HERE WE GO!!!! IT’S SHOWTIME!!!!

Now, the second season starts… Win or go home… One and done… If you win you’re in… Sudden death… Who’s playing golf tomorrow… And finally who’s going to Disney World!?

Over the next 8 days, the boys of winter get to define themselves on the basketball court. We spent three months jockeying for this position and now, even though one of our teams in the playoffs is 16-1 and another is 3 – 14 and everybody else seems to be either 8-9 or 9-8….the truth of the matter is that we are all 0-0 and  somebody has got to win four games in a row to be the 2025-26 FABL Showtime champion.

For the record, we have had a 14 seed win this tournament and that coach of that team happens to be in the gym coaching Saturday for the Sweet 16. It’s hard to predict and navigate this field because teams seem to get better as the season goes on and often average teams become above average and dangerous teams come February.

With that in mind let’s talk about today’s games…no predictions today, just great basketball…..

SKID MARKS (5) vs SAILORS (12):  This is a rematch of a pre Christmas game where the skid marks smoked the sailors by 23 points. The Skids have won five in a row coming into this game and are primed to make a run for the championship while the Sailors are capable of a big game any time they set foot on the floor.  This game is about defense, defense and more defense. Score 50 points you win the game.

WORD UP (8) vs BLUEBERRIES (9):  This is a rematch of a game played less than 24 hours ago where Word Up beat the Blueberries after grabbing an early lead and never giving it up. These teams seem evenly matched and this should be a barn burner. My biggest issue remains with the team that would name themselves out of a fragile and squishy fruit… Every time I say this it seems to wake them up so who knows maybe they aren’t so squishy after all. The gems should be rocking for this one.

BUFANO (6) vs HILLMAN (11):  I think that this is the 20th time these two coaches have met and the record should be something like even at this point. Bufano is running white hot having won seven in a row and Hillman was heating up having won four out of five until dropping their last two in disappointing showings.  In a side note, Jake Dexter clinched the scoring title with a 25 point performance in week 17 averaging 19 points a game.  Another impressive season for the senior.  This game is classic freedom basketball, hold on to your hats.

NOTARI (7) vs BOLSTER (10):  The last time these two teams played it was nasty. Bolster held in Notari to a remarkably low 23 points tying Bufano for the lowest single game point total in the history of the league.  Keep in mind that Luke Notari had to miss that game. Things are gonna be different today and this is gonna be the game that it should have been during the regular season.  This is a perfect midday match up as the gym really gets buzzing.

COMPOFELICE (4) vs DAVIDSON (13):  With eleven wins, Compofelice is not to be taken lightly by anybody.  They have won five of their last six games tuning up for the playoffs.  Davidson is familiar with coming from the position of underdog and pulling off unlikely victories based on recent history. On paper this looks like a mismatch but in reality I’m telling you this one could be baller.

SOCOM (1) vs PURPLE RAIN (17):  This is a sibling rivalry rematch of a 74-46 SOCOM shellacking of PURPLE RAIN about a week and a half ago.  Both teams are playing some of their best basketball of the year. If PURPLE RAIN can stay close early on, anything can happen. Defense will win this game no doubt.  The biggest problem is SOCOM is playing with a chip on their shoulder after their only loss to Unc and the Goon Squad.  This team is dangerous.

UNC & DA GOON SQUAD (2) vs PUCKET (18):  Speak of the devil, the pink team is in a little trouble of late having lost three of their last four and backing into the playoffs. Pocket won their play in game yesterday and comes primed and looking for an upset.  If there were ever a trap game this is it.

THOMAS (3) vs OWENS (14):  Thomas is known for its overwhelming defense and Owens is susceptible to strong defensive teams.  When they met earlier this season Thomas held Owens to 25 points but in the same game Owens held Thomas to 34 points.  There’s no way to call this game because if Owens sometimes formidable offense clicks anything can happen.  The nightcap is gonna be fun to watch.\

OK…time to get over to the gym…..this is going to be GREAT!!!!!