Neighborhood Basketball League Gets Jump Start

~ Malden Neighborhood Basketball League ~

Week 5 – “Trying to Stay Alive”

Jan. 29 at Ferryway

Game 1 – Celtics 59, Lakers 39

The “Magic” Luck of the Irish was on full display on this day, as the Celts dominated with 4 double-digit scoring quarters & a very strong 28-8 advantage in the 3^rd alone, which carried them to a nice Win to kickstart this week of games. The Celtics’ M. DaCosta dropped 16 and J. Sweeney (13) and D. Azzolino (11) rounded out their top scorers in the Win. The Lakers’ S. Warton scored a solid 15 but needed more help; he was the only player on his team to get double digits. They missed 14 FTs on the day as well, which can kill any momentum.

Game 2 – Kings 47, Bullets 43

The Kings snatched a 2-basket victory from the boys in blue and got their revenge Win back from the 28^th. The Kings’ Z. Pierre had 13 & was followed closely by C. Matheley with 12 for the close Victory. The Bullets’ C. Bolling led all with 20 and A. Hassan helped with 11. The 3^rd was the one that gave their opponents the edge by going up by 4 – and trading baskets in the final frame, 11 apiece.

Feb. 1 at Ferryway

Game 1 – Celtics 54, Sixers 44

The emerald boys came to play again & got 2 wins on the weekend with a slight upset victory over the Sixers. Nice, rounded scoring happened throughout for the green, as D. Azzolino had a great day at the line, going 11-12; he & J. Sweeney each had 13 and J. Telemaque had 11 to secure the Win, especially thanks to a 19-6 run in the 3^rd quarter. The Sixers’ D. Hector had a sweet 16 in the game and J. Geronimo hung close with 14. They did outscore the green in 2 of the 4 quarters, but it wasn’t enough to cut the lead any closer.

Game 2 – Kings 55, Lakers 37

The Kings climbed into 1^st with a nice win. It was close until the 2^nd half, and they pulled away behind a 22-7 edge in the 3^rd – in part by J. Hampton with 19 and C. Matheley with 12. In the game, 8 of the 11 Kings scored, which was a bonus. The purple outscored the Kings in the 4^th but the lead was just a bit too high for them to gain any traction in a comeback. It didn’t help that their best player wasn’t at the game. J. Ramirez-Pool did his part with 11, and W. Gavin ended with 10 himself. Would’ve probably also helped if they had more than 6 players at the game.

Feb. 2 at Ferryway

Game 1 – Pistons 48, Lakers 42

The Lakers were denied again – the Pistons jumped all over them in the 1^st, going ahead 12-2. The Lakers showed a lot of character in the 2^nd half after they were down 15 at the half. Their leading scorer, S. Warton, only had 5 in the game but it was a perfect 5-5 at the line. G. Leon, with 13, carried the offense to an almost solid comeback. The Pistons’ N. Sullivan was the game high scorer with 18, and J. Charles added 10 of his own and they ended with a solid victory.

Game 2 – Bullets 39, Sixers 38

The crimson literally let this one slip by & stumbled out of 1^st place, as they absolutely struggled at the free throw line. They did shoot an impressive 15 attempts But ONLY hit 1 of them? We know what practice is gonna be focused on this week “or at least it should be.” The Bullets only attempted 8 but hit 5 of them. You win close games at the line, they say. The Bullets’ C. Bolling led all with 13; Sixers J. Juarbe (11) and M. Joseph (10) had a decent game for themselves.

Week 6 – “Controversy on the Court”

Feb. 8 at Ferryway

Game 1 – Sixers 58, Kings 42

Both teams started off with a good pace but it was the middle of the game that halted that momentum, as the Kings went down 17 somewhere between the 2^nd & 3^rd. The Sixers’ D. Hector led all scorers with 22. The Kings’ J. Hampton (21) kept fighting and teammate A. Greene had 11 in the game. But they fall back a bit in the standings with this tough loss. Nine of the 11 Sixers put points on the board – that was the difference – compared to 5 of the 9 Kings.

Game 2 – Bullets 46, Lakers 34

The Rivalry is at it again. And after an awful 1^st quarter for both teams combining for 6 points, they started to get the offenses going, especially in the 3^rd with the Bullets jumping in front with a 21-12 spread in that frame. C. Bolling (23) had 15 of his game high in the 3^rd quarter alone. Seven Lakers showed up to the game & the best part was they all scored. G. Leon with 10 paved the way, but he needed more offensive help, as they fell for the 9^th time.

Feb. 9 at Ferryway

Game 1 – Lakers 45, Sixers 43

In a didn’t-see-this-coming moment, the Lakers allegedly got off the schneid. (Time will tell.) I say this because at the buzzer, on the scoreboard the Crimson had the Victory. But, in the book, they did not? As we try to connect the pieces, and as of right now going by the numbers & the Official Book, it’s a Purple Victory. Summary: Once again the Lakers had 7 players show up, and once again all 7 scored in the game. Perfect balance that was Led by W. Gavin with 15. The Sixers’ D. Hector led his team again, ending with 14. The Lakers held onto their slight lead at the half by 3 and then got outscored by 1 in the 2^nd half and ended up with the 2-point advantage “By the Book.” Seek: The MNBL Board to make the final decision? This may change?

Game 2 – Pistons 50, Celtics 40

In our final game of the weekend, the Pistons jumped to the top of the pile with their 3^rd straight win. They never trailed at the end of any quarter, as N. Sullivan & C. Orelien both led their team with 15, and J. Bly capped it off with 10 to help preserve the win. The Emerald had consistent scoring throughout each frame, but it was just below their opponents’ to push them over the hump. R. Doricent & J. Telemaque shared a pair of 12 as they couldn’t find that 3^rd musketeer to chip in by game’s end!

This Weekend’s Games

Note: Info was compiled by former 26 year Kings Coach/MNBL Booster/Statman Glenn Higgins.