Team Hustle. The
QuietStorm. The semi-finals. Opening statement made by J-Rock with a
pullup trey. He finished with 17 points
(on 5 of 19 shooting/ 2 0f 7 beyond the Arc), 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
and 2 blocks. Both teams were tentative
and it was a low-scoring half, the only excitement coming on a buzzer-beater by
Scrappy (6 points) to end the half, 19-13.
QuietStorm tried to creep away, scoring twice early in the 3rd
quarter. Hustle responds, picking up the
D. Hustle found a spark that grew into a
inferno. Led by The General (9 points, 5
rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals) the point guard from NYC represented the BIG
EAST. And like the UConn Huskies he
performed best in the clutch, scoring all of his 9 points in the 4th
quarter. Hitting a trey reminiscent of
Jeremy Lamb in the final-4, getting steals and making clutch ft’s to give
Hustle their first lead of the game.
E-Smoove (22 points [Season High) 8 of 17 from the field and
4 of 9 beyond the Arc] 6 rebounds, 1 assist) went “out of his mind” scoring 8
straight points to put QuietStorm back in command. Hustle regroups, comes roaring back again to
tie it 52 all with :40 seconds to play.
Coming off of a shot-clock violation, J-Rock went to the basket hard to
pull off the upset and cap a remarkable comeback.
He is fouled- with no time left on the clock. The rec-yard is in a frenzy. Sink one and it’s good night QuietStorm. He misses the first. There’s a collective gasp. We wait with bated breath…he misses the
second; pandemonium!! And new-life for
QuietStorm, who held on in over-time 59-56 in an instant classic. The Phenom finished with (20 points, 7 of 24
and 0 of 6 behind the Arc – 7 rebounds, 2 assists).
Both teams shot poorly, but it was the gem whose (9 points,
6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 1 block) quiet yet deadly efficiency and
intangibles is what keeps QuietStorm’s championship ambitions afloat. Pitt Bull (12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal)
Scoop (9 points [on 2 of 10 shooting], 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2
blocks) and Runny Ray (5 points, 6 rebounds) played big for team Hustle.
This is the final Blue-View of the season, and the pleasure
has been all mine. Acknowledgements to
the recreation staff, particularly Mr. Smith, Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Harrison. They bring a dynamic to the table that is
engaging, courteous and professional, many thanks to them and much respect.
To the “Blueprint” Earl J. Richmond, gone but not
forgotten. It’s an honor to take part in
and see his ideas touch the lives of others.
To the staff for working with us, particularly the U.C. Lt. Jordan. To the MannofStat for always seeing the big
picture. Also to my table-mates,
El-Indio and the Frogman, keeping the table tight. Questioning the integrity of the table should
be a technical foul.
To the Rec-Man, being a difference-maker with the ice and to
all the ballers and coaches, learning from the ups and the downs and becoming better
men. The competition, the camaraderie and
the day we realize we’re all on the same team.
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2012 by Paul Brown
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