The Paladins and Ice come in as the 1st and 2nd ranked teams in the league respectively, both sporting a 7-1 record, with the Ice losing for the first time last outing to the Rhinos after the franchise best 7-0 start to the season. The Paladins went on to tie the franchise best start of last season with a 6-0 start, losing by a point to the Gryphons, then getting back on track with a big win over the Clash.
The Paladins feature a bevy of talent featuring Kodie Cabotage, the leagues MVP 5 times over who led the Lava to the past 4 championship titles and is adjusting to his new team role. Veteran Mauricio Wolcott who also won 2 League MVP awards early on, recruited back to the team after a stint w/ the Rhinos and a rejuvenated offensive game. Veteran Boyd Brunson who is the Paladins all-time leading scorer and last seasons League Tournament MVP and All-Star Volker Knobell with a young Chitrarath Rotenberry holding down the Center responsibilities.
The Ice landed a huge addition in the young Torry Hum who had been a defensive wizard and also led the Warriors in scoring the previous 2 seasons. They returned the teams leading scorer from last season Avertano Traster with 2-time all-star, one of the leagues best and the Franchises best passer Kevan Palifka running the Offense. They installed 8th season veteran Bridgely Macpaden into his first full-time starting role at center and has found his niche as a paint commander leading the league with 14.5rpg.
While both teams boast solid defenses, the Ice have taken things a step further making defense their central focus and the strategy has worked wonders. The team leads the league in defense and is on pace to allow just over 90ppg which would shatter the franchise record of 95ppg in season 7 where the team made the playoffs for the first time ever. Meanwhile the Paladins have installed a quick strike offense which has them leading the league with 119ppg with a +19ppg differential.
Somethings got to give as League I's juggernauts go at it head-to-head for the first of two showdowns this season.