2017-2018 Game Results:
The Neon Ballerz finished the 2017-18 IMBA regular season with a 16-4 record. They finished the 2017-18 IMBA playoffs with a 2-2 record.
An asterisk (*) denotes non-IMBA teams.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 22nd Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Loss Score: 55-37
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
In their final I.M.B.A. game, the Neon Ballerz fell to the Cod Pros, who played superbly all game. Dylan Ballenger put a thorn in the Ballerz's side by hitting numerous threes while Nate Pritts and Xavier Bodnar both showed their capabilities to score. Although their last game may not have been what the Neon Ballerz pictured, Oliver Rose's banked-in three-pointer to culminate the game and the season reminded them of the magnitude and uniqueness of their achievements.
Battling through all the trials and tribulations of the year, the Neon Ballerz enjoyed their most successful season ever. This season, the Ballerz defeated all of the playoff teams in their division on their way to clinching the first (Alpha) seed in the IMBA playoffs. From grinding past Dunder Mifflin Athletics 41-35 to demolishing the Cod Pros 50-28 to achieving their first playoff win in dominating fashion, this season was full of celebration. Not only did they hold their own after star Shane McCandless went down with an injury, but they won two playoff games to finish top 4 in the playoffs. Beyond this season, there were many remarkable moments to cherish, including Corey McElhinney's buzzer-beating and game-winning three-pointer against Prestige Worldwide during the 2015-2016 season.
While the phrase "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" may hold water, the Neon Ballerz are made up of quite a few excellent parts. In addition to their enthusiasm and embrace of challenges at every turn, the Neon Ballerz's composition as a "bunch of nerds" separated them from the rest.
Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett, the hearts and souls of the Neon Ballerz on the court, worked tirelessly to win each game regardless of the aesthetic appeal of the victory.
Corey McElhinney channeled his inner Kobe Bryant every game, resembling the Lakers legend on the court in every way (both good and bad).
Justin Korman, a tremendous leader on and off the court (as the Neon Ballerz GM), never ceased to give it his all.
Mike Hopp was an impassioned player who brought gritty play to the court at every moment.
Joshua Miller embraced the floater as an art form and founded the iconic Neon Ballerz website.
Jackson Harper was a selfless competitor who escalated the energy in the building whenever he stepped foot on the court.
Oliver Rose was a relentless defender who chased after every loose ball and had an affinity for wearing jorts.
While not displaying immaculate shot selection, Shreyas Sundar always had a unique passion for the game of basketball, hitting unexpected fadeaway three-pointers and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hook shots at every turn of the head.
Though she only played in three games, Bailey Stoltzfus made valuable contributions to the Neon Ballerz.
Lastly, Joey Clark played an indispensable role running the team on the sidelines during the critical stages of the Ballerz's season.
The Neon Ballerz would like to thank Joseph Boris for his dedication to the I.M.B.A. as commissioner of the league. His name has become synonymous with I.M.B.A. and the NB is appreciative of him and will miss him. The team would also like to extend its gratitude to all the fans that continually supported them throughout their exhilarating journey.
The Neon Ballerz's three years participating in the I.M.B.A. represented a rollercoaster ride like no other. Although some may wonder what the Neon Ballerz could have achieved had Shane McCandless not gotten injured, it is undeniable that they have left a meaningful imprint on the league. And while they may not know where the road will take them in the future, each of the Neon Ballerz will undoubtedly hold all of their memorable I.M.B.A. experiences dear to heart.
HOLD UP
WE DA BOYZ
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 20th Opponent: Happy Children Running Result: Win Score: 33-29
The Neon Ballerz defeated Happy Children Running 33-29 in a contest that was excruciatingly tight from start to finish. After the first half of play, the Neon Ballerz led Happy Children Running by 2 (12-10). In spite of the lead, the Ballerz' star, Owen Burkett, was in foul trouble (having committed three fouls during the first half), putting the team in a serious predicament. There was little, if any, room for error, and Burkett responded by playing his savviest basketball of all year. During the second half, Burkett did not commit a single foul while still playing stellar defense and dominating the glass.
The Neon Ballerz held a 28-22 lead over their opponent before making ill-advised passes leading to turnovers. As a result of the Ballerz's sloppy play, Happy Children Running went on a 6-0 outburst that tied the game. The Neon Ballerz refused to panic after the score was tied, though, even with the apparent momentum shift. Corey McElhinney, who was wearing Shane McCandless' jersey to pay homage to the injured star, made tough shots in the paint to retake the lead. Then, with the NB up 32-29 with about 14 seconds left, Happy Children Running fouled Jackson Harper. Having made critical baskets at timely moments earlier in the game, Harper ended his phenomenal game on an appropriate note -- with ice water in his veins, he sank a dagger free throw to put the Ballerz up by 4, effectively icing the game.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 14th Opponent: Globe Joggers Result: Win Score: 30-11
The Neon Ballerz dominated the Globe Joggers, playing phenomenal defense to stave off playoff elimination. The Globe Joggers did not have a single made field goal for over the first ten minutes of the game and only managed to score 3 points in the first half, which were both a testament to the NB's stifling defense. On offense, Owen Burkett and Corey McElhinney starred, with McElhinney delivering exquisite passes to set up many of Burkett's buckets.
This win represented the Neon Ballerz's first ever playoff win and they achieved it in honor of Shane McCandless, who suffered a serious ankle injury last Sunday. While the NB will cherish this monumental victory, they know that they must maintain their focus in order to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 11th Opponent: SC 17ers Result: Loss Score: 42-35
In their first IMBA playoffs game in two years, the Neon Ballerz fell to the SC 17ers 42-35 in an intense battle. While they celebrated great success all season, the Neon Ballerz did not have fortune on their side -- within the first few minutes of the game, forward Shane McCandless came down with an ankle injury and was forced to sit out for the remainder of the match. Amid McCandless' absence, the SC 17ers got off to a fast start, leading 12-2 early on. Cheered by a boisterous crowd, the Neon Ballerz mounted a gradual comeback, trimming the SC 17ers' lead to a few points by halftime. Led by Owen Burkett, the NB then snatched the lead early on in the second half. However, Burkett's impassioned effort was not enough, as star point guard Nicholas Clark delivered an impressive performance for the SC 17ers. After the Neon Ballerz cut the SC 17ers' lead to 3 (38-35) with under a minute to play, Clark quickly responded with a lay-up to quell their comeback hopes. Ultimately, the Ballerz were plagued by usual problems, including turnovers and sloppiness, and dropped to 0-3 all-time in the IMBA playoffs.
IMBA Season Game
Date: February 3rd Opponent: Team Swish Result: Win Score: 64-52
Boosted by Joshua Miller's 16 points (which put him at 100 points on the season) and Justin Korman's 13 points, the Neon Ballerz prevailed over Team Swish 64-52 in their final IMBA regular season game. The contest featured offensive fireworks, as the Ballerz scored 40 points by halftime. The win secured them a top 2 seed in the IMBA playoffs. While the NB won convincingly, the game ended on somewhat of an anticlimax. With under 30 seconds remaining -- and with Justin Korman needing 2 points to reach 100 points on the season -- he was fouled, sending him to the free throw line (as fate would have it), the method of scoring that flustered Korman and the Neon Ballerz all season long. Korman made one of two at the charity stripe, coming a mere point short of 100 points.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 31st Opponent: Laura's Home Cooking Result: Win Score: 34-26
The Neon Ballerz relied on their defense to ward off relentless Laura's Home Cooking on Wednesday. While the NB maintained a lead for most, if not all of the contest, they allowed Laura's Home Cooking to stay in the game. Never quite pulling away, the Ballerz grinded out a victory by crashing the glass hard and matching their opponent's physical play. Controversy loomed over the game when the eligibility of the Neon Ballerz's Michael Hopp was scrutinized at halftime. Hopp ultimately sat out the remainder of the game and the issue was resolved.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 28th Opponent: T&B Medical Result: Loss Score: 55-51
In a rematch of a tight game between these two teams earlier in the season, T&B Medical triumphed again, defeating the Neon Ballerz 55-51. At halftime, the two teams were deadlocked at 26. In the second half, though, T&B Medical pulled away, maintaining a small lead throughout the period. Then, when the game was on the line, they made enough free throws to prevent a Neon Ballerz comeback.
There was much excitement before the game's tip-off -- an entertaining pre-game display involving dry ice was performed while trash talking was frequently exchanged between the teams in the days leading up to the game. This victory represents a much-needed win for T&B Medical, whose playoff chances improved, yet remain slim.
The Neon Ballerz were a shadow of their former selves -- Offensively, the Ballerz were stagnant while they struggled to protect the paint on defense. Numerous predetermined and reckless passes led to turnovers while foul trouble also bothered the Ballerz. While they did not desire to lose to a heated rival, this loss may have suited them well, serving as an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Entering this game, the Neon Ballerz had not lost in 54 days (since December 4th, 2017). They can advantageously use this close loss to make the necessary adjustments going forward, into the playoffs.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 27th Opponent: SC O-Line Result: Win Score: 51-37
In a game that one spectator characterized as "hideous" after the final whistle sounded, the play on both sides was as unwatchable as it was perturbing. On a number of occasions, one team would force a turnover only to cough up the ball within the next five seconds. Sorting out the chaos, though, was the Neon Ballerz's Shane McCandless. As the star of the game, McCandless stood like a man among boys, taking over every aspect of the match. While his scoring was mostly limited to the paint, he converted on numerous lay-ups, hook shots, and floaters. Bailey Stoltzfus also contributed to the winning effort, scoring 4 points in her Neon Ballerz debut.
To Neon Ballerz historians, this ugly game brought back memories of past squeakers against the SC Shredbots during the franchise's first season. In a game as unaesthetic as this one, it was only fitting that the Ballerz officially clinched a playoff berth with the win.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 20th Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Win Score: 50-28
The Neon Ballerz limited turnovers and played exceptional defense en route to a dominating 50-28 victory. They carved up a substantial lead in the first half, 26-11, and never looked back. The Ballerz appear primed for postseason basketball, as they now have seven straight wins, while this game served as a crushing loss for the Cod Pros, whose playoff chances took a big hit. This win also gives the Neon Ballerz a franchise-record 13th regular season win.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 14th Opponent: Team Good Result: Win Score: 51-36
The Neon Ballerz dismantled Alpha Division-leading Team Good 51-36 on Sunday before the largest crowd in the history of the franchise (11 people in attendance). At the conclusion of a sloppy first half, the Ballerz led Team Good 22-17. In the second half, one of Team Good's players sustained a scary injury, forcing them to play 4 vs. 5 since they had no substitutions. After Team Good pulled within 2, the Neon Ballerz took advantage of the 5 vs. 4 situation. With superb offensive and defensive execution, the Ballerz outscored Team Good 25-12 to end the game. Both of Team Good's losses have now come at the hands of the Neon Ballerz.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 8th Opponent: Dunder Mifflin Athletics Result: Win Score: 41-35
The Neon Ballerz finished the 2017-18 IMBA regular season with a 16-4 record. They finished the 2017-18 IMBA playoffs with a 2-2 record.
An asterisk (*) denotes non-IMBA teams.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 22nd Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Loss Score: 55-37
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
In their final I.M.B.A. game, the Neon Ballerz fell to the Cod Pros, who played superbly all game. Dylan Ballenger put a thorn in the Ballerz's side by hitting numerous threes while Nate Pritts and Xavier Bodnar both showed their capabilities to score. Although their last game may not have been what the Neon Ballerz pictured, Oliver Rose's banked-in three-pointer to culminate the game and the season reminded them of the magnitude and uniqueness of their achievements.
Battling through all the trials and tribulations of the year, the Neon Ballerz enjoyed their most successful season ever. This season, the Ballerz defeated all of the playoff teams in their division on their way to clinching the first (Alpha) seed in the IMBA playoffs. From grinding past Dunder Mifflin Athletics 41-35 to demolishing the Cod Pros 50-28 to achieving their first playoff win in dominating fashion, this season was full of celebration. Not only did they hold their own after star Shane McCandless went down with an injury, but they won two playoff games to finish top 4 in the playoffs. Beyond this season, there were many remarkable moments to cherish, including Corey McElhinney's buzzer-beating and game-winning three-pointer against Prestige Worldwide during the 2015-2016 season.
While the phrase "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" may hold water, the Neon Ballerz are made up of quite a few excellent parts. In addition to their enthusiasm and embrace of challenges at every turn, the Neon Ballerz's composition as a "bunch of nerds" separated them from the rest.
Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett, the hearts and souls of the Neon Ballerz on the court, worked tirelessly to win each game regardless of the aesthetic appeal of the victory.
Corey McElhinney channeled his inner Kobe Bryant every game, resembling the Lakers legend on the court in every way (both good and bad).
Justin Korman, a tremendous leader on and off the court (as the Neon Ballerz GM), never ceased to give it his all.
Mike Hopp was an impassioned player who brought gritty play to the court at every moment.
Joshua Miller embraced the floater as an art form and founded the iconic Neon Ballerz website.
Jackson Harper was a selfless competitor who escalated the energy in the building whenever he stepped foot on the court.
Oliver Rose was a relentless defender who chased after every loose ball and had an affinity for wearing jorts.
While not displaying immaculate shot selection, Shreyas Sundar always had a unique passion for the game of basketball, hitting unexpected fadeaway three-pointers and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hook shots at every turn of the head.
Though she only played in three games, Bailey Stoltzfus made valuable contributions to the Neon Ballerz.
Lastly, Joey Clark played an indispensable role running the team on the sidelines during the critical stages of the Ballerz's season.
The Neon Ballerz would like to thank Joseph Boris for his dedication to the I.M.B.A. as commissioner of the league. His name has become synonymous with I.M.B.A. and the NB is appreciative of him and will miss him. The team would also like to extend its gratitude to all the fans that continually supported them throughout their exhilarating journey.
The Neon Ballerz's three years participating in the I.M.B.A. represented a rollercoaster ride like no other. Although some may wonder what the Neon Ballerz could have achieved had Shane McCandless not gotten injured, it is undeniable that they have left a meaningful imprint on the league. And while they may not know where the road will take them in the future, each of the Neon Ballerz will undoubtedly hold all of their memorable I.M.B.A. experiences dear to heart.
HOLD UP
WE DA BOYZ
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 20th Opponent: Happy Children Running Result: Win Score: 33-29
The Neon Ballerz defeated Happy Children Running 33-29 in a contest that was excruciatingly tight from start to finish. After the first half of play, the Neon Ballerz led Happy Children Running by 2 (12-10). In spite of the lead, the Ballerz' star, Owen Burkett, was in foul trouble (having committed three fouls during the first half), putting the team in a serious predicament. There was little, if any, room for error, and Burkett responded by playing his savviest basketball of all year. During the second half, Burkett did not commit a single foul while still playing stellar defense and dominating the glass.
The Neon Ballerz held a 28-22 lead over their opponent before making ill-advised passes leading to turnovers. As a result of the Ballerz's sloppy play, Happy Children Running went on a 6-0 outburst that tied the game. The Neon Ballerz refused to panic after the score was tied, though, even with the apparent momentum shift. Corey McElhinney, who was wearing Shane McCandless' jersey to pay homage to the injured star, made tough shots in the paint to retake the lead. Then, with the NB up 32-29 with about 14 seconds left, Happy Children Running fouled Jackson Harper. Having made critical baskets at timely moments earlier in the game, Harper ended his phenomenal game on an appropriate note -- with ice water in his veins, he sank a dagger free throw to put the Ballerz up by 4, effectively icing the game.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 14th Opponent: Globe Joggers Result: Win Score: 30-11
The Neon Ballerz dominated the Globe Joggers, playing phenomenal defense to stave off playoff elimination. The Globe Joggers did not have a single made field goal for over the first ten minutes of the game and only managed to score 3 points in the first half, which were both a testament to the NB's stifling defense. On offense, Owen Burkett and Corey McElhinney starred, with McElhinney delivering exquisite passes to set up many of Burkett's buckets.
This win represented the Neon Ballerz's first ever playoff win and they achieved it in honor of Shane McCandless, who suffered a serious ankle injury last Sunday. While the NB will cherish this monumental victory, they know that they must maintain their focus in order to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
IMBA Playoff Game
Date: February 11th Opponent: SC 17ers Result: Loss Score: 42-35
In their first IMBA playoffs game in two years, the Neon Ballerz fell to the SC 17ers 42-35 in an intense battle. While they celebrated great success all season, the Neon Ballerz did not have fortune on their side -- within the first few minutes of the game, forward Shane McCandless came down with an ankle injury and was forced to sit out for the remainder of the match. Amid McCandless' absence, the SC 17ers got off to a fast start, leading 12-2 early on. Cheered by a boisterous crowd, the Neon Ballerz mounted a gradual comeback, trimming the SC 17ers' lead to a few points by halftime. Led by Owen Burkett, the NB then snatched the lead early on in the second half. However, Burkett's impassioned effort was not enough, as star point guard Nicholas Clark delivered an impressive performance for the SC 17ers. After the Neon Ballerz cut the SC 17ers' lead to 3 (38-35) with under a minute to play, Clark quickly responded with a lay-up to quell their comeback hopes. Ultimately, the Ballerz were plagued by usual problems, including turnovers and sloppiness, and dropped to 0-3 all-time in the IMBA playoffs.
IMBA Season Game
Date: February 3rd Opponent: Team Swish Result: Win Score: 64-52
Boosted by Joshua Miller's 16 points (which put him at 100 points on the season) and Justin Korman's 13 points, the Neon Ballerz prevailed over Team Swish 64-52 in their final IMBA regular season game. The contest featured offensive fireworks, as the Ballerz scored 40 points by halftime. The win secured them a top 2 seed in the IMBA playoffs. While the NB won convincingly, the game ended on somewhat of an anticlimax. With under 30 seconds remaining -- and with Justin Korman needing 2 points to reach 100 points on the season -- he was fouled, sending him to the free throw line (as fate would have it), the method of scoring that flustered Korman and the Neon Ballerz all season long. Korman made one of two at the charity stripe, coming a mere point short of 100 points.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 31st Opponent: Laura's Home Cooking Result: Win Score: 34-26
The Neon Ballerz relied on their defense to ward off relentless Laura's Home Cooking on Wednesday. While the NB maintained a lead for most, if not all of the contest, they allowed Laura's Home Cooking to stay in the game. Never quite pulling away, the Ballerz grinded out a victory by crashing the glass hard and matching their opponent's physical play. Controversy loomed over the game when the eligibility of the Neon Ballerz's Michael Hopp was scrutinized at halftime. Hopp ultimately sat out the remainder of the game and the issue was resolved.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 28th Opponent: T&B Medical Result: Loss Score: 55-51
In a rematch of a tight game between these two teams earlier in the season, T&B Medical triumphed again, defeating the Neon Ballerz 55-51. At halftime, the two teams were deadlocked at 26. In the second half, though, T&B Medical pulled away, maintaining a small lead throughout the period. Then, when the game was on the line, they made enough free throws to prevent a Neon Ballerz comeback.
There was much excitement before the game's tip-off -- an entertaining pre-game display involving dry ice was performed while trash talking was frequently exchanged between the teams in the days leading up to the game. This victory represents a much-needed win for T&B Medical, whose playoff chances improved, yet remain slim.
The Neon Ballerz were a shadow of their former selves -- Offensively, the Ballerz were stagnant while they struggled to protect the paint on defense. Numerous predetermined and reckless passes led to turnovers while foul trouble also bothered the Ballerz. While they did not desire to lose to a heated rival, this loss may have suited them well, serving as an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Entering this game, the Neon Ballerz had not lost in 54 days (since December 4th, 2017). They can advantageously use this close loss to make the necessary adjustments going forward, into the playoffs.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 27th Opponent: SC O-Line Result: Win Score: 51-37
In a game that one spectator characterized as "hideous" after the final whistle sounded, the play on both sides was as unwatchable as it was perturbing. On a number of occasions, one team would force a turnover only to cough up the ball within the next five seconds. Sorting out the chaos, though, was the Neon Ballerz's Shane McCandless. As the star of the game, McCandless stood like a man among boys, taking over every aspect of the match. While his scoring was mostly limited to the paint, he converted on numerous lay-ups, hook shots, and floaters. Bailey Stoltzfus also contributed to the winning effort, scoring 4 points in her Neon Ballerz debut.
To Neon Ballerz historians, this ugly game brought back memories of past squeakers against the SC Shredbots during the franchise's first season. In a game as unaesthetic as this one, it was only fitting that the Ballerz officially clinched a playoff berth with the win.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 20th Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Win Score: 50-28
The Neon Ballerz limited turnovers and played exceptional defense en route to a dominating 50-28 victory. They carved up a substantial lead in the first half, 26-11, and never looked back. The Ballerz appear primed for postseason basketball, as they now have seven straight wins, while this game served as a crushing loss for the Cod Pros, whose playoff chances took a big hit. This win also gives the Neon Ballerz a franchise-record 13th regular season win.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 14th Opponent: Team Good Result: Win Score: 51-36
The Neon Ballerz dismantled Alpha Division-leading Team Good 51-36 on Sunday before the largest crowd in the history of the franchise (11 people in attendance). At the conclusion of a sloppy first half, the Ballerz led Team Good 22-17. In the second half, one of Team Good's players sustained a scary injury, forcing them to play 4 vs. 5 since they had no substitutions. After Team Good pulled within 2, the Neon Ballerz took advantage of the 5 vs. 4 situation. With superb offensive and defensive execution, the Ballerz outscored Team Good 25-12 to end the game. Both of Team Good's losses have now come at the hands of the Neon Ballerz.
IMBA Season Game
Date: January 8th Opponent: Dunder Mifflin Athletics Result: Win Score: 41-35
#WhyNotUs: Owen Burkett delivered a Wilt Chamberlain-like performance on Monday night, accounting for 20 of his team's 41 points.
As a result of poor decision-making, excessive turnovers, and lazy passing, the Neon Ballerz trailed 20-15 at halftime to Dunder Mifflin Athletics. However, led by Owen Burkett's heroic effort, they later outscored Dunder Mifflin 21-6 to take a 36-26 lead with a little under 4 minutes remaining. Regardless of the shot difficulty, Burkett seemingly converted on every single one of his field goal attempts when it counted, much to the delight of the spectators. Making free throws and snatching offensive rebounds down the stretch, the Ballerz held on to cement the monumental victory in a playoff atmosphere. With the win, the Neon Ballerz appear prepared to compete with the best of the best in the IMBA; they have now defeated the top two teams in the Alpha division. Not only did the critical win give them a boost for playoff qualification and positioning, but it also provided an invaluable emotional boost.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 18th Opponent: 560 Westerly Parkway Result: Win Score: 73-54
Despite missing several players, the Neon Ballerz cruised to a win in their second game of a back-to-back. Owen Burkett and Oliver Rose paved the way to victory, scoring 28 points and a career-high 14 points, respectively. The Neon Ballerz have now won four in a row and enter their three-week recess with a 10-3 record.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 17th Opponent: Tune Squad Result: Win Score: 33-22
The Neon Ballerz staved off the Tune Squad in their final regular season meeting. While not indicated by the final score, the game was hotly contested throughout. With a few minutes left, though, the Neon Ballerz broke open the game, orchestrating an 8-0 run to close it out. A key foundation of the Ballerz's success was their ability to conquer the Tune Squad's full-court press.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 13th Opponent: 50% Effort Result: Win Score: 43-36 (2 OT)
The Neon Ballerz outlasted 50% Effort in a thrilling sequel to the Ballerz' 33-31 win in the season opener. The two teams were neck and neck for most of the match. Fueled by Mike Hopp's career night and Owen Burkett's physical play in the paint, though, the Neon Ballerz grinded out a win after two overtimes. In the waning seconds of regulation, 50% Effort connected on a three-pointer to send the game to overtime, where 50% Effort struck first with a mid-range jumper. With time winding down in the overtime period, Shane McCandless hit a clutch floater to equalize the score and extend the game once again. In the second overtime period, the Neon Ballerz dominated. After the team obtained a 2 point lead, Mike Hopp banked in a three to effectively end 50% Effort's hopes of winning.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 9th Opponent: Team Swish Result: Win Score: 71-49
The Neon Ballerz defeated Team Swish in an offensive explosion of a game on Saturday. While porous defense allowed Team Swish to score a whopping 49 points, the Neon Ballerz triumphed because of a season-high 71 point offensive output. Owen Burkett put on a dazzling display on offense for the Ballerz, leading the team with 25 points.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 4th Opponent: T&B Medical Result: Loss Score: 52-47
In what might have been one of the most thrilling games of the IMBA season thus far, the Neon Ballerz lost a close contest to T&B Medical. In the first half, T&B Medical took a commanding double digit lead. The Neon Ballerz, though, answered with a resilient run to close the deficit to under five points by halftime. In the second half, the teams exchanged buckets back and forth — for seemingly every run the Ballerz made, T&B Medical answered with a run of their own to maintain control of the lead. With about 1 minute remaining, the game appeared to be all but over, as T&B Medical led the Neon Ballerz 50-41. However, sparked by consecutive three-pointers, the Ballerz rapidly trimmed T&B Medical's lead to 50-47. Since roughly 20 seconds were left in the game, the Ballerz were forced to foul to send T&B Medical to the free throw line. Fortunately for them, T&B Medical missed the free throw and the Ballerz secured the rebound. On the next possession, though, the Neon Ballerz failed to score and had to foul again. After T&B Medical missed another free throw, a frenetic chase for the ball ensued, with T&B Medical ultimately gaining possession. The Ballerz committed another foul and T&B Medical made two free throws this time to ice the game. While the team was clearly disappointed after the tight loss, they had one of their best offensive games of the season, displaying their potential to rack up points. Shane McCandless had an awe-inspiring game in the loss, scoring points in nearly every conceivable way.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 3rd Opponent: SC O-Line Result: Win Score: 30-14
The Neon Ballerz took control of the game early on and never looked back. Compiling a 14 point lead by halftime, the Ballerz's suffocating defense limited SC O-Line to 3 points at halftime and a paltry fourteen overall. Owen Burkett made his presence in the paint known, snatching seemingly every defensive and offensive rebound. While the offense was sloppy at times in the absence of star forward Shane McCandless, the rest of the team picked up the slack to cruise to their sixth win of the season.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 20th Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Loss Score: 36-25
Since a wall divided the Easterly Parkway basketball court in two on Monday night, the Neon Ballerz and Cod Pros played in an irregular half-court setting. In spite of committing numerous turnovers, the Ballerz kept the score close for most of the game—they even had a 22-19 lead about halfway through the second half. From this point on, however, the Cod Pros demonstrated why they made it to the IMBA championship game last year. After failing to make outside shots in the first half, the Cod Pros unleashed a torrent of three-point and mid-range field goals. To make matters worse for the Neon Ballerz, their scoring reservoirs ran dry, as they were unable to score a single point for roughly eight minutes. Ultimately, the Cod Pros orchestrated a monstrous 17-0 run over the critical stretches of the game, leaving the Ballerz bewildered and disappointed that they squandered an opportunity to defeat one of the best teams in the IMBA.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 19th Opponent: Laura's Home Cooking Result: Win Score: 42-20
Shooting, particularly free throw shooting, has been an area of struggle for the Neon Ballerz all season long. However, on Sunday against Laura's Home Cooking, when they needed their shooting the least, the Neon Ballerz shot the lights out of the South Gym, resembling the Golden State Warriors. Assisted by the fact that their opponent only had four players available, the Ballerz jumped out to a large lead right out of the gates. Their dominance would continue for the rest of the game, as every member of the Ballerz present at the game scored. The enthralling, yet eccentric game, was highlighted by Shreyas "Shreybae" Sundar's four-point play. Sundar banked in a three while getting fouled, but unfortunately missed the free throw.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 13th Opponent: Team Good Result: Win Score: 39-36 (OT)
After suffering their first loss, the Neon Ballerz found themselves in a tight contest from start to finish against Team Good. The lead changed hands numerous times in the hotly contested match, as players from both teams played their hearts out. With the score knotted up at 31, Ballerz guard Mike Hopp received a pass and drove into the paint, scoring a lay-up to give his team a two point lead. However, Team Good quickly tied up the game at 33. With roughly ten seconds remaining, the Neon Ballerz had possession and prepared to inbound the ball. Amidst some confusion, the ball was thrown in the vicinity of a jumbled mix of Neon Ballerz and Team Good players. A frantic scramble for the basketball ensued, with neither team firmly establishing possession of the ball. Time ran out and the game headed to overtime. In the overtime period, Corey McElhinney made a nifty lay-up to put the Ballerz up by 1. Later, with seconds remaining and the clock stopped (the clock continuously runs in overtime, except during time-outs), Shane McCandless was at the free throw line (one-and-one) to try to extend the Ballerz's slim one-point lead. McCandless missed the free throw, but thanks to his and Justin Korman's valiant hustle, the Neon Ballerz recaptured the basketball. McCandless came away with the ball and laid it in the hoop to ice the game.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 12th Opponent: Dunder Mifflin Athletics Result: Loss Score: 41-37
After winning their first three games of the season, the Neon Ballerz fell to Dunder Mifflin Athletics after their late comeback attempt fell short. For the majority of the game, Dunder Mifflin Athletics held a lead ranging from 5 to 10 points. However, with a couple of minutes remaining, the Neon Ballerz orchestrated a resilient 7-0 run that trimmed the margin from 9 points (37-28) to 2 points (37-35). As time ran out, the Ballerz were forced to put Dunder Mifflin Athletics on the line. With the game on the line, a couple Dunder Mifflin players stepped up, sinking several free throws to ice the game and quash the Ballerz's hopes of pulling off a heroic comeback. In spite of the heartbreaking loss, the result was promising, as the Neon Ballerz demonstrated that they are capable of competing with one of the best teams in the league.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 6th Opponent: 560 Westerly Parkway Result: Win Score: 44-40
Playing without star power forward Shane McCandless and Shreyas Sundar, the Neon Ballerz squeaked by 560 Westerly Parkway in a game that many predicted to be lopsided in the Ballerz's favor. As a result of their seeming inability to score from the perimeter and the three-point line, the Neon Ballerz focused on adding points in the paint. Owen Burkett and Oliver Rose, who nearly reached double digits in points, led the scoring effort. While the margin between the two teams was around 10 points for the majority of the game, 560 Westerly Parkway made a daring comeback in the second half, trimming the Ballerz's lead to 2 with about one minute remaining. However, two timely buckets in crunch time propelled the Neon Ballerz out of danger.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 5th Opponent: Tune Squad Result: Win Score: 31-29
The Neon Ballerz emerged from another barnburner unscathed, battling to a 31-29 victory over the Tune Squad. The Ballerz got off to a promising start, quickly scoring the first seven points before the Tune Squad narrowed the margin. Ultimately, amidst a plethora of missed free throws and displeasing turnovers, the Ballerz pulled out a win thanks to strong play from their frontcourt and the heroism of Jackson "Hurricane" Harper. Clinging to a 29-27 advantage, the team received a timely bucket when Harper received the ball and banked in a short shot. Then, with time running out and the score 31-29, Harper conquered the Tune Squad's full-court press by securing the basketball using a Calvin Johnson-like, acrobatic catch off a long inbound pass. While he missed his free throws after being fouled, Harper's courageous play allowed the Ballerz to set up their defense and prevent the Tune Squad from getting an open game-winning three-pointer.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 1st Opponent: 50% Effort Result: Win Score: 33-31
In what was quite possibly the first IMBA game to ever be recorded from two different video feeds, the Neon Ballerz outlasted 50% Effort in a thrilling match that began the 2017-2018 IMBA season with a bang. Throughout the fast-paced game, sloppiness was evident—players from both sides exhibited signs that they were raw in their first game following a lengthy offseason. However, the sloppiness did not deter players from both teams from fighting tooth and nail until the last second. As a result of sharp shooting and smooth transition play, 50% Effort carved out a 31-23 lead in the latter stages of the second half. Not to be discouraged, the Neon Ballerz rebounded from their poor start, piecing together a 10-0 run to close the game. The Ballerz's frontcourt of Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett led the comeback effort, snatching every obtainable rebound and making a wide assortment of nifty hook shots and lay-ups. While it was clear that they need to make several improvements and adjustments, the Neon Ballerz were thoroughly satisfied with the victory, as they fulfilled their goal of "going 1-0 this week."
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #1
Date: July 15th Opponent: Clamp Gods* Result: Loss Score: 20-10
In their opening game of the Hoopsfest tournament, the Neon Ballerz duked it out with a familiar foe. In the early stages of the match, they fought the good fight, capturing a slim lead against the Clamp Gods, which consisted of a collection of State High and IMBA players. However, the tide turned mid-way through the game, as the Clamp Gods drowned the Ballerz with a series of three-pointers. Scoring went dry for the team in neon, and they were bestowed with a familiar result: a Hoopsfest defeat.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #2
Date: July 15th Opponent: B-Town Ballers* Result: Loss Score: 20-8
Entering their second game, the Neon Ballerz were optimistic of their chances for victory, mostly because of perceived match-up advantages over the B-town Ballers. This anticipation of success was quickly squashed, though, when the match began. Despite competing with great effort, the Neon Ballerz found trouble scoring once again. The B-town Ballers rolled to victory while the Neon Ballerz exited the game in dismay.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #3
Date: July 15th Opponent: Team Elite* Result: Win Score: 20-13
After losing their first two games, a swift final defeat seemed imminent to the team. Based on the structure of the tournament, the first two games served as a means of seeding all of the teams in the division. Following these two matches, the tournament transitioned to a single elimination bracket with the teams with the worst performances in the first two games competing in the first round against the teams who played the best. In their third game, the 0-2 Neon Ballerz faced 2-0 Team Elite. At the beginning of the game, the margin between the two teams was tight, as they traded baskets. With Team Elite holding a 13-10 advantage, the Neon Ballerz found one last gasp of energy. The team utilized its size advantage to perfection, getting the ball to Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett for deadly short-range shots. Before long, the score was 18-13 in favor of the Neon Ballerz, who were on the brink of an unbelievable, inconceivable, and undreamable victory. Once gaining possession of the ball, Owen Burkett, situated parallel to the baseline, maneuvered his way into the paint and drew two defenders. With the vision of John Stockton and the determination of Kobe Bryant, he slung a pass to Shane McCandless, who was wide-open two feet from the basket. As McCandless put up the shot, the images of past Hoopsfest defeats rushed through the players' minds. Suddenly, these images were banished, as the basketball made its way down the net and the Neon Ballerz completed a 10-0 run to clinch the game. Immeasurable joy flooded the team, as they cherished the special moment. The looks on their faces made it seem like they won an NBA championship, which is not far from what they achieved, in actuality. For three years, the Neon Ballerz had pursued a Hoopsfest tournament win like it was the last thing to check off their bucket list. The team had endured numerous heartbreaking defeats and other sorrowful game results, but all of that hardship was over now. In their minds, they accomplished an unimaginable feat, a feat that would come close to rivaling an IMBA title, if obtained. Nothing could tarnish their jubilation, not even the fact that their all-time record in Hoopsfest games was now 1-8.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #4
Date: July 15th Opponent: Crangis McBasketball* Result: Loss Score: 21-8
After an one-of-a-kind experience in their previous game, the Neon Ballerz were determined to make a significant run in the tournament. Unfortunate circumstances presented themselves however, as the bedrock of the team, Shane McCandless, had to leave prior to the game. Despite McCandless' absence, the team found surprising success at the start of the game. Joshua Miller and Justin Korman each hit a three-pointer to propel the Ballerz to a 6-2 lead. From this point on, the team was rushed back to reality, though. With the score now 18-8 in favor of their opponent, the Neon Ballerz resorted to taking "pizza shots," a Hoopsfest promotion in which a free pizza was awarded to anyone who made a deep three-pointer from a designated spot. Unfortunately, the team made no "pizza shots" and suffered a defeat 21-8 at the hands of Crangis McBasketball. In spite of the defeat, the Neon Ballerz were satisfied with their successful tournament run, which featured a remarkable victory over Team Elite.
Bob Perks Tournament Game #1
Date: June 16th Opponent: Gold* Result: Loss Score: 25-7
The Neon Ballerz started the 2017 Bob Perks Tournament in lackluster fashion, dropping their first game to a powerhouse in the rec division, the Gold team, by a score of 25-7. The game was out of reach early thanks to the physical play of Gold, who dominated the rebounding battle and set the tone early with a quick-pace offense. Owen Burkett led the NB in scoring with four points, but his impact was clearly limited by the physical (and legally questionable) defense of the Gold big-men. In addition, Neon Ballerz SF Justin Korman added a corner three that banked off the backboard in spectacular fashion, a bright spot in a game characterized by the Ballerz' offensive ineptitude. Team Gold's extensive basketball experience clearly triumphed that of the intraumural Ballerz, who were playing the game without SC basketball alum Shane McCandless, a last-minute scratch from the tournament roster.
Bob Perks Tournament Game #2
Date: June 16th Opponent: Fitted Cuts* Result: Loss Score: 25-15
The Neon Ballerz came out firing on all cylinders against Fitted Cuts, but once again lived up to their reputation as a "first-half team" and were unable to close the game, losing by a score of 25-15 and being eliminated from the tournament. Fitted Cuts, who were the champions of the Men's Competitive Division in last year's tournament, reportedly dropped down to the Men's Recreational Division because they were "a little out of shape." The Neon Ballerz opened the game with a brand of hustle and physicality that was clearly missing in their first match, and at one point held a 9-8 lead. However, the striking size-advantage of Fitted allowed them to dominate the post as the game wore on, and their physicality took a toll on the Ballerz as the game wore on. The officiating was of particular dispute in this one, with center Owen Burkett being wrestled to the ground on multiple occasions with no whistle being called. The high tensions led to the game being halted by the referee in order to lecture about "pushing," a foul which he seemed unwilling to call but said "needed to stop." As Fitted Cuts extended their advantage with continued brutality offensively, the most offense the NB was able to muster came from SF Justin Korman, who led the scoring with 8 points, six of which coming from his trademark "lefty lay-ups." In addition, PG Mike Hopp ran the offense impeccably, adding 5 points (including a three). Center Burkett took most of the abuse offensively, but fought through fatigue and injury to contribute 2 points and a plethora of rebounds to the Ballerz's cause.
As a result of poor decision-making, excessive turnovers, and lazy passing, the Neon Ballerz trailed 20-15 at halftime to Dunder Mifflin Athletics. However, led by Owen Burkett's heroic effort, they later outscored Dunder Mifflin 21-6 to take a 36-26 lead with a little under 4 minutes remaining. Regardless of the shot difficulty, Burkett seemingly converted on every single one of his field goal attempts when it counted, much to the delight of the spectators. Making free throws and snatching offensive rebounds down the stretch, the Ballerz held on to cement the monumental victory in a playoff atmosphere. With the win, the Neon Ballerz appear prepared to compete with the best of the best in the IMBA; they have now defeated the top two teams in the Alpha division. Not only did the critical win give them a boost for playoff qualification and positioning, but it also provided an invaluable emotional boost.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 18th Opponent: 560 Westerly Parkway Result: Win Score: 73-54
Despite missing several players, the Neon Ballerz cruised to a win in their second game of a back-to-back. Owen Burkett and Oliver Rose paved the way to victory, scoring 28 points and a career-high 14 points, respectively. The Neon Ballerz have now won four in a row and enter their three-week recess with a 10-3 record.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 17th Opponent: Tune Squad Result: Win Score: 33-22
The Neon Ballerz staved off the Tune Squad in their final regular season meeting. While not indicated by the final score, the game was hotly contested throughout. With a few minutes left, though, the Neon Ballerz broke open the game, orchestrating an 8-0 run to close it out. A key foundation of the Ballerz's success was their ability to conquer the Tune Squad's full-court press.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 13th Opponent: 50% Effort Result: Win Score: 43-36 (2 OT)
The Neon Ballerz outlasted 50% Effort in a thrilling sequel to the Ballerz' 33-31 win in the season opener. The two teams were neck and neck for most of the match. Fueled by Mike Hopp's career night and Owen Burkett's physical play in the paint, though, the Neon Ballerz grinded out a win after two overtimes. In the waning seconds of regulation, 50% Effort connected on a three-pointer to send the game to overtime, where 50% Effort struck first with a mid-range jumper. With time winding down in the overtime period, Shane McCandless hit a clutch floater to equalize the score and extend the game once again. In the second overtime period, the Neon Ballerz dominated. After the team obtained a 2 point lead, Mike Hopp banked in a three to effectively end 50% Effort's hopes of winning.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 9th Opponent: Team Swish Result: Win Score: 71-49
The Neon Ballerz defeated Team Swish in an offensive explosion of a game on Saturday. While porous defense allowed Team Swish to score a whopping 49 points, the Neon Ballerz triumphed because of a season-high 71 point offensive output. Owen Burkett put on a dazzling display on offense for the Ballerz, leading the team with 25 points.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 4th Opponent: T&B Medical Result: Loss Score: 52-47
In what might have been one of the most thrilling games of the IMBA season thus far, the Neon Ballerz lost a close contest to T&B Medical. In the first half, T&B Medical took a commanding double digit lead. The Neon Ballerz, though, answered with a resilient run to close the deficit to under five points by halftime. In the second half, the teams exchanged buckets back and forth — for seemingly every run the Ballerz made, T&B Medical answered with a run of their own to maintain control of the lead. With about 1 minute remaining, the game appeared to be all but over, as T&B Medical led the Neon Ballerz 50-41. However, sparked by consecutive three-pointers, the Ballerz rapidly trimmed T&B Medical's lead to 50-47. Since roughly 20 seconds were left in the game, the Ballerz were forced to foul to send T&B Medical to the free throw line. Fortunately for them, T&B Medical missed the free throw and the Ballerz secured the rebound. On the next possession, though, the Neon Ballerz failed to score and had to foul again. After T&B Medical missed another free throw, a frenetic chase for the ball ensued, with T&B Medical ultimately gaining possession. The Ballerz committed another foul and T&B Medical made two free throws this time to ice the game. While the team was clearly disappointed after the tight loss, they had one of their best offensive games of the season, displaying their potential to rack up points. Shane McCandless had an awe-inspiring game in the loss, scoring points in nearly every conceivable way.
IMBA Season Game
Date: December 3rd Opponent: SC O-Line Result: Win Score: 30-14
The Neon Ballerz took control of the game early on and never looked back. Compiling a 14 point lead by halftime, the Ballerz's suffocating defense limited SC O-Line to 3 points at halftime and a paltry fourteen overall. Owen Burkett made his presence in the paint known, snatching seemingly every defensive and offensive rebound. While the offense was sloppy at times in the absence of star forward Shane McCandless, the rest of the team picked up the slack to cruise to their sixth win of the season.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 20th Opponent: Cod Pros Result: Loss Score: 36-25
Since a wall divided the Easterly Parkway basketball court in two on Monday night, the Neon Ballerz and Cod Pros played in an irregular half-court setting. In spite of committing numerous turnovers, the Ballerz kept the score close for most of the game—they even had a 22-19 lead about halfway through the second half. From this point on, however, the Cod Pros demonstrated why they made it to the IMBA championship game last year. After failing to make outside shots in the first half, the Cod Pros unleashed a torrent of three-point and mid-range field goals. To make matters worse for the Neon Ballerz, their scoring reservoirs ran dry, as they were unable to score a single point for roughly eight minutes. Ultimately, the Cod Pros orchestrated a monstrous 17-0 run over the critical stretches of the game, leaving the Ballerz bewildered and disappointed that they squandered an opportunity to defeat one of the best teams in the IMBA.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 19th Opponent: Laura's Home Cooking Result: Win Score: 42-20
Shooting, particularly free throw shooting, has been an area of struggle for the Neon Ballerz all season long. However, on Sunday against Laura's Home Cooking, when they needed their shooting the least, the Neon Ballerz shot the lights out of the South Gym, resembling the Golden State Warriors. Assisted by the fact that their opponent only had four players available, the Ballerz jumped out to a large lead right out of the gates. Their dominance would continue for the rest of the game, as every member of the Ballerz present at the game scored. The enthralling, yet eccentric game, was highlighted by Shreyas "Shreybae" Sundar's four-point play. Sundar banked in a three while getting fouled, but unfortunately missed the free throw.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 13th Opponent: Team Good Result: Win Score: 39-36 (OT)
After suffering their first loss, the Neon Ballerz found themselves in a tight contest from start to finish against Team Good. The lead changed hands numerous times in the hotly contested match, as players from both teams played their hearts out. With the score knotted up at 31, Ballerz guard Mike Hopp received a pass and drove into the paint, scoring a lay-up to give his team a two point lead. However, Team Good quickly tied up the game at 33. With roughly ten seconds remaining, the Neon Ballerz had possession and prepared to inbound the ball. Amidst some confusion, the ball was thrown in the vicinity of a jumbled mix of Neon Ballerz and Team Good players. A frantic scramble for the basketball ensued, with neither team firmly establishing possession of the ball. Time ran out and the game headed to overtime. In the overtime period, Corey McElhinney made a nifty lay-up to put the Ballerz up by 1. Later, with seconds remaining and the clock stopped (the clock continuously runs in overtime, except during time-outs), Shane McCandless was at the free throw line (one-and-one) to try to extend the Ballerz's slim one-point lead. McCandless missed the free throw, but thanks to his and Justin Korman's valiant hustle, the Neon Ballerz recaptured the basketball. McCandless came away with the ball and laid it in the hoop to ice the game.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 12th Opponent: Dunder Mifflin Athletics Result: Loss Score: 41-37
After winning their first three games of the season, the Neon Ballerz fell to Dunder Mifflin Athletics after their late comeback attempt fell short. For the majority of the game, Dunder Mifflin Athletics held a lead ranging from 5 to 10 points. However, with a couple of minutes remaining, the Neon Ballerz orchestrated a resilient 7-0 run that trimmed the margin from 9 points (37-28) to 2 points (37-35). As time ran out, the Ballerz were forced to put Dunder Mifflin Athletics on the line. With the game on the line, a couple Dunder Mifflin players stepped up, sinking several free throws to ice the game and quash the Ballerz's hopes of pulling off a heroic comeback. In spite of the heartbreaking loss, the result was promising, as the Neon Ballerz demonstrated that they are capable of competing with one of the best teams in the league.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 6th Opponent: 560 Westerly Parkway Result: Win Score: 44-40
Playing without star power forward Shane McCandless and Shreyas Sundar, the Neon Ballerz squeaked by 560 Westerly Parkway in a game that many predicted to be lopsided in the Ballerz's favor. As a result of their seeming inability to score from the perimeter and the three-point line, the Neon Ballerz focused on adding points in the paint. Owen Burkett and Oliver Rose, who nearly reached double digits in points, led the scoring effort. While the margin between the two teams was around 10 points for the majority of the game, 560 Westerly Parkway made a daring comeback in the second half, trimming the Ballerz's lead to 2 with about one minute remaining. However, two timely buckets in crunch time propelled the Neon Ballerz out of danger.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 5th Opponent: Tune Squad Result: Win Score: 31-29
The Neon Ballerz emerged from another barnburner unscathed, battling to a 31-29 victory over the Tune Squad. The Ballerz got off to a promising start, quickly scoring the first seven points before the Tune Squad narrowed the margin. Ultimately, amidst a plethora of missed free throws and displeasing turnovers, the Ballerz pulled out a win thanks to strong play from their frontcourt and the heroism of Jackson "Hurricane" Harper. Clinging to a 29-27 advantage, the team received a timely bucket when Harper received the ball and banked in a short shot. Then, with time running out and the score 31-29, Harper conquered the Tune Squad's full-court press by securing the basketball using a Calvin Johnson-like, acrobatic catch off a long inbound pass. While he missed his free throws after being fouled, Harper's courageous play allowed the Ballerz to set up their defense and prevent the Tune Squad from getting an open game-winning three-pointer.
IMBA Season Game
Date: November 1st Opponent: 50% Effort Result: Win Score: 33-31
In what was quite possibly the first IMBA game to ever be recorded from two different video feeds, the Neon Ballerz outlasted 50% Effort in a thrilling match that began the 2017-2018 IMBA season with a bang. Throughout the fast-paced game, sloppiness was evident—players from both sides exhibited signs that they were raw in their first game following a lengthy offseason. However, the sloppiness did not deter players from both teams from fighting tooth and nail until the last second. As a result of sharp shooting and smooth transition play, 50% Effort carved out a 31-23 lead in the latter stages of the second half. Not to be discouraged, the Neon Ballerz rebounded from their poor start, piecing together a 10-0 run to close the game. The Ballerz's frontcourt of Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett led the comeback effort, snatching every obtainable rebound and making a wide assortment of nifty hook shots and lay-ups. While it was clear that they need to make several improvements and adjustments, the Neon Ballerz were thoroughly satisfied with the victory, as they fulfilled their goal of "going 1-0 this week."
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #1
Date: July 15th Opponent: Clamp Gods* Result: Loss Score: 20-10
In their opening game of the Hoopsfest tournament, the Neon Ballerz duked it out with a familiar foe. In the early stages of the match, they fought the good fight, capturing a slim lead against the Clamp Gods, which consisted of a collection of State High and IMBA players. However, the tide turned mid-way through the game, as the Clamp Gods drowned the Ballerz with a series of three-pointers. Scoring went dry for the team in neon, and they were bestowed with a familiar result: a Hoopsfest defeat.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #2
Date: July 15th Opponent: B-Town Ballers* Result: Loss Score: 20-8
Entering their second game, the Neon Ballerz were optimistic of their chances for victory, mostly because of perceived match-up advantages over the B-town Ballers. This anticipation of success was quickly squashed, though, when the match began. Despite competing with great effort, the Neon Ballerz found trouble scoring once again. The B-town Ballers rolled to victory while the Neon Ballerz exited the game in dismay.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #3
Date: July 15th Opponent: Team Elite* Result: Win Score: 20-13
After losing their first two games, a swift final defeat seemed imminent to the team. Based on the structure of the tournament, the first two games served as a means of seeding all of the teams in the division. Following these two matches, the tournament transitioned to a single elimination bracket with the teams with the worst performances in the first two games competing in the first round against the teams who played the best. In their third game, the 0-2 Neon Ballerz faced 2-0 Team Elite. At the beginning of the game, the margin between the two teams was tight, as they traded baskets. With Team Elite holding a 13-10 advantage, the Neon Ballerz found one last gasp of energy. The team utilized its size advantage to perfection, getting the ball to Shane McCandless and Owen Burkett for deadly short-range shots. Before long, the score was 18-13 in favor of the Neon Ballerz, who were on the brink of an unbelievable, inconceivable, and undreamable victory. Once gaining possession of the ball, Owen Burkett, situated parallel to the baseline, maneuvered his way into the paint and drew two defenders. With the vision of John Stockton and the determination of Kobe Bryant, he slung a pass to Shane McCandless, who was wide-open two feet from the basket. As McCandless put up the shot, the images of past Hoopsfest defeats rushed through the players' minds. Suddenly, these images were banished, as the basketball made its way down the net and the Neon Ballerz completed a 10-0 run to clinch the game. Immeasurable joy flooded the team, as they cherished the special moment. The looks on their faces made it seem like they won an NBA championship, which is not far from what they achieved, in actuality. For three years, the Neon Ballerz had pursued a Hoopsfest tournament win like it was the last thing to check off their bucket list. The team had endured numerous heartbreaking defeats and other sorrowful game results, but all of that hardship was over now. In their minds, they accomplished an unimaginable feat, a feat that would come close to rivaling an IMBA title, if obtained. Nothing could tarnish their jubilation, not even the fact that their all-time record in Hoopsfest games was now 1-8.
Hoopsfest Tournament Game #4
Date: July 15th Opponent: Crangis McBasketball* Result: Loss Score: 21-8
After an one-of-a-kind experience in their previous game, the Neon Ballerz were determined to make a significant run in the tournament. Unfortunate circumstances presented themselves however, as the bedrock of the team, Shane McCandless, had to leave prior to the game. Despite McCandless' absence, the team found surprising success at the start of the game. Joshua Miller and Justin Korman each hit a three-pointer to propel the Ballerz to a 6-2 lead. From this point on, the team was rushed back to reality, though. With the score now 18-8 in favor of their opponent, the Neon Ballerz resorted to taking "pizza shots," a Hoopsfest promotion in which a free pizza was awarded to anyone who made a deep three-pointer from a designated spot. Unfortunately, the team made no "pizza shots" and suffered a defeat 21-8 at the hands of Crangis McBasketball. In spite of the defeat, the Neon Ballerz were satisfied with their successful tournament run, which featured a remarkable victory over Team Elite.
Bob Perks Tournament Game #1
Date: June 16th Opponent: Gold* Result: Loss Score: 25-7
The Neon Ballerz started the 2017 Bob Perks Tournament in lackluster fashion, dropping their first game to a powerhouse in the rec division, the Gold team, by a score of 25-7. The game was out of reach early thanks to the physical play of Gold, who dominated the rebounding battle and set the tone early with a quick-pace offense. Owen Burkett led the NB in scoring with four points, but his impact was clearly limited by the physical (and legally questionable) defense of the Gold big-men. In addition, Neon Ballerz SF Justin Korman added a corner three that banked off the backboard in spectacular fashion, a bright spot in a game characterized by the Ballerz' offensive ineptitude. Team Gold's extensive basketball experience clearly triumphed that of the intraumural Ballerz, who were playing the game without SC basketball alum Shane McCandless, a last-minute scratch from the tournament roster.
Bob Perks Tournament Game #2
Date: June 16th Opponent: Fitted Cuts* Result: Loss Score: 25-15
The Neon Ballerz came out firing on all cylinders against Fitted Cuts, but once again lived up to their reputation as a "first-half team" and were unable to close the game, losing by a score of 25-15 and being eliminated from the tournament. Fitted Cuts, who were the champions of the Men's Competitive Division in last year's tournament, reportedly dropped down to the Men's Recreational Division because they were "a little out of shape." The Neon Ballerz opened the game with a brand of hustle and physicality that was clearly missing in their first match, and at one point held a 9-8 lead. However, the striking size-advantage of Fitted allowed them to dominate the post as the game wore on, and their physicality took a toll on the Ballerz as the game wore on. The officiating was of particular dispute in this one, with center Owen Burkett being wrestled to the ground on multiple occasions with no whistle being called. The high tensions led to the game being halted by the referee in order to lecture about "pushing," a foul which he seemed unwilling to call but said "needed to stop." As Fitted Cuts extended their advantage with continued brutality offensively, the most offense the NB was able to muster came from SF Justin Korman, who led the scoring with 8 points, six of which coming from his trademark "lefty lay-ups." In addition, PG Mike Hopp ran the offense impeccably, adding 5 points (including a three). Center Burkett took most of the abuse offensively, but fought through fatigue and injury to contribute 2 points and a plethora of rebounds to the Ballerz's cause.