2021 Final Week – Pro/Rel Update (Tiers 2-3)
Second League
Promotion (3 teams go up)
Clinched:
Mithazni BC (Hefem, EM; 120-60)
Westline BC (Ransu, RA; 117-63)
Two spots are secure, with six teams still mathematically alive to take the last one.
In the mix:
Otahel City (Otahel, FH): 106-74
Tishmin BC (Tishmin, ZA): 102-78
BK Swans Menmapa (Kiwa Menmapa, ME): 102-78
Onesti BC (Oyefit, CA): 100-80
Nokir BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 99-81
Yoho Bears (Yoho, HO): 99-81
Key series:
Round 37: Swans vs. Onesti, Westline vs. Nokir
Round 38: Tishmin vs. Swans, Onesti vs. Westline
Big advantage toward Otahel City in this race, with a four-game advantage and an easier schedule. Both Mithazni and Otahel were in the EL last year, and the most likely scenario is that they are again.
Relegation (4 teams go down)
Clinched:
Sachlihe (Shunna, XU): 66-114
All but clinched:
Ransu Ports (Ransu, RA): 74-106
Feshuyalya BC (Feshuyalya, PI): 70-110
Wikyats Athletic (Tenshemaho, ZA): 69-111
Wikyats were the other team relegated from the EL last season, just missing out on run differential in a tiebreaker with National. Now, National are in 11th place in the EL while Wikyats are going down to tier 3. Tough life.
Both Ransu Ports and Feshyalya were promoted from tier 3 last year. The Ports have a 5-game deficit to make up, Feshuyalya is 9 games back and Wikyats 10. Not likely.
These four teams have been the clear bottom four all year, and anyone else going down would feel a little unfair. The Ports play @Tishmin in round 37, still fighting for promotion, so I wouldn't bet on anything weird happening.
Northern Premier League
Promotion (2 teams go up)
Clinched:
Pelpitimochu United (Pelpitimochu, TA): 128-52
A dominant season for Pelpitimochu, led by a handful of hitters who would be good players in the EL, especially 2B Pomi Sofiulo.
In the mix:
Penhara BC (Penhara, HO): 108-72
Alilia Captains (Alilia, CA): 104-76
Loshtsi BC (Reyal, KL): 102-78
Yasral BC (Ransu, RA): 102-78
Key series:
Round 37: Pelpitimochu vs. Yasral
Round 38: Yasral vs. Penhara
Yasral have come on extremely strong in the second half, having been in 10th place at the midpoint, and 7th just a few weeks ago when I last updated. Will Pelpitimochu rest players & give Yasral an easier path? If Penhara stumble in their first series, the weekend set with Yasral could be appointment television.
Relegation (4 teams go down)
All but clinched:
Fure BC (Fure, FH): 71-109
In the mix:
Lacho BC (Sitache, CA): 80-100
Fampalo City (Fampalo, CA): 80-100
Moonside BC (Eroha, RP): 79-101
Shalish BC (Shalish, HO): 79-101
Pale BC (Pale, TA): 74-106
Key series:
Round 37: Fure vs. Enihaka, Shalish vs. Kine, Pale vs. Fampalo City
Round 38: no relegation contenders play each other
Three of these five teams will go down - three other teams have not technically clinched safety but can breathe fairly easy. This will be a very fluid situation. The fact that Moonside have any chance at all is fairly miraculous - they've gone 18-12 over the past six series, including winning 4 of 5 vs. promotion candidate Alilia Captains.
Southern Premier League
Promotion (2 teams go up)
All but clinched:
Wichku BC (Aksa, ZA): 118-62
10 games ahead of the promotion line with 10 to go, Wichku have been the leaders in the SPL most of this season.
In the mix:
Mamtul Wolves (Mamtul, EM): 110-70
Hefem Rangers (Hefem, EM): 106-74
Shepero BC (Shepero, PI): 105-75
Amkutan BC (Sorfiwa, EE): 105-75
Killitash Bayside (Killitash, ZA): 104-76
Relegation (4 teams go down)
Clinched:
NK Royan (Kiwa Royan, ME): 59-121
In the mix:
Sheshu BC (Sheshu, EE): 76-104
Killitash Giants (Killitash, ZA): 76-104
Hefem Monarchs (Hefem, EM): 75-105
Hokrof Beavers (Hokrof, TA): 72-108
Tokos City (Tokos, ZA): 67-113
Key series:
Round 38: Tokos City vs. Hefem Monarchs
Three of these five will probably go down (two more teams are 78-102, fairly safe). This relegation battle has not changed much in the last few weeks.
That covers tiers 2-3 and what’s at stake in the final week. For tiers below, I’m making my notes of what’s at stake, but there’s too much to type all out here. Instead, I will do a full island review after the final week & talk about how the drama unfolded in the past tense.