Jack Benny Sunday hoops standings crowded at top

The old saying “Two’s company, three’s a crowd” definitely fits the current bill when looking at the six-team standings in the Sonoma Valley Men’s Recreational Basketball’s Jack Benny (39-and-over) Sunday Night League.

After seven weeks of action in the Jack Benny league’s 15-game schedule played in the Altimira Middle School gym, there’s now a three-way tie for first place with Heffernan Insurance Brokers capturing two wins coming off the holiday break to join R&B Custom Builders and Murphy’s Irish Pub at the top of standings.

All three teams have 5-2 records and are followed by defending champion La Salette’s 4-3 mark, Patt’s Copy World’s 2-5, and VOM Fire’s 0-7.

In Jack Benny League week seven action on Jan. 11, Heffernan Insurance Brokers downed Murphy’s Irish Pub 62-53, led by Kevin Jaggie 21 points, Gus Halter’s 19, Devin Ajax’s seven, Brian Stephenson’s six, Pete Ahern’s five and Joe Neely’s four. The Pub was paced by Jeff Kellogg’s game-high 25 points, Beni Comma’s 16, Jamie Svanda’s eight and John Malinkowski’s four.

R&B Custom Builders doused VOM Fire 66-61, led by Al Martinson’s game-high 27 points – including an eye-opening seven treys – Chris Nufo’s 26 with three treys, Ron Hall’s 11 and Danny Dwyer’s two. Pacing the Fire were Tyler Nethaway’s 18 points, Sean Daly and Pat Neely’s 14 each, Patrick Dudy’s eight, Jason Campbell’s five and Sean Lacy’s two.

La Salette won on a forfeit by Patt’s Copy World. 

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On Jan. 4, Murphy’s Irish Pub upended Patt’s Copy World 77-64, led by Kellogg’s game-high 35 points – including a jaw-dropping seven treys – Kya’s 23 with four treys, Svanda’s 10, Comma’s five, and Danny Sooter and Rich Tunheim’s two apiece. Patt’s was paced by Luis Campos’ 25 points with four treys), Dave Studdert’s 17, Sean Norris’ 14, Mark Fidler’s six and Scott Summers’ two.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers toppled R&B Custom Builders 68-60, led by Jaggie’s 23 points, Neely’s 19, Ahern’s 18, Stephenson’s six and Steve Matuszak’s two. Pacing R&B were Sal Chavez’s game-high 30 points – including a sizzling six treys –Nufo’s 11, Martinson’s seven, Hall and Gary MacKinnon’s five each, and Chris Schnabel’s two.

La Salette beat VOM Fire 67-57, led by John Barr’s 20 points with a half-a-dozen treys, Madison Lott’s 17, Don Fowler’s 14, Kenton Lewis’ 10 and Bill Schalich’s six. VOM was paced by Neely’s game-high 21 points – including seven-for-seven from the free throw line – Edwin Hidalgo’s 19 with five treys, Tyler Nethaway’s eight, Daly’s six, Matt Ingersoll’s two and Joe Kirkwood’s one.