Hornets Venom GT Heads into Bye Week Following 2-2 Stretch
June 21, 2021
Sherm, PeteBeBallin Double-Double Twice, Dhuggz Makes 2KL Debut, Trap Scores Career-High 21 PTS
By Sam Perley
Hornets Venom GT closed out a back-to-back set with a pair of 1-1 splits and now heads into the bye week currently sitting third in the NBA 2K League Eastern Conference with a 10-4 record.
Things started off on Friday night with a rematch against the Gen.G Tigers, a team Charlotte swept one week prior. A one-possession game heading into the fourth quarter of Game 1, Hornets Venom uncorked a 10-3 run to open the frame, providing enough cushion to eventually make it a comfortable 76-69 victory over its fellow 2020 Expansion Class squad.
Guard CJ “rigby” Burnett (24) and center Peter “PeteBeBallin” Malin (20) both scored 20 points in the win, guard Justin “Sherm” Sherman double-doubled with 14 points and 12 assists and forward Harsimran “Dhuggz” Dhugga made his 2KL debut with five points and two steals. Guard Jordan “JMoney” Martinez (25 points) and center Mihad “FEAST” Ferotovic (20) also had 20-point performances for Gen.G in the loss.
First career @NBA2KLeague bucket for @Dhuggzz00! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/eM4hecpUfZ
— Hornets Venom GT (@HornetsVenomGT) June 18, 2021
The Tigers bounced back in Game 2 though by building up an 18-point lead by the midway point of the third quarter. Hornets Venom rallied to get within six early in the fourth, but a 9-0 Gen.G run ended any hope of a comeback win, instead leading to a 70-57 loss.
Sherm tallied a team-high 19 points and six assists and forward Gio “Trap” Elizondo matched a then season high with 10 points for a Charlotte squad that went just 7-of-21 from deep (33.3%) in the loss. Guard Alex “BSmoove” Reese led Gen.G with 27 points on 11-of-27 shooting and JMoney double-doubled with 15 points and 12 assists.
One night later, Hornets Venom squared off against Knicks Gaming, with the latter working its way to a 12-point lead by the middle of the fourth quarter in Game 1. Charlotte closed the game on a 16-6 run, coming up just a bucket or two short in the narrow 63-61 loss.
Sherm led the way again with 28 points, PeteBeBallin added 14 points and 12 rebounds, Dhuggz grabbed 11 boards and Charlotte closed the outing with a decisive 13 total turnovers. Guards Chris “Duck” Pesos and Malik “OriginalMalik” Hobson each scored 26 points for Knicks Gaming in the victory.
AND-1 FOR SHERM! 😤
He's got 20 first-half points – Knicks lead 34-33 at the break pic.twitter.com/Tq8js2BMZA
— Hornets Venom GT (@HornetsVenomGT) June 19, 2021
Looking to end the weekend on a high note, Hornets Venom used a 9-0 run to close the third and take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter of Game 2. New York never managed to get the deficit under five the rest of the way as Charlotte walked away with a 73-68 triumph.
Trap erupted for a career-high 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and season-high five steals in the win. Rigby (18 points and season-high 10 assists) and Sherm (17 points and 10 assists) also each recorded double-doubles, while center Ludlow “Glo” Samuels (25 points and 11 rebounds) and Duck (20 points and 10 assists) did so as well for Knicks Gaming.
.@Trapx214 continues to cook! He's got 21 PTS + 5 STL 👨🏽🍳
54-44 Venom lead heading to Q4 ➡️ pic.twitter.com/u4fJjrUbIS
— Hornets Venom GT (@HornetsVenomGT) June 20, 2021
Hornets Venom will now be off until Wednesday, July 7 when it’ll return for two home games against Grizz Gaming beginning at 7 PM EST. Catch all the action on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.