This week two of the top teams in the league faced each other to battle for first place seeding. It was a must see game between ABC and Terra Branca. The last time these two teams met, it was a 5-point deficit in favor of ABC who won 62-57. Keep in mind the Pitbulls were missing their best players Shane Coleman and Kwame Lee. The defending Champions were short handed this game. It was noticeable that ABC players were tired. They lost a 10-point lead late in the second half and ended up losing the game 57-51. Elio Nunes of ABC finished with 19 points and Terra Branca’s Kwame Lee with a double – double 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Lenfer has turned things around. They have won two consecutive games in big fashion, both games with more than 80 points. Lenfer beat Brava this week 81-67. Lenfer appears have figured it out. They are trusting their players and sharing the ball more. Clayton Moreno is still the team’s leading scorer along with Josh Banks, but it’s Tino Brazao‘s intensity defensively that is contributing to the team success. Brazao was 2 assists away from a triple double this game. He finished the game with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8-assist. With his mother in the stands watching the game, Brazao was showcasing. After the game Brazao and his older brother, Adilson Cardoso, gave a brief interview on their mother watching her sons in action. Mrs. Maria said this is a great environment to be in, and she plans to continue to cheer for her sons, especially, now that they are winning. The league has seen a growing trend of families of all ages, from children to grandparents, coming to the games. The league hopes this trend continues to grow and create a family environment for those in the community and surrounding areas.
On the other hand, Brava continues to struggle on both ends of the court. They are lacking defensively and lack of trust. They have acquired a core player, Nikko Beck, who last played at Clark University, an NCAA Division III basketball located in Worcester, MA. Brava is optimistic with this addition and the league is excited about this announcement. Sayvon Houston finished with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Houston is leading the league in scoring averaging 27.3 points a game.
Prime time game this week was between Campana and Volcanic. The game started intense but Campana controlled the tempo as the game progressed. Volcanic was vulnerable this game particularly inside the paint with no big man presence. Both Livramento, 6’6, and Edson, 6’4, being out left Avery Cardoza out of options, and he struggled to shoot from beyond the arc. He still finished the game with 28 points in a loss, 80-69. Perhaps the most impressive player this game was Volcanic’s new signee, Jason Gomes, who played his heart out in his debut in the league. At 5’3, Gomes outplayed his opponents and finished with 22 points. But the team struggled on defense, allowing Campana’s leading scorer, Ivan Brito to score 21 points and 7 assists.
Meanwhile, Bairro continues to rein the league currently at first place tied with Terra Branca with 6-2 record. This week they played against struggling 7Stars and defeated them 77-58. Bairro played with their bench this game, and 7Stars still struggled to score.
Bairro will face ABC in a prime-time game on Feb 25 1:00pm.
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