VBL '24 Week 3 Recap
Written by Ben Geffner & Natalia Lopez
There was an electric atmosphere at the beach for Week 3 of the VBL season!
Timeless vs. Sole Creators
Team Timeless secured a decisive 71-43 win, showcasing their dominance and teamwork throughout the game. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the match was filled with standout moments that highlighted the team's skill, cohesion, and flair for the dramatic. Elvin ( 22 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 4 blocks, 3 steals) was a key player, delivering two remarkable buzzer-beaters that electrified the crowd. Juice ( 24 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast ) was another standout, making a significant impact with his exceptional ball-handling abilities and court vision. One of the game's most memorable moments came when Juice executed an impressive between-the-legs move, which effectively split two defenders and facilitated a fast-break score. The final buzzer sounded with Team Timeless firmly in control, securing victory and leaving them undefeated at the top of the standings.
CaFirm vs. Nosha
CAF started strong, leading 21-14 after the first quarter, thanks to Sidney Dean’s (11 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast) scoring prowess. However, Nosha made a fierce comeback in the second quarter, fueled by tenacious steals and sharp plays from London, bringing the score to a close 30-28 by halftime. London’s dominance in one-on-one situations and Nosha’s relentless defense kept the pressure high. The fourth quarter was a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Caleb ( 9 pts, 1 reb, 2 steals) from team Nosha nailed a critical three-pointer, giving Nosha their first lead of the game just before the final score being tied at 50-50, and sending game 2 into gamebreaker. In the Gamebreaker, CAF’s resilience shone through. Sidney Dean, calm under pressure, sank two crucial free throws to secure the victory, 57-54.
Bred Winners vs. Underdog Fantasy
The Underdogs came out firing on all cylinders, jumping to an early 25-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. The impeccable ball movement, by Tone, Mark, and Moe, had the defense scrambling and set the tone for the game. By halftime, the Underdogs had extended their lead to 41-21. The highlight of the game came when Rashad ( 2 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast) delivered a thunderous dunk over Deshaun, sending him to the chair and igniting the crowd. The dominance continued, as the Underdogs maintained a commanding lead. Despite great efforts in the fourth quarter from Bred Winner, the game ended in an 84-69 blowout.
Hoopbus vs. Basketball Junkies
In game #4, Basketball Junkies eked out a narrow 67-64 victory over Hoopbus. BBJ got off to a strong start, leading 19-14 after the first quarter, with AJ (8 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 3 steals) dominating the floor, going a perfect 3/3 from the field. Hoopbus, however, fought back in the second quarter, tying the game at 30-30 by halftime. A notable moment came when Darae delivered a poster dunk over Amir, sending him to the chair. However, the game’s defining play belonged to Buddha. With the game on the line, Buddha had an Iso card on Biko, expertly maneuvering past to seal the win for BBJ.
The Mecca vs. New Jersey Sets
The Mecca – fueled by an array of highlight-worthy plays from HeziGod – rolled early against NJS, with an early 17-12 lead after the opening quarter. The veteran-heavy squad carried the momentum into the half, but a surge of third and fourth quarter scoring from NJS’ duo of Erik and Devin spurred an electric second half comeback – tying it up at 63 apiece heading into a dramatic GameBreaker period. Both teams kept pace down the stretch – but another late triple from Devin sealed it, capping an electric 71-67 win for NJS, marking the team’s first victory of the VBL season.
1v1 King of the Beach
The game doesn't stop just because the sun sets! After the last of the VBL game matchups, players and bystanders alike stayed for more action on the Venice basketball courts – as the best of the best took part in JDub’s two-day qualifier and 1v1 playoff tournament for $1,000!
Written by: Ben Geffner & Natalia Lopez