Javion's Week 3 Preview

Week 3 of the BBAL season is upon us and we have matchups with anticipated emotions lined up. Dragons, Huskies; two gritty, consistently contending teams. Bullies, Lanc Show; two teams searching for a tally in the win column, who have shown to make some noise later in the season. Titans, WoodPeckers; two teams with bonafide leadership, while this game raises some questions. CherryPickers, Tropics; previously known as the “Battle of the Bottom Tier Shorts”, both teams are hungry, younger teams striving to prove themselves this year. Gremlins, 8 Balls; a complete disaster of a franchise from top to bottom, and a consistently impactful playoff team, year in, year out. Nonetheless, let’s break this week down!

                                                 Dragons vs Huskies

• Key factors for the Dragons: Kevin Roldan need to step up offensively, obviously more consistent availability would help, continue to play through Elijah Terry and get shooters open(especially Evan Baker)

• Key factors for the Huskies: Isaiah Valentine should be more involved, he’s proven to be able to score consistently, when in doubt, feed Timmy Edwards or use him as a decoy to get shooters like Eli Washington going.

    This might just be the best game of the night and the talent level of these two teams really initiates a test between two battle-tested teams. Regardless of the outcome, these two teams will still likely be at the top of power rankings.

Bullies vs Lanc Show

• Key Factors for the Bullies: Find a way to build chemistry with the veteran and rookie balance, don’t panic and understand that their veterans will bounce back. Reach the bottom of the net.

• Key Factors for the Lanc Show: Availability, take the pressure off Ajani Simmons, get on the glass, and stay alive for all 40 minutes.

A win should be on the horizon for the Lanc Show with their track record, but to beat a team with this amount of talent like the Bullies, it's gotta take all they’ve got and then some. Bullies just gotta trust their leaders. This team is the epitome of the domino effect.

Titans vs WoodPeckers

•  Key Factors for the Titans: If Chase Yarberough is available, run the offense through him and Makai-Ortiz-Gray with Johnny Besecker being the third option. In the clutch, give Johnny the ball. Do not let Devin catch stride, this is a HUNGRY ‘Peckers team.

•  Key Factors for the WoodPeckers: Aiden Sands is needed. Defensive intensity is needed. Find the biggest threat and let others beat you. Virtually, anyone on this Titans team can spoil your chances.

This should be a better matchup than some may realize, these teams have talent, while just not letting finding their groove with 5 weeks left to play before the playoffs. My question to you… Who do you think will take over?

CherryPickers vs Tropics

•  Key Factors for the CherryPickers: It seems to me that our worries of who to run the offense through with this team is over. Justin Baker, a rookie, has shown promise and will continue to learn under Tyler Crespo’s wing. This will be a challenge with the Tropics size.

•  Key Factors for the Tropics: Give Ethan Benne the ball. Use their size. Or even use him as a decoy to get guys like John-John going. Don’t be afraid to be physical on defense with their length on the defensive end.

Gremlins vs 8 Balls

•  Key Factors for the Gremlins: Attack the basket and get to the charity stripe. Stop settling for so many jump shots. Let anyone but Jason Kuntzelman beat you. Win. Just win. Or I have a feeling this is where the rain starts to pour, especially after hearing Jhaire “Bills” Felton reportedly hinting at a trade request.

Key Factors for the 8 Balls: Fastbreak points, force TOs, occasionally, use main threats like Julian Collazo and Jason Kuntzelman as decoys.