Javion's Week 3 Review

Memorial Day weekends slate of games left fans at the end of their seats nearly EVERY game! Several highlight reel type plays, Pancake Farm sponsorship, as well as myself in the commentary booth, solo with a few special guests later in the broadcast! Let’s get into the action!

Huskies and Dragons

Since Alex Cruz became captain, these matchups have always resulted in pure competitive basketball. Either way, these teams happened to create excitement in our opener despite the Dragons absences. The Dragons suffered losses of their 2024 6th Man of the Year contender, Dre Davis; Ricky Cruz, and the Makrides brothers, putting their backs against the wall just before facing off against one of the league's best to this point. 

Neck and neck it was for practically the entire game. A few hiccups from both teams in the first half that both teams knew they needed to clean up. Both teams showed high levels of physicality as we’ve seen regularly as well. The Huskies needed that X-factor in this game regardless of the Dragons depth and they certainly got it. 

The Huskies played complimentary basketball, thanks to the wolfpack being without Timmy Edwards for nearly the entire first half. Crew Wells(rookie) accumulated 18 pts and 8 rebounds on 60% shooting. Jordan Tyson was trailing with 17 pts, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. A true defensive clinic from a former DPOY. 

Meanwhile, Eli Washington scored 14 pts with 11 rebounds, having a respectively quiet, double-double. The Dragons firepower came from Evan Baker ordering a 20 piece on 54% shooting. Elijah, however, had a rough night with 12 pts, 2 steals, on 27% shooting. Defense kept them in this game especially with 9 steals as a team. However, it was not enough to win this one, losing; 65-53.

Bullies vs Lanc Show

Lanc Show and the Bullies have struggled to start this season so far despite only being 3 weeks in. The Lanc Show before this game stood at 1-1. Despite their .500, they have yet to convince the league that they are legit contenders thus far. The Bullies have started at an ugly, unexpected place, 0-2 record. The media has criticized them heavily, rightfully so. This game is just like the last, smooth sailing. 

Two physical teams, going at it for a chance to prove themselves. The first half, Marqel Wansley hinted at a big night along with Erik Goldbach for the Bullies. The Lanc Show, many thought would have a big night with Luke Pierson’s debut. Action started to pick up after a 37-29 halftime lead from the Bullies. Runs by both teams occurred until the 10 minute mark in the second half where bucket after bucket, highlight after highlight happened. 

Courtesy of the Bullies star Marquel Wansley scoring 29 pts, 8 assists and 72% shooting. MJM Topfloor had 22 pts, 77% shooting, and was at the receiving end of one of the most highly rated contenders for highlight play of the week. Impressive rookie as well, Jared Kumah fought for 18 pts, 9 rebounds, and another great shooting performance at 67%. 

For the Lanc Show, scoring was definitely not their flaw with their leader, Ajani “Energizer Bunny” Simmons scoring 22 pts. Jah Greaves had a very big “next man up” type night with 20 pts, and 7 boards. And of course, Nas McFadden scored 20 pts as well with 2 steals, despite his ball security struggles. In the box score, it seemed as though the Lanc Show did more than enough to win this game but late game TOs cost them crucial possessions. While the Bullies took advantage of these opportunities leading to a 86-77 Bullies win.

Titans vs Woodpeckers

Two teams with a spectacular resume but not the ideal 2025 start however. The Titans were looking to quiet the noise upon their legitimacy. While the WoodPeckers still had respect that was needed to be earned around the league after this year's 0-2 start. Certainly, a decent size chip on their shoulders coming into this bout. 

Early on, the Titans struggled with efficiency against a notably hungry Woodpeckers team. The looks were there. Shots just wouldn’t drop, which is still promising nonetheless. In the meantime, Devin Atkinson was attacking the Titans lack of urgency, and helping get teammates involved, per usual. The Titans are the defending champions for a reason, they did not just lay down. As the game progressed they started to find their rhythm. No team really went on a huge run as the Titans defense made up for their early offensive struggles. They managed to keep it close at just a 7 point margin at the half. Throughout the second half, guys like Makai-Ortiz-Gray came through down the stretch along with Chase Yarberough. Makai managed to have 21 pts, on a solid 44% from the field. Rob Footman, who orchestrated some of their offense early on had 12 points and 2 steals, leading to points on a 50% night from the field. And Chase with just a few buckets to keep them in rhythm scoring 10. On the other side, the Peckers were led by Ty Hilton(rookie) scoring 19 pts on 42% from the field. Devin with 15 pts, while picking 3 pockets, and Elijah Eberly with 14 points, 2 blks and surprisingly one more assist than Devin(2 to 3). A complete switch was flipped from the WoodPeckers we’ve seen the previous two weeks and this fiery performance and will to win led the Woodpeckers to a hard fought 65-57 win.

CherryPickers vs Tropics

Two teams who came into this season quite underlooked despite their reputation due to most people looking on paper. The CherryPickers stand at 1-1, after a tough victory last week against the defending champion Titans. This team has the most rookies on their roster than any other team, so to no surprise, they had to find a playstyle that fits. Over the course of a couple of weeks, Justin Baker has been that guy and looked to solidify that role moving forward. On the opposing side, the Tropics have kick-started this season with a strong, impressive 2-0 start. They come out after a breeze of a win, dominating the Lanc Show, 95-67. 

Bucket after bucket between both teams. Tropics were led by Ethan Benne with 24 pts, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals. As well Joe Hatcher with 13 pts and 11 rebounds. This was a strong showing from the Tropics being without their captain, Brad Atkinson, John-John Gillespie, and Adam Stolzfus. A 6 man rotation is tough to win with when you’re used to having the flexibility and talent level within your usual 9 man rotation for the Tropics.

The CherryPickers, however, were led by a forgettable Tyler Crespo performance in terms of efficiency(35%) despite having 18 pts. Jaxon Weyforth stepped in a key role displaying 15 points and rebounds for the big man. And the CherryPickers developing star, Justin Baker scored 10 points, along with 10 rebounds to secure a double-double and 5 steals for the rook! Fortunately, this was enough for the Cherries to sneak by the Titans barely by the free throw game winning, 64-57.

Gremlins vs 8 Balls

The Gremlins have struggled to say the least. They have few bright spots but have yet to prove to be able to compete with the rest of the league. Ryan Saers has solidified himself as a quality #1 option but we'll see how this team performs with a full squad, considering their other Ryan(Krawczeniuk). 

On the other sideline, the 8 Balls. Arguably the best team in the BBAL thus far especially being without their star Jason Kuntzelman for week 1 and this week as well.They have proven they can be legit despite being reminiscent of some recent Cleveland Cavalier teams. And it’s at the rate where if you don’t beat the Gremlins, you’re heavily targeted in the media. Just like every game, this one started after as if we’d be in for a good one. But that hope plummeted quickly. After the first half, 45-37; 8 Balls lead. It was a pretty back and forth showing until about 10:30 to play, the Gremlins just could not buy a bucket, going on a scoreless drought for nearly 5 minutes of play.

 From this point on, the 8 Balls never looked back, thanks to Tyrell Melendez scoring an impactful 28 pts shooting 62%, Julian Collazo with a 20 piece, 9 rebounds and even better, 75% from the field. In addition to these, a significant addition, Jeff Espinal put up 20 points, and 2 steals as well. 

The Gremlins bright spots, Jhaire “Bills” Felton(24) and Ryan Saers(26) both combined for 50 points with a significant dropoff afterwards. Their lack of efficiency and physicality, especially with their troubles getting to the charity stripe, lost them this game, 66-85.