The Bronx and Rogers Ave played last year in the playoffs and both teams wanted to show their improvement. The game was tight right from the beginning and it stayed that way most of the night. The Bronx team added seven new players to this year’s roster and it seemed like a lot to add in one season. They added better player which also was a problem for Coach Roberts. He now has to find playing time for all of these good players. But it is a good problem to have and even though they added seven new players two of them where returning players, Ronald Sibblies and Kenny Melendez. Two of the other five are not new to the team, Joseph Roberts, the coaches son and Joseph Clotter have been on the practice squad for the last few years and now they are getting their chance. The Bronx will take a few games to find the right combination that will give them the best efforts from each player but that has been there strength over the years.
Rogers Ave looked well in this first game of the season. They had nice balance from a number of players. Their ability to shoot the 3-pointer kept them in the game. Every time they would fall behind they came up with a big 3-pointer to get them right back in the game. Their inside game is deceptive, they do not look like they have that much size but the next thing you know they are getting a easy layup and they keep attacking all night long. Just when you think you have them they keep putting the pressure on and you have turned the ball over and they have gotten a few easy baskets and the game that they were just out of they are now back in.
Both teams played well at times and both teams made a lot of mistakes. It was a good game for both teams. They both had to play a full forty minutes to win the game. Neither team was able to take plays off and think that they could make it up later. Rogers Ave handled the Bronx pressure all night and forced them to go into a man defense.
Rogers Ave was getting to the middle of the paint all night and the Bronx was having trouble stopping them. Rogers Ave had troubles of their own as well. Their bench was not as deep as the Bronx and that was a factor late in the game. They also did not have a true big man and the Bronx took advantage of that. The game was won by the Bronx on a good team effort. The Bronx should get better and so should Rogers Ave, look for both of these teams to made it back to the playoffs.
