NY Urban Game 1 Recap

January 23rd, 2009

Anicito (B-) - should have made more of an impact on the boards.

Dino (B) - first game with the new team. Dino played well and will get better as he eases into everyone's game.

Ahmad (B-) - would have received much higher grade if he played both halves equally. first half on fire, second half forced.

Josh (B-) - held down the off guard spot but should have been more aggressive going to the hoop.

Bergs (B+) - made some outside threes and grabbed a bunch of boards.

Zosh (A-) - first game back from Kuai. Looked like he didnt miss a step. Should have gotten more rest, thats on the coach.

Naim (N/A) - had to work the Housewives of NJ gala party.

It was the first for many on the team. It was the first Urban ball without Anthony Zurica, it was the first time Dino played with new mates, it was the first time since 2008 Zosh was in an organized game, it would have been a new face with Naim if he was there, it was Anicito's first game without eating anything, Ahmad for the first time got on an express to Staten Island sweaty and soaked.

But the Brooklyn Ball-Stars (formerly zuricalaw.com) sported a bright yellow GOLD jersey to intimiated and blind their opponents. Last night's match up was against the Manatees in Red. With all the running around for jersey distrubtion and payments pending the ref tried to pull a fast one and start the game 10 minutes early when we only had 4 players. Ahmad finally showed and we had to start without Dino who had a hard time finding the gym.

The game got under way with both teams trading baskets. Ahmad was on fire in the first half. bergs chipped in with some nice threes and tanzosh made his mid range, in the paint jumper and put backs. But there seemed to be no stopping the Manatees. Either they hit open jumpers against the zone or somehow got easy looks under the basket. The Ball-Stars had a commanding lead of 4 when Dino showed up and also when renaldo balkman 2.04 showed for the Manatees. The Ball-Stars watched as their lead shrunk and trailed by 1 at the half.

Well into the second half both teams were dismal from the field. With literally 5 minutes into the second half the score was 2-1 in favor of the Manatees. The Ball-Stars finished with 13 points in the second half. Shots were forced and easy buckets wasted. Anicito missed a wide open lay-up. Zosh had a couple of point blankers that wouldnt go down and Ahmad was nothing of his former first half self. Dino could get his jumper going and Bergs fell off the Earth faster that a 18th century Portugese explorer. The Ball-Stars let an easy one go last night. In an 8 game season, chances like that cant be blown. Team owner, Mike Anicitobreiner was not a happy camper and mandated that minutes get shuffled to send a message to the team.