Team Industry vs. The Big Ballers

Before the fame, before the mansion, before the draft picks, the Zo2’s, the rap career, the reality show and “stay in your lane,” there was a team out of Chino Hills that was led by a trio of talented brothers. A trio of the likes we’ve never seen before. They can run, pass, shoot from 30, drive the lane, dunk…..pick your poison. With a fast pace style that was often criticized by many, their objective was simple…..score fast. And score fast they did.

Its grand architect was a 6’6, three hundred pounder always arriving in style in a black escalade. His name…….LaVar Ball. By now many of you know who is he is from his run ins with the media, his reality show, and his manufacturing company entitled the Big Baller Brand.

However, before the prophecy was spoken into existence there was the Nothin But Net League in Upland, California. In August of 2012 two teams met for the first time on a hot and muggy day on the campus of Upland High School. On one end you have young local kids from the City of Industry whom that weekend all would be getting their first crack at the Varsity level. On the other end, you have two parents, a water cooler, and two brothers who made a name for themselves in that league formerly known as the Big Ballers. Little did we know at the time these two brothers known as Lonzo and Liangelo would become future division one/pro basketball athletes. Much less did we know one of them would be the number two overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft to of ALL teams The Los Angeles Lakers. But during this stage, they were well known figures in the Nothin’ But Net League. Oh and by the way these two brothers were still in middle school playing in the 17u division. The first game was a true introduction to what the varsity level was going to be like for Team Industry Basketball. Needless to say, we got destroyed. Nothing seemed to work against the Big Ballers. Man to Man? Zone? Nothing! Their style was fast paced tempo and Industry didn’t have the pieces to compete with them yet. Yea, the Industry players ran after the game for their lack of competitiveness, but this game was for sure the turning point in my approach to this team. Even though Industry didn’t play The Big Ballers again in 2012, I knew that as long as they were in the Nothin But Net League, they were the team to beat.

Fast forward to March 2013. Upgraded roster, new mindset and a new attitude. Team Industry Basketball was set to enter their first tournament of the new season. We knew we had what it takes to get to the finals, but we had to get to the first two games before we can start talking about the Big Ballers. The first task was Pomona H.S. Pomona previously played Industry in 2012 three times in which Industry won two of the three games. Pomona was looking out for revenge, but in the end Industry won by 24 points to open their season. The next task was to play yet another Industry foe Redlands Storm. In what would be their second encounter with Redlands, Industry endured another close encounter defeating them by 9 points in the final pool play game. This would eventually set up the Championship Game between Team Industry and the Big Ballers. As previously mentioned, Industry upgraded their roster from the 2012 season adding more depth to their front and back court. However, so did the Big Ballers. The Big Ballers too added more depth to their roster in which clearly they were the favorites to win it all. In both of their pool play games, the Big Ballers scored over 100 points each.

Prior to the game, I pulled my players to the side and said this time were going to compete with these guys and more importantly were going to shock them. Unfortunately, the shock heard round Upland didn’t happen as the Big Ballers once again defeated Industry by double digits. However, this time around Industry competed and established an identity as a team of rough riders that will compete to the very end. I was proud of my guys at the end and told them we’re going to keep fighting until one day we get them.

June 2013. We get another crack at the Big Ballers in a pool play matchup. This time around there was no Liangelo. We knew we had a shot to beat them without one of their key components. The first half was as competitive as

competitive can get as we had a one point lead over the Big Ballers. However, the one thing about the Big Ballers is that they just keep coming. And indeed they brought the hammer down in the second half eventually defeating us by 15 points. In the end mental mistakes cost us this game. We knew how to compete against them, but this time it was about eliminating mental mistakes that cost us the championship game back in March. What was notable about this game was a member of the Ball family approached me after the game and directly told me “one day, you’re going to get us.” I didn’t believe her. She told me someday, you’re going to beat us. She guaranteed it and come August, that guarantee was turned into a reality.

August 11, 2013. After an emotional game against the Blue Devils (see The 2013 Team Part II for full story), it was time for the main event. Team Industry vs. The Big Ballers III. Once again, new roster, new attitude, new approach. New role players stepping up into the spotlight. New additions to the team that would eventually shape the infamous 2014 Industry team. This time the Big Ballers brought their second team which was led by the final member of the Ball trio…LaMelo Ball! There was no Lonzo. There was no Liangelo. This was our first introduction to the youngest of the Ball brothers and boy did the youngest live up to the hype at age 11! Think about it, an 11 year playing in the 17u division was unheard of…… (at least where I came from). As predicted, we said even though he is the youngest, he will be the best. However, on this night, the guarantee made back in June came true and this night belonged to Industry. After a back and forth contest between the two teams, Kyle Price was the hero at the end of regulation making an incredible turn around three point and one shot over LaMelo Ball to tie the game.

Even though he missed the free throw to end the game, the game went to overtime. Even though Kyle made the miraculous shot at the end of regulation, it was Juan Covarrubias’ top of the key three that would give Industry a one point lead and eventual dagger over the Big Ballers. But with only 4 seconds remaining, anything could happen. Electing not to take a timeout, LaMelo pulled up from half court to win the game. The ball went IN AND OUT and Industry got the defensive rebound and held on for dear life. When the final buzzer rang, a sigh of relief and an uproar came from the Industry sidelines as I yelled, “LET’S GO, LET’S GO, LET’s GO!!!!!!” All that emotion came spewing out as I realized we finally did it. We finally beat them. The prophecy came true and I felt on top of the world on that given night.

As the final tournament of the season approached, Industry would play the Big Ballers once again. This time there was Lonzo, Liangelo and LaMelo at the same time. Only down by 5 in the first half, we once again felt like a miracle was coming. But in the end, the Big Ballers would get the W with a 15 point win. Oh, and once again they didn’t score 100 on us. As a matter of fact, they never did up to this point. But it wasn’t necessarily about them getting to 100, it was about can we outlast everything they dish out.

March 2014. Industry puts together its best roster yet. A team that would go 8-0 to start the season. But its first stop to the undefeated streak came at the NBN Winner Take All tournament in Upland. Once again Industry finds itself in the title game to meet LaMelo and friends in their only encounter of 2014. Down at the half, I told our guys if we don’t get it together, we’re in trouble. Once again, Industry climbs back and takes the Big Ballers to another Overtime classic. This time around, it was Edvin Peraza’s three point dagger that would give Industry a 3 point lead over their arch nemesis. In addition, a huge charge attempt by Kyle Price gave Industry momentum in the overtime period. Industry would eventually defeat the Big Ballers by 10 points starting their undefeated streak and their first of five championships that season.

By 2015, Industry had already established themselves as a household name in the Nothin’ But Net League. We proved that without the Big Ballers in their 17u division, we were now the team to beat.

However, it was time to show off our rivalry on a bigger stage. In April of 2015, fate brought us back together as we would play in the Consolation Round at the 2015 Double Pump Hoopfest in Anaheim. By this time, the Big Ballers were making their name in the Open Division. Although we were nowhere near the open division, we still had something to prove and we had to show that we can still defeat the Big Ballers no matter who was on their team. Now we were introduced to another member of the Ball family….Andre. Proven to be the most athletic of the four, we knew we couldn’t let him get comfortable at the rim. Once again, the game was a back and forth contest with both sides not giving up. The Big Ballers once again brought their press and their matchup zone against us and once again we were able to beat it. The end result once again had us on top against the Big Ballers defeating them by two points.

June 2015. Industry once again featured revamped its roster making them an even more dangerous opponent for future NBN opponents. In the opening round of the NBN Post Memorial Day tournament, Industry would once again face against the Big Ballers. Now, the Big Ballers not only featured the Ball Brothers, but cousin Andre and an ingredient on their 35-0 team Eli Scott. This game would be the last time Industry would face Lonzo, Liangelo and LaMelo at the same time. So we knew we had to take it up a notch as all three ball brothers were coming. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a case. Even though they didn’t get to 100, it still became a one sided affair. Industry knew they were no match for the Ball Brothers as they the Big Ballers cruised to 71 points defeating Industry by almost 30. As July approached, Industry didn’t think they would have one last shot at their arch rival. We knew the days of playing all three ball brothers at the same time were coming to an end because of how they were moving up the ladder in the open division and because of their popularity. However, Industry would meet their foe one final time, but this time they would meet on the biggest stage during NCAA Evaluation period….The Fab 48 in Las Vegas!

July 22, 2015 at The Orleans Hotel. As I was entering the lobby minutes I see two individuals greet me. They were Lonzo and LaMelo. After chatting it up with them I asked where their pops is and they pointed me in his direction. After three years of just saying good game to one another, I finally had the courage to try and have a legit conversation with the head of the Ball Family. I asked him for some advice regarding how to handle the pressure of the Fab 48. We were inexperienced in major tournaments in Vegas such as this one and since the Big Ballers have been there, I was asking for his expertise to which Lavar simply replied….”just turn up and do what you do.” I took those words in and used it to my advantage. Since I knew they were in the tournament, I told him, “I hope to see you down the road.” After our conversation we went our separate ways and off to the Fab 48 we went. (See Journey to the Fab 48

for full story on our tournament results)

After three grueling pool play games, we entered the championship bracket play in which we entered as the second place team from our pool. I had a gut feeling we were going to get The Big Ballers because of how they finished in their pool play. As bracket play was presented it was announced we would play our arch nemesis one more time. This time around there was no Ball Brothers because they were competing at the Adidas Gauntlet just around the corner from the Fab 48. However, there was Andre Ball, Cameron Shelton and a number of Big Baller players that we’ve seen before in this rivalry. At the start of the game, this felt different. The Big Ballers abandoned their matchup zone and full court press in favor of a man to man defense. We looked at that and thought we had the advantage because of our ability to run our half court offense. For that, we jumped to an early 20 point lead. Overconfident I was, I felt we were going to destroy the Big Ballers because it seemed they were out of it. I went deep into my bench early and it proved to be a big mistake as the Big Ballers slowly but surely started to climb back in the ball game. Suddenly by halftime, we had a one point lead. That lead would soon vanish in the second half as the Big Ballers were starting to pull away. However, we had to pull a few strings and will ourselves deep into the second half trying to turn this into a back and forth affair. Down three with 1:20 left in the game, point guard Jason Reyes came off an on ball screen and drilled a HUGE three pointer tying the game at 44 all. However, seconds later…..all hell breaks loose. After a play on the ball, a stare down erupts and both sides try to cool down the situation. It seemed in that moment the entire gym stops and is frozen at what has transpired. Spectators watching games played next to us and in the smaller gym down the hall immediately stop and watches to see what will happen next. Immediately after, one of the referee calls for the game with the game tied at 44 a piece. Ensuring there had be a winner, the referee decided to play the last minute of the game. After getting a stop defensively, Industry had a chance to end the game on a walk off game winner. Fouled with 4 seconds left, Industry guard Erfran Samaei goes to the free throw line and knocks down two crucial free throws. I called for a timeout and drew up a full court press to slow down the Big Ballers. After heaving the inbound pass, Industry guard Aaron Acosta steals the ball in mid air sealing the game and finishing off the Big Ballers once and for all!

Following the game a spectator approached me and told me, “it seems like you guys were rivals and have played each other before.” I replied with a smirk and said, “you have no idea.”

The Fab 48 would mark the final time Industry would play the Big Ballers. Although we would eventually lose in the next round, we still got one more victory over our arch nemesis. Following the Fab 48 both programs would continue success in their perspective paths. For us, our 17u program would continue success with multiple winning seasons and multiple championships on the horizon. As for the Big Ballers well, you know the story.

A friend asked me one time what was so special to me about playing the Big Ballers. Did you know the family? Did they know you? Did you even like the family? When I took over the program in 2011, I wanted our team to be the best version of itself and in doing so you have to find the best team out there to compete against. I considered the Big Ballers, the best team in the NBN league and wanted to do everything in my power to not only beat them, but to earn their respect! When I first encountered the Ball family in 2012, I didn’t like them. I didn’t like them at all and I’m pretty sure they didn’t care for who I was either. It was always you go your way and I go my way approach. I though their style of play was bad for the game and I believed Lavar was too arrogant of a coach. However, name a coach that doesn’t have an arrogant side to him. There are plenty of coaches that was or is far more arrogant than Lavar Ball. Hell, I admit I have an arrogant side to me all the time and as time flew by I realized I don’t know a damn thing about Lavar or his family. As the years went by, I grew to respect the family. After I finally put my ego aside and walked over to converse with Lavar in Vegas, I grew to be a bigger fan of theirs. If we played against them, there was no love lost. However, whenever Chino Hills played on the big stage, I was rooting for them. I especially appreciated what they did to Mater Dei in the semi-finals of the CIF playoffs back in 2016 destroying them by 50. It felt like after all those years of what Mater Dei has done, it felt like the underdog was getting some payback and in a major way too.

Say what you want but, a lot of people misconstrue Lavar’s antics. If you really take the opportunity to talk to him for two minutes, you’ll realize that’s just who he is. Most of you already know this. You’ll also realize that he is an outstanding human being and a great father to his three boys. I also realized you can’t change what doesn’t necessarily need to be fixed. Their fast pace style has worked for many years. It is a style that would ultimately give Chino Hills their first undefeated season and a State Championship. Therefore, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It is the job of the coach to try and either stop it or slow them down. Playing the Big Ballers was stressful, but it gave our boys the best exposure possible. Our kids can proudly say, they played against three future pro basketball players and countless other Division 1 basketball players. Playing the Big Ballers also forced us to work extra harder and if wanted to earn their respect, we had to ensure we knew how to compete. Without the Big Ballers, we wouldn’t have been able to elevate our brand of play. Without the Big Ballers, there is no Team industry…period! Big Ballers if you’re reading this, allow me to say from the bottom of my heart…thank you. Thank you for your existence. Thank you for brand of play. But above all else, thank you giving our guys an opportunity to share the floor with you. Lavar, as your boys take their game to the next level, just know you have our support and admiration.

We may not have been your biggest rival, but let me assure you, you were ours.

To Be Continued….

Next Entry: Journey To The Fab 48 Part 2