VBL '24 Week 5 Recap

Week 5 of the Veniceball League was a whirlwind of high-flying action, heart-stopping moments, and intense games. With the season slowly coming to an end, the competition and energy are at an all-time high as teams fight for crucial seeding and the bottom four battle for a spot in the play-in tournament. 

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CaFirm vs. Hoopbus 

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The game was a rollercoaster of excitement, starting with an intense first-half duel between Sydney Dean and Grizz. Both players showcased their skills, but it was Grizz (33 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast) who stole the spotlight, earning Player of the Game honors thanks to his red-hot shooting from beyond the arc. Hoopbus pushed the pace relentlessly, with Brandon ( 23 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stls) capitalizing on numerous fast-break opportunities and Angel dishing out precision dimes to keep the offense flowing. The highlight of the first half came with Grizz's stunning half-court buzzer-beater, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving Hoopbus a crucial momentum boost. Despite CaFirm's efforts to keep the game close, Hoopbus maintained their edge. As the game neared its end, Rip (5 pts, 4 reb) stepped up and nailed the game-winning three-pointer, sealing the victory for Hoopbus. Both teams left everything on the court, with the bottom four teams set to compete in a play-in tournament for the last two playoff spots. The stakes have never been higher, and Hoopbus is riding high on their hard-fought win.

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Timeless vs. Basketball Junkies 

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In a high-energy showdown, Timeless defeated BBJ with a final score of 73-60. The game was packed with thrilling moments, starting with AJ's (10 pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk) impressive and-1 three-pointer that set the tone for an exhilarating first half. The pace was relentless, with both teams excelling on the fast break and showcasing their athleticism. Elvin ( 33 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast) stole the show early with a spectacular breakaway dunk, igniting the crowd and keeping the momentum in Timeless' favor. BBJ countered with excellent ball movement, creating opportunities and keeping the score tight. As the game progressed, Vic delivered a highlight-reel alley-oop to Zach, nicknamed 'Artillery' (20 pts, 4 reb,2 ast), in the second half, further intensifying the action. It was a close game that went into game breaker. In gamebreaker, Juice executed a smooth step-back isolation move on Jason, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The game reached its climax with Mar's electrifying tomahawk slam, sealing the victory for Timeless. Despite BBJ's strong performance and fluid ball movement, Timeless' dynamic play and clutch moments proved too much to overcome, resulting in a memorable and hard-fought win.

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Underdogs vs. The Mecca 

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The game between the Underdogs and Team The Mecca was filled with tension from the start, with frequent arguing and intense moments on the court. The Underdogs ultimately dominated the matchup, securing an 82-52 victory.  AJ (13 pts, 4 ast) set the tone early with a barrage of three-pointers, establishing a commanding lead and energizing his team. The Underdogs excelled in second-chance points, showcasing their relentless effort on the boards, as they consistently out-rebounded The Mecca and capitalized on multiple offensive opportunities. Mecca, a standout for the Underdogs, contributed with exceptional passing, orchestrating the offense with precision and creating numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates. Despite the intensity and frequent arguing on the court, the Underdogs maintained their composure and stuck to their game plan. Mo's (18 pts, 9 reb) all-around brilliance, highlighted by his scoring, defense, and leadership, earned him Player of the Game.

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Standings: 

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VBL Player Leaders by Category:

*All stats are accumulated and averaged between all Weeks 

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Player                                        Total Points                 Points Per Game

Juice (Timeless)                           113                                   22.6 ppg

Elvin Rodriguez (Timeless)      99                                   19.8 ppg

Zach Hinton (BBJ)                        98                                  19.6 ppg

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Player                                        Total Assists                 Assists Per Game

Juice (Timeless)                             24                                       4.8 apg

AJ (Mecca)                                       21                                        4.2 apg

Sydney Dean (CA Firm)              18                                         3.6 apg

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Player                                        Total Rebounds                 Rebounds Per Game

Maurice Jones (Underdogs)          31                                              6.2 rpg

Zach Hinton (BBJ)                             31                                               6.2 rpg

Rashad Davis (Underdogs)           26                                               5.2 rpg

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Week 6 schedule: 

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    Written by: Ben Geffner & Natalia Lopez    

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