Game 1 featured Team #1 Gatlins vs team #3 Ruffnex. The Ruffnex started out tight. Points were hard to come by due to Lil’ Magic (19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 steals) and the Prince of Thieves, Heart-N-Soul (17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 steals) filling the lanes like technicians combining for 13 steals. But, the Ruffnex find a way with aggressive play and go on a 9-0 run to take a 5 point lead.
The Gatlins respond with a 8-3 run of their own. “Instant Offense” came off the bench to give the Ruffnex a huge spark with two rainbow shots from downtown Raleigh. And, the Ruffnex held a 2 point advantage at the half 26-24. The 2nd half began at a blistering pace. The Ruffnex pushed their lead to as many as 17 points playing as well as they have all season. E-Smoove was on another planet. He lead all scorers with (24 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks) and Chubsta chipped in with (8points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals); just another day at the office for the chairman of the boards.
Bucktown contributed a steady (14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block). The Gatlins fought back like gladiators and eventually cut the lead to four, but that’s as close as they would get. The difference for the Ruffnex was communication, help defense and (16) assists; a season high for the team – solid all around fundamentals. Final 61-57.
Game 2 featured team #5 Elixir vs team #4 the Realest – Bloody Thursday. We had sloppy play to begin and aggressive plat throughout reminiscent of a Ravens-Steelers match up. There were a few plays that could very well have been called unnecessary roughness. And in fact we did have a lane-violation called “offsetting penalties.” Bigg Dogg (3 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals) made his presence felt with 11 1st half boards and Big-Shot Bo had (7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks) at the half to stabilize team Elixir and give them a 6 point edge at the half 27-21. The 2nd half began with Pitt Bull (14 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals) playing big and The Realest fighting back to take a 2 point lead. Elixir regroups. J-Rock (26 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks) hit 7-straight points for team Elixir.
The Realest kept it close with spectacular play from Silk Money (19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals, 1 block) and hard hat-lunch bucket play from Concrete (7 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block) but it was not enough and Elixir held off the Realest 53-49. And if this is an example of what the playoffs have in store, I’ll bring the first –aid kit. You can find me at the scorer’s table where the score is what you make it. And when the ref blows the whistle and points at you – oh yes; the foul is on you! Next stop: Playoffs
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown
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