Neon Ballerz-related news:
2018 IMBA Playoff Preview: Neon Ballerz vs. Cod Pros
Written by Joshua Miller
Wednesday, February 21st, 2018
8 teams entered the IMBA playoffs with beaming aspirations of claiming the title. Now, the contenders have been whittled down to 4 teams as the Neon Ballerz face the Cod Pros in the next playoff elimination game. The Neon Ballerz and the Cod Pros split their season series, with the Cod Pros winning the first match-up 36-25 and the Ballerz winning the second match-up 50-28.
Despite participating in the IMBA playoffs as the (Alpha) fourth seed, the Cod Pros are a dangerous squad capable of defeating nearly any team in the league. The Neon Ballerz will have their hands full defending Nate Pritts (10.9 PPG) and Dylan Ballenger (11.9 PPG), who is a key player to watch considering he did not play in the Ballerz's 50-28 decisive victory. Likewise, the Cod Pros will be tasked with containing Corey McElhinney (7.1 PPG) and Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG), who have formed an unstoppable duo during the playoffs. An intriguing match-up exists between big men Owen Burkett and Jeremy Bullock (9.6 PPG), who have both been dominant this season.
Looking forward, the victor of this game will compete against Team Good on Sunday, February 25th for the right to play in the IMBA championship.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Cod Pros (13-7; Alpha #4 seed)
Date and Time: Thursday, February 22nd at 6:45 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway
Television Broadcast: N/A
2018 IMBA Playoff Preview: Neon Ballerz vs. Cod Pros
Written by Joshua Miller
Wednesday, February 21st, 2018
8 teams entered the IMBA playoffs with beaming aspirations of claiming the title. Now, the contenders have been whittled down to 4 teams as the Neon Ballerz face the Cod Pros in the next playoff elimination game. The Neon Ballerz and the Cod Pros split their season series, with the Cod Pros winning the first match-up 36-25 and the Ballerz winning the second match-up 50-28.
Despite participating in the IMBA playoffs as the (Alpha) fourth seed, the Cod Pros are a dangerous squad capable of defeating nearly any team in the league. The Neon Ballerz will have their hands full defending Nate Pritts (10.9 PPG) and Dylan Ballenger (11.9 PPG), who is a key player to watch considering he did not play in the Ballerz's 50-28 decisive victory. Likewise, the Cod Pros will be tasked with containing Corey McElhinney (7.1 PPG) and Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG), who have formed an unstoppable duo during the playoffs. An intriguing match-up exists between big men Owen Burkett and Jeremy Bullock (9.6 PPG), who have both been dominant this season.
Looking forward, the victor of this game will compete against Team Good on Sunday, February 25th for the right to play in the IMBA championship.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Cod Pros (13-7; Alpha #4 seed)
Date and Time: Thursday, February 22nd at 6:45 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway
Television Broadcast: N/A
2018 IMBA Playoff Preview: Neon Ballerz vs. Happy Children Running
Written by Joshua Miller
Monday, February 19th, 2018
The Neon Ballerz look to avoid elimination again and further advance in the IMBA playoffs when they play Happy Children Running of the Beta Division on Tuesday night.
Similar to last game, the NB aim on running their offense through star big man Owen Burkett and capitalizing on any opportunities or mismatches that arise. Since Happy Children Running boasts a much more prolific offense than the Globe Joggers (who the Ballerz handily defeated last game), the NB will need to maintain their stingy defense while executing their offense efficiently.
On the other side, Happy Children Running hopes to rebound from a playoff loss to Beta Division top seed Arm Farm. The Neon Ballerz have had difficulty defending star guards, so Happy Children Running will likely rely on guard Alex Mikula (12.6 PPG) to exploit the Ballerz's defensive weaknesses.
The winner of this game will face either the Cod Pros or SC 17ers on Thursday, February 22nd.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Happy Children Running (15-5; Beta #2 seed)
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 20th at 8:15 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway
Television Broadcast: N/A
Written by Joshua Miller
Monday, February 19th, 2018
The Neon Ballerz look to avoid elimination again and further advance in the IMBA playoffs when they play Happy Children Running of the Beta Division on Tuesday night.
Similar to last game, the NB aim on running their offense through star big man Owen Burkett and capitalizing on any opportunities or mismatches that arise. Since Happy Children Running boasts a much more prolific offense than the Globe Joggers (who the Ballerz handily defeated last game), the NB will need to maintain their stingy defense while executing their offense efficiently.
On the other side, Happy Children Running hopes to rebound from a playoff loss to Beta Division top seed Arm Farm. The Neon Ballerz have had difficulty defending star guards, so Happy Children Running will likely rely on guard Alex Mikula (12.6 PPG) to exploit the Ballerz's defensive weaknesses.
The winner of this game will face either the Cod Pros or SC 17ers on Thursday, February 22nd.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Happy Children Running (15-5; Beta #2 seed)
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 20th at 8:15 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway
Television Broadcast: N/A
2018 IMBA Playoff Preview: Neon Ballerz vs. Globe Joggers
Written by Joshua Miller
Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Coming off of a disappointing playoff loss to the SC 17ers, the Neon Ballerz hope to avoid playoff elimination when they face the Globe Joggers on Wednesday. They will be missing star forward Shane McCandless, who was ruled out for this game after suffering a serious ankle injury at the beginning of the Ballerz's last game. As a result, Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG) and the rest of the Ballerz will have to fill the scoring and defensive role that McCandless carried.
Like the Neon Ballerz, the Globe Joggers kept their first round playoff game close, but ultimately fell to Team Good 45-35. Garrett Schoonmaker (6.2 PPG), Nick DiMidio (5.2 PPG), and Trevor Brown (5.1 PPG) will try to exploit a Neon Ballerz defense that struggled to contain SC 17ers guard Nicholas Clark last Sunday.
If this ultimately happens to be the Neon Ballerz's final I.M.B.A. game, it will be a disappointing ending to what was a memorable three year-run in the league. However, the NB will nevertheless treasure all the meaningful, unique experiences that they were exposed to while playing in the league. What is certain is that the Neon Ballerz will do everything within their power to ensure that this will not be their last game playing in the I.M.B.A.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Globe Joggers (12-8; Beta #3 seed)
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 14th at 7:45 P.M.
Location: North Small Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Written by Joshua Miller
Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Coming off of a disappointing playoff loss to the SC 17ers, the Neon Ballerz hope to avoid playoff elimination when they face the Globe Joggers on Wednesday. They will be missing star forward Shane McCandless, who was ruled out for this game after suffering a serious ankle injury at the beginning of the Ballerz's last game. As a result, Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG) and the rest of the Ballerz will have to fill the scoring and defensive role that McCandless carried.
Like the Neon Ballerz, the Globe Joggers kept their first round playoff game close, but ultimately fell to Team Good 45-35. Garrett Schoonmaker (6.2 PPG), Nick DiMidio (5.2 PPG), and Trevor Brown (5.1 PPG) will try to exploit a Neon Ballerz defense that struggled to contain SC 17ers guard Nicholas Clark last Sunday.
If this ultimately happens to be the Neon Ballerz's final I.M.B.A. game, it will be a disappointing ending to what was a memorable three year-run in the league. However, the NB will nevertheless treasure all the meaningful, unique experiences that they were exposed to while playing in the league. What is certain is that the Neon Ballerz will do everything within their power to ensure that this will not be their last game playing in the I.M.B.A.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. Globe Joggers (12-8; Beta #3 seed)
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 14th at 7:45 P.M.
Location: North Small Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
2018 IMBA First Round Playoff Preview: Neon Ballerz vs. SC 17ers
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, February 9th, 2018
The Neon Ballerz rebounded from a disappointing season last year, in which they missed the playoffs and went 12-8 during the regular season, to put together a 16-4 regular season this year. They now celebrate their productive season in the playoffs with the #1 seed in the Alpha division.
The Ballerz dismantled opponents this season by feeding the ball to their stars, Shane McCandless (12.2 PPG) and Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG). Obtaining offensive firepower outside of Burkett and McCandless will be key to thwarting the SC 17ers' defense. Corey McElhinney (14 three-pointers), Mike Hopp (11 three-pointers), and Joshua Miller (7 three-pointers) look to diversify a Neon Ballerz offense that usually implements a paint-oriented attack. The team also hopes that their bench, led by Justin Korman for this game, will provide an offensive spark.
Led by Nicholas Clark (14.8 PPG) and Kyle Miller (5.1 PPG), the SC 17ers squeaked into the playoffs, holding off Penn State Scranton for the Beta 5th seed, but losing the tiebreaker to the Globe Joggers for the Beta 3rd seed. The SC 17ers boast a potent two-man attack from beyond, with Clark draining 23 three-pointers and Ryan Cymbor making 15 three-pointers during the regular season.
It is uncommon for the Neon Ballerz to have a higher free throw conversion rate than their opponent, but this will be the case on Sunday: The SC 17ers had a 32.1% free throw percentage on the season while the NB made 39.4% of their attempts.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. SC 17ers (12-8; Beta #4 seed)
Date and Time: Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 P.M.
Location: North Small Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, February 9th, 2018
The Neon Ballerz rebounded from a disappointing season last year, in which they missed the playoffs and went 12-8 during the regular season, to put together a 16-4 regular season this year. They now celebrate their productive season in the playoffs with the #1 seed in the Alpha division.
The Ballerz dismantled opponents this season by feeding the ball to their stars, Shane McCandless (12.2 PPG) and Owen Burkett (11.8 PPG). Obtaining offensive firepower outside of Burkett and McCandless will be key to thwarting the SC 17ers' defense. Corey McElhinney (14 three-pointers), Mike Hopp (11 three-pointers), and Joshua Miller (7 three-pointers) look to diversify a Neon Ballerz offense that usually implements a paint-oriented attack. The team also hopes that their bench, led by Justin Korman for this game, will provide an offensive spark.
Led by Nicholas Clark (14.8 PPG) and Kyle Miller (5.1 PPG), the SC 17ers squeaked into the playoffs, holding off Penn State Scranton for the Beta 5th seed, but losing the tiebreaker to the Globe Joggers for the Beta 3rd seed. The SC 17ers boast a potent two-man attack from beyond, with Clark draining 23 three-pointers and Ryan Cymbor making 15 three-pointers during the regular season.
It is uncommon for the Neon Ballerz to have a higher free throw conversion rate than their opponent, but this will be the case on Sunday: The SC 17ers had a 32.1% free throw percentage on the season while the NB made 39.4% of their attempts.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (16-4; Alpha #1 seed) vs. SC 17ers (12-8; Beta #4 seed)
Date and Time: Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 P.M.
Location: North Small Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Press Release: Stoltzfus agrees to terms with the Neon Ballerz
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, January 26th, 2018
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, January 26th, 2018
Top Left: Stoltzfus makes the signing official. Top Right: Stoltzfus and Neon Ballerz GM Justin Korman shake hands.
The Neon Ballerz have signed Bailey Stoltzfus to a contract. She will join the active roster immediately and is expected to debut for the team this Saturday against SC O-Line. This transaction marks the second Neon Ballerz signing since the franchise's first season (The team agreed to terms with Shreyas Sundar prior to the 2016-2017 season).
The specifics of the contract are not available at this time.
The Neon Ballerz have signed Bailey Stoltzfus to a contract. She will join the active roster immediately and is expected to debut for the team this Saturday against SC O-Line. This transaction marks the second Neon Ballerz signing since the franchise's first season (The team agreed to terms with Shreyas Sundar prior to the 2016-2017 season).
The specifics of the contract are not available at this time.
Doing the impossible
Written by Joshua Miller
Monday, June 19th, 2017
Michael Jordan's 6-0 record in the NBA Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers' shocking comeback from 3-1 in last year's NBA Finals. Former Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Sam Hinkie's masterful transformation of a hopeless 76ers team to a promising young core of players and a treasure chest of draft picks.
These moments highlight what often first comes to mind when one ponders the greatest basketball achievements of all-time. While these feats are undoubtedly impressive, they all pale in comparison to what the Neon Ballerz accomplished on Friday, June 16th, 2017. Without competing in a single game, the Neon Ballerz quartet of Justin Korman, Mike Hopp, Shane McCandless, and Owen Burkett were crowned the U-18 champions at the Bob Perks 3-on-3 summer slam tournament. It was a momentous achievement, as the Neon Ballerz won their first ever championship in any setting.
When asked what the U-18 title meant to the team, Justin Korman remarked, "Time and time again, we've showcased our dedication, our perseverance, and our enthusiasm for the game of basketball. To have it pay off in such a tangible way, being able to hoist that trophy Friday night, is really something special."
In spite of this outstanding achievement, the Neon Ballerz have room for improvement. This was evidenced Friday night when the team competed in the men's recreational division after winning the U-18 title. In the two games the Neon Ballerz participated in, they were dealt losses despite a valiant effort.
While disappointment inevitably emerged from these two losses, the senses of hunger and determination that the Neon Ballerz play with were only amplified. Just like any challenge, the two defeats in the men's recreational division are sure to serve as future learning lessons. The team knows that losses are ineluctable in basketball, as they are in life. They are driven to trusting the process, with hopes that it will bear fruit in the form of an IMBA championship.
References:
http://bobperksfund.org/events/summer-slam-3v3-basketball-tournament/
IMIT Semifinals Preview: Alpha 6th Seed Neon Ballerz (13-9) vs. Beta 5th Seed Pink and Blue Wrecking Crew (13-7)
Written by Joshua Miller
Monday, June 19th, 2017
Michael Jordan's 6-0 record in the NBA Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers' shocking comeback from 3-1 in last year's NBA Finals. Former Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Sam Hinkie's masterful transformation of a hopeless 76ers team to a promising young core of players and a treasure chest of draft picks.
These moments highlight what often first comes to mind when one ponders the greatest basketball achievements of all-time. While these feats are undoubtedly impressive, they all pale in comparison to what the Neon Ballerz accomplished on Friday, June 16th, 2017. Without competing in a single game, the Neon Ballerz quartet of Justin Korman, Mike Hopp, Shane McCandless, and Owen Burkett were crowned the U-18 champions at the Bob Perks 3-on-3 summer slam tournament. It was a momentous achievement, as the Neon Ballerz won their first ever championship in any setting.
When asked what the U-18 title meant to the team, Justin Korman remarked, "Time and time again, we've showcased our dedication, our perseverance, and our enthusiasm for the game of basketball. To have it pay off in such a tangible way, being able to hoist that trophy Friday night, is really something special."
In spite of this outstanding achievement, the Neon Ballerz have room for improvement. This was evidenced Friday night when the team competed in the men's recreational division after winning the U-18 title. In the two games the Neon Ballerz participated in, they were dealt losses despite a valiant effort.
While disappointment inevitably emerged from these two losses, the senses of hunger and determination that the Neon Ballerz play with were only amplified. Just like any challenge, the two defeats in the men's recreational division are sure to serve as future learning lessons. The team knows that losses are ineluctable in basketball, as they are in life. They are driven to trusting the process, with hopes that it will bear fruit in the form of an IMBA championship.
References:
http://bobperksfund.org/events/summer-slam-3v3-basketball-tournament/
IMIT Semifinals Preview: Alpha 6th Seed Neon Ballerz (13-9) vs. Beta 5th Seed Pink and Blue Wrecking Crew (13-7)
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, February 26th, 2017
Each coming off of close victories, the Neon Ballerz and Pink & Blue Wrecking Crew are scheduled to face off in the IMIT semifinals on Sunday afternoon. In the IMIT quarterfinals, the Neon Ballerz pulled away from the Rattlers 34-27 while P&B Wrecking Crew outlasted Asian Invasion 51-43. While both teams boast deep rotations, P&B Wrecking Crew holds a slight advantage in depth as 13 of its players recorded playing time over the course of the regular season. Additionally, P&B Wrecking Crew possesses a diverse offense featuring five reliable scorers in David Shoemaker, Ryan Battista, Baxter Hostetler, Collin Hulbert, and Jason Gines. On the other side of the script, along with a formidable defense, the Neon Ballerz have two bona fide stars in Shane McCandless and Corey McElhinney, a monstrous rebounder in Owen Burkett, and several role players that can inflict damage.
The victor of this semifinal game will advance to the championship match of the IMIT to play against either T&B Medical or Who Let Them In?
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (13-9; #6 seed) vs. Pink and Blue Wrecking Crew (13-7; #5 seed)
Date and Time: Sunday, February 26th at 3:50 P.M.
Location: South Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Sunday, February 26th, 2017
Each coming off of close victories, the Neon Ballerz and Pink & Blue Wrecking Crew are scheduled to face off in the IMIT semifinals on Sunday afternoon. In the IMIT quarterfinals, the Neon Ballerz pulled away from the Rattlers 34-27 while P&B Wrecking Crew outlasted Asian Invasion 51-43. While both teams boast deep rotations, P&B Wrecking Crew holds a slight advantage in depth as 13 of its players recorded playing time over the course of the regular season. Additionally, P&B Wrecking Crew possesses a diverse offense featuring five reliable scorers in David Shoemaker, Ryan Battista, Baxter Hostetler, Collin Hulbert, and Jason Gines. On the other side of the script, along with a formidable defense, the Neon Ballerz have two bona fide stars in Shane McCandless and Corey McElhinney, a monstrous rebounder in Owen Burkett, and several role players that can inflict damage.
The victor of this semifinal game will advance to the championship match of the IMIT to play against either T&B Medical or Who Let Them In?
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (13-9; #6 seed) vs. Pink and Blue Wrecking Crew (13-7; #5 seed)
Date and Time: Sunday, February 26th at 3:50 P.M.
Location: South Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
IMIT Quarterfinals Preview: Alpha 6th Seed Neon Ballerz (13-9) vs. Beta 7th Seed Rattlers (8-12)
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, February 24th, 2017
After overcoming early struggles in the regular season by winning their last four games, the 6th seed Neon Ballerz will duke it out with the 7th seed Rattlers in the IMIT quarterfinals round. Led by IMBA All-Star Kevin Rusinque, the Rattlers enter the game with an 8-12 record while the Neon Ballerz compiled a 13-9 record in the regular season. In order to walk out of the South Gym triumphant, the Neon Ballerz will have to limit the potent scoring attack of Rusinque (181 points on the season) and role players will have to exploit the Rattlers' defensive weaknesses.
The winner of this game will continue competing in the IMIT, playing in the IMIT semifinals the following day against the winner of the Asian Invasion vs. P&B Wrecking Crew quarterfinals game.
Although the IMIT consists of the 5th-8th best teams in each IMBA division, it should not be viewed as merely a consolation prize, but rather a glowing opportunity for success. After all, the Fitted Cuts, who have not lost a single game this year and are headed to the IMBA championship, won the IMIT last year.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (13-9; #6 seed) vs. The Rattlers (8-12; #7 seed)
Date and Time: Saturday, February 25th at 3:20 P.M.
Location: South Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Neon Ballerz Set to Unveil "Midnight Black" Jerseys
Written by Joshua Miller
Tuesday, January 17th, 2017
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, February 24th, 2017
After overcoming early struggles in the regular season by winning their last four games, the 6th seed Neon Ballerz will duke it out with the 7th seed Rattlers in the IMIT quarterfinals round. Led by IMBA All-Star Kevin Rusinque, the Rattlers enter the game with an 8-12 record while the Neon Ballerz compiled a 13-9 record in the regular season. In order to walk out of the South Gym triumphant, the Neon Ballerz will have to limit the potent scoring attack of Rusinque (181 points on the season) and role players will have to exploit the Rattlers' defensive weaknesses.
The winner of this game will continue competing in the IMIT, playing in the IMIT semifinals the following day against the winner of the Asian Invasion vs. P&B Wrecking Crew quarterfinals game.
Although the IMIT consists of the 5th-8th best teams in each IMBA division, it should not be viewed as merely a consolation prize, but rather a glowing opportunity for success. After all, the Fitted Cuts, who have not lost a single game this year and are headed to the IMBA championship, won the IMIT last year.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (13-9; #6 seed) vs. The Rattlers (8-12; #7 seed)
Date and Time: Saturday, February 25th at 3:20 P.M.
Location: South Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Neon Ballerz Set to Unveil "Midnight Black" Jerseys
Written by Joshua Miller
Tuesday, January 17th, 2017
On Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, the Neon Ballerz will showcase their new jerseys for all of the Intramural Basketball Association to admire (see above). The "midnight black" jerseys will serve as their primary jerseys for the foreseeable future, with the former all-neon jerseys being worn for selected games. The all-black jerseys that the team will be donning tomorrow night features the team name in bright neon green lettering and the "Jumpman" logo situated inside of a bright neon circle on the front. On the back of the jersey, the iconic Official Motivational Slogan of the team, #WHYNOTUS, is located at the top in bright neon green lettering, accompanied by the player's number below.
The Neon Ballerz hope this aesthetic addition will bring about a surge in team pride and unity. Additionally, the team is optimistic that the addition of the "midnight black" jerseys will communicate the exigencies present in the Neon Ballerz' season -- that the time has come to preserve the team's playoff aspirations and that a string of victories in the near future must occur to achieve this objective, but that the playoff pursuit is still entirely attainable.
The debut of the Neon Ballerz's "midnight black" jerseys arrives tomorrow in a primetime matchup against the Beverly Hillbillies. Coinciding with the jersey debut is the start of a hopeful journey towards the clinching of a playoff berth and a resurgence in team glory.
Neon Ballerz vs. PC Bangers Playoff Preview
Written by Justin Korman
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016
As fate would undoubtedly have it, the Neon Ballerz and the PC Bangers will square off Thursday in the iconic Easterly Parkway gymnasium. Both teams dropped their first playoff game, resulting in a win-or-go-home scenario Thursday night. The Bangers, reigning I.M.B.A. Freshman Champs, come into the game with a 11-5 record and look to send the Ballerz (12-5) packing. The Neon Ballerz, in their inaugural I.M.B.A. season, are thirty minutes away from claiming what many thought was unfathomable three short months ago: A playoff victory. Although the ALPHA division teams have not met yet this season, they are quite familiar to each other. Couple that with an opportunity to move on in the I.M.B.A. playoffs, and this long-anticipated matchup will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing of the I.M.B.A. season to date. A Saturday game against Team Dragons/Washington D3 awaits the winner.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (12-5; #3 seed) vs. PC Bangers (11-5; #4 seed)
Date and Time: Thursday, February 4th at 7:15 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway Elementary School Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
The Neon Ballerz hope this aesthetic addition will bring about a surge in team pride and unity. Additionally, the team is optimistic that the addition of the "midnight black" jerseys will communicate the exigencies present in the Neon Ballerz' season -- that the time has come to preserve the team's playoff aspirations and that a string of victories in the near future must occur to achieve this objective, but that the playoff pursuit is still entirely attainable.
The debut of the Neon Ballerz's "midnight black" jerseys arrives tomorrow in a primetime matchup against the Beverly Hillbillies. Coinciding with the jersey debut is the start of a hopeful journey towards the clinching of a playoff berth and a resurgence in team glory.
Neon Ballerz vs. PC Bangers Playoff Preview
Written by Justin Korman
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016
As fate would undoubtedly have it, the Neon Ballerz and the PC Bangers will square off Thursday in the iconic Easterly Parkway gymnasium. Both teams dropped their first playoff game, resulting in a win-or-go-home scenario Thursday night. The Bangers, reigning I.M.B.A. Freshman Champs, come into the game with a 11-5 record and look to send the Ballerz (12-5) packing. The Neon Ballerz, in their inaugural I.M.B.A. season, are thirty minutes away from claiming what many thought was unfathomable three short months ago: A playoff victory. Although the ALPHA division teams have not met yet this season, they are quite familiar to each other. Couple that with an opportunity to move on in the I.M.B.A. playoffs, and this long-anticipated matchup will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing of the I.M.B.A. season to date. A Saturday game against Team Dragons/Washington D3 awaits the winner.
Game Information:
Neon Ballerz (12-5; #3 seed) vs. PC Bangers (11-5; #4 seed)
Date and Time: Thursday, February 4th at 7:15 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway Elementary School Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
Neon Ballerz vs. Toronto Rappers Playoff Preview
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
The playoffs are finally here and the hype is real as two quality teams take center stage at the Easterly Parkway gym. Monday's hyped-up primetime event features the 3rd seeded Neon Ballerz (12-4) of the Alpha Division facing the 2nd seeded Toronto Rappers (12-3 entering Sunday) of the Beta Division.
Game Information:
Date and Time: Monday, February 1st at 8:00 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway Elementary School Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
The Neon Ballerz will look to rely on their stars, their role players, their basketball IQ, and their #WHYNOTUS motivational slogan in order to ride to victory. Anticipate an exciting thriller full of competitive play, tense moments, and a frenzied sea of neon towels and clothes waving in the air. Who will pull away with the victory? Will it be the Toronto Rappers and their icon Drake or the Neon Ballerz and their passionate, respectful role model Moses Malone?
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
The playoffs are finally here and the hype is real as two quality teams take center stage at the Easterly Parkway gym. Monday's hyped-up primetime event features the 3rd seeded Neon Ballerz (12-4) of the Alpha Division facing the 2nd seeded Toronto Rappers (12-3 entering Sunday) of the Beta Division.
Game Information:
Date and Time: Monday, February 1st at 8:00 P.M.
Location: Easterly Parkway Elementary School Gym
Television Broadcast: N/A
The Neon Ballerz will look to rely on their stars, their role players, their basketball IQ, and their #WHYNOTUS motivational slogan in order to ride to victory. Anticipate an exciting thriller full of competitive play, tense moments, and a frenzied sea of neon towels and clothes waving in the air. Who will pull away with the victory? Will it be the Toronto Rappers and their icon Drake or the Neon Ballerz and their passionate, respectful role model Moses Malone?
References:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13645531/three-nba-mvp-moses-malone-dies-age-60
https://twitter.com/peterbrucker_
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13645531/three-nba-mvp-moses-malone-dies-age-60
https://twitter.com/peterbrucker_
The Neon Ballerz Clinch a Playoff Spot in Dramatic Fashion
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair" (Dickens 1).
This excerpt from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities perfectly chronicles the Neon Ballerz' game against the SC Shredbots. The game itself was extremely ugly. Missed lay-ups, airballed free throws, and ill-advised shots summarized the Neon Ballerz' play in the game. All in all, the team was fortunate to come out with the win with the way in which they played.
Coming into the game, the Neon Ballerz were fully aware of the playoff situation. All they needed to clinch a playoff berth was a win, making the SC Shredbots game a "Win and in" game. However, starting from the opening tip, the sense of urgency and trouble was fully inherent. At the half, despite dominating the rebounding battle by a wide margin, the Neon Ballerz held a slim advantage over their opponent by a score of 10-8. The first half trend then continued on during the second half. More than five minutes into the latter period, the Neon Ballerz had yet to score a single point and resultantly, the SC Shredbots pulled ahead for the first time all game. Despite their failures to score and inconsistent play, the Neon Ballerz rallied late in the half to take a lead 14-12 with about a minute remaining. A free throw then increased their lead to 3 with less than a minute left, setting up one defensive stop for the win and the culmination of a near nightmare. This game never seemed to swing the Neon Ballerz' way, though, as the SC Shredbots answered the free throw with a triple of their own to tie up the game with less than 20 seconds left. In spite of the counterattack, the Neon Ballerz withheld one last chance to win the game in regulation and the prayer was nearly answered as point guard Corey McElhinney was fouled with 0.8 seconds left, but proceeded to miss both shots from the charity stripe. As a result, the entertaining, idiosyncratic game was sent to overtime.
In the extra period, everybody counted the Neon Ballerz out. This is when the #WHYNOTUS motivational slogan kicked in. Point guard Corey McElhinney started it off by redeeming his two missed free throws with a three-pointer from the top of the key to propel the Neon Ballerz to a three point lead. Another free throw made it a four point game, but the SC Shredbots once again answered the rally with another triple, trimming the score to 19-18. The Neon Ballerz extended the lead to 20-18 with yet another free throw, but the SC Shredbots drove to the hoop with under 30 seconds remaining and drew a shooting foul. The first of the two attempts was banked in, as the clock continued to whittle down because of the overtime "constant running clock" rule. The second attempt, however, clanked off the rim and with the securing of the rebound and subsequent SC Shredbots foul, the Neon Ballerz ran the clock out and won the match. The game was nothing but a grind and a learning experience for the Neon Ballerz. The opportunities and shots were there, but the Neon Ballerz were unable to convert, prompting the comparison to the negative side of Charles Dickens' quote above. At the same time though, a playoff berth was clinched with the win, prompting the comparison to the positive side of the above quote.
Here is what some Neon Ballerz players said following the game regarding the outcome:
"I would say that it was an emotional roller coaster, but we came out at the peak of the mountain." - Shooting guard Jackson Harper
"I want to congratulate the bench players; there was some heavy breathing out there today. They contributed when they were called on. It's a win. We'll take whatever we can get." - Small forward Justin Korman
When questioned regarding how the Neon Ballerz could improve as a team and compile a significant run in the playoffs, small forward Justin Korman simply replied with the statement: "We gotta win more games."
These statements are ultimately true. Many improvements need to be made if the Neon Ballerz are to rise to the top, but at the end of the day, a win is a win, and the Neon Ballerz are playoff-bound.
References:
Dickens, Charles, and Henry I. Christ. A Tale of Two Cities. New York: Amsco School, 1971. Print.
Written by Joshua Miller
Sunday, January 31st, 2016
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair" (Dickens 1).
This excerpt from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities perfectly chronicles the Neon Ballerz' game against the SC Shredbots. The game itself was extremely ugly. Missed lay-ups, airballed free throws, and ill-advised shots summarized the Neon Ballerz' play in the game. All in all, the team was fortunate to come out with the win with the way in which they played.
Coming into the game, the Neon Ballerz were fully aware of the playoff situation. All they needed to clinch a playoff berth was a win, making the SC Shredbots game a "Win and in" game. However, starting from the opening tip, the sense of urgency and trouble was fully inherent. At the half, despite dominating the rebounding battle by a wide margin, the Neon Ballerz held a slim advantage over their opponent by a score of 10-8. The first half trend then continued on during the second half. More than five minutes into the latter period, the Neon Ballerz had yet to score a single point and resultantly, the SC Shredbots pulled ahead for the first time all game. Despite their failures to score and inconsistent play, the Neon Ballerz rallied late in the half to take a lead 14-12 with about a minute remaining. A free throw then increased their lead to 3 with less than a minute left, setting up one defensive stop for the win and the culmination of a near nightmare. This game never seemed to swing the Neon Ballerz' way, though, as the SC Shredbots answered the free throw with a triple of their own to tie up the game with less than 20 seconds left. In spite of the counterattack, the Neon Ballerz withheld one last chance to win the game in regulation and the prayer was nearly answered as point guard Corey McElhinney was fouled with 0.8 seconds left, but proceeded to miss both shots from the charity stripe. As a result, the entertaining, idiosyncratic game was sent to overtime.
In the extra period, everybody counted the Neon Ballerz out. This is when the #WHYNOTUS motivational slogan kicked in. Point guard Corey McElhinney started it off by redeeming his two missed free throws with a three-pointer from the top of the key to propel the Neon Ballerz to a three point lead. Another free throw made it a four point game, but the SC Shredbots once again answered the rally with another triple, trimming the score to 19-18. The Neon Ballerz extended the lead to 20-18 with yet another free throw, but the SC Shredbots drove to the hoop with under 30 seconds remaining and drew a shooting foul. The first of the two attempts was banked in, as the clock continued to whittle down because of the overtime "constant running clock" rule. The second attempt, however, clanked off the rim and with the securing of the rebound and subsequent SC Shredbots foul, the Neon Ballerz ran the clock out and won the match. The game was nothing but a grind and a learning experience for the Neon Ballerz. The opportunities and shots were there, but the Neon Ballerz were unable to convert, prompting the comparison to the negative side of Charles Dickens' quote above. At the same time though, a playoff berth was clinched with the win, prompting the comparison to the positive side of the above quote.
Here is what some Neon Ballerz players said following the game regarding the outcome:
"I would say that it was an emotional roller coaster, but we came out at the peak of the mountain." - Shooting guard Jackson Harper
"I want to congratulate the bench players; there was some heavy breathing out there today. They contributed when they were called on. It's a win. We'll take whatever we can get." - Small forward Justin Korman
When questioned regarding how the Neon Ballerz could improve as a team and compile a significant run in the playoffs, small forward Justin Korman simply replied with the statement: "We gotta win more games."
These statements are ultimately true. Many improvements need to be made if the Neon Ballerz are to rise to the top, but at the end of the day, a win is a win, and the Neon Ballerz are playoff-bound.
References:
Dickens, Charles, and Henry I. Christ. A Tale of Two Cities. New York: Amsco School, 1971. Print.
The Origins of the Neon Ballerz- The Subtle Beginnings of a Prestigious Franchise
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, January 15th, 2016
Every icon traces its roots back to an unique beginning. Greatness is not inherited, nor is it automatically established, but rather earned through constant pursuit of it and hard work. The most famous of the famous, the most world-renowned of the respected, the most well-known of household names—every single type of these legends started out small and unnoteworthy. The examples of failures and cast-aways that elevated themselves to greatness are countless, too. Take, for instance, Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientific geniuses of all time, who at age 4 had not learned how to speak and at age 7 had not learned how to read. Another prominent failure-turned legend was Vincent Van Gogh, who never saw his brilliant works see the light of day, but will forever embody the persona of an icon in our world. Michael Jordan was even cut from his basketball team—only to rise to the occasion and earn the title GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Although the Neon Ballerz franchise currently does not nearly have the top-notch status that all of these influential figures do, the Neon Ballerz, like these figures, traces its roots back to an insignificant, yet powerfully special beginning.
Written by Joshua Miller
Friday, January 15th, 2016
Every icon traces its roots back to an unique beginning. Greatness is not inherited, nor is it automatically established, but rather earned through constant pursuit of it and hard work. The most famous of the famous, the most world-renowned of the respected, the most well-known of household names—every single type of these legends started out small and unnoteworthy. The examples of failures and cast-aways that elevated themselves to greatness are countless, too. Take, for instance, Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientific geniuses of all time, who at age 4 had not learned how to speak and at age 7 had not learned how to read. Another prominent failure-turned legend was Vincent Van Gogh, who never saw his brilliant works see the light of day, but will forever embody the persona of an icon in our world. Michael Jordan was even cut from his basketball team—only to rise to the occasion and earn the title GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Although the Neon Ballerz franchise currently does not nearly have the top-notch status that all of these influential figures do, the Neon Ballerz, like these figures, traces its roots back to an insignificant, yet powerfully special beginning.
It all began with a simple idea: a team name for a middle school volleyball tournament. After several suggestions, "Neon Ballerz" was chosen as the name of the volleyball team. Little did its original members know, this decision would mark the start of a dynamic franchise. Prior to the tournament, expectations were fairly low. However, as the team surprisingly bulldozed its way into the quarterfinals of the competition, hope and confidence began to blossom.
In the quarterfinal round, the Neon Ballerz built a dominant lead to start the game. Despite their formidable scoring advantage and rising confidence, the opposing side started to chip away. Confusion regarding the boundary lines of the court took away a rally in which the Neon Ballerz had won. Several questionable officiating calls followed this and suddenly, the game was tied. The Neon Ballerz formulated a couple courageous runs after these events, but unfortunately, it was too little, too late. They lost the game and, as a result, were eliminated from the tournament.
At times, a loss is better than a victory; it can yield more fruitful results. Losses, for one, can motivate the losing side. They can help break down the imperfections that one may have and help one focus on these imperfections and improve themselves. Wins do not always result in these effects. In the case of the Neon Ballerz, the effects of the loss in the volleyball tournament have proved to trump the underlying value of the net effects that would have come from a win. First and foremost, the loss that was suffered helped develop a team identity. Resilience, perseverance, diligence, team unity, and an "underdog" character were developed. Not only were these values lucidly inherent at the time, but they can also easily be seen at the present moment. Not all of the foundations of the current Neon Ballerz franchise were created from this experience, but a large portion of the foundations can certainly be attributed to this time. The day of the volleyball tournament will forever be remembered as the beginning—the beginning of something special.
In the quarterfinal round, the Neon Ballerz built a dominant lead to start the game. Despite their formidable scoring advantage and rising confidence, the opposing side started to chip away. Confusion regarding the boundary lines of the court took away a rally in which the Neon Ballerz had won. Several questionable officiating calls followed this and suddenly, the game was tied. The Neon Ballerz formulated a couple courageous runs after these events, but unfortunately, it was too little, too late. They lost the game and, as a result, were eliminated from the tournament.
At times, a loss is better than a victory; it can yield more fruitful results. Losses, for one, can motivate the losing side. They can help break down the imperfections that one may have and help one focus on these imperfections and improve themselves. Wins do not always result in these effects. In the case of the Neon Ballerz, the effects of the loss in the volleyball tournament have proved to trump the underlying value of the net effects that would have come from a win. First and foremost, the loss that was suffered helped develop a team identity. Resilience, perseverance, diligence, team unity, and an "underdog" character were developed. Not only were these values lucidly inherent at the time, but they can also easily be seen at the present moment. Not all of the foundations of the current Neon Ballerz franchise were created from this experience, but a large portion of the foundations can certainly be attributed to this time. The day of the volleyball tournament will forever be remembered as the beginning—the beginning of something special.