Javion's Week 4 Review

Week 4 of the 2025 BBAL Season is in the books and past the halfway point of the season is on the horizon. This one featured tons of MUST-SEE TV value, while shaking up bettors pockets this weekend. For all sports played on Sunday, it’s always ‘any given Sunday, especially in the BBAL. Without further ado, time to break down some Week 4 action!

Huskies vs 8 Balls

Huskies(3-0), arguably the top dawgs of this league(pun intended), mano-e-mano against the 8 Balls(3-0), one of few teams thus far that have looked prepared for the challenge against the wolfpack. The Huskies lost their consistent MVP candidate, Timmy Edwards, early on in the first half due to injury. No update or timestable on his return yet. 

The 8 Balls, without the reigning MVP, Jason Kuntzelman, Tyrell Melendez and yet again, no Devonne Pinkkard for unknown reasons. Losing two star players of their caliber against a team like the Huskies with effective depth, made the 8 Ball significantly heavier to roll. 

Early on, things were pretty evenly matched and remained this way for the majority of the game. But like most teams and uncharacteristically from the 8 Balls, they crumbled in crunchtime. The Huskies timely buckets seemed to be almost automatic with no sense of urgency from the 8 Balls. 

Their sloppy offense and inability to get in a rhythm cost them the top spot in the league. Not a single 8 Balls player scored above 20 points with Ross Conway at the top with just 16 pts and shooting 41% from the field. He missed 6 threes, which is also; unlike Ross. Julian Collazo gathered 15 points, 7 rebounds, falling just a few rebounds shy of a double-double. He shot 33% from the field which was the end of notable 8 Balls players this week. Safe to say, tonight just wasn’t their night, which is totally excusable considering the amount of breathing room they gave themselves this season. 

The Huskies, however despite coming out on top, certainly didn’t have their best night either. Isaiah Valentine rallied the pack with 16 points, and 38% from the field, while missing 7 three-point attempts. Eli Washington followed with 16 points and slightly better from the field, shooting 41%. Jordan Tyson and Crew Wells combined for 26 points, topping this low-scoring defensive dog-fight with the Huskies claiming the top spot, winning, 58-50.

Gremlins vs Lanc Show

‘The streak is alive…

Gremlins(0-3), the only team is the BBAL that leaves no hope. Something has to change for this horrific franchise, and something indeed did. I called it earlier in the season that Ryan Sayers would be used as a strong trade capital for Tony, knowing his reputation as a captain. Tony went out and traded Ryan Sayers and Andrew Williams to the CherryPickers for a haul of their roster including, Marquise Mcclean, Bryam Menendez Goire, Ryan Koltunovich, Charles Warren, and a 5th round draft pick next year. This was a trade that didn’t seem desperate as opposed to methodical to say the least. Lanc Show(1-2), this team has struggled to keep consistent play, availability, and fan entertainment. This game would not only be a morale boost but a must-win scenario regardless of the time left in the season. 

Both teams looked solid this game, not the best we’ve seen from the Lanc Show, but definitely the best the Gremlins have shown in years. Buckets were falling, while physicality was present too. No real huge runs from either squad, which eventually led us to our first OT game of the season with this game being so close all game. 1 minute overtime, it's anyone's game. Lanc Show gained an advantage with receiving the tip-off and  following that with an easy two by our Kristaps Porzingus of the BBAL; Kade. Mickey Stokes then steals a passing lane on their next defensive possession, blows a layup but Aleer Gonzalez cleans it up! Less than 5 seconds remain and no sense of urgency for the Gremlins as Nas McFadden for Lanc Show gets a running start into an EASY open lane layup for the win! 

Despite the heart-breaking loss for Gremlins, their production has become significantly more fluent with Marquise Mcclean leading with 15 points, shooting 62%. While their significant role players combined for 46 points. This is all without Nevin Roman, but the Gremlins ability to get to the charity stripe more often has been notably increased.

For the Lanc Show after surviving the never-ending media critics if they had lost, Luke Pierson took advantage of his size this evening and secured a very productive night with 18 pts, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Ajani with 16 and Nas with 12 as well. Might be the only time ever everyone on a team in one game scored at least once, a true all-around performance. The Lanc Show, however, escaped 66-64. The Gremlins losing streak extends to 718 days as of 6-5-25.

Dragons vs CherryPickers

Dragons(1-2) in what feels like a must-win scenario really isn’t. A tough last week without being full strength, as they were not full strength this week either. The Cherries, however, fresh off a blockbuster trade for young star Ryan Sayers. Despite giving up a haul, Ryan Sayers consistency is what they saw as more valuable to be contenders. 

Slow start for the Cherries early but that didn’t last for long. 41-30 Cherries led at the half as they fought back and took a lead up to 15 and never looked back in the second half. Ryan Sayers looked unguardable. And the Dragons just looked uncomfortable. Not as efficient as we’re used to seeing. No McCraken or Ricky Cruz hurts but, to give up nearly 80 points is flat out uncharacteristic. 

For the remainder of this game, the Cherries cruised by with a comfortable win, courtesy of Ryan Sayers in his new threads, leading with 24 points, while shooting 71% from the field. Crespo just maybe a perfect secondary scorer with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. And recently the man for this team, Justin Baker finished with 11 points, 6 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals. An overall 19 assist game for the Cherries! Beautiful basketball to say the least.

On the other end, the Dragons, Evan Baker scored 20 points while shooting 54%. Elijah Terry struggled from the field again(27%) this week despite scoring 12. Other than that, forced TOs popped with 9 combined steals. It just wasn’t the Dragons night quite frankly, losing 53-78.

                              WoodPeckers vs Tropics

The Battle of the Atkinsons never disappoints. Woodpeckers(1-2) Devin Atkinson looked unstoppable early on. But this game truly was a battle, so many lead changes and mini-runs. At the halfway point, it was a 45-40 lead for the Tropics(2-1) driven by Brad Atkinson and John-John Gillespie. One of the most exciting games we’ve witnessed all year long truly. This game was in anyone's hands at any moment. Neither team could catch fire to go on a run in the late minutes. With 10 seconds to go, Brad Atkinson heaved at half court as it nearly fell, rimming in and out. Yet another OT game was upon us knotted at 70.  WoodPeckers received possession taking advantage with tough, contested two. Brad Atkinson responds with a trip to the line, only making one. Devin Atkinson, then turns the ball over leading to a clutch layup for the Tropics, who now lead 73-72. Then the Peckers drive for a foul call and GET the foul with one second remaining. They shoot two free throws for the win… They knock down both and BARELY win, 74-73. 

Elijah Eberly finished with an outstanding game for the WoodPeckers having 26 points, 11 rebounds, and shooting 80%. No Adam Stolzfus for the Tropics to match the intensity of Eberly. Devin did Devin things with 18 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, nearing a triple-double. And Romball for the Peckers scored 16 points being the one shooting the game-winning free throws as well. 

For the Tropics, stat sheet stuffers with Ethan Benne scoring 26 points with 2 steals and 50% from the field. John-John scored 21 points with 4 steals and 57% from the field. And Brad Atkinson topped it off with 17 points and 3 steals. 13 total steals for the Tropics! And despite that, they still took a tough loss falling to an even 2-2 record, losing 74-73. Game of the Year worthy!!!

Bullies vs Titans

Back to back battles of bloodlines. This one, probably the most anticipated year in, year out. The Titans(1-2) early on have already been battle-tested and it’ll take all of their championship pedigree to make a deep run this year with teams around them only getting better. And the Bullies(1-2) struggled early on to settle in but their vets are getting more comfortable week by week and this team seems to finally put the pieces together to be a true contender. Shoutout to Aquille “The Crimestopper” Carr repping the Bullies this week, former mixtape HOOPER!

Just like every game this evening, Prime-Time did not change the theme this Sunday of a pretty even start for both teams. However, two early Qel threes indicated a big game for him. A very slow paced game with two methodical offenses facing off. Both teams were taking high percentage shots nearly every possession.

Towards the end of the first half, offense picked up the pace with a back and forth affair. 35-30 at the half in this one with the Titans having the lead. The proximity of this one continued throughout the remainder of the game. Late in the second half, the Titans slowly ran out of gas and the Bullies jumped out to a lead of 70-58. The Titans never go down without a fight, however their efforts just weren't enough to stop Bullies scoring opportunities. 

Marquel Wansley delivered 29 points for the Bullies while shooting 63% from the field. Kobe Gantz with 18 points and 2 steals while shooting 80%. Belly McCleary and Jared Kumah combined for 29 points and 11 rebounds.

The Titans ‘Makai-Ortiz-Gray scored a 20 piece and behind him, Chase Yarberough with 15 points, 3 assists and 78% from the field. Rob Footman scored 14 points, but Johnny Besecker, the Commissioner, struggled. He still scored 10, but a very uncharacteristic 1-9(11%) from outside. 

This was a very hard fought battle between the Besecker run franchises but, Liam and his Bullies just turned it up a notch at the right time, moving to an even 2-2 record, winning, 80-70.