2022 Final Week – Pro/Rel Update (Tiers 1-3)
Elite League
Title Chase
National BC (Shunna): 121-59
Pasataki Galaxy: 115-65
Westline BC (Ransu): 114-66
Six games is an awful lot to make up in a single week. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you're relying on National losing at least that many games as a bare minimum.
Remaining series:
National: vs. Tsapna, @ Cheshek
Pasataki Galaxy: vs. Kupore, @ Shunna Municipal
Westline: vs. Cheshek, @ Lutrul
Relegation (3 teams go down)
Doesn't look good:
Otahel City: 70-110
Fampalo BC: 69-111
Still in trouble:
Kupore BC (Somno, KL): 78-102
Sitache BC: 75-105
Aroketsil Spirits: 74-106
Akashemo United: 74-106
None of this is even close to being locked in. At least one team in the "still in trouble" group must go down, with Akashemo currently holding the short straw. Kupore has really put off this "locking in their survival" thing too long, it was only about two months ago that they were a solid midtable team like Amnanache and Meka have been. Otahel probably has the toughest ride, having to face two tough teams in Kepmem and Mighty Oaks.
Key series:
Round 37: Akashemo vs. Fampalo
Round 38: Kupore vs. Spirits
Second League
Promotion (3 teams go up)
Clinched:
Hokrof BC: 122-58
It will be a well-deserved return to EL form for Hokrof after they completely blitzed the 2L all season long, with the league's best offense and best pitching staff. CF Myna Kylchi was lured away from the three rings he won with Mighty Oaks to lead this team in the Second League, and that seems to have worked out great for him.
All but clinched:
Mithazni BC (Hefem, EM): 113-67
Nokir BC (Tenshemaho, ZA): 111-69
Nokir was dead even with Takanse BC at the last update, but they have pulled 6 games ahead with 10 to play (Mithazni 8 games ahead). Nokelto Scouts and BK Swans Menmapa are both mathematically alive for promotion as well but I wouldn't bank on any of that.
Key series:
Round 37: Nokelto Scouts vs. Nokir, Takanse vs. Mithazni
Relegation (4 teams go down)
Clinched:
Onesti BC (Oyefit, CA): 65-115
Yasral BC (Ransu): 60-120
Doesn't look good:
Pelpitimochu United (Pelpitimochu, TA): 78-102
Sunoki Hearts (Ransu): 72-108
Don't screw it up now:
Yoho Bears (Yoho, HO): 82-98
Nokelto United (Nokelto, CA): 82-98
Fese BC (Susekyemep, ZA): 81-99
Killitash Bayside (Killitash, ZA): 80-100
Sunoki Hearts would need a miracle to survive relegation in their first ever 2L season, while Pelpitimochu United could definitely still hang on. There are quite a few series between these teams in the final week, so wins and losses will be had in fairly equal measure.
Key series:
Round 37: Pelpitimochu vs. Yasral, Onesti vs. Sunoki Hearts, Yoho Bears vs. Killitash Bayside
Round 38: Sunoki Hearts vs. Nokelto United, Yasral vs. Onesti I guess
Northern Premier League
Promotion (2 teams go up)
In the mix:
Sowichark United (Sowichark, HO): 112-68
Fachi BC (Hokrof, TA): 110-70
Alilia Captains (Alilia, CA): 108-72
Still possible:
Hiolye United (Hiolye, HO): 104-76
Pale BC (Pale, TA): 101-79
No team has been able to run away with the NPL this season. Alilia has the most pedigree of the top 3 teams, and the easiest remaining schedule too, so the opportunity to make up that two-game deficit is there. Pale will have something to say about the promotion race, though actually making it is near-impossible given they would probably need to go 10-0.
Key series:
Round 37: Fachi vs. Pale
Round 38: Pale vs. Sowichark United
Relegation (4 teams go down)
Clinched:
Fure BC (Fure, FH): 66-114
In the mix:
Lempisho United (Lempisho, CA): 78-102
Hokrof Beavers (Hokrof, TA): 76-104
Sakse BC (Sakse, HO): 76-104
Lisa United (Lisa, RP): 76-104
Maybe in danger:
Oyefit BC (Oyefit, CA): 82-98
Fure, Hokrof Beavers, and Sakse all were promoted from the 4th-tier NSL last year, and at least a couple of them will go back down it seems. Lempisho definitely has the edge over the other three, with a two game lead. Oyefit needed a last-week comeback to survive relegation last season, overcoming a 3-game deficit, and now they're in the reverse position needing only to hold on to a six-game margin.
Key series:
Round 37: Oyefit vs. Fure
Round 38: Sakse vs. Lisa United
Southern Premier League
Promotion (2 teams go up)
Clinched:
Wichku BC (Aksa, ZA): 123-57
In the mix:
Killitash Stars (Killitash, ZA): 108-72
Mamtul Wolves (Mamtul, EM): 107-73
Feshuyalya BC (Feshuyalya, PI): 106-74
One of these three will go up, with 3 other teams still mathematically alive but needing to make up gaps of 9 or 10 games. None of these teams will play each other in the final week, and the schedule difficulty is about the same across the board.
Relegation (4 teams go down)
Clinched:
Hefem Rangers (Hefem, EM): 63-117
Takelehun BC (Shennika-Takelehun, ZA): 45-135
All but clinched:
Sapphire BC (Pasataki, ZA): 75-105
In danger:
Sheshu BC (Sheshu, EE): 83-97
Killitash Giants (Killitash, ZA): 82-98
South Shore Aksa (Aksa, ZA): 80-100
Key series:
Round 38: Sheshu vs. South Shore, Killitash Giants vs. Hefem Rangers
One of the danger teams will go down, or two if Sapphire pulls off a miracle. South Shore is my personal favorite - when I picture myself as a Lokasi person, Aksa is my home city and South Shore is the team I'm a fan of.