The game and matchup between team #2, Mayhem and team #3, Roughnex promised to be a barnburner – promise fulfilled! The season is just underway and yet playoff intensity is in the air. Both teams came out playing hard-nosed D and traded baskets early with Mayhem taking a slim early lead.
The Roughnex kept it close by dominating the boards with Mitchell “The Carpenter” Holmes pulling down 18, 8 in the 1st half and Reche “Runny Ray” Smith chipping in with 11 of his own, 6 in the 1st half.
They trailed because rebounds were scarce when Marcus “Phenom” Mitchell was pulling the trigger and he was lettin’ em fly from both barrels. A prolific scorer he had 16 points 7 minutes into the game, 23 points by the half and finishing with a game high 34 points. Mayhem went to the half up by one 28-27.
Eddie “E-Smoove Taylor began the 2nd half a man on a mission scoring seemingly at will. He led the Roughnex with (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block). The intensity level picked up down the stretch. The Roughnex were up 2 with momentum at the 6:32 mark when Roger “The Blanket” Blakeney rose from Treyland and banked in an improbable shot to give Mayhem new life and a one point lead.
The Carpenter came back with a tip in, but the Roughnex seemed to tire and it showed at the free throw line where they went 7 of 18 as a team. Stacey “The Human Eraser” Tyler came up big for Mayhem with a deep money ball to put Mayhem up 2 at the 5 minute mark. E-Smoove rises above the crowd; Answers. Tyler comes back with 2 clutch free throws.
Down by 4 at the 2:13 mark, Rodney “Bucktown” Taylor hit 2 clutch free throws to bring the Roughnex to within 2. The Roughnex dominated the glass the whole game, however, when big boards were needed down the stretch they were got by Big John Williams who would finish with 3 points, 6 rebounds, none more important than the 2 money free throws with .33 left in the game. E-Smoove split a pair of free throws to make it 52-49.
Then Darrell “Diesel” Woods was ice swishing 2 in crunch time for a 54-49 lead with .16 to play. E-Smoove nails a trey at 11 seconds. Then Phenom was fouled and went to the line and finished it 56-62, bout something tells me this is only one chapter of an epic battle. The saga continues…
The game 2 matchup featuring team #5 Elixir and team #1 The Gatlins was actually close early on. David “Big Bo” Williams was on target hitting from mid-range and deep and finishing with (13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 5 blocks).
Chris “Big Dog” Gregory came off the porch and gave a spirited effort finishing with (4 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 1 block). Team Elixir sorely missed All-Star Jeremy “J-Rock” Murrell who should be in the starting lineup next week. Team Elixir played with intensity at both ends of the court but simply could not match the fire power of the Gatlins.
Phillip “Lil’ Magic” Davis (24 points , 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) and Martin “Heart-N-Soul” Richardson were like Dobermans in the passing lanes. They are predators who at the first sign of blood go in for the kill! The Gatlins also received solid contributions from Darrell “Dough Boy” Maness (12points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals) and Nasir “Nasty Nas” Siddiq (12 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals).
They also got strong play off their bench. The final score was 77-42. The combination of Lil’ Magic and Heart-N-Soul is lethal. The scary part is that even in the blow out the intensity level of team leader Phillip “Lil’ Magic” Davis was 700 degrees. That hot enough for ya?
That’s the Blue-View from the sideline where the score is what you make it.
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown
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