jon.Smith 13, Vucetic 10) d Futures Pioneers 54

OUR PREDICTION
Our bothan spies tell us there's one big absence - new point guard James Smith will miss the game due to another commitment, a big statement given the importance of tonight's game.  The changing of the guard will likely see more conventional point guards return to the General role but we here at leaguelineup know Smith's absence makes tonight one seriously interesting contest.  The 6-7 guard has been a revelation in recent weeks combining breathtaking speed with ball handling not seen since Paul Rees, a fan favourite here at leaguelineup.com.  The other outs remain a mystery whilst Futures have their own issues, players routinely rocking up in different colour shorts than their teammates, as sign of disunity and trouble in the ranks.  So who wins?  We were all ready to declare this a Pioneers win because Smith's absence - plus that of 3 other players - is probably a mountain too big to climb for the Thunder but in late breaking news, we have a replacement.  Yes, a replacement player will suit up tonight, a direct replacement for the best point guard in the competition in more ways than one.  We were gonna say Futures by 5 points.  With this happening, we're now saying Gateway by 12 points.  Yep, it's like that.  Let's hope so.  Interesting times, interesting times.

Down too many players in the season's final minor round game, the Thunder brought in a new player and boy oh boy, did he make an impression.  Futures started strong and then bang, the Thunder got going, led by a new guard who reportedly won't be back. Sadly he heads off overseas this week but no matter what happens, we'll always have 3 June 2024.  For the record, the Pioneers were good but this was the Thunder's night despite the absence of Messrs McKinnon, D.Smith, J.Smith and Jos.Smith.  Next stop the finals but for now, we remember the night JJ came to town and made hopefully the first of many appearances in Gateway blue.  Final score Gateway 92 (Jaspers 28, Penn 23, Jon.Smith 18, Sleep 11, B.Smith 6, Vucetic 6) d Futures Pioneers 41.  Good times, good times.

Each Wednesday we'll publish the WCB A Grade Men premiership ladder here because well ..... just because.  OK, it's because we're old and can't work out the app but we have managed to work out how websites work.  Next stop is to give away our cassettes and start using CDs but we're not sure the technology will last.  We shall see.  With no further adieu, here's the full A Grade Men premiership ladder.  Enjoy.

1. Gateway Thunder 16-0, 48pts @ 140%
2. Revolution Bullets 11-5, 37pts @ 118%
3. Futures Pioneers 8-8, 32pts @ 91%
4. Seaton Stars 7-9, 30pts @ 95%
5. North Western Mavericks 6-1-9, 29pts @ 92%
6. Futures Hornets 4-1-11, 25pts @ 83%
7. Futures Grizzlies 1-11, 12pts @ 74%

Well, that one was interesting.  Some day we'll write a book about all the stories we haven't published here on leaguelineup.com and be rest assured this one will be in there.  "You'd be an idiot if ....." and we won't finish the sentence, nor reveal who said it, nor reveal who it was said to or about.  But it'll be in the book.  Fascinating times, fascinating times.

Ready:  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. – Isaiah 55:8

Set:  Life rarely turns out as we thought it would. Sports aren’t any different. It may be fun to dream of the players we could be, but things do not always turn out as planned. Sometimes it’s hard to see, but looking back we realize it all worked for the best. I am glad for the things that are not as I had intended, because I would have missed a lot.  God does not often work in the ways we may think He would. He works beyond them. He does not fit in the box in which we are prone to put Him. In fact, He seems to do what does not make sense. The Savior of the world came as an infant, became a carpenter, rode on a donkey, served alongside fishermen, and died alongside criminals.  Yet, it was this carpenter who gave sight to the blind, fed thousands with a few loaves, and raised people from the dead. Talk about a story that was not as one might predict. In fact, it was so far from what the Pharisees thought it would be or should be that they missed it. They missed their Savior. How often do we miss the thing that could save us because it doesn’t look as we think it should? Wrapped up in pain and disappointment, we miss our opportunity for something better. Don’t miss your opportunity for joy—it’s probably riding on the trial at your feet.

Go:  1. Can you think of a time when something upsetting ended up as a blessing?  2. What trial are you facing? How can you turn it into an opportunity for joy?

Workout:  Genesis 45:4-11; Exodus 23:27-30; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2

Overtime:  God, thank You for the times when the things I thought were failures turned out to be blessings. Knowing that You are working for my good, I choose to trust You. Amen.

The seventeenth of our weekly Cryptic Saturday stories from our bothan spies.  Yet again, we have a picture, no explanation, no clue, no nothing.  On the bright side, we have another gif this time and if a picture is worth 1000 words, a gif is worth a lot more.  A gif of a bearded Tom Brady giving a thumbs up.  Is it the right hand in the hand warmer?  Is it the thumbs up with the left hand?  Is it the other player in the foreground?  Is it the number 12?  So many questions but we'll confess we're completely stumped yet again.  Interesting times, interesting times.

As we said last week and the week before and the week before that, it's registration time, folks.  Register for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival at the following link and stay tuned for more details.  https://salvationarmy.typeform.com/BNC2024

We didn't see that coming.  In a surprise that we doubt anyone saw coming, the WCB's Revolution Bullets have withdrawn from the upcoming finals.  Last season's champion has struggled to field a consistent side this season and on the cusp of the major round, has withdrawn for reasons unknown to us.  We asked our bothan spies for more info but they said this took them by surprise too.  The move means each of the WCB's A Grade Men teams climbs a ladder spot from 3-4-5 to 2-3-4, giving us Futures Pioneers v Seaton Stars and Gateway Thunder v North Western Mavericks.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we'll miss the green, white and black but the season goes on and there's a championship to be won.  Interesting times, interesting times.

We're a few days late but with the NBA champion-in-waiting Boston Celtics paying homage to the Late Bill Walton, we take a moment to note the passing of a true one-of-a-kind.  Walton passed away on 27 May 2024, aged 71 years.  Walton won championships with Portland and Boston and in his prime was arguably the best player in the league before injuries slowed him in later years.  More so, he was a beautiful soul who lived life to the max and brought a smile to all those he touched.  A reminder of who we can all be and should strive to be, our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  Vale Bill Walton, a true one-of-a-kind and a legend for life.

Rumours abound about the makeup of South Australia's lineup for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival.  We won't publish the rumours here for fear of outing our bothan spies but let's just say we may have a first.  Yes folks, something that has never happened in the 45 years of documented SA carnival history.  Now that's exciting.  Stay tuned and if you're wanting to go, there's still time.  See our Sunday stories each week for the registration link and register now or at least before Monday 17 June 2024.  Amazing times, amazing times.

Only days after the passing of Bill Walton, the NBA today lost an icon or more to the fact, the logo.  West passed away aged 86 and is remembered as one of the greatest contributors to the NBA that there ever has been.  A one-time champion doesn't account for his career, falling frustratingly short of the Boston Celtics so many times but remaining an out-and-out champion guard.  He then coached briefly before becoming arguably the greatest executive the league has none, the architect of the 1980s LA Lakers and years beyond in the purple and gold, before he built the 2010s Golden State Warriors dynasty.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.  Vale Jerry West, the logo.

Thursday

Ready:  “After Moses came back, He summoned the elders of the people, and put before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the LORD. — Exodus 19:7–8

Set:  Coaches work hard to get the job done for their programs, but the head coach spends even more time in preparation for his or her meetings. It’s not just the season preparations that need to be done, but also pre-season, postseason, and summer workouts to consider. The head coach must think of everyone in the program and blend every person together for the success of the next year.  Moses had quite a team. After patiently dealing with Pharaoh, the Israelites were finally given the freedom to go with their head coach and leader, Moses. Moses took his job very seriously. He listened to and followed God in order to lead his team through their journey. Though his team grumbled many times, Moses convinced them to stick with the plan. Moses would go and speak with God and then come back and meet with his “assistant coaches” (elders or tribal leaders) and present to them God’s game plan for the day or week. The Israelites responded to God’s plan through Moses, claiming they would do “all the LORD had spoken” (Ex 19:8).  Moses did the right thing. He received God’s “game plan,” presented it to his assistants, and then set the plan in motion with his team. However, because of a lack of obedience to God’s plan, there were defeats and disappointments along the way. Amid those struggles, Moses stayed with the plan because he trusted God. As coaches, we need to stick with the plan even in tough times. If we endure, we may reach our ultimate goal one day. As believers, it is important that we follow God’s game plan for our lives.

Go:  1. Is your “game plan” prepared, planned, and presented to your staff before your team?  2. Do you know God’s game plan for your life?  3. Today, how can you start to implement God’s plan for your life?

Workout:  Extra Reading: Exodus 21; Proverbs 3:5–6

Overtime:  Lord, please show me where I need to adjust my game plan to fit Yours. Amen.

PS.  Don't think we've forgotten.  Happy Birthday Coach.  ;-)

The eighteenth of our weekly Cryptic Saturday stories from our bothan spies.  Yet again, we have a picture, no explanation, no clue, no nothing.  On the bright side, we have another gif this time and if a picture is worth 1000 words, a gif is worth a lot more.  A gif from the movie 'Champions' with Woody Harrelson hugging one of the team's players in the shower.  Is it Harrelson, who bares a striking resemblance to Sturt Football Club Junior Development Coach Greg Crowden?  Is it the yellow tiles?  Is it that the team that showers together, powers together?  Is it the pyellow tiles?  Is it a strange reference to water?  Is it that Harrelson's ropes on his shorts aren't done up?  So  many questions but we'll confess we're completely stumped yet again.  Interesting times, interesting times.

As we said last week and the week before and the week before that, it's registration time, folks.  Register for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival at the following link and stay tuned for more details.  Registrations close tomorrow so register now!  https://salvationarmy.typeform.com/BNC2024

With the Revolution Bullets withdrawing from this season's finals, matchups have changed and instead of the scheduled Seaton Stars, the Thunder find themselves up against North Western Mavericks.  6 points - that's all that's separated them the last two times they've met with a 4-point and 2-point victory.  That's close and like two Jedi facing off for a battle to the death, it's going to be on tonight.  Two teams enter, one team leave in a knockout semi-final game.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v North Western Mavericks.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD-TO-HEAD
27/5/2024:  Gateway 66 (Vucetic 21, Jon.Smith 17, J.Smith 10) d North Western Mavericks 64
25/3/2024: Gateway 74 (D.Smith 18, Jon.Smith 13, J.Smith 10) d North Western Mavericks 70
5/2/2024:  Gateway 88 (D.Smith 31, Penn 18, Vucetic 17) d North Western Mavericks 57
27/11/2023: Gateway 70 (D.Smith 31, Jon.Smith 21, Jos.Smith 6) d North Western Mavericks 60
9/10/2023: Gateway 75 (D.Smith 26, Jos.Smith 18, Jon.Smith 14) d North Western Mavericks 47

OUR PREDICTION
Last season's runner-up find themselves in an enviable position - undefeated for the season, with homeground advantage and last season's premiers absent.  Things are set up for the Thunder but they've been hit hard by injury the second half of the season and our bothan spies tell us they won't be 100% again tonight but they're getting close.  North Western played them on a break when they last met and were unlucky not to win, the absence of D.Smith proving a significant difference but they held firm for the dub.  Expect a hard fought, arm wrestle of a contest tonight and a game well worth the price of free admission.  Our tip?  Gateway by 6 points because anything closer isn't good for our blood pressure and we can't predict a Gateway loss - it's in the Bible.  Let's hope so.  Anxious times, anxious times.

After a tumultous injury-riddled season, the Thunder can breathe a sigh of relief today for just a moment after qualifying for their 64th grand final courtesy of a victory over a similarly-depleted North Western Mavericks.  A 14-0 run to start the game - on the back of 4 Vucetic triples - set the tone early but the Mavericks kept fighting despite being undermanned themselves.  The game see-sawed but with North Western suiting just the minimum 5 against Gateway's 7, you had the sense that the blues would ultimately run over the golds and they did as the game wore on, Vucetic with a fine shooting night and Jon.Smith strong to the basket punctuated by a bucketload of contested dunks.  Most exciting was a return to the game by Jos.Smith, having missed the last 7 weeks to an achilles injury that we couldn't disclose at the time but can now.  The Thunder's tallest player - Editor's Note:  that's not true.  He's close but not yet. - showed enough to say he should be wearing shades 24/7 because the future is so bright but we digress.  North Western closed the game out but on this night, Gateway were ready and win through to the big dance v Futures Pioneers next week but more on that later.  Final score Gateway 62 (Vucetic 21, Jon.Smith 19, Penn 5, Jos.Smith 5, B.Smith 4, J.Smith 4, McKinnon 3) d North Western Mavericks 33.  Good times, good times.

Rumours abound even more than last week about the makeup of South Australia's lineup for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival.  We won't publish the rumours here for fear of outing our bothan spies but let's just say we may have another first.  Yes folks, another something that has never happened in the 45 years of documented SA carnival history.  Now that's exciting but we have to say that wow, we did not see this coming.  Registrations have now closed and we'll be back with more details soon.  Amazing times, amazing times.

And away we go.  In a straight-up swap, the Chicago Bulls have received Josh Giddey from the OKC Thunder for defensive fan-favourite Alex Caruso.  Giddey becomes the 5th Australian to suit for the Chicago Bulls - Luc Longley, Luke Schenscher, Chris Anstey and Cameron Bairstow the others - and begins a reshape for the Chicago Bulls who get their point guard amidst a long injury layoff for Lonzo Ball.    Caruso meanwhile joins the Thunder on the precipice of a championship run with a solid team and a billion draft picks yet to be realised.  Our thoughts?  The Bulls now emerge as the favourites in the East while the Western Conference can please themselves.  The Bulls are back and we may never lose again.  Good times, good times.

Ready:  “For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.” — Matthew 11:18–30

Set:  We live in a world filled with pressure. Constant, defeating pressure that will leave us paralyzed in fear if we are not careful to fight against it. It is easy to feel pressure and stress from everything in our lives.  I will never forget the stress I felt as a volleyball player at every game that I played. I knew I had to perform at my best for my teammates, coaches and parents. The greatest pressure was the fear that others would not see me as a good athlete.  I was so focused on image that I forgot what it looked like to play because I loved my sport. Do you ever feel that way? Well, you do not have to. Our identity is not found in our sports or achievements; it is found in Jesus, and He says we are children of God. As children of God, we do not have to carry the weight of success anymore. All we need to do is seek the Lord, come to Him in our weariness and with all of our heavy burdens, and He will be faithful to carry them for us and give us His yoke, which is a yoke of rest for our souls.  Now, it is not wrong to want to succeed and to practice getting better. But we must ultimately have peace and know we are practicing. Jesus is our only source of rest and peace from the pressure of this world. In Him, our burden is light, and we can live without fear or anxiety. Find rest in Him today.

Go:  How can you trust God more?  What do you think it means that the Lord can carry our burdens?

Workout:  Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; John 1:12

Overtime:  "Lord, thank You for the beautiful promise that You will carry our burdens for us. You say that I am good and Yours. Help me remember that. Amen."

Rumours abound even more than last week and more than the week before about the makeup of South Australia's lineup for the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival.  Again, we won't publish the rumours here for fear of outing our bothan spies but let's just say we may have yet another first.  That's three firsts.  Yes folks, three somethings that has never happened in the 45 years of documented SA carnival history.  Now that's exciting but we have to say that wow, we did not see this coming.  Registrations have now closed and we'll be back with more details soon.  Amazing times, amazing times.

Not since Theo Kyriazis and James Smith returned to the Thunder in 2007 have we been so excited.  After a brief hiatus, they returned to the action and everything happened.  You can scroll back through our past stories to read about it but today, the words were uttered again.  Is Tom Halman coming back?  Kym Swanson?  Andrew Zajer?  Ray Wickstein?  Michael Reu?  Jalen Jaspers?  Daniel Sims?  We have no idea but we're excited.  Maybe perhaps it's even Michael Jordan.  Get excited, folks.  We are.  Good times, good times.a

3 years ago almost to the day, we wrote about South Australia closing its borders to the rest of Australia on grand final eve.  We spoke about how the state could get locked down next, meaning Butters, Duursma and Rozee could be 18 years old by the time the grand final gets played.  Fast forward 3 years and here we are with Butters gone and Duursma and Rozee now 18 years old.  Yes, it happened.  We can't wait for tonight's action.  Gateway qualified for the maximum five grand finals this season - Juniors, E2 Men, B Men, A Women and A Men.  Amen indeed and we say so like last season and every season before, this will be no normal grand final preview.  It's Gateway grand final preview time with previews of all games.  Does it get better than this?  We're hungry for five.  That said, any premiership is a good premiership but imagine if we won another five tonight and then celebrated with a trip to Geelong in two weeks?  Good times, good times.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v the world. 

6.15PM COURT 1, U/14 JUNIORS: GATEWAY V FUTURES PIONEERS
Like Gateway teams of years past, the Blizzard are loaded with talent from top to bottom and appear to have every position covered.  Young players abound with even younger players backing them up, leaving Coach Nick Kyriazis with a chance to bring home his first Under-14 championship.  State law prevents us naming any of the players but be rest assured there’s some serious talent on display here on both teams.  Our tip?  Gateway by 3 points.  We’re a Gateway website and that makes us unequivocally biased.  Let’s hope we’re right.  That's 1/1.

7.30PM COURT 1, B MEN: GATEWAY V AIR JOURNEY
With the Thunder flying the flag in A Grade, the Tsunami represent the orange, white and blue in B Grade and continue to climb towards a return to A Grade.  Able to play up tempo or slow it down to a grit and grind style, the Tsunami are a nightmare matchup for any opponent and whilst Air Journey are a serious opponent who performed well in A Grade a few seasons back, we're with the orange.  Our tip?  Gateway by 4 points.  Yet again, no bias and not even the slightest bit parochial.  Go Gateway!  That's 2/2.

7.30PM COURT 5, E2 MEN: GATEWAY V SEATON SPACE MONKEYS
The weather forecast this week isn't quite Blizzard or Tsunami but it's certainly Downpour season.  The Downpour are the classic mix of veterans and youths with three Thunder veterans alongside a bevy of talented youngsters, a number coming across from the Blizzard.  They cointinue to perform and are a red hot chance of bringing the E2 championship home and from where we sit, come into the game favourites.  Our tip?  Gateway by 5 points.  Write it down.  That's 3/3.

8.45PM COURT 1, A MEN: GATEWAY v FUTURES PIONEERS
After last season's nail-biting finish between the Gateway Thunder and Revolution Bullets, we all thought we had a grand final rematch coming and for much of this season, it looked inevitable.  Then the Bullets withdrew from the finals and the race was on to take their place.  Enter the Pioneers who at their best, are a nightmare opponent.  They've beaten the Thunder before in a grand final and there's no reason why they won't again.  They have a strong blend of inside and outside players and the right mix of force and finesse.  The Thunder meanwhile will be without at least two players and maybe more, at least one player a game-time decision.  Our tip?  Gateway by 6 points as they return to the winner's circle.  Anyway, let's hope so.  That's 4/4. 

8.45PM COURT 2, A WOMEN: GATEWAY v SEATON SLAMMERS
The Heatwave return to the big dance and despite a revolving door of players throughout the season, they dug deep despite trailing in last week's semi-final.  It's anyone's guess as to who suits up for them tonight as like the Thunder, they nearly always have players missing due to school recitals, injuries and work commitments.  Seaton are good - very good - but we're a Gateway website.  Our tip?  Gateway by 7 points.  Yes please and just like that, it's 5/5.  Good times, good times.

And that ends our grand final preview of Gateway v the world.  If you're not doing something better - or even if you are - come on down and enjoy a great night's action on Court 1, Court 2 and Court 5.  Admittance is free for spectators so bring along your vuvuzela, bugle and party poppers and get behind your club at the St Clair Recreation Centre.  And in the immortal words of Gateway Detlef ..... go Gateway!