Javion's Playoff Review

The dance has arrived. Play-In under Lancaster Catholic lights, Playoffs back on the ‘ Sport Court. The Play-In teased for some interesting matchups and history made, while the Playoffs created more rivalry and controversy. Let’s dive into this!

Play-In Matchups

• Tropics vs Gremlins

• Dragons vs Bullies

Starting off, Dragons vs Bullies. One of, if not the most heated rivalry in the BBAL. Since Alex “The Sheriff” Cruz has left the Bullies to become the Dragons captain, there’s been bad blood between the two franchises. The Dragons, like last year did not have the best regular season but, looked to make another run at a title as underdogs. While the Bullies over the past few seasons have been hyped, but failed to reach expectations.

Back and forth battle between both teams. Dragons rookie Evan Baker came to play with a phenomenal 28 points, nine rebounds, while shooting 56% from the field and 50% from the field. A new addition for the Sheriff, Jhiaire “Bills” Felton has blossomed with his unselfishness. 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists for him, despite not making a single 3pt attempt. The centerpiece of this franchise, Elijah Terry added 19 points, 6 rebounds, with 3 steals. All around masterclass. Another addition, Nevin Roman contributed with him, Isaiah Thomas, and Dre Davis combining for 48 points. One of the greatest team wins we will ever see in this league.

On the flip side and an unfortunate way to end their season. Bullies star, Marqel Wansley put up a 30 piece on 60% shooting, while having 6 crucial TOs. Another rookie who has taken over the BBAL in his own manner, Jared Kumah tallied 26 points with 13 rebounds. Kobe Gantz closely trailed him with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Erik Goldbach chipped in with 16 points.

Alex Cruz called it pre-game. This one was a blood bath. Both teams have grit and the will to win. But unfortunately in sports, only one team can win. The Dragons advanced to a matchup against the one seeded Huskies, winning 120-112.

Closing the 2025 BBAL Playoff bracket, the winner of the Gremlins vs Tropics. The Gremlins, what better way to get your first win in over 750 days by clinching a playoff spot? The Tropics with a very exciting, young squad, who have a chance to have a rookie of theirs to win MVP in Ethan Benne. However, they look for something much bigger, that involves just their star.

With the magnitude of both games, they were expectedly closely contested. Gremlins veteran Aleer Gonzalez led the monsters with 20 points, an impressive second half bounce back after a rocky first half. Trade acquisition Griffin Rischall contributed with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, leading to the promise that this trade was even. Mickey Stokes had 19 points and 17 rebounds, a STATEMENT double-double for him. Hoodie Cuban and Jaevon Parker combined for 30 as well. Arguably, the greatest team game we’ve seen from this franchise in quite some time.

The Tropics, despite having less subs, couldn’t get all 6 of their guys rolling. This time around, John-John Gillespie led his squad with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 60% from the field. Ethan Benne followed with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 steals. And big man Stolfus tallied 21 points and 15 rebounds. 

A big three performance for the Tropics was truly a highlight to watch but will never really ever defeat team basketball. The streak is over. The wait is over. The Gremlins advance to the playoffs with the BBAL world behind them, winning 90-82.

BBAL 2025 Playoffs

•  Dragons(9) vs Huskies(1)

• Titans(4) vs 8 Balls(5)

• Woodpeckers(2) vs Gremlins(10)

• Cherrypickers(3) vs Lanc Show(6)

Dragons and Huskies tipped off game one. Dragons, after an absolute blood bath just the day prior, had to get our night rolling. Their backs were against the wall but, if there’s anything to know about this team, it’s that quit does not exist. Huskies, looking to prove doubters wrong, including myself as they’ve shown to struggle to climb the mountain for hardware in recent years.

Early on, the Dragons struggled and looked to have hit a wall early considering they matched up with the league's best. As the game progressed, they settled, thanks to the dragon with the most heat, Elijah Terry with 28 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Jhiaire “Bills” Felton with another very productive performance, 22 points, eight rebounds, 5 assists and 6 forced TOs. Trailing him and rounding out the box score was Dre Davis with 16 points and 5 rebounds. A disappointing performance from Evan Baker, who just to put it simply, could not get anything to fall and failed to shoot his way out of it.

Huskies, out the gate were some wolves ready to take the fire out the Dragons. They maintained a good lead for the majority of this one, except when the Dragons chipped away down the stretch to force OT eventually. Neither team could get it done in OT, then went double OT, no pull away from either team at this point. A third OT was simply sudden death. 1st. Bucket. Wins. Except the Dragons fouled after missing on a layup and unfortunately, the Huskies were able to clinch the Final 4 on a free throw. The fight in this Huskies team is incomparable led by Timmy “Tough” Edwards scoring 25 points, and 11 rebounds, despite 7 TOs. Eli Washington finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 forced TOs. Crew Wells and Jordan Tyson combined for 21 points, while Jordan had 3 blocks as well. A true war between these two with a controversial ending to say the least. Huskies dodge a bullet, winning 80-79 and advancing to the Final 4 to matchup with the defending champion, Titans.

Titans and 8 Balls. Two original franchises clashing to get one step closer to glory. Titans with no Chris “CPR” Richards. 8 Balls missing a haul of their stardom forced their role players to come up big. No Jason Kuntzelman, Julian Collazo, Tyrell Melendez, or Danny Bomberger.

The 8 Balls came out with fire to start and it felt like even early on, we were destined to witness a classic. Shoutout to Jeff Espinal having an all star caliber and leading his purple & black with 26 points and 5 rebounds. Grant Conway. That dude is electric. 23 points, 2 steals, 3 assists, and not afraid to chirp at opposing guard, Rob Footman all game long! Love the playoff energy! Grant’s younger brother, Ross followed with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists! Shoutout to Mark Goldbach hitting his first 3pt since the birth of the BBAL!

The Titans were unfazed as being down by 14 did not seem to budge the defending champions. Chase Yarberough took charge with 29 points, seven assists, and 12 rebounds. Makai-Ortiz-Gray was right behind him with 28 points and seven rebounds. Both shoot exactly 10-20(50%) from the field. Rob and KJ followed by combining for 30. These combined efforts from the defending champs, ultimately secured them a spot, winning 103-100 and in the Final 4, lacing it up this Saturday with the league’s best, Huskies.

Gremlins up against the Woodpeckers. For the first time in a long time, it was valid to not feel insane for Gremlin fans to continuously root for the wreck their organization has created. All the hate and doubt was up to this point. The desires for Captain Tony Cruz to be fired still float but, prior to their record breaking & Playoff clinching victory, they were at an all-time high. On the opposing side, a team that has hardware in this league just a few years ago, now with a difference in roster, but same identity. A team that may not be a fan favorite but have settled with that fact and go about their business on the quest for their second championship.

Early on, both teams weren’t backing down. Especially Bryam or Hoodie Cuban for the Gremlins. The league knew of this guy's talent, and it seems he has found a home to showcase them. The man laid it all on the floor for his boys. He finished with 39 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while shooting 14-24(58%) from the field. Significant statistical dropoffs after Bryam. Chuck finished with just 14 points, but 6 steals! Solid debut for Andrew Makrides in his new threads with 12. But after him, it was a disappointing showing from Mickey, Griffin, Aleer, and Ant. Aleer and Ant hinted at frustration with playing time, however…

For the ‘Peckers, the big man sparked his boys alive. Elijah Eberly with 25 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and 4 forced TOs. 79% from the field as well.  Luke Romball with 20 points, Captain Atkinson behind him with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists. Ty Hilton, rookie with 18 points. Just an all around cleaner basketball game with controversy but, ultimately ‘ball don’t lie. The WoodPeckers advanced to the Final 4 winning, 96-91.

Primetime BBAL Playoffs did not feel like it, unfortunately. The Lanc Show and Cherrypickers, both with stars whose playstyles excite the fans. Ryan Sayers and his Cherries have played loose basketball since being together early on this season. While Ajani Simmons and the Lanc Show have had their back against the wall most of the season with availability issues and struggles to adapt to play fluent, team basketball in all courts.

Out the gate, this game felt like the script was already written. Being straight-forward, there wasn’t much to truly say about this one. Fans left early and the scorers table was led to stop using stop clocks once a team is up 30 points or more. The Cherries just took over. Ryan Sayers with a dominant 34 points on an outstanding 86% shooting performance, despite committing 10 TOs. Justin Baker with 17 points, eight rebounds, and 2 steals. Andy Santiago and Tyler Crespo combined with 26 points as well. 

For the Lanc Show, Nas McFadden took matters into his own hands with 25 points, six rebounds, and three steals, despite shooting 0-7(0%) from three. Jack Engle and Ajani Simmons combined for 30 points and 9 rebounds, but their efforts and other role players sent the purple and gold home early in a whopping, 79-111 blowout.