On 4 June 2016, the (9 - 2) Celtics and (3 - 8) Bama Tru Ballers assembled at North Highland Assembly of God's Church gymnasium for another exciting matchup.  The Bama Tru Ballers was the Home team.  Both teams are still adjusting to new teammates and lineups as they move closer to the playoffs.  All of my commentaries have focused on the importance of teamwork because it is important for individual players to be reminded that they are part of a larger entity: A Team.  There are five players, per team, on the floor at-a-time.  It is important for coaches to know their players and for players to know their roles.

The Celtics' starting lineup consisted of: #24 Jerel Jackson, #23 Tim Sanks, #1 Al Wilson, #22 Johnny Vasquez, and #2 Steve Woodson.  The Bama Tru Ballers' starting lineup consisted of: #32 Tony Moses, #96 David Hardge, #13 Navarro Davis, #8 Jeffery Lemon, and #5 Alaster Anderson.  The Bama Tru Ballers were without their "enforcer" Cleotis Brown.

The first possession went to the Celtics along with the first run.  Jerel Jackson (#24) opened the game with 11 points against the scoreless Ballers.  It took the Bama Tru Ballers too long to adjust which caused them to call their first timeout at 10:43 of the first half.  Following the timeout, the Bama Tru Ballers found their spark and initiated a run of their own to cause the Celtics to call for a timeout, at 8:37, to reassess their team's strategy.  Once both teams re-established themselves, they were ready to rumble.  They began to exchange scores, but the Bama Tru Ballers were unable to cut into the early lead - set by the Celtics' Jerel Jackson.  Jackson led the Celtics with 16 points with Tim Sanks (#23) cranking up with 10 points.  No Baller scored more than 6 points in the first half.  The Celtics cruised through the first half with a 31 - 19 lead.  The Bama Tru Ballers committed six team fouls and the Celtics committed four.

The second half was different story.  The Bama Tru Ballers shifted into gear and pushed the Celtics as hard as they could by scoring 35 second half points. Jeffery Lemon (#8) and Navarro Davis (#13) led the Ballers with 25 combined points.   The Celtics', Steve Woodson (#2) and Tim Sanks (#23) accepted the Ballers challenge and combined for 20 points.  We saw the Ballers get within 8 points on numerous occasions, but turnovers would affect their chances of getting closer, tying the score, or moving ahead.  The Celtics are good at taking advantage of weaknesses and they did.  The Bama Tru Ballers held the Celtics to 34 second half points.  The Celtics defeated the Bama Tru Ballers 65 - 54.

The Bama Tru Ballers committed nine team fouls in the second half and the Celtics committed five.  Though the Bama Tru Ballers dug their hole, early in the game, Tony Moses (#32), was very vocal about what caused his team to lose: The Officials.  I believe the Bama Tru Ballers will continue to improve as they assess the chemistry of their team.

The Celtics' scorers were:  #24 Jerel Jackson with 18 points, #23 Tim Sanks with 19 points, #2 Steve Woodson with 14 points, #22 Johnny Vasquez with 9 points, and #00 Ralph Mathews with 5 points.

The Bama Tru Ballers' scorers were:  #5 Alaster Anderson with 10 points, #8 Jeffery Lemon with 14 points, #13 Navarro Davis with 19 points, #96 David Hardge with 6 points, and #32 Tony Moses with 5 points.