February 21, 2012

Topballerz Look to Avenge Most Recent Loss

After suffering their worst loss of the season, the Topballerz took to the road to avenge themselves against the Staten Island Vipers. Traveling with only seven players, the Topballerz were up against the same team that had beaten them by 18 a week before. Additionally, the Topballerz were without several starters, notably; Kelvin Davis, Roosevelt Lee and Japhet McNeil. To say the Topballerz were in for a serious test of attrition would be an understatement.

The game began with the Vipers jumping out to a quick 6-0 lead as the Topballerz couldn’t capitalize on some wide open jumpers. Upon their next possession, Bobby Moore illustrated why he is the team’s captain by reassuring his team that everything was fine and to relax! The Topballerz began to pound the ball inside to big Joe Jeffreys as he put up a season high 25 points. As he dominated the paint and the Vipers continuously had to help off, John Winchester found his range and began to rain down three-pointer after three-pointer. As the Topballerz began to hit their stride offensively, so did their defense as they switched from a man-to-man defense to a newly-inserted 1-2-2 zone that gave the Vipers fits as they proceeded to miss 7 straight shots; most of these misses led to fast break points for the Topballerz as they built a nine point lead by halftime.

The third quarter began similarly to the beginning of the game in that the Topballerz came out a bit flat and the Vipers looked rejuvenated as they battled back into the game with a flurry of threes. For the second time in the game, the Vipers had the lead as Head Coach John Scavuzzo quickly called a timeout to settle his team. The Topballerz came out of the timeout with some more energy and confidence, knowing that there was a lot of time left in the game. Again, Big Joe Jeffreys led the charge as he changed a number of shots, rebounded and dominated on the offensive end. By the end of the third quarter, the Topballerz clinged to a six-point-lead.

As the fourth quarter began, the hometown crowd of the Vipers began to chant and cheer a little louder in attempt to replenish the tired Vipers’ team. A few big shots and a small momentum change saw the Vipers close a nine-point-lead to 2 with eight minutes left to go. Another timeout by the Topballerz and a few lineup changes as well as changes in defensive matchups, Coach Scavuzzo hoped to swing the momentum back in his favor. That momentum came in the form of Shawn Ustunel, more affectionately known by his teammates as “Turk!” Turk quickly took over the game as he had a series of plays in near succession as he had two drop-steps for dunks and then back-to-back three-pointers that really opened the game up for the Topballerz. Additionally, Antoine Holder, known by his teammates as “Horse” for his “workhorse” ethic on the court, illustrated why he earned said nickname as he not only shut down one of the Vipers best scorers, but also dominated the boards (7 rebounds in the 4th quarter alone). The Topballerz built a ten point lead and didn’t look back as they finished off the Vipers for a 113-100 win. “Today was the best win we’ve had all season. We not only played a very good team and won, but we did so as a TEAM which is essential for us to continue to succeed in the future. Watching these guys grow as ball-players and from a group of individuals into a team; into a family is fun and exciting. Not to mention, it makes my job THAT much easier” stated a jubilant Head Coach Scavuzzo!

Players of the game for the Topballerz were announced and to no one’s surprise, Big Joe Jeffreys and “Turk” (the hero of the Hartford game with a late three-pointer) were the recipients of said award. "Turk and Big Joe really stepped up today. However, this was a TEAM win as everyone contributed in one way or the other. Whether it was Bobby running the team, to Jeff Johnson stepping up and playing amazing defense, to Anthony Brown hitting some big shots, Horse's rebounds, and of course John Winchester’s 5 threes – this was a team effort and that makes this that much more enjoyable” stated Coach Scavuzzo!

The Topballerz now have a firm grasp on the Northeast Division as they have now beaten the Vipers four of six times and have a four game lead in the division. Currently ranked in the top 20 in the nation, the Topballerz continue to impress teams and owners across the Nation; especially, since this is their first year as a franchise. The sky is the limit for this team and organization!

YOUR Professional Basketball Team – The Connecticut Topballerz!

“Where Winning is a Habit, Success is a Choice!”