Veniceball Week 2: Timeless Stays on Top, Women's VBL Takes Center Stage

By Dakota Gray

JULY 4

Fourth of July weekend arrived with a bang as both the men and women of Venice took over the blacktop for two straight days of nonstop basketball, all chasing one goal: bringing home the Venice Basketball League Cup.

Those who chose to spend their holiday with the VBL were treated to a weekend of hard-fought battles and highlight plays that made for another unforgettable chapter of the 2026 Venice Basketball League season.

Here's how Week 2 unfolded on the beach:

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LA in a Min vs. Aztecas

The Aztecas, proudly representing Latino culture, made their long-awaited VBL debut, and they couldn't have scripted a better introduction.

After falling behind early, the newcomers erased an early deficit to earn a dramatic 22-21 victory.

LA in a Min looked poised to cruise after opening the game on a tear. Brandon Jamar brought the energy from the opening possession with three thunderous dunks, while Amos Hines knocked down a three-pointer to help build the early advantage.

But the Aztecas never backed down.

The dynamic duo of Biko and Fidelis Okereke, better known as "Black Hercules," completely shifted the momentum. Their pick-and-roll chemistry became nearly impossible to defend, carving up La in a Min possession after possession as they chipped away at the deficit. When the game entered the Shutdown Ending, the Aztecas kept their composure, completed the comeback and earned their first-ever VBL victory in unforgettable fashion.

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Westside War vs. BBall Junkies

Westside War took advantage of a short-handed BBall Junkies squad, grinding out a 17-14 victory.

While the offense did enough to secure the win, it was the defense that stole the spotlight. Tyson anchored Westside's defense, rejecting shot after shot with a string of high-flying blocks that brought the Venice crowd to its feet.

But the signature moment of the game belonged to Raymond Hawkins.

Hawkins delivered the first poster sit-down of the day, throwing down a dunk over Jiaire that instantly became one of the most electric plays of the afternoon. Tape was placed on the court to mark the "crime scene," making sure everyone knew exactly what had happened.

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Timeless vs. HB8 Ballerz

Making the trip from Huntington Beach, the HB8 Ballerz drew one of the toughest matchups possible: the defending VBL champions.

Timeless wasted little time showing why they entered the weekend as the team to beat. Their game-breaking speed overwhelmed HB8 Ballerz from the opening tip, allowing them to race out to an early lead before their opponents could settle into the game.

But the HB8 Ballerz refused to go quietly.

A late surge briefly threatened to turn the game into the biggest upset of the, but Timeless quickly slammed the door shut. The defending champions stepped back on the accelerator, regaining control and closing out a 24-18 victory to move into the semifinals.

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Mecca vs. ALOC

Venice basketball has always been known for its physical play and no game embodied that more than Mecca vs. ALOC.

The matchup between Mecca and That's An Awful Lot of Cough Syrup featured constant contact, hard fouls and relentless aggression, with plenty of physical play going both called and uncalled throughout the contest.

Despite the intensity, Mecca remained in control for most of the contest.

Their defense dictated the pace, and they consistently found answers whenever ALOC threatened to build momentum. By the final possession, Mecca had comfortably secured a 19-12 victory to punch their ticket to the semifinals.

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Semifinal 1: Aztecas vs. Westside War

After their thrilling debut victory earlier in the day, the Aztecas looked poised to continue their Cinderella run.

But Westside War had other plans.

In one of the day's biggest momentum swings, Westside erased an early deficit and completed a stunning comeback to eliminate the VBL newcomers and advance to the championship game.

The defining play belonged once again to Tyson.

His emphatic dunk over Fidelis "Black Hercules" sent one of the day's hottest players to the bench after he had been relentlessly attacking the paint. Combined with another dominant defensive performance that included multiple blocks, Tyson proved to be the heartbeat of Westside War's comeback and their unquestioned MVP of the game.

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Semifinal 2: Timeless vs. Mecca

A week after meeting in the VBL Cup Final, Timeless and Mecca found themselves facing off once again, this time with another championship appearance on the line.

Mecca had revenge on it’s mind but just like the previous meeting, Timeless found a way to come out on top.

The defending champions outlasted Mecca 20-17, leaning on their deep roster and balanced attack to wear down their opponents over the course of the game.

Mecca's trio of Hezigod, Juice and AJ "The Chosen One" showed flashes of the star power that makes them one of the league's most dangerous groups, but the supporting cast struggled to provide enough help to get them to the finish line. While the Mecca’s Big 3 remains loaded with talent, the chemistry has yet to fully click, leaving plenty of untapped potential still waiting to emerge. If they can figure it out, they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in Venice.

Championship: Timeless vs. Westside War

For the second consecutive week, Timeless made the championship game.

And for the second consecutive week, Timeless stood alone at the top.

The defending champions capped off another dominant day with a 24-14 victory over Westside War in a championship game that was never in question.

Timeless controlled the action from start to finish, continuing to showcase the depth, speed and chemistry that have made them the team to beat through the opening two weeks of the season.

With the victory, Timeless secured its second straight VBL Cup, prving that week one wasnt a fluke. The dominant performance cemented their place atop the Venice Beach blacktop and reminded the rest of the league that if you come at the king, you best not miss.

Showcase:

After an unforgettable day of Women's VBL Cup action, the attention of the crowd once again shifted to a special showcase matchup.

Team Oz, a collective of hoopers from Australia ages 15-19, traveled all the way from down under to take on a group of local Venice Beach high schoolers and Venice basketball legends.

The young Australian squad showed exactly why they made the trip, showcasing the skill, confidence and talent that continues to grow across the international basketball scene. But when it came down to the final moments, a Venice legend reminded everyone that the blacktop still belonged to the locals.

Sik Wit It delivered the closing statement, hitting an in-your-face two to seal the final game and show Team Oz exactly what Venice basketball is all about.

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JULY 5th

After an unforgettable day of Men's VBL action on the Fourth of July, the spotlight shifted to the women on July 5.

And they didn't just put on a show, they stole the weekend.

With history on the line, the women of the VBL took over the court for the Women's VBL Cup. The tournament delivered everything fans have come to expect from Venice basketball: intensity, stand out performances, physical battles and a championship game that will forever be part of VBL history.

Here's how the Women's VBL Cup played out:

Hoopbus vs. DIME

The opening matchup set the tone for the entire tournament, with Hoopbus showing exactly why they entered as one of the top teams.

From the opening possession, Hoopbus controlled the game and overwhelmed DIME in a 24-4 victory. The matchup was lopsided from the start, as Hoopbus' chemistry and experience allowed them to dictate the pace and stay in control throughout.

Hoopbus looked locked in from the opening tip, moving the ball and playing with the confidence of a team that had already proven it could win on the biggest stage. As the game came to a close, Ruth the Truth provided the finishing touch, knocking down two three-pointers to put the game away in style.

Hooper’s Collective vs. Girls Love Basketball

Girls Love Basketball also made a statement in their opening game, handling Hooper’s Collective behind a dominant performance from their frontcourt.

Icey controlled the paint throughout the matchup, delivering an MVP-level performance that set the tone for her team. Her presence inside gave Girls Love Basketball a major advantage, while Ja Harvey added another dimension with her flashy style of play and ability to create magic on the court.

With their combination of size, skill and energy, Girls Love Basketball made quick work of Hooper’s Collective and earned their spot in the first-ever Women's VBL Cup championship game.

Third Place game: Hooper’s Collective vs. DIME

Before the Women's VBL Cup championship was decided, Hooper’s Collective and DIME battled for third place and a chance to finish the historic tournament on a high note.

Hooper’s Collective came out with energy and control, setting the pace early and never looking back. Their balanced attack and ability to execute on both ends of the court proved too much for DIME to overcome, as they pulled away for a 24-11 victory.

The win capped off a strong showing from Hooper’s Collective in the first-ever Women's VBL Cup, while DIME walked away having been part of a historic chapter for women's basketball in Venice.

Championship: Hoopbus vs. Girls Love Basketball

The inaugural Women's VBL Cup championship featured a matchup between two incredibly talented teams, but the biggest battle took place in the paint.

Hoopbus' Drew Edelman and Girls Love Basketball's Icey went head-to-head in a showdown between two dominant interior forces. Both players battled throughout the game, trading physical plays and making their presence felt every time they stepped inside.

But the championship wasn't decided by the bigs alone.

Girls Love Basketball's supporting cast stepped up in a big way, with guards Lucie Castagne and Ja Harvey putting on a show and keeping the game close throughout.

But ultimately, Hoopbus' overall talent proved too much to overcome.

Ruth the Truth, Baller Bree and Ms. TattedBuckets formed a dynamic outside trio that perfectly complemented Drew Edelman's dominance inside. Their ability to create from the perimeter while pairing with Drew's interior presence gave Hoopbus the balance needed to close out the championship.

After arguably the game of the summer so far, Hoopbus stood as the Women's VBL Cup champions.

They walked away from Venice as history makers.

And as a team with a target on their back the rest of the summer.

We’ll see if they can defend their crown in the following weeks.

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Showcase:

After an unforgettable day of Women's VBL Cup action, the attention of the crowd once again shifted to a special showcase matchup.

Team Oz, a collective of hoopers from Australia ages 15-19, traveled all the way from down under to take on a group of local Venice Beach high schoolers and Venice basketball legends.

The young Australian squad showed exactly why they made the trip, showcasing the skill, confidence and talent that continues to grow across the international basketball scene. But when it came down to the final moments, a Venice legend reminded everyone that the blacktop still belonged to the locals.

Sik Wit It delivered the closing statement, hitting an in-your-face two to seal the final game and show Team Oz exactly what Venice basketball is all about.

NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
JULY 12th World Cup Invitational

11 am NCAA Boys vs IKARO

11:50 am Awful Lot of Cough Syrup vs Timeless

12:40 pm La in a Min vs Woodies

1:30 pm Mecca vs GRG

2:20 pm Semifinal 1

3:10 pm Semifinal 2

4 pm Final

5 pm France Versus the World High School Showcase

Venice Beach Hooper's Paradise

See You All There!!

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