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Last evening, on 19 May 2016, I observed the first game between the Bulls and Bama Tru Ballers with a critical eye because I keep looking for the Bulls to show their championship potential and to see how the Bama Tru Ballers would improve with the acquisitions of Christopher Watson and Cleotis Brown coming over from the 76ers. Again, our NOSBL Family was there to cheer both teams on. During halftime, the league's first inductee, Adolphus West, received a Hall of Fame ring to honor his value to the National Old School Basketball League. We will continue to get better. Thank you, West, for your support and commitment to the league.

The Bulls' starting lineup consisted of #45 Jimmy Foster, #22 James Dix, #33 Ian Trowers, #23 James Daniels, and #10 Desi Johnson. The Bama Tru Ballers' starting lineup consisted of #3 Darrell Willis, #8 Jeffery Lemon, #13 Navarro Davis, #23 Alphonzo Jukes, and #96 David Hardge.

The first half started with the Bulls', James Daniels and Jimmy Foster, leading the initial stampede that caught the Bama Tru Ballers off-guard. Daniels scored 14 points from rebounds and pure hustle. Jimmy Foster scored 12 points from four 3-pointers. Bernard Jones (#11) scored on two free throws to put the Bulls ahead 28 - 14 at the end of the first half. Six Ballers scored with three players leading with three points, each. The Bama Tru Ballers committed eight team fouls and the Bulls committed four team fouls.

The second half was more productive for the trailing Bama Tru Ballers as they began to find cracks in the defense of the Bulls. Chris Watson (#44) and Alphonzo Jukes (#23) scored six points, each, from 3-point range. Navarro Davis (#13) led the team with 9 second half points. They outscored the Bulls 28 - 22 in the second half. James Daniels led the Bulls with 8 points. However, free throws are continuing to plague the Bulls. James Dix (#22) did not score in the first half, but added 6 points in the second half from one 3-pointer and three free throws. Bernard Jones (#11) finally connected on one 3-pointer. The Bama Tru Ballers committed eight team fouls and the Bulls committed 10 team fouls. The Bulls defeated the Bama Tru Ballers 50 - 42.

Closing observation: I believe the Bama Tru Ballers will get better as the season progresses. I can see them settling down and finally operating based on positions and missions. I look for Cleotis to not be the savior, but to help put players in the right spot for maximum effort. As for the Bulls, I believe the expectations were too high for this team to fulfill. It is puzzling to see players, with their level of talent, not able or willing to practice as you need to play and to study their opponents as a team that is pursuing the top seed would do. I would like to see both teams dig deep and play like we know they can.

The Bulls' scorers were: #45 Jimmy Foster with 16 points, #22 James Dix with 6, #11 Bernard Jones with 5, #5 LeVandrew Hawthorne with 1, and #23 James Daniels with 22 points.

The Bama Tru Ballers' scorers were: #13 Navarro Davis with 12 points, #44 Christopher Watson with 9, #23 Alphonzo Jukes with 8, #96 David Hardge with 6, #3 Darrell Willis with 5, and #8 Jeffery Lemon with 2 points.