Scrambling for players after a series of absences and late scratches, the Ballers secured the top spot in the summer session regular season with just six active players, including a late addition who ended up playing a major role in the victory. The GDB franchise has always been known as one that brings together individual talents to create a sum that is greater than the individual parts. While there are mainstays and go-to performers over the years, often the team sees a different player or player step up in its times of need. Thursday night once again added to that story.
A fiesta Kearney team who had battled against the top teams in the league without a result to show for it, was intent on making the Ballers finally pay the bill for a summer of frustration. When a couple of late scratches left recent additional LJ Bowling as the only substitute, the questions began to pile up as to how the Ballers would score enough points to win and how they would defend a Kearney team that was shooting fireballs out of its eyes in the first half. Kearney took a halftime lead of 32-24 behind a 7 three point field goals, including six by their point guard. This shooting performance would require a tactical adjustment at halftime by the Ballers or their chance at a bye to the semi-finals would be missed.
GDB was able to at least stay within shouting distance of Kearney due to the strong play of Dave Ben. The Philadelphia product, was looking to redeem himself, after a winter session that was not up to his standards. This game showed off all of the tools that the power forward brings to the table, with scoring from inside, outside and at the line, as well as, great vision, deft passing and strong paint presence. His eight points, equaled the contribution from co-captain Mike Reamy and set the stage for a second half surge.
The experienced GDB crew knew a strong second half was necessary on both ends to ensure a path to the #1 seed and they came out with an intensity to match the situation. At halftime, the Ballers decided to take away the opposing point guard through tight man to man defense by Danny Abatemarco and LJ Bowling. The tactic worked and seemed to spark the offense as well. The Ballers constantly turned over Kearney and prevented the opposing point guard from seeing the ball. On the offensive end, GDB attacked the paint relentlessly, and rode the hot shooting of Abatemarco to a 23-6 surge out of the break. Abatemarco hit two threes sandwiched around a foul on an attempted three pointer, which he then converted into three made free throws. This was a breakthrough game for the guard as he had not been able to have the impact that he wanted coming into this game.
After holding Kearney to just 2 points over a seven minute stretch, the lead stretched as high as 14 points at 52-38. A final push by Kearney, would not ever put any real pressure on the Ballers, as they milked the clock, took fouls and hit enough free throws to preserve the victory. The Ballers placed 4 player in double figures with Dave Ben and Danny Abatemarco leading the way.
The Ballers (4-1) finish the regular season in a three way tie for first place, but win the #1 seed on the strength of points differential. A bye into the semi-finals will have them awaiting the winner of the #4 vs. #5 game. More to come on that in our next post.
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