Season 16, Season Finale (Gold Division)

[Commish]

2010 SPRING, 16^th SEASON
GODS vs. GIANTS

GOLD DIVISION

GAME PREVIEW – SEASON FINALE
By: Hanz Jimenez
Writer

Welcome to the Season Finale. The season comes to an end with several teams in Gold and Platinum Division playing their hearts out. Will they clinch a Playoff berth? Which teams will be eliminated? Because it’s Graduation weekend for several players, we grade each team in their game previews.

“Joining Forces Next Season?”

Bad News Ballers vs. Blitzburgh
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Bad News Ballers is 3-3 and has a crucial double-header in their Season Finale. Blitzburgh is 3-4 and a win should give them some cushion for their first ever Playoff spot.

Grade: Bad News Ballers, C. Blitzburgh, C.

Blitzburgh has had some forgettable games this season but they’ve shown resilience and they have proven that they belong in Gold Division.

Meanwhile, Bad News Ballers is trying to get big and it looks like Carl Winslow aka Brent Johnson will guard the post next season. Why is Bad News Ballers already picking up talent for next season?

Gold Star Player: Any of the Epps would be a predictable pick so we’ll go with unheralded player, Josh Rendon. Last week against Upper Hand, he grabbed 5 rebounds in less than 3 minutes and was active on both ends of the floor. His temper has disappeared and he’s channeling that aggression to produce hustle plays. Who knows, it may rub off on some of his teammates (no names mentioned). =)

Prediction: Blitzburgh’s drive to Corona is far and Bad News Ballers have home court advantage. If Blitzburgh comes late and un-prepared, they’ll fall behind early. Should Blitzburgh arrive early and ready to play, expect Blitzburgh to run away with the win.

Bad News Ballers vs. D-League
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Bad News Ballers is 3-3 while Pomona team D-League has struggled with a 1-6 record.

Two players are averaging double figures for D-League. Leomar Cachola leads the team with 15.2 ppg while Marc Sy-Santos is averaging 10.1 ppg. Kenneth Pineda leads the team with 32 rebounds, an average of 6.4 rpg.

Grade: Bad News Ballers, C. D-League, Incomplete.

Bad News Ballers is led by All Star MVP Jonathan Spaniol. He leads the team with 27.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg. Expect him to have a huge impact since D-League does not have anyone that can match-up with him.

Gold Star Player: Jonathan Spaniol should have 30 points in this match-up. He should get the ball every time, instead look for everyone else to make a contribution on the offensive end.

Prediction: Depending on who shows up for Bad News Ballers, D-League will still struggle. If they can upset Bad News Ballers, it could mean Playoffs. Who would have thunk?

Buckets vs. Kings of Krunk
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: This should have been a Week 1 re-match between two of the top teams in Gold Division. Word on the street is Kings of Krunk may not make the drive to Corona and may forfeit the heavyweight match-up.

Grade: Both teams, B.

What’s the point of a preview when one team has gone on record to say they’ll forfeit the match-up.

Gold Star Player: Ditto.

Prediction: Kings of Krunk will show up and surprise Buckets and hand them another loss. It won’t happen, but that would be hillllarrrioussss!

Lakers vs. Outlawz
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Lakers are riding a 2 game winning streak after starting the season with a 1-4 record. Outlawz is 5-1 and many expect them to finish as a #1 or #2 seed.

Grade: Lakers, C. Outlawz, A.

The last thing we want to compared Outlawz to is Cleveland Cavaliers. PG David Munoz has had a stellar season, averaging 18.5 ppg, 5.3 apg. C Eduardo Gonzalez is averaging 17.3 ppg while George Parrales is averaging 14.2 ppg.

Lakers are led by “La Mamba” Alex Villasenor and he is averaging 16.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg. His 22 three-pointers is a team high and the team is averaging 5 three’s per contest. They look like they turned the corner last week with a 2 game winning streak against Bullets and Got Em. Can they carry that momentum?

Gold Star Player: Mike Nino is averaging 10.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg. We may not agree with his antics on the floor but his references to the write-ups prove he’s reading the game previews and recaps. For that, thank you, Los Lakers. LOL

Prediction: Lakers have the talent to beat Outlawz but they don’t have the chemistry. Outlawz players know what it takes to win and they should finish as the #1 or #2 seed this season.

Outlawz vs. Wedashitudaflys
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Outlawz, 5-1, will play the spoiler role against Wedashitudalfys. The team has under-achieved this season and their record is 2-5.

Grade: Outlawz, A. Wedashitudaflys, D.

D for Deez Nuts. Weda has the talent to compete and the had the “Big 4” last season. Rene Medina, Alex “Bear” Ivezaj, Richard Ramirez and Justin Killer scored a huge upset against -_- in the Playoffs last season. They have struggled this season as Bear leads the team with 20.5 ppg.

Gold Star Player: David Munoz, Outlawz. We reminded Jon Paras and Danny Martinez to grab a PG in the off-season and they’ve ignored their needs for the past 2 seasons. They’ll see David Munoz in action and he ranks 2^nd in the division in assists with 32, 5.3 apg. Show them what they’re missing out on, David.

Prediction: Outlawz, once again proving Weda needs a point guard…

Dynasty vs. Buckets
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Both teams are 5-1 and both teams are playing double-headers in their Season Finale

Grade: Both teams, A.

When you’re winning, there’s not much you can say. Dynasty is a proven veteran team and six players are averaging double figures. Alex Koo is averaging a team-high 19.8 ppg while C Jesse Romero is averaging 19.4 ppg, 11.0 rpg.

Buckets is led by former Maryland star Mike Jones and he is averaging 20.8 ppg, 21 three-pointers. EJ Latorre is averaging 14.6 ppg while GM Jonathan Wynn is averaging 15.0 ppg.

Gold Star Player: Mike Jones has been on fire and his 3-point shooting has produced a team-high 21 three-pointers. Look for him to fill up the box score against Dynasty since there will be NO ONE on the squad that could guard Mr. Jones. If he doesn’t hit 40, it’s practically an off day.

Prediction: Not only will you have to guard Mike Jones but you have to guard the rest of the shooters including GM Jonathan Wynn (10 three’s) and Mark Mercado (7 three’s). Buckets, hands down.

Green Light District vs. Dynasty
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Dynasty is 5-1 while Green Light District is 4-2. GLD fell off the #1 seed after losing two games in their double-header last week. Can they bounce back?

Grade: Dynasty, A. Green Light District, B.

With the exception of last week, GLD has been unstoppable all season. They are led by Imari Henderson who is averaging 9.4 rpg, 13.8 ppg. Terrell Langston is averaging 15.6 ppg, a team-high while Dejon Thorpe is scoring 14.0 ppg.

Gold Star Player: Dejon Thorpe can shoot with the best of them and he leads the team with 15 three-pointers. Look for him to have a huge impact against the weary Dynasty team.

Prediction: Playing a double-header against two top teams in Gold is a difficult challenge for Dynasty. Can they rise above the challenge? A .500 weekend is a long shot and Green Light District is looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 2 losses. Green Light District, by double digits.

Trinicousins vs. Stankonia
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Trinicousins have a double-header and they’re even with a 3-3 record. Stankonia is struggling with a 1-6 record. If Trinicousins is going to win one, it should be this one.

Grade: Trinicousins, A. Stankonia, F.

Their players know their roles and their team chemistry sets them apart from any team. Ryan Basco is the leading scorer (19.0 ppg) while Charles Trinidad anchors the defense (4 steals). Though Trinidad’s average in steals his down compared to past seasons, he’s a great defender and GM Michael Santa Maria relies on him for defense.

Stankonia forfeited last week to watch the Laker game, a game the Lakers lost to Boston (Game 3). A forfeit to watch the Lakers game…who does that? F. F. F.

Gold Star Player: The Fans. They rock the house like no one could and a drive to Corona will be a huge test. Will they rock the joint like they rock Walnut Rec?

Prediction: Trinicousins. Stankonia has too much drama off the court and they’ll be too concerned with the Laker game.

Brotherhood vs. Green Light District
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Green Light District is 4-2 while Brotherhood is 5-2. GLD plays a double-header while Brotherhood has already clinched a Playoff spot.

Grade: Brotherhood, B. Green Light District, B.

LeShawn Miller found his mojo and he’s a defensive menace once again. He is averaging a division high 14.0 rpg and his 11 steals, 5 blocks is a team-high as well. Mike Von Borstel is averaging 12.7 ppg while GM Alex Somesla is averaging 1.6 apg.

Gold Star Player: LeShawn Miller for recognizing he’s still one of the best players in Gold Division. After having an off season last season, he’s turned the franchise around with his rebounding and his defense.

Prediction: GLD might be too worn out against Brotherhood. This may come down to OT but after clinching a Playoff spot, Brotherhood may take it easy this week.

Black Ballin’ vs. Upper Hand
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Black Ballin is 1-6 while Upper Hand is 2-4.

Grade: Upper Hand, C. Black Ballin, B-.

Upper Hand is led by Shadon Knight and he is averaging 21.0 ppg. Most of the time, G Uzoma Kalu has the rock in his hands and he is averaging a team-high 2.7 apg, 16.3 ppg. He can score, dish the rock and has length to alter shots and grab loose balls.

Black Ballin’ doesn’t have the size to compete against Upper Hand and their 3-point shooting will rely heavily on Deshawn Jamerson. He is averaging 17.3 ppg and has a team-high 20 three-pointers. The team averages close to 6 three-pointers per contest. If they’re hitting, they can probably score the upset against Upper Hand.

Gold Star Player: Keith Levingston. Despite Black Ballin’ losing and despite the team ranking dead last with a 1-6 record, Levingston continues to be optimistic that the team will make the Playoffs. Confidence can do wonders and for that, you get a gold star, son.

Prediction: Upper Hand will actually take the game seriously and Black Ballin’ will remain out of the Playoffs. Rookie mistakes and a late surge… this should have them ready and amped up for their second season.

-_- vs. Upper Hand
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: -_- has a double-header while Upper Hand is 2-4. Believe it or not, Azusa team Upper Hand still has a chance at clinching a Playoff spot. Will they find a way to mess this up?

Grade: Upper Hand, C. -_-, B.

Last week, Upper Hand didn’t take Got Em seriously and instead of delivering the knock out blow, Shadon Knight goofed around and the result was a huge upset. They lose to a team that played with mostly 4 players throughout the contest. Will GM Danny Medina find a way to keep the team focused through 40 minutes?

Gold Star Player: Just because he graduated, we’ll give Danny Medina a gold star. Sadly, no degree can fix the team’s lack of focus. We’ll see how Medina guides his team to the Playoffs in the Season Finale.

Prediction: Upper Hand will find a way to blow a lead. -_- will win it in the 2^nd half.

Bullets vs. Fontucky Unicorns
GOLD DIVISION

The match-up: Bullets is 1-5 while Fontucky Unicorns have won 3 straight and are 5-2.

BK Agu, former Defensive player of the Season leads the Gold Division in blocked shots with 11. Their scorer is Marcus Angeles and he is averaging 15.0 in 5 games. Newcomer Malcolm is averaging 31.3 ppg in three games.

This may be an overwhelming match-up for Bullets and we tried to get them the easiest match-up possible at Roosevelt High School. Unable to make the drive to Corona, Bullets are stuck with a difficult match-up with Fontucky Unicorns and a re-match with -_-.

Grade: Fontucky Unicorns, A. Bullets, D.

Both General Managers are former Champions and former GM of the Seasons. Efehi Ogebebor was undefeated with Association in the Fall 2007 season while GM Daniel Donato is a LeBronze Division Champion. At this point, Efehi has been an aggressive recruited and he has his ball club in position to finish in the Top 4. Gold Division GMs know F.U. is the dark horse team and they have the talent to take home the Gold Division Champion.

Gold Star Player: BK Agu, averaging 2.0 spg, 9.2 bpg, 2.2 apg, and 8.8 ppg. His horrible free throw shooting is at 35.7% and he’s not averaging double digits in scoring. Improvements in those categories would have him a top candidate for Fantasy Player of the Season once again.

Prediction: Fontucky Unicorns by a rout. We’re hoping the bench sees more action and Efehi should work on improving his bench.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

+ Game Previews, recaps and write-ups are articles written by Superstar Basketball League Analysts.