Bringing the Heat: (Mid-Week Special) Day 12

Eighty-two degrees and sunny. The ball is in the air and they’re off and runnin.’ Game 1 featured team 2 Mayhem vs team 3 Ruffnex. Mayhem pushed out to an early 8 point lead with monster swats by Scoop (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 8 blocks) and steals by The Phenom (29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals and 1 block) leading to easy transition baskets. Defensive adjustments by the Ruffnex kept the score close throughout the half, but defense must become a way of life not merely a pastime whenever The Phenom is on the floor. He dominated the first half with (18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals) and Mayhem lead by ten at the half 36-26.


The 2nd half began with the Ruffnex in total disarray on the defensive end-going down 14 44-30, but once again, a gut-check on D and the emergence of E-Smoove who hit 11 of his 16 points in the 2nd half kept it tight. The Ruffnex has a well balanced attach getting solid performances from Geezy (15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal) Bucktown (14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block) and Chubsta, “The Carpenter” owned the boards finishing with 15 to go with his 15 points and 2 assists.

But, Mayhem refused to fold. The wily veteran, Diesel, (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal) came up with one clutch shot after another to keep the game just out of reach. The Ruffnex would eventually cut the lead to one with :23.5 seconds to play, but turnovers which plagued the Ruffnex all game and clutch free throws by The Phenom and The Blanket (7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal) sealed the deal for Mayhem 65-62.

Game 2 featured team 1 Gatlins vs team 5 Elixir. The Gatlins started with Big Henry filling in for Coach Slick Rick and Jimi-Jam starting for Elixir in place of Lil’ Bison due to religious services. Elixir opens with an elaborate defensive scheme devised by Coach Red denying the ball to the Gatlins main two scorers, Lil’ Magic (19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 1 block) and Heart-N-Soul (14 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals).

The strategy seemed to be effective early however dominant play in the post by Nasty Nas (15 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block) and Tool Man (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals) and a hard fall by Elixir’s star player J-Rock who sustained a cut on his shooting hand, but went on to finish the game wearing a glove over the cut – could not forestall a rout 73-50.

The story of the day however was the impassioned determined and inspired play by Bigg Dogg (19 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists) and injured star J-Rock (9 points, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks).

Regardless of the score, they challenged every shot, were master facilitators and played textbook ball from the opening tip to the final horn. A testament to The Blueprint, Earl Richmond, who’s M.O. was being a man of character and playing unselfish team basketball. R.I.P. big homie. We are forever grateful and we will never forget. Your legacy lives on.

See you at the table.

Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown