In week 5 I saw the games in Harlem at the Kennedy Gym. The second game of the night featured Linden vs. the Bronx. Linden was on a winning streak that they were eager to extend. The Bronx was eager to get one in the win column especially in their home gym and before the home crowd.

  After the whistle blew Bronx got the tip-off made the lay-up and missed. They were fouled in the attempt but missed both shots. Linden got possession and was able to complete their shot to get on the board. This was followed by another lay-up to extend the lead to 4 points. Bronx was then able to get on the scoreboard with 1 point off a free throw following a foul.  Bronx stepped up the pace and started hustling. Linden was barely able to stay ahead as the press continued. Bronx tied it 12 all early in the game with a 3 pointer. Linden pulled out by 1 point then 3 points before the Bronx could react. But react they did and it became a close game. Linden got some momentum and pulled out by 10 points but the Bronx was nipping at their heels. Linden stepped up their defense and was able to maintain the lead but ran into trouble as they could not make their free throws or complete their plays. A number of technical fouls were called against Linden that gave Bronx an opportunity to add to their score. At the half Bronx was down by 8 points. Bronx – 34, Linden – 42

  As the second half got underway the teams initially struggled to make headway, plays were not being completed and lay-ups were not being made. Linden broke free first adding 4 points to the score then Bronx started connecting as well.  Bronx continued to press and the lead was cut down to 8, 5 and finally 3 points before Linden could respond. Linden made lay-up to extend the lead by 5 points but Bronx cut it down again to 3points. Linden continued pushing and pulled out by 5, 7, 8, 10 and then 12 points. Bronx continued to press and soon cut the lead again to 7, 5, 3 and then 1 point. Then they did it! Bronx pulled into the lead by 1 point off a layup and the crowd went wild! Linden responded right away to retake the lead by 1 point which they extended to 3 points as #33 dunked the ball. From that point it became a 1 to 3 point game as both teams continued to press hard. Linden was inconsistent on the free throw line and the missed shots impeded their ability to extend their lead substantially.  Bronx had no such problem and was able to add to their points with each opportunity.

In the last minute the press was stepped up on both sides as Bronx struggled to get even with and pull pass Linden. The foul calls started stacking up as both teams continued to press. Linden had a 3 point lead that was extended to 5 then 7 points. In the last few seconds Bronx was fouled and made both shots to cut the lead to 5 points. Bronx pushed hard and a technical foul was called against them. Linden #33 stepped up and made both shots extending the lead to 6 points. Bronx got possession then time ran out, the whistle blew and Linden emerged victorious after a hard fought game. Final Score: Bronx – 79, Linden – 85. 

After the whistle blew Jamaica church scored the 1^st lay-up to get on the scoreboard. This was followed in quick succession with 5 more points from lay-ups and free throws giving Jamaica church a 7 point lead in the first few minutes of the half. This was a sign of things to come. Elmont temple finally responded and got to work cutting down the lead and tying the game at 7 all with 12:31 on the clock. The game became close for a few minutes until Jamaica took the lead by 1pt which was quickly extended to 6 points. Elmont got to work, hustled and cut the lead to 2 points. This was the closest that they would come to Jamaica on the scoreboard. Jamaica stepped up the pace and Elmont was not able to respond. Elmont went through a period where nothing was going as planned, they could not complete their plays, follow their shots, rebound and the defense was just not functioning. Jamaica church took full advantage and at the half the score was Jamaica – 41, Elmont Temple – 17.

 In the second half Elmont got their second wind and got to work scoring right off the bat. In the 12th minute they went on a run and the game pace picked up considerable with plenty of fast breaks. Elmont continued to push cutting down the lead, but it was an uphill battle all the way. Jamaica was able to stay ahead and the game ended with Jamaica church the winners.  Final score Jamaica -76, Elmont Temple – 40.