What's up NCBL family last week although I went 5-1 in my picks teams are starting to find their niche. Some teams play to their capabilities while others can't seem to get out of their own way. Basketball like anything in life presents challenges and it depends on the resolve of each team, their players, and coaches to maximum their full potential. Last week we had the ballers of Bethany dance around the sharp shooters of Ebenezer winning by 5. The hustlers of Horeb defeated the rejuvenators of New Life by 3 in a close game. T&T exploded defeating the crusaders of Corona by 30; ROL rolled by the warriors of Rogers Ave, NJ juggernauts lifted and launched pass the shockers of Sharon by 29, and the professors of WP clipped the wings of the high flying hawks of Fellowship beating them by 21. What stood out to me is the elite teams stay elite and the second tier teams must come to play every night because any lapse can be a loss. We have 6 games scheduled for this week and for some teams it's do or die while for others it's a chance to prove Milo and the critics wrong. Let's go.
New Jerusalem Juggernauts vs Community Worship Center
Battle in the east as the juggernauts of NJ try and move up in the standing and take over the CWC Stars. Both teams have one win each and both teams defeated the same team Sharon. Now they face each other and to the winner goes the spoils. NJ has been in the league for a few years now so one would expect them to play more consistently. CWC is in their first season and as the new kids on the block any win they get is a move in the right direction. What are the keys to victory for both teams. NJ must push the rock, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers and play solid defense. CWC on the other hand must get bench contributions, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and play with intensity. This game would be close in the first half, but my gut tells me that NJ right now is a better team and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up blow out style thus moving ahead in the division.
Rogers Ave Warriors vs Horeb Hustlers
Battle in the west as the warriors of Rogers Ave try and slow down the high powered offense of the hustlers and drop them from the undefeated ranks. Rogers Ave lost last week in a close game and they played with heart and passion. Horeb did their thing and won another close game against the rejuvenators of New Life by 3 points. Both teams knows whats at stake and although Rogers Ave is win-less they play with fire and eventually it would amount to wins. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Rogers Ave must play solid defense, shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, and pressure the guards of Horeb. Horeb on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the line, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. I like what I see from the warriors but the hustlers are a different beast. Horeb will win this game by at least 8 points as they continue their dominance.
River of Life Sustainers vs White Plains Professors.
West meets east as the sustainers of ROL try and stop the professors of WP and drop them out of the undefeated ranks. Folks I hope you are paying attention because from what I see the professors have that look in their eyes again. The last time I saw that look they ran the table and ended up winning chip[ after chip. Coach Felix knows the real season starts in a couple of months so he has his troops gearing up for the long run. ROL played a good game last week and defeated Roger Ave by 3 points. Now they face one of the beasts of the east and they better come prepared. What are the keys to victory for both teams. ROL must shoot well from everywhere, play solid defense, get bench contributions, and pray for an intervention. WP on the other hand must play their style and attack the paint, shoot well from the field and line, minimize the turnovers, and out rebound their opponent. I expect to see a close game in the first 10 minutes but as the game goes deeper the professors would start to school the sustainers. WP wins this match up blow out style as they continue their dominance.
Ebenezer Sharp Shooters vs Christian Fellowship Hawks
East meets west as the sharp shooters try and rebound after a tough loss and crush the hopes of Fellowship in Milo's "Game of the week". Although both teams lost last week so far for the season they both have been playing inspired ball. Ebenezer like Fellowship tends to be streaky and if they are on then it's problems but if they are off then they both look like subpar teams. Both teams have been playing the best opponents in the league so far and that helps down the stretch because they both would face lesser opponents. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Ebenezer must shoot well from the field, play solid defense, attack the paint, and minimize the turnovers. Fellowship on the other hand must shoot well from the field, minimize the turnovers, shoot well from the line, and out rebound their opponent. I expect to see a close game but in the end I feel the sharp shooters vets would be the difference this game and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 3 points in the closing seconds.
Sharon Shockers vs Bethany Ballers
Battle in the east as the shockers of Sharon try and out ball the ballers of Bethany and drop them in the division. Bethany tasted what it was like to be in the chip game and trust me when I say they are playing as if it's win it all or bust. Sharon on the other hand is a young team that is still going through their growing pains and would have to take the punches and learn for these experiences. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Sharon must play a complete game, shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, and minimize the turnovers. Bethany on the other hand must attack the rim, shoot well from the line, play solid defense, and get bench contributions. I expect to see Sharon play hard but the ballers don't take any prisoners. Look for a close game in the first half as the ballers experiment with different sets but in the end they would be too much for the shockers to handle and for that reason I expect to see them blow out the shockers and continue their dominant ways.
Corona Crusaders vs Bronx Hawks Express
West meets east as the crusaders of Corona try and slow down the high octane offense of Bronx and eventually derail them. Corona must be saying to themselves man we can't get a break. Last week they faced the kings of T&T and was given the royal treatment losing by 30. Now they face one of the top teams in the east and from past experience they know what is at stake. Bronx need to play consistent because they can't afford to take nights off especially with the professors ahead in the division. What are the keys to victory for both teams. Corona must shoot well from the field, out rebound their opponent, attack the paint, and slow down the pace. Bronx on the other hand must push the rock, shoot well from the field, attack the rim, and get bench contributions. I expect to see a close game because both teams are familiar with each other but in the end I feel Bronx would run express more times than none and for that reason I'm picking them to win this match up by 8 points as they remain in the chase for the top spot.
Well that's all for Milo's week 4 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show, fans come out and support your teams, and lets fellowship together. God is so good to us we must always give him thanks and praises. Folks time is short and from the looks of things it won't be getting better any time soon. The world is in a flux and the devil is making his case for our souls. But be of good cheer because we have an advocate in the Father which is Christ Jesus and he is and always will be in control. So when you are feeling depressed or conflicted drop on your knees and pray because pray is the only connection we have with Christ and without prayer we are like dead people walking. keep Christ first in everything and he would direct our paths. Until next time this is Milo signing out. God Bless.
