Game 1 against Tampa Bay in the Books

Happy Firebirds Friday! The Firebirds began their road to the Lilly yesterday night in Emery Gymnasium against the Tampa Bay Titans. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about last night’s game and all the details for Game 2 and Game 3 this weekend. Before we jump in, here’s a quick word from today’s sponsor:

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Table of Contents

• Firebirds Drop Game One to the Titans

• Key Performers in Game 1

• Breaking: Dreko Palmer signs with Soles Del Este

Firebirds Drop Game One to the Titans

Unfortunately, the Firebirds were unable to soar to victory last night against the Titans. While they kept the game close throughout the first three quarters, the Titans led for almost the entire game, and seriously expanded their lead in the 3rd quarter.

It wasn’t a great night for the Firebirds all around; the defense was lackluster, and our guys shot 17.2% from three as a team. It was one of our worst performances of the season, but the good news is that it’s out of the way. Hopefully, after some adjustments, we should be ready to rumble.

There is some pressure on the Firebirds now, though, as they have to win on both Saturday and Sunday to advance to the next round of the 2025 TBL playoffs. Make sure you mark these games and dates in your calendar, as we need every Firebirds fan we have in attendance.

Upcoming games:

• Game 2: Saturday, May 31st at 5 PM

• Game 3: Sunday, June 1st at 3 PM

Location: St. Augustine's University
Address: 1315 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC
Entrance: Enter through the State Street Entrance Gate #5

Key Performers in Game 1

Let’s take a look at the key performers for Game 1 for the Firebirds.

DJ Thomas

Thomas was crucial for the Firebirds in this game, and the reason things didn’t get even more out of hand with the loss. He finished the game with 19 points on 50% shooting from the field. 13 of those points came within the 3rd quarter, as Thomas kept the team within striking distance of the Titans. While it wasn’t enough in this game, Thomas’ energy off the bench, defense, and ability to drive to the lane are critical for the Firebirds’ playoff run to continue.

Donte Greene

Julian Gamble’s statline may have been more impressive (19 points, 12 rebounds), but Greene was an important part of the Firebirds in this game. He played 22 minutes and scored 8 points and 4 rebounds. While he only made one three, the defense had to respect his shooting, and it drew defenders with him. Greene was also key on defense, altering shots at the rim and setting solid screens for Firebirds guards. While there are areas for improvement with every Firebirds player after Game 1, Greene had a solid showing.

Breaking: Dreko Palmer signs with Soles Del Este

Huge congratulations to Rodrigues Palmer, known to many as Dreko, and his family after the announcement that he has signed with Soles Del Este. Soles Del Este is a top overseas team based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Dreko’s work ethic and dedication to the game speaks for itself. His unbelievable talent and hard work have set him apart and made him a key piece of the Raleigh Firebirds organization. We can’t wait to see the new heights that Dreko soars to with his new team!

Make sure to stay tuned for Monday’s edition of the Firebird Focus to see the final results of our playoff series against the Tampa Bay Titans and more exciting news coming up!

Until then,

-Tex + Nicky