This has been quite a season full of surprises and with all the competition and teams battling for supremacy, one thing stands out to me. Players play, fans support, coaches coach, but without the right mental approach each game some teams find it difficult to get over the hump. Last week we had the Final 4 round and three of the four teams had been in that position before. However, one must never underestimate the heart and desire of players and their coaches that are hungry because every team was prepared but two teams couldn’t sustain it for 40 minutes. I understand some teams would say I didn’t have my full roster, or some of my key players were missing, but every team was in a similar position. I didn’t hear teams complaining when they were winning with the same players all year so don’t sing that song now. We had the ballers of Bethany defeat the destroyers of New Dime by 12 points thus punching their ticket to the championship game for the first time in their team’s history. We also had the defending champs Triumphant Tabernacle Kings defend their crown and blew out the professors of White Plains by 23 points in the battle of two hall of fame coaches. Now the stage is set and this time all the spoils goes to the victor. But before I get into the championship match up lets do our traditional send off to the losers last week. I booked two large boats to accommodate all the players, their families, and fans. So to the destroyers of New Dime and the professors of White Plains sorry fellas but it just wasn’t meant to be. You played hard inspired ball all year and to come so close without winning must really hurt. Take solace in the fact that you tried your best and gave all you had but you lost to a better team that night. Enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze and try and clear your heads because next year could be the year. However, before I get into the championship match up I wanted to do a little background on both teams in the championship to give the fans some perspective.
Triumphant Tabernacle Kings
The defending champs are back in the biggest game of the season and what a ride it was. Their players bought into their coaching staff and it showed in the way they executed down the stretch last week. So to Jamel A, Chad A, Matthew J, Kelsie G, Omar J, Gary D, Jamar D, Tye L, Johnathon S, Ralph F, Billy C, Jamal R, Jean J, and Jason P congratulation on making it to the championship game. You sacrificed and worked hard all year and now you are one game away from glory. To the coaching staff of T&T what can I say you did a tremendous job this season. What folks didn’t realize is the fact that you were playing behind the 8 ball all year. To start the season you lost 4 of your top guys from last year championship team and replaced them with players that played your style of defense. If they were on other teams they probably would not have shined the way they did and that is a result of good coaching. You also lost your leading scorer Jean J earlier in the season battling the Bronx team and you still survived. That tells me it has to do a lot with the coaching staff and how they prepare their players for battle each week. Colin Bleasdell the head coach is running out of fingers to put on his rings. His resume speaks for itself. Three championships with Brooklyn Faith as a player – (three peat) 1992- 1994; one championship in 1998 as a player coach Brooklyn Faith, back to back championships in 2002 and 2003 with Brooklyn Faith as their head coach; back to back championships in 2006 Coney Island and 2007 Calvary team; 2011 Flatbush team; and 2015 T&T Kings. If T&T wins this year that would make a total of 8 championships as a coach and 3 championships as a player to tie Phil Jackson. Of course his staff must get some credit because they have been together for some time. Chad Allum and Alphonso Jackson congrats on continuing to represent I think you will be getting some suitors looking for a head coach next season.
Bethany Ballers
Bethany ballers are making their first ever trip to the championship games and I must say it is well deserved. All year this team has been one of the best and with their mixture of youth and vets they out-shined some of the toughest opponents this season. You see when Bethany came into the league they didn’t have much success. They unlike some teams decided to build through their home grown players even though it would be a slow process. Steve Hyppolite, Jony Hyppolite, Lamar Herron, Marcus Redd, and Darren Sutton were the original players that started with Bethany. I like the fact the the core has been together for some time and they finally added some players that bought into the team concept. Josh C, Landon B, Dave E, Lamar H, Graham T, Justin M, Marcus R, Marvin H, Marcus H, Jimmy St.F, Josh M, Darren S, and Kal W. You proved that sacrificing and hard work in life eventually pays off, and with hard work and dedication you have reached the mountain top. Bethany is led by their head coach Calvin Robinson and Jony Hyppolite – assistant coach. Together they have given their players a chance to succeed and are very good with designing effective plays and counter attacks. This however is their first time in the championship game so they would have to calm the nerves and excitement and do what they’ve been doing. Enjoy the moment fellas and take it all in because this year you are two of the last teams standing. Congrats to the Bethany fans, church, pastor Dion Harrigan and followers because come game time the gym would be jumping. The question I ask is will a new champion be crowned? Can Bethany bring the noise? Will T&T explode or implode only time would tell but lets see what Milo thinks about the championship game which would be complete jubilation or total disappointment. Let’s go.
New School vs Old School
Bethany Ballers vs Triumphant Tabernacle Kings
East meets southwest as the ballers of Bethany try and stop the kings of T&T and prove their worth. Old school hall of fame coach against new school first time in championship coach. Last week I must say I was perfect in my predictions and although I didn’t forsee the scores being somewhat lob sided I knew the teams that reached their season averages first would most likely be victorious. Both teams didn’t square off this season so this game would be very interesting. Bethany played great defense in nutralizing the high power offense of the destroyers of New Dime. T&T on the other hand played their style and dictated the tempo and the result was a blow out win against White Plains. Now the stage is set and both coaches are going over their last minute game plans to ensure success. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Bethany must play solid defense, out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the field, and get bench contributions. T&T on the other hand must start off the game strong, minimize the turnovers, make defensive stops when needed, and attack the paint area. Bethany has size which should help them in this game because T&T likes to set up their bigs. Both teams have players that understand the importance of this game so I expect to see players focused and ready to go. What I will be looking for is how well Bethany handles the spot light and pressure of this game. T&T was here last year and don’t take that out of the equation. I know players would say it’s just a game but when you know everything is riding on the outcome then pressure starts to mount. If either one of the team gets a lead late in the game that is when players start to blink and play out of character. Both teams have similar size and for me guard play would be key this game. If Bethany can somehow out shine T&T guards then they would win because their bigs would neutralize each other. However, if T&T guards are able to control the pace of the game and keep the ballers on their heels then they would win this game. Remember T&T is holding opponents to 74 points per game while scoring 86 points per game. Bethany is holding their opponents to 69 points per game while scoring 84 points per match. I expect to see lots of score changes with a low scoring game because both coaches would stress defense. My gut tells me this is Bethany’s year and both teams should be a pick’em but to satisfy the fans and followers I will go with the defending champs T&T because sometimes experience matters. T&T wins this match up in overtime by 2 points as they end the year with a boom!
Well that’s all for Milo’s Championship Pick. Players come out and give the fans a show; fans come out and support your teams; and lets fellowship together. Remember to look out for my final write after the championship game. Don’t waste time on things that aren’t important, God promises us all eternal life once we follow and obey his will. Pray for the young folks in this world because time is running out. Keep Christ in the center of your home and he will be the center of your life. As children of God we must not just believe in God but know God. Don’t be fooled by the devil and his traps because his reign is almost at an end. Thank you to the commissioners, the fans, followers, and casual visitors of the NCBL league for following my write ups’ each week. I enjoy giving back and my hope is to see this league become the standard that is followed. Stay strong and enjoy the championship game. Until next time this is Milo signing out. God Bless.
