By Hank Strawbridge
via remote interface, Dublin - As the guys in Thin Lizzy, who I'm visiting to help with reunion tour plans, once sang, "Guess who just got back today, them wild eyed boys that had been away, haven't changed, hadn't much to say but, man, I still think them cats are crazy."
Yes, them cats are crazy, and some of them cats can ball for real. Though Opening Night of WLC BBALL SZN SIX got off to a slow start, it finished strong and portends to be just what the fans believed it could be - the best season in WLC BBALL history. Not to mention, that new concessions stand has those hot Cheetos everyone craves.
Game 1: Humphries at Templeman
The crowd trickled into GN Baptist Arena after the 7:15 tip, perhaps a bit of the Easter brunch food coma had its effect. It appeared as though some of the players were likewise lethargic from the afternoon feasting in celebration of our Risen Savior. Whatever the case, the slow start shifted to a physical battle of wills and physiques as two of the biggest teams in the league slugged it out. Team Humphries held a 24-20 lead at the half, led by the smooth shooting of Wilbur's favorite player, Justin Sivells. Team Templeman's balanced roster was on full display, with four players corraling 5 or more rebounds and plenty of players getting in the scorebook.
But the deep bombs of Omar Jackson and the always puzzling knuckleball jumpers of Stephen Green were not enough for the twin towers of Humphries and Maza, who combined to snag 25 rebounds and to wear down the tenacious effort of Adrian Templeman and "Juice" Hassell. As the final buzzer approached, Team Humphries pulled away to the margin of victory. Next week, Team Humphries big boys will be put to the test as they square off against the largest team in the league with an average player weight of 235, Team Brown.
Game 2: Bell at Baker
The 8:15 showdown was billed as a contest of middle-of-the-pack teams, if the pre-season coaches poll is to be believed (I'm guessing next week's coaches poll will be a bit different). Team Bell was missing last year's scoring leader, Corey Thomas. Team Baker was missing pre-season MVP Candidate Ben Pochekailo. Captain Baker boldly drafted four newcomers, two of whom did not play during "Tryout Night". Baker's gamble paid off, at least through Week 1, as Dominguez and Smith brought a lot of speed and tenacity, combining for 8 steals. In fact, Team Baker had a total of 17 picks in the game, a new league record.
Bell and Egerton (10 points, 12 rebounds) fought hard, but they simply couldn't match the dynamic scoring of Team Baker, with four players in double figures. As usual, Dworske finished with a double-double, tallying 18 points and 13 boards. Unusually for Team Baker, they did little from long-range. Instead, they drove to the basket like the proverbial hotwired Nissan in a Tokyo Drift, and it paid off. Team Baker jumped out to a 36-14 halftime lead and Team Bell never challenged. Next week, Team Bell hopes to get things back on track against the also winless Team Templeman. Team Baker, meanwhile will face off against the also undefeated Team Posley.
Game 3: Brown at Posley
If Game 2 was a blowout, Game 3 gave the fans who remained the show they were hoping for. The aforementioned "league's largest team" used their size to great advantage in the early going, playing a wide 3-2 zone that stymied the smaller, quicker Team Posley. As Team Posley settled for outside jumpers for the first 15 minutes, Team Brown moved out to an 8-point lead. Team Posley responded, and pushed it to a tie game at the half. The rabid cheers echoing through the Arena, reflected the obvious reality that this game would go down to the wire. Or at least closer to the wire than Game 2.
Week 1 scoring leader Earl McLaurin was nearly unstoppable going to the basket for Team Brown, finishing with 31 points. But other than Zac Smith, who chipped in 13 points, nothing else happened on offense for Team Brown. According to Captain Brown, whose post-game interview highlighted his conditioning concern, "We just didn't have any gas in the tank. I mean, if we had any of our subs, this game would have been ours. Team Posley got lucky that Pastor Miller and Burton had Easter duty, because if they were here, it'd be over." Despite Captain Brown's lament, no force was as terrifying as the ferocious Kory Cooper, who played free safety better than Earl Thomas, snaring a game-record 7 steals. Team Posley's 3/4 court press disrupted Team Brown's game flow, causing 15 turnovers and plenty of transition scoring for Damien Butler.
Team Posley steadily took over, and with every player contributing, their balance and deep shooting was too much for Team Brown. Perhaps when Team Brown has its full compliment of players, the world will see their greatness fully realized. But, that's why we play the games, and at the end of Week 1, three teams stand tied at 1-0 and three teams are looking up from below at 0-1.