Wow what a week of basketball and to some teams I say congrats to a great performance. Although I went 6-2 in my picks teams were really engaged last week. This is what makes the playoffs so exciting teams are finally playing up to their potential. Last week we had the kings of T&T eliminate the eliminators of Ephesus by 5; Corona cruised by Mt Vernon by 14; the sharp shooters of Ebenezer barely squeezed the life out of New Life winning by 1; Bethany balled and defeated the juggernauts of NJ by 7; Bronx ran express and blew the stripes off the tigers of Mt Sinai by 23; River of Life sustained enough to barely beat the shockers of Sharon by 2; Cornerstone clipped the hawks of Fellowship wings defeating them by 6; and in the game of the week New Dime destroyed the professors of White Plains and killed their chances at a perfect season by 19. This week would be critical for some teams trying to make it into the dance with so many divisional games to determine seating. Who will stand up to the challenge and who would wilt under pressure only time will tell. But let’s see what Milo thinks about this week games which is the finality of the season for some teams. Let’s go.
Horeb Hustlers vs Christian Fellowship Hawks
Battle in the southwest as the hustlers of Horeb try and out hustle the hawks of Fellowship and clip their wings in Milo’s “Game of the week”. This is one of the most important games both teams would play this far in the season. Both teams are in the playoffs and both teams have something to play for. Horeb despite their slow start to the season has been on a tear and is one game out of the top spot behind T&T. Fellowship who has been on top most of the year find themselves slipping at the wrong time. What makes this game even more interesting is that Horeb lost to T&T but beat New Dime. Fellowship defeated T&T early in the season but lost to New Life who is also in their division. Now the stage is set and if Horeb could beat Fellowship and T&T lose their game then Horeb would win the division. If Fellowship wins and New Life and T&T both take a loss then Fellowship would jump to the top. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Horeb must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and push the rock. Fellowship on the other hand must out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game throughout because both teams will come to play. However, I feel with the way Fellowship have been slipping as of late and the hustlers sudden rise it would be more of a mental battle for Fellowship. However with that said I feel Fellowship would bounce back and take this game by 4 points as they make a case for the division.
New Jerusalem Juggernauts vs Corona Crusaders
Battle for pride in the east as the juggernauts of NJ try and stop the crusaders crusade and move out the basement. Both teams are having a disappointing season to say the least. NJ lost by 7 to the ballers of Bethany but played hard and Corona defeated the vipers avoiding their sting. What are the keys to victory for both teams. NJ must play loose, push the ball, get bench contributions, and minimize the turnovers. Corona on the other hand must continue to play solid defense, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and attack the rim. Look for a close game throughout but in the end I feel Corona found some things that worked for them last week and for that reason I’m picking them to win this match up by 10 points as they make a last ditch effort for the playoffs.
Mt Vernon Vipers vs Ephesus Eliminators
Battle in the northeast as the vipers of Mt Vernon try and sting the eliminators and drop their chances to move up in the standings. Both teams lost last week and both teams need a win. Mt Vernon has been playing sub-par ball all year and at times don’t seem interested. Ephesus on the other hand has been playing hard but with little results. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Mt Vernon must shoot well from everywhere, minimize the turnovers, play solid defense, and push the rock. Ephesus on the other hand must attack the rim, out rebound their opponent, get bench contributions, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game the first half but Ephesus is the better team this year. Ephesus wins this match up blow out style.
Sharon Shockers vs White Plains Professors
Battle in the northeast as the shockers of Sharon try and repeat their performance from last week and stop the professors from teaching. Both teams lost last week and I must admit I was a bit surprised. Sharon played their best game last week and had River of Life fans nervous as they almost won the game only losing by 2 points. White Plains on the other hand didn’t play to the level they are accustomed to and lost blow out style to the destroyers. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Sharon must play loose, shoot well from everywhere, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. WP on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the line, get bench contributions, and play solid defense. Look this game if the professors play the way they should would be over before the half, however, the little engine that could would fight to the end. Look for a close game in the first half but in the end WP has too much fire power. WP wins blow out style as they prepare for a deep run.
Mt Sinai Tigers vs. Bethany Ballers
West meets east as the tigers try and take a bite out of the ballers and stop them from balling. The tigers was blown out last week by Bronx and didn’t seem ready for the challenge. Now they face the ballers who pretty much sealed up first place in their division. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Mt Sinai must play hard at all times, shoot well from the field, attack the paint, and out rebound their opponent. Bethany on the other hand must play solid defense, attack the rim, shoot well from the line, and get bench contributions. Look for a close game the first half but in the end Bethany is the better team and for that reason I’m picking them to win this match up blow out style.
Cornerstone Crushers vs. New Dimension Destroyers
Battle in the west as the crushers of Cornerstone try and slow down the destroyers of New Dime and drop them out the top spot. Both teams won last week and I must say I was impressed by both teams. Cornerstone with their backs to the wall pulled out a tough win against cross rival Fellowship. New Dime in the game of the week show the professors why they are a problem as they blew them out stopping their undefeated season. It’s the last game for both teams and I know everyone involved would be ready for battle. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Cornerstone must play solid defense, stop guard penetration, shoot well from the field, and minimize the turnovers. New Dime on the other hand must push the rock, attack the paint, shoot well from the line, and out rebound their opponent. Look for a close game because I feel both teams are playing at a high level. The difference this game would be how well the guards of Cornerstone control the game. If they are able to play calm and put pressure on the other team guards then they have a chance. I expect to see a good game but New Dime has a bit more fire power and for that reason I’m picking them to win this game by 6 points as they take their division.
New Life Rejuvenators vs Bronx Hawks Express
West meets northeast as the rejuvenators of New Life try and rebound from last week disappointing loss and slow down the Bronx express. New Life lost a tough game last week and needed it in the worst way You see before last week games New Life chances for the division was looking good but with a loss and New Dime win they could only hope for second place. Bronx on the other hand ran express all night and subdued the tigers at will. What are the keys to victory for both teams. New Life must out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and attack the paint. Bronx on the other hand must push the rock, play solid defense, shoot well from the field, and get bench contributions. Look for a close game throughout but in the end I feel New Life would bounce back and win this game by 3 points as they prepare for the playoffs.
Triumphant Tabernacle Kings vs River of Life Sustainers
Battle in the southwest as the kings of T&T try and out sustain the sustainers of River of Life in Milo’s second “Game of the week”. Yes I have two games of the week because this is what it’s all about. All four teams in the southwest division are playing for something and any one of the teams could win the division. T&T lost to Fellowship but defeated Horeb; River of Life lost to Fellowship but defeated Horeb; and Horeb lost to T&T and River of Life. So if T&T loses and Horeb beats Fellowship Horeb would be tied with T&T for the top spot but with New Dime beating T&T and losing to Horeb it makes things interesting. If River of Life wins and Fellowship beats Horeb then Fellowship would win the division and River of Life would take second spot. Hope you following. What are the keys to victory for both teams? T&T must play smart and attack the rim, shoot well from the line, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. River of Life on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, attack the paint, and get bench contributions. Look for a close game because a lot is at stake. But I feel this game would come down to the wire with both teams battling. However, I feel T&T would muster enough strength from past experiences and for that reason I’m picking them to win this game and take control of their destiny.
Well that’s all for Milo’s Week 12 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show, fans come out and support your teams, and lets fellowship together. Take pride in knowing we are children of God and take pride in the fact that He created us all different. We should embrace our differences to enhance each other lives in a positive way. Focusing on things that society deems important is the devil’s way of distracting us and keeping us from God. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit for a reason and if you don’t nourish and protect it then the devil wins. God had given us thousands of examples to encourage us to be faithful, it’s on us to follow and trust him. Believe in something or fall for anything. Until next time, this is Milo signing out. God Bless.
