What's good NCBL family, hope everyone is enjoying the good weather recently. If the weather is any indication of how the season has gone so far then things are starting to heat up. We had 8 games last week and some incredible performances by some individuals. However, one in particular stood out to me more than any other and that is the White Plains team. Yes, they won their game to continue their undefeated season. However, the way they won was very impressive to say the least. I think we found the next Ben Simmons of NCBL in Mr. Isaiah Ward. He scored 55 points, dished out assists, and rebounded like very few players in the league. He actually could have beaten the team by himself but Aaron also came up big and the game was stopped with 5 minutes left so you figure. White Plains only had 6 players show up and had to handle the Tigers constant pressure. Mt Sinai scored a total of 63 points and ended up losing by 60 points. Kudos to the coaching staff and players of WP this is truly a great platform for players and coaches to learn from. It's not how much talent you have but how well players understand and works together. Most of their starters were absent this game and their players’ mantra is next man up. We also had the defending champs T&T kings sting the vipers by 37; New Life shocked the shockers of Sharon by 14, Bronx ran express defeating Cornerstone by 10, ROL out sustain the crusaders of Corona by 12; Horeb out hustled the sharp shooters of Ebenezer by 5; Fellowship bounced back and defeated the juggernauts by 4; and the game of the week New Dime stopped the ballers of Bethany in a close match by 6 points. Although I went 7 - 1 in my picks teams must show their worth each week. We have 8 more exciting games this week and with the season winding down panic starts to set in. Who will wilt under the pressure only time would tell but let’s see what Milo thinks about this week games which could propel some teams forward or drop them out of contention. Let’s go.

River of Life Sustainers vs Mt Vernon Vipers
Southwest meets northeast as the sustainers look to continue their winning ways and keep the vipers from attacking. ROL defeated Corona last week and now look to continue their climb. They have one game separating them from the top spot in their division but need to continue winning. Mt Vernon on the other had lost last week to T&T and need to get a win in the worst way. What are the keys to victory for both teams. ROL must push the rock, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and out rebound their opponent. Mt Vernon on the other hand must play loose, attack the rim, shoot well from the field, and play solid defense. Look for a close game throughout but ROL have a chance to make some strides and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 10 points as they stay with the pack.

Christian Fellowship Hawks vs New Life Rejuvenators
Southwest meets west as the high flying hawks of Fellowship try and stop the resurgence of New Life in Milo's “Game of the week ". Both teams won last week and both teams are in the mix for the top spot in their division. Fellowship is on top in the southwest by one game trying to stay ahead of the kings. New Life on the other hand is two games behind New Dime in their division with four games left to play. If they could somehow go 3-1 in those games and New Dime whose has 3 games remaining and one against the undefeated professors lose two games then things become very interesting. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Fellowship must play solid defense, out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the field, and minimize the turnovers. New Life on the other hand must attack the rim, get inside points, get bench contributions, and make defensive stops. Look for a close game throughout but I feel Fellowship will have more success in the shooting department and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 6 points as they control their own destiny.

New Dimension Destroyers vs Horeb Hustlers
West meets southwest as the destroyers of New Dime try and out hustle the hustlers and continue their winning ways. Both teams won last week and for New Dime it's starting to look promising. They only loss this season was a heartbreaking loos to the Bronx team by 2 points. Horeb on the other hand has been on a tear winning their last four games after losing their first three. What are the keys to victory for both teams? New Dime must play solid defense, shoot well from the line, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. Horeb on the other hand must play smart and attack the rim, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and attack the guards into turnovers. Look for a close game because both teams are playing at a high level. However, I feel the destroyers have the edge in the back court and inside and for that reason I'm picking them to win this game by 4 points as they continue to shine.

Corona Crusaders vs Triumphant Tabernacle Kings
East meets southwest as the crusaders of Corona try and stop the bleeding and take it to the defending champs. Corona has had a disappointing season thus far and I know their players are frustrated. They played hard last week but couldn't muster enough scoring to stop ROL. Now they face the defending champs that not only won last week but did so convincingly. T&T knows if they continue to win they would be able to catch the high flying hawks that are one game ahead in their division. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Corona must go to church and pray hard; get enough rest, enjoy the sermon, and come loose to the game. T&T on the other hand must play their style, shoot well from the line, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game the first 5 minutes however, T&T is the better team and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up blow out style as they continue their march to the top.

New Jerusalem Juggernauts vs Ephesus Eliminators
East meets northeast as the juggernauts of NJ try and stop the bleeding and eliminate the eliminators of Ephesus. NJ lost a close game last week and this team at least comes to play every week. It might not show in the winning column but teams can't sleep on them. Ephesus on the other hand has been playing better of late and it showed in the way they are winning. What are the keys to victory for both teams? NJ must shoot well from everywhere, minimize the turnovers, play solid defense, and get bench contributions. Ephesus on the other hand must push the rock, shoot well from the field, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. Look for a close game the first half but by second half I expect to see Ephesus run away and eliminate NJ thus keeping them in the basement.

Bronx Hawks Express vs Bethany Ballers
Northeast meets east as the Bronx hawks try and run express against the ballers and keep them stumbling backwards. Bronx defeated the crushers of Cornerstone by 10 last week while Bethany blew a chance to separate themselves from the pack in their division losing to NEw Dime by 6. Both teams are very familiar with each other and that is what makes this game interesting. Normally I would pick this game as the game of the week however the implications for both teams are not as dire as others this week. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Bronx must shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, attack the rim, and play solid defense. Bethany on the other hand must out rebound their opponent, shoot well from the line, get defensive stops, and get bench contributions. Look for a close game throughout because both teams are good. However, I feel the ballers have the edge inside and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 4 points as they continue to shine.

White Plains Professors vs Ebenezer Sharp Shooters
Northeast meets east as the undefeated professors put their undefeated season on the line against the sharp shooter of Ebenezer. Well what can I say just off the performance from last week I should have WP as the game of the week. But in fairness to other teams this game impacts only WP record. WP is proving to everyone that last year was a fluke and the standard that was set by the WP team wasn't lost. Dynasties are destined as destined is an illusion. Teams make their own destiny by how well they buy into their coaching staff and players sacrifice their individual goals for the betterment of the team. No one exhibits this more than the professors of WP. Man I wish other teams and players would take a page out of Coach Felix and his staff book because all their players no matter if they are starters or bench players are always prepared. I look at their bench players and they are cheering each other and picking each other up. Unlike most teams who best players don't do much to make others better. It's refreshing to see in this day and age of selfish players that an old school approach works better in today's game. Felix disciplines his players no matter if they are the best players on the team and it shows who is in charge. Too many times I look at other teams bench players and even starters and all I hear is complaining, disrespect to their coaches, and just a me approach that never amounts to wins. Ebenezer knows what's coming and they better be prepared for the onslaught. What are the keys to victory for both teams? WP must play their style and attack the rim, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Ebenezer on the other hand must play smart and attack the rim, slow down the penetration of Mr. Ward, minimize the turnovers, and shoot extremely well from everywhere. Look for a close game especially if WP doesn’t have all their players. However, I expect to see lots of points and in the end WP will prove that team ball is always better than individual achievements. WP wins this match up and continues their dominance.

Sharon Shockers vs Cornerstone Crushers
Northeast meets west as the shockers of Sharon look to get their first win against underachieving Cornerstone and win their first game of the season. Both teams are having a disappointing season and for Sharon it's a learning experience. Teams usually have a hard time in the league their first year and it proved to be right again this year. Cornerstone on the other hand has been together for some time and although they don't have their full roster each week they play hard but always seem to make crucial mistakes at the wrong time. Basketball is a very simple sport once every player knows his role. Coaching staff could speak and teach but it's up to the players to buy in and execute the game plan. What I have noticed from both teams’ games is too much distractions and not enough execution. What are the keys to victory for both teams? Sharon must play hard, shoot well from the field, attack the rim, and get bench contributions. Cornerstone on the other hand must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and play with some urgency. Look for a close game the first half, but Cornerstone should be able to play a complete game and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by at least 10 points as they try and make a last push for the playoffs.

Well that's all for Milo's week 9 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show; fans come out and support your teams, and lets fellowship together. God has given us everything we need to succeed in this life all we have to do is trust him. Don't settle for mediocrity or compromise your standards for anyone because the devil comes in many shapes and sizes. God is and will always be the Rock that stands the test of time. Don't hate, try and elevate. Until next time, this is Milo signing out. God bless.