Game Summary
Since returning from the pandemic in the spring of 2022, the Green Dot Ballers have run up against a new entrant into the City of Alexandria Basketball league. Straight Cash, a team that they originally faced off with in the competitive division (2022 spring) has found lots of success dropping down to the rec division. The Ballers won an overtime thriller in that spring session, but since then, Straight Cash has blasted the league at a 19-1 clip over 2+ sessions in the rec division (2023 winter & summer & 2024 winter). When accounting for the 2023 Fall session as well, SC had posted six consecutive wins against GDB coming into this contest.
While Straight Cash was missing a couple of players, they used their typical formula of three pointers and fast breaks to jump out to a 34-27 halftime lead. A nine point lead just into the second half seemed to foretell another loss for GDB, but a missed fast break layup turned into a Chris Larson 3 pointer and the Ballers were off to the races on a 11-3 run to pull within one. Straight Cash steadied the ship and led 51-46 at the 10 minute mark. The Ballers took advantage of their depth to force the issue on defense and delivered a game changing 15-3 run to take their own five point lead at 61-54. There were some tense moments down the stretch, but the Ballers prevailed in a streak busting win.
Headlines
Clutch time closers - Three straight games, three straight second half deficits and three straight wins. After struggling in the clutch last year the Ballers seem to be very happy to have their full complement of options at their disposal. Each week is a different mix of closing personnel and each week they have made the plays to find their way to victory.
So this is what shooting variance is?!?!?! - The Green Dot ballers started the game with an absolute frigid stretch of shooting. The shots were of high quality, but were not finding paydirt. They missed 13 of their first 14 shots in the first five minutes, but somehow only found themselves down 6-2. The rest of the half would prove marginally better, with the halftime tally showing just 10 of 40 shots made, including a brick mansion worth of 3 pointers (4-19).
The second half would prove to be a much different story as the Ballers changed up the defense, mixed up the pace and shot what may be an all time high for a half to make 13 out of 18 shots (72%) including 3 for 5 from three point land. A high number of free throws for both teams combined with the running clock served to cut the number of field goal attempts in half for the second stanza.
Cookie monsters - The Green Dot backcourt features a set of guards who specialize at hounding opposing ball handlers to force turnovers. This week it was Cam Wade's turn to create the big play on defense. With :35 seconds left to play in a three point game, Straight Cash was looking for the tying shot. An attempt to go one on one approved futile as Cam picked the ball clean to give the Ballers the final leverage they needed to close out the win.
MVP
Tony Wroblicky - The man in the middle was once again a force on both ends of the court. Led the team in scoring and closed out the win down the stretch with post ups, defense and FTs.
Up Next
Tuesday 2/13 vs G-Men 9:00pm
Green Dot looks to avoid a letdown against G-Men as the first half of the season continues on.
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