Hank Strawbridge

Utter Bliss, Georgia - It's been a month of Sundays since the joy of WLC BBALL lit up TV screens and Verizon iPhone streaming subscribers around the world. I was blessed by the good Lord to be granted a spot in the "Sky Square", the best seat in town. As I perched atop the South seating at GN Baptist Arena this past Sunday night, I kept asking Ol' Jack, my trusty assistant, to pinch me.

I must be dreamin' I kept thinking to myself. As I watched the best Sunday night basketball on Great Neck Road - and that includes the outdoor court East of Great Neck Villas - I wondered how long it would be until this Arena was expanded. Probably when it gets renamed. Rumor is, Greenbrier Pawn is in negotations for a 10-year naming rights deal. Time will tell if Jeff Craddock plants another flag and expands his powerbase to include this venerable facility. But for now, it's still GN Baptist Arena, and this old fella is ok with that. Not everything has to be sold out to the highest bidder. Like WLC BBALL. Lots of corporate interests would love to put their name on the league, or their logo on the jerseys, but this is a purist league. Played for the love of the game. And I love it.

In Week 1, the fires burned brightly. Many players used the layoff to get in tip-top shape and it showed. The 37 fans who packed the seats were treated to a tripleheader of volcanic proportions. If you didn't make it, you missed out. It was so hot, my wife asked me how I got sunburned at night. Pass the aloe vera, and I'll pass you on to the game summaries. Enjoy!
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3's Company @ Dat Smoke
Captain Posley's team may have a few different players, but it remains led by the same vision of a multi-threat, 3-point shooting dynamo. Always a team that is difficult to defend because of many scoring threats, this version is no different. Pochekailo paced four players with 8+ points, and electric guard Mike Cooper finished the week with the assists lead.

Dat Smoke brought a strong squad, with explosive guard play from Dominguez, Brown, and Webb. Newcomer Andre Allen proved slippery as he blew past Old Man Holser more than once. A tight game throughout, a spurt of three pointers by 3's Company proved to be the difference. At one point, 3's Company moved out to a 45-30 lead before getting sloppy and failing to defend Dat Smoke's ferocious comeback led by Aaron Webb's game high 19 points. In the end, 3's Company many three-pointers (more than any team in Week 1) was enough to hold on for the W.

At the conclusion of the game, Dat Smoke Captain Adrian Templeman made the first ever trade in WLC BBALL history, as Guard Bianca O'Neal was shipped to Better Luck Next Week and Captain Earl McLaurin. Dat Smoke updates its roster with free agent and longtime WLC BBALL star Nick Egerton.
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JUIC3 CR3W @ Better Luck Next Week
The delicious creme filling between the Oreo cookies, Game 2 included 8 new members of the WLC BBALL League. Scouting was tough and predictions were difficult. So much so, Vegas didn't even include any prop action on this one. As the game got underway, Season Six second-leading scorer Justin Sivells was up to his old tricks. You know the move. The slow methodical dribble 25+ feet away from the basket followed by the jab step pull-up for 3. It worked time and again as Sivells finished Week 1 atop the leaderboard with 24 points. Of course, the Earl McLaurin (out with a hammy pull) fans aren't sure what to do as they hope the mix of last season's top two scorers can somehow share the ball.

New Captain Jerell Hassell and #1 overall pick Duvon Ferrone brought a power advantage to the game. While Ferrone represented himself well with a 9/6/3 line, it was Larry Brinson who lit up the court for JUIC3 CR3W. Brinson was all over the hardwood, finishing with 19 points, 15 in the first half. But it wasn't enough as BLNW moved out to a 29-20 halftime lead. In the second frame, returning defensive MVP Kory Cooper did his usual lockdown, leading BLNW to a team total of 11 steals. Ferrone and Hassell valiantly tried to bring the fruit nectar squad back in the end, but Jay Pittman's work on the glass and at the free throw line held them off. BLNW moved to 1-0 and continues to hold the top spot in the standings and the Coaches Poll.
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Windy City Bulls @ Epstein Didn't Kill Himself
In the nightcap, as often in the WLC BBALL League, the best was saved for last. According to pre-season rankings and Atlantic City bookies, EDKH was an 11.5 point favorite against the Windy City Bulls. That may be in part because Captain Bell's Season Six Squad went 0-9 and lost by an average of 21 ppg, but it's a new season and Bell's Boys came to play.

After a slow, slow start (EDKH was up 4-0 after 7 minutes of play) and a lot of turnovers, the pace improved and the play got better with each passing minute. Entering the second half ahead 22-18, EDKH had a blanced attack led by Baker, Butler, Dworske and Jackson. The WC Bulls had plenty of muscle with Humphries and Brown and ultimately destroyed EDKH on the boards 38-24. In addition, the smooth shooting of Nick Calvin and strong driving of Corey Thomas made it a 2-point game with just about a minute left.

Everyone was on their feet as the end of the game became the Butler/Jackson show. It was EDKH 36-35 after a Jackson score. The WC Bulls responded with a dagger from Nick Calvin atop the arc to pull ahead 38-36. Seconds later, good ball movement by EDKH put the ball in Butler's hands. He elevated for a three-pointer and was bumped as he landed by a WC Bulls defender. The whistle blew. The ball fell through. 3 points plus a made free throw by Butler gave EDKH the lead 39-38. Calvin tried to answer again but his jumper hit the back iron. EDKH made a few free throws for the final margin but there's little doubt the Windy City Bulls have a new level of respect. And there's little doubt the Greg Bell Redemption Tour has begun.

After Week 1, the Coaches Poll is validated, with BLNW, EDKH and 3's Company all winning. But it's clear this will be the most competitive season yet. See y'all next week from the Sky Square.