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Milo's Week 11 Preview . .
Well NCBL family, last week’s games had some surprises to say the least and some disappointments with teams performances. One of the things that stood out for me last week was how unprepared some teams were in their game planning. Talent is one thing but having everyone play on the same page is another. When I look at a team’s make up and personnel I look for intangibles that otherwise would be overlooked. Coaches play a big part in team’s success because they can identify which players play better together and keep the troops motivated. If you look at the dominant teams, what you realize is they have leaders on the court that understands game situations, coach’s instructions and get the other players in the right situation to succeed. At the end of the day, it is the players who determine the outcome of games. However, what I did not realize is that parity between players from other teams plays a big roll in how players play against each other. Players might not outwardly say anything but they play better against certain teams or players and, for whatever reason, disappears against others. I watched teams prepare for battle and folks if you think coming to games and fooling around during warm-ups are going to somehow win you games then think again. Good teams know how important it is to have everyone focused and ready for battle and unless your name is Lebron, Kobe, or Wade then it is important that every player stay focused on the tasks. It's the little things that make a difference between winning and losing. Last week I must admit I was wrong in some predictions but I felt that some teams did not come prepared as they should and the result was a loss. Now it is Week 11 games and there are some great matchups to look at. Let us see what Milo thinks for this week games, which would be intense to say the least.
GNYC Ebenezer vs Kingsboro:
GNYC finally won their first game of the year against Fellowship and now their confidence is high. They always play hard even if it did not translate into wins. Kingsboro on the other hand seem to have given up on their season because this is the third game in a row they forfeited. It is a shame because winning is not everything but developing players and evaluating them are important especially when trying to build a strong team for the future. GNYC will come to play because they solidified their playoff chances and will look to run the table the rest of the way. If Kingsboro shows up then I expect the same outcome GNYC will blow them out the gym. GNYC wins this game in blow out fashion.
Lighthouse vs. Fellowship:
Lighthouse who I picked last week to upset the Bronx express got embarrassed and made Milo look bad (thanks Lighthouse). Now they face a Fellowship team that would come to play because they are trying to win a game to reach the playoffs. Lighthouse would have an easy time with Fellowship because they are the better team. Lighthouse players will come out strong because the way they performed last week is not the way they perceived themselves. Look for a fast pace game with lots of points, but in the end I expect to see Lighthouse light up the lives of their fans and defeat Fellowship in blow out fashion.
Central Islip vs. Mt. Sinai:
Battle between East rivals and a chance to claim 2nd place behind Linden. I feel the team that wins this game would end up with the 2nd place in that division at the end of the year. Central Islip proved me wrong last week when they took it to Mt Vernon and blew them out by 21 points. I must admit I was surprise because this team played inconsistent ball all year. Now they face a tougher opponent in Mt Sinai who last week defeated Ebenezer in overtime by 2 points. This game will be close because both teams are familiar with each other. Mt Sinai can run and have players that can shoot, Central Islip also have players that can run but would need to slow it down in order to control the clock. This game would be high scoring because both teams will try and build an early lead. The question is can Central Islip continue their good shooting and balanced scoring or will they revert to their old ways and let Mt Sinai dictate their game plan. I expect to see a close game throughout but I feel that Mt Sinai will make plays when it counts and pull this one out. Mt Sinai wins this matchup by 6 points thus claiming sole possession of 2nd place in the east.
Ebenezer vs. Linden:
Ebenezer played a good game last week only to lose by 2 points in overtime to Mt Sinai. Now they face one of the giants in the east in Linden who by the way are 3 games away from another undefeated season. Linden can smell the finish line and knows they have to continue to impose their will on teams in order to come out victorious. Ebenezer will come to play because that is what they do but they will have their hands full stopping Linden. Linden will rely on their court leaders to police the field and pick their spots. Ebenezer will have to come out strong and crash the boards if they are to win this game. Linden know they will be tested but have confidence in their coaches and court leaders to make the necessary adjustments to win. Linden must be careful because they do not want to look pass this team because of next week's game. I do know one thing they will come prepared to play and will be focused because that is their make up. Ebenezer will have to shoot the ball extremely well and improve in the turnover department. Linden will attack the interior and if they can control the boards this game will be a blow out. Look for Ebenezer to come out strong and quick but I feel Linden have too much firepower and their coaching staff is always prepared for battle. Linden wins this matchup by 10 points thus moving two games closer to perfection.
Flatbush vs. Mt Vernon:
Flatbush lost last week to the defending champions White Plains and even though it was not a blow out it felt like one. Mt Vernon lost last week to Central Islip in a blow out and would like to bounce back this week. Flatbush needs to come to play this week because Mt Vernon is a good team with some dangerous shooters. Flatbush players need to be more committed on team and winning if they are to be considered serious contenders. I watched them last week and they do not seem as focused as they were in the beginning of the year. They need a court general that would get the players in the right position to score and not force the issue as they were doing. Mt Vernon will play big and they have players that will hurt you night in and night out. The key for victory is simple for both teams. Flatbush must out rebound Mt Vernon, shoot the ball better and minimize turnover. Mt Vernon must control the clock, shoot the ball well and play good team defense. Mt Vernon have what it takes to win this game but I feel Flatbush pride will not allow them to lose 3 games in a row. Flatbush wins this matchup by 8 points thus staying on top in their division.
White Plains vs. Bronx:
This is Milo's "Game of the Week". Two undefeated teams battle for supremacy the Bronx Express vs. the Lunch Takers. White Plains proved why they are a force to be reckoned with they defeated Flatbush last week and seemed to have the game won from the start. Now they face the Bronx express that destroyed Lighthouse by 33 points in their back yard last week. This game has so many sub plots that it would take me a week to write it all. This game reminds me of the old days when Boston and the Lakers met. Bronx likes to run, gun, and have the players to complement that style. White Plains can also run and guns but have the “bigs” that would blow up the interior of any team. The winner of this game would definitely have bragging rights but both teams have a tough three game stretch to close out the season so it should be interesting. Bronx is playing in their back yard and never seems to lose in this gym, they will have to be ready for a battle because White Plains will come in hungry and usually "Take people's lunch". This game will be intense but I feel the Bronx to win they would have to get big games from their star players. If the Bronx express can spread the love and get contributions from their bench they would have a good chance this game. White Plains on the other hand will come in patient and with their style of defense would give Bronx some problems. This game will be high scoring and trust me when I say above the rim. Both teams have exciting players but White Plains have “bigs” and guards that can literally fly. I hope they have extra rims at Kennedy because I have a feeling someone will catch a helmet. Bronx keys to victory are control the clock, be aggressive, hit their shots, and out rebound White Plains on both ends. White Plains keys to victory are play their style, attack the interior of Bronx and limit the turnovers. This game is a “pick-em” for me because I think the gym gives Bronx an added advantage. White Plains will have to stop the Bronx express and make them go local. If they could neutralize the Bronx attack then I expect to see a blow out, but Bronx is too good a team to allow that so I will have to say this game will come down to the wire. Look for a close game throughout with lots of score changes but in the end, I feel White Plains interior will be too much for Bronx to handle and for that reason I am picking White Plains to defeat the Bronx express in a tight game by 4 points.
Hanson Place vs. South Brooklyn:
Hanson Place defeated Bethel last week by 13 points and now they face a South Brooklyn team that won their first game with a win over Advent Hope. Hanson Place is second in their division and need to continue to win in order to hold on to that spot. South Brooklyn by winning last week has assured themselves a spot in the playoffs, now they have to continue to play hard and get themselves ready for battle. Hanson Place interior will be key to this game because they could score inside. South Brooklyn will have to find a way to rebound and their guards will have to push the ball and score when open if they are to be in this game. I like what I saw from South Brooklyn last week but Hanson Place is not Advent Hope and they will have to play even better if they are to win. Look for a high scoring game but come second half I expect to see Hanson Place “bigs” dominate and take it to South Brooklyn. Hanson Place wins this match up by 8 points.
Shiloh vs. Bethel:
Shiloh so far is undefeated and will be playing a Bethel team that lost a tough game to Hanson Place. Shiloh has been playing lights out ball all year and their record shows their hard work and effort. They face a tough, well-coached opponent in Bethel and will have to be on their A games this week. Bethel can hurt you in many ways but if they are clicking on all cylinders then Shiloh might be in some problems. Shiloh keys to victory are out rebound Bethel, limit the turnovers and get good contributions from their bench. Bethel keys to victory are executing their sets, finish at the rim, and hit their foul shots. Look for a low scoring game because both teams play defense but my gut tells me that Shiloh will find a way to win this game and defeat Bethel by 3 points.
Well that is all for Milo's Week 11 picks. Players come out and give the fans a show; fans come out and support your teams, and lets' fellowship with each other. Remember to let your light shine so that others may see the good in you. Until next time, this is Milo signing out. God Bless.
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