by Bernard Wagner

Pepsi NEBL In The Paint

GAME NIGHT MATCH-UP STATS

Running Rebels	74.5PPG	31.1RPG	17.0APG
Dream Ballers	76.5PPG	53.6RPG	13.3APG

 

KEY PLAYERS

	Elvis Olivera	Rebels	8.1PPG	4.8RPG	1.1APG	53.0 F/G%
	Quinton Bowen	Dream Ballers	15.1PPG	12.1RPG	3.1APG	48.0F/G%

The push for the playoffs begins tomorrow night as the second-half of the 2017 NEBL Championship resumes with the surprising Dangriga Dream Ballers paying a visit to the Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town. The latter currently stands at (2-4), and obviously will be looking to forget their last outing which saw them lose in a painful fashion to the Western Ballaz’s,blowing a 66-61 third quarter lead, and being outscored 36-17 in the fourth quarter;ultimately losing by the score of 97-83.

If there ever was a must-win game, tonight’s match-up is such a game for the hometown Rebels, who will undoubtedly need to play with a sense of urgency. Head Coach Brads Neal has indicated to “Inside the Paint” that “his core of young players needs to grow up and grow up fast”. They must play the entire game, not just three quarters, but the entire four quarters, said Neal.  They will indisputably require steady guard play from their floor general, Randy Usher, and consistent scoring from Roger Reneau (15.8 ppg). Neal explained that he also wants to see more harmony and better team spirit, which according to him has been absent, lending for a very toxic locker-room. Unity according to him produces better team chemistry, which in the long run should produce better results. On the court, he is hoping that the play of new-comer Leon Jacobs could provide a further boost for his team and thus put them over the hump, which should be a tall order against the (4-2), Dream Ballers.

Frankly speaking, this is a nightmare match-up for the Rebels and for most of the league to put it mildly. The Ballers are a much more physical and taller team than the Rebels. They are relentless on the boards, leading the league in rebounds, with Tahj Wells (13 rpg) and Quinton Bowen (12.1 rpg) sitting at 1-2 in the league’s rebounding category. They also possess size in the backcourt in DillmoreConorquie and their bench is formidable. The key to this game will rest on how effective Elvis Olivera and his teammates can box-out the Ballers rebounders, and limit second chance opportunities. This is not a good match-up for the Rebels, “In the paint” predicts the Ballers in this one.