Javion's Week 1 BBAL Review

Week 1 has risen and we could not have started off the season with a better BANG! We had rookies show flashes of dominance, highlight reel plays, and ultimately the vibes of the Sport Court exceeded expectations with us opening up the season on Mother’s Day. Let’s get into how the first week of the season went about as we are in the midst of our fifth season!

Opening Game: Gremlins vs Tropics

The first game of the 2025 BBAL was boring to start, I’ll be honest. Rookies, however on both sides, showed promise to either lead their current teams or be quite strong trade bait in the future. A slow start for the Tropics seemed to give a sense of hope for the Gremlins, but just like that; the Tropics several trips to the charity stripe gave them a formula to use their size advantage against this undersized Gremlins squad. At the half, it looked like all Tropics with a breezy 19 point lead. Just above the 10 minute mark of the second half, Gremlins had cut this game to a 5 point deficit. 49-44. And just like that, the Tropics shot out of a cannon. Led by my ROTY prediction, Ethan Benne, who recorded the season-high, 33 pts thus far. He also was on the glass with his 6’6 frame, having 9 rebounds, while shooting 52% from the field. His teammates, Captain Brad Atkinson had 11 points despite not making a 3pt attempt. He brought leadership mainly as a captain should. Elie Basenga performed our highlight of the week with a half-court ankle breaker into a high flying SLAM! Overall, a defensive clinic for the Tropics especially with John John Gillespie recording SEVEN steals! On the other side of things, Ryan Saers showed promise as a rookie for the Gremlins putting up 15 pts and 60% shooting but based on Tony Cruz’s previous management decisions, we’ll never really know if he decides to keep Ryan. Otherwise, a disappointing, but expected performance on the Gremlins behalf. I personally thought we’d get more out of Bills, and Casey considering he was our #1 pick and one of few who shot 100% this week, league-wide. Ultimately, the Tropics outlasted the Gremlins, 76-59. Luckily, we are only in week 1 and fans of the Gremlins should be in NO panic as we have a long season ahead of us.

Huskies vs CherryPickers

The Justin Baker Saga… We witnessed quite a back and forth and this game just felt puzzling to me. I say it a lot and I’ll say it again, basketball is a game of runs. This was the epitome of this game. I just was lost on where the ball was going on the Cherries side. I will say this, there’s been tons of rookies entering the BBAL this year and it is week 1. This team has tons of time to figure out their gameplan. Although the box score says otherwise, the majority of the top scorers were quiet. Quite honestly, it could be because this game was not as hyped. The Cherries were led by their expected leader, Tyler Crespo who had 20 pts and 2 steals, rookie Justin Baker, who had another 20 piece for this team with 3 blocks. It was a story of rookies on this team that just showed what they’re capable of. The Wolfpack, however, were led by their usual one-two punch with Timmy Edwards scoring 25 pts, and Eli Washington being just shy of 20 pts, scoring 19 on an abysmal 3 point shooting night for him. This was a neck to neck game but the Huskies' experience level compared to the youth of this CherryPickers team chipped away and took the edge, winning, 73-66.

8 Balls vs Bullies

I was really hoping for this to be the game of the night, honestly. It wasn’t really a fluent game for the fans especially when you go to see anticipated superstars. It was a solid game just because of the past rivalry but the suspense may have just been built for the postseason. The 8 Balls were without their superstar, the reigning BBAL MVP, Jason Kuntzelman. Not just him, but the multi-level threat who retired last year, Devonne Pinkkard was absent as well. These two losses made this team significantly less dominant, however their run’ n gun playstyle was still up to par. Transition offense to a T!!  Julian Collazo made an impact offensively with 19 pts, despite committing 7 TOs. They have veteranship that can still be competent especially if Jeff Espinal is putting a surprise performance like he did Sunday with 16 pts. Tyrell Melendez, one of, if not, the steal of the draft put up 19 pts as well. The Bullies were also without their superstar, the 2023 BBAL MVP and my projected 2025 MVP, Marqel Wansley. Another MVP candidate, Kobe Gantz didn’t show up either. Just like any team, it made an impact on both teams especially with their chemistry. After the game, Bullied guard Erik Goldbach expressed how he felt his team just felt out of sync without the leadership of their one-two punch. In addition, he added the fact that MJM Topfloor showed up for only the second half and he was lost with the lack of chemistry shown on the floor. Yet another rookie, Jared Kumah put up 19 pts with him being the only noticeable impact. With that, he was not quite enough to get the Bullies over the hump of this DEEP 8 Balls team, losing 52-66.

WoodPeckers vs Lanc Show

One of the most anticipated matchups in recent years of the 5 year span of the BBAL. Always can count enjoying a snack, or should I say our own Sheriff’s Lemonade! More absences with the ‘Peckers without Aiden Sands and the Lanc Show, without Luke Pierson. The WoodPeckers just looked out of sink this week. Personally, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen them play. Mentally, their game was intact; but they just could not buy a bucket. Captain Devin Atkinson did a great job keeping his team under control despite their struggles. On the opposing side, I thought I’d get more out of “The Energizer Bunny” Ajani Simmons, considering his hunger for an MVP. Yes, he struggled, but his team was there to pick up his slack. Even though both teams shot 35% and on paper, both struggled, the Lanc Show made shots when they mattered more. And in an emotional game like this one has been in recent years, clutch genes are key. Both teams nearly had only one player above 20 pts. The Woodpeckers had former DPOY carry the load offensively, ironically. And Ajani’s sidekick, Nas McFadden delivered a 20 piece with Jack Engle just peaking above 10 points with 11. The Peckers made it closer than it maybe should have been but, it still wasn’t nearly enough to win it as the Lanc Show continued to have the WoodPeckers number, dating back to last year, winning 61-50.

PrimeTime Dragons vs Titans

Prime-Time basketball on the ‘Sport Court certainly didn’t feel like it. It was one sided for pretty much the whole game, despite getting me out of my seat towards the end. I’d give all the rough performances a pass at least the first week of the season but, this one by the Dragons is by far the worst I’ve witnessed. This game was HIGHLY anticipated all year long as players on the Dragons still wanted revenge for last year's championship game. The Titans, however, let their play do the talking. The first half of this game was a nightmare for the Dragons. Putting up a record-low, 12 first half points is something that just didn’t phase the Dragons. Sure, they didn’t play their best, but, the ability to get back up in the second half after getting jumped in the first half is nothing to ignore. The Titans shots were dropping, defensive possessions were more consistent and they were able to flow with points off the Dragons 9 total TOs. The Titans were led by Makai-Ortiz-Gray, who battled for 21 pts, despite not sinking a single three-point shot. Commissioner Johnny Besecker came up clutch late, along with Darnell Booth and K.J Brownlee both showing out defensively as well. In an attempt to climb back, the Dragons were led by Elijah Terry with 18 pts, their main guy commanding the Sheriff’s office, Evan Baker, who is a solid shooter, having 16 pts. Anthony Henson late in the game had a couple clutch buckets and offensive rebounds that led to assists. Despite the fight from the Dragons, they weren’t able to overcome the hole they dug themselves in the first half, losing 53-63. Dragons fans have nothing to hang their head over as it is VERY unlikely to have consistent performances on that level. And fans of our reigning champions.. have they really left?

Week 2 preview coming no later than saturday at midnight, stay tuned…