The first game played on 19 December 2016 was played between two good - hopeful teams: The Kingdom Ballers and Bulls.  As the commissioner, I want to see every team win, but I know that cannot happen.  In this particular case, I wanted to see how these two teams would play against each other knowing that one had to win and one had to lose.  Both teams were fighting to keep it together as they learn to win.  If you take this as a criticism, please assess it as constructive because the Kingdom Ballers and Bulls are definitely improving in all areas.  One significant factor is that both teams are beginning to match their first half scoring.  This game consisted of nine lead changes and three tied scores before the victor was determined.

The game started with the Bulls drawing first blood when #10 Desi Johnson put the Bulls on the scoreboard with two points.  As the Bulls were beginning to control the game, Antonio Anthony (#34) finally put the Ballers on the scoreboard with two points.  The Ballers took a one point lead off of a 3-point shot from Lamont Shuford (#11) to go up 12 - 11.  The Bulls countered with two points to go up 13 - 12.  The Kingdom Ballers and Bulls would exchange leads five more times and tie scores two times with the last tie coming at 21.  Lamont Shuford and Antonio Anthony would lead the Kingdom Ballers with 14 points from Shuford and nine (9) points from Anthony.  The Bulls were led by Navarro Davis (#45) with 11 points and Troy McBride (#8) with nine (9) points.  The Kingdom Ballers captured 20 rebound, five assists, and two steals.  The Bulls countered with 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 6 assists, and 3 steals.  The Ballers edged out the Bulls with a 30 - 27 point lead at the end of the first half.

The second half gave both teams 20 minutes to show that they can play and stay focused on winning - not officiating.  Navarro Davis would lead the Bulls and Lamont Shuford would lead the Kingdom Ballers.  There was one tie, at 55, and one lead exchange at 56.  Navarro Davis scored 12 points for the Bulls and Lamont Shuford scored 17 points for the Ballers.  Shuford also grabbed six rebounds, made four assists, and secured one steal in the second half.  Both teams matched their first half points with the Kingdom Ballers scoring 30 points and the Bulls scoring 28.  The Kingdom Ballers sealed the win with a 60 - 55 victory.

The scorers for the Bulls were:  (#10) Desi Johnson with 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal; (#33) Ian Trowers with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal; (#45) Navarro Davis with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists; (#34) Leo Preyer with 6 points; (#8) Troy McBride with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal; and (#11) Bernard Jones with 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The scorers for the Kingdom Ballers were:  (#31) Willie Haynes with 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal; (#5) Christopher Mathis with 3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist; (#22) Antonio Harris with 4 points), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal; (#11) Lamont Shuford with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals; (#32) Santonio Howard with 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals; (#34) Antonio Anthony with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist; (#2) Darrell Sumbry with 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal.  Anthony Chatman (#14) contributed with 3 rebounds.