Wow the season is turning out to be very interesting so far. I must admit some teams are playing better than I expected while others are playing surprisingly poor. Last week I went 500 again in my picks and some teams played their hearts out. We had the crushers of Cornerstone lose to the sharp shooters of Ebenezer by 11; the prophets of QB lose to the “tusslers” of T&T blowout style by 47; Bronx express was derailed by the ballers of Bethany by 2; volunteers of spring Valley lose to the juggernauts of NJ by 19; crusaders of Corona lose to the Kingsmen of Kingsboro by 5 and GNYC Ebenezer lost to the tigers of Mt Sinai by 42 proving the NEC is the best conference. What is surprising to me is the way some teams are playing from week to week. It shows that every game is different and teams must come out to play every game with intensity and fight. This week is no different and we have 8 games with lots of implications for the future. Who will come out and play to their capabilities only time will tell but let’s see what Milo thinks about this week games which for some would be a stepping stone and for others a drop in the standings. Let's go.
Ebenezer Sharp Shooters vs Corona Crusaders:
Battle in the east as the sharp shooters of Ebenezer battle the crusaders of Corona in a divisional matchup. Ebenezer started the season out with a bang and played in defeating Cornerstone. This team can shoot and when “on the money” would easily score 100 points per game. They face Corona who played well last week but lost a close match to the Kingsmen of Kingsboro. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Ebenezer must shoot the ball well from the field, out rebound their opponent, get inside scoring, and minimize the turnovers. Corona on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions, and slow down the game. Look for a close game throughout because both teams are familiar with each other, however, I feel the sharp shooter have a point to prove this year and for that reason I'm picking them to win this matchup by at least 10 points as they continue to dominate their opponents.
New Life Rejuvenators vs Mt Vernon Vipers:
West meets northeast as the vipers of Mt Vernon battle against the rejuvenators of New Life. New Life won their first game against Kingsboro in a close match and now face the vipers that is looking to bounce back after a blowout loss to the professors of WP. This is an interesting game because the rejuvenators look like a team that is ready for some success and have a nice following. What are the keys to victory for both teams? New Life must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, get bench contributions, and minimize the turnovers. Mt Vernon on the other hand must play smart and attack the paint, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and get stops. This game would be close throughout but my gut feels that New Life was rejuvenated with their first win and would build off their early success. New Life wins this battle by 4 points as they continue to surprise the league.
GNYC Ebenezer vs Cornerstone Crushers:
Battle in the west as GNYC battles the crushers of Cornerstone and try to stay out of the basement. GNYC lost last week and I didn't see that blowout coming by the hands of the tigers. It could have been the jitters for their first game or simply they just got out played. Cornerstone on the other hand lost a game that I expected them to win however; I did notice most of their players weren't present last week in their loss. Now both teams want to bounce back and prove that it was just an off night last week. What are the keys to victory for both teams? GNYC must shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, play solid defense, and get bench contributions. Cornerstone on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the line, out rebound their opponent, and play solid defense. I know the coaching staff of Cornerstone was upset with their team's performance last week and they would have their guys ready to go this week.
Look for a close game the first half but by the second half I expect to see the crushers execute better down the stretch and win this matchup by at least 10 points as they reclaim their winning ways.
River of Life Sustainers vs Horeb Hustlers:
Battle in the southwest as ROL sustainers try and defeat the hustlers of Horeb for the right to get out the basement. Horeb loss their first game of the season to the hawks of Fellowship and now would like to return the favor to the sustainers. ROL lost to the Bronx their first game but they did look impressive in defeat. Now both teams square off for what should be an interesting battle. What are the keys to victory for both teams? ROL must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, get offensive rebounds, and minimize the turnovers. Horeb on the other hand must play their style and push the rock, shoot well from the line, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. I expect to see a close game throughout but in the end I feel the hustlers would out hustle the sustainers and for that reason I'm picking them to win this game by 4 points as the move to 500.
Christian Fellowship Hawks vs New Jerusalem Juggernauts:
East meets southwest as the juggernauts of NJ try and continue their winning ways against the hawks of Fellowship. I know it's early in the season but when I looked at the standings Fellowship is in first place in their division. What a difference a year makes. NJ on the other hand defeated Spring Valley last week blowing them out by 19 points for their first win. Now they look to continue their efforts against an improved Fellowship team. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Fellowship must play hard but smart, attack the rim, shoot well from the field, and minimize the turnovers. NJ on the other hand must play solid defense, get inside scoring, get bench contributions, and finish at the rim. Look for a close game throughout because both teams are playing on a high level. But in the end I feel the hawks of Fellowship would hit the last second shot to win this matchup in the closing second and defeat the juggernauts by 2 points as they stay on
top in their division.
Bethany Ballers vs Mt Sinai Tigers:
Battle in the east as the Ballers of Bethany try and stop the Tigers of Mt Sinai and drop them from the top spot in the east. Last year the ballers ran away with the division and proved they were a team to be reckoned with. This year despite their slow start they showed why they are a tough out. They defeated a good Bronx team and out hustled them in a close match. Now they face a well balanced team in the tigers who has quietly played the best ball in years. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Bethany must play their style and push the rock, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Mt Sinai on the other hand must play smart and attack the paint, play solid defense, shoot well from the line, and get bench contributions. Look for a close game throughout because both teams are good. I expect to see both teams running and gunning but in the end I feel the ballers would execute better down the stretch and for that reason I'm picking them to win this matchup by 3 points as they move one step closer to the top spot in the east.
Queensboro Prophets vs White Plains Professors:
West meets northeast as the prophets of QB try and repay the professors from a couple years ago. Oh how times have changed, QB if you remember was in the championship game against the professors and lost in convincing fashion. Last week they lost to the “tusslers” of T&T and didn't look like they were ready to compete. Now they face one of the toughest teams in the professors who quietly are going about their business. One thing I do know is come playoff time every team would know who they are boom! What are the keys to victory for both teams? QB must play smart but hard, minimize the turnovers, shoot well from the field, and pray for a miracle. WP on the other hand must play their style, shoot well from the line, attack the rim, and just show up. This game I would be surprise if it is close by the second half because WP don't take prisoners. White Plains wins this match blowout style as they continue to make history.
Ephesus Eliminators vs Triumphant Tabernacle Tusslers:
Northeast meets southwest as the eliminators of Ephesus try and out “tussle” the “tusslers” of T&T in Milo's "Game of the Week". Both teams are undefeated and both teams are playing for the top spot in their respective division. Last week T&T blew out QB by 47 points and I had to check my sight to make sure I was seeing correctly. They came out the gate strong and didn't stop until the horn sounded. Ephesus eliminated Spring Valley their first game also in blowout fashion and looked like the real deal. Now they square off and both teams are trying to stay undefeated. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Ephesus must attack the paint, shoot well from the field, get bench contributions, and out hustle their opponent. T&T on the other hand must start the game off strong, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and attack the paint. Look for a close game throughout with lots of score changes. However I feel that this game would come down to the wire with both teams swinging for the fences. T&T would out tussle and eliminate the eliminators this game in the closing second winning this matchup by 3 points.
Well that's all for Milo's Week 3 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show; fans come out and support your teams, and lets fellowship together. God have blessed us to see another week and we should always be thankful and share his love with those we come in contact with. Remember it's the little things in life that impacts us the most so stay focused and determined because once we turn from the prize the devil will come in and surprise us. Never trust man trust God because in the end he is the one that could save us. Until next time this is Milo signing out. God Bless.