B-ballers, What’s poppin? It’s been 9 grueling days since our last session. The heat is high and the ballers have grown thirsty since that last “Water” session. The pent up energy was evident at yesterday’s scrimmage; involving “The Wild Thing,” a.k.a. Tone Loc, Lil’ Bison, 4-0-9 and King Cobra. Let me just say: triple digit temperatures don’t stop these cats from going H.A.M. Whew!! This upcoming two week lay-off is going to be crucial. Ya heard?
King Cobra returned to the pit, after a four game absence; all resulting in losses for team “Sky High.” Today would be no different. The dominant performance of the King Cobra (10 points, 16 boards, 2 assist, 3 steals and 2 blocks) wasn’t enough to overcome the grit of the 1st place “Runnin Rebels” (6-1).
The Phenom led all scorers with 35 points (14/23 from the field and 4/4 from the stripe), his 5th consecutive 30 plus point performance, in 7 games of play, this season. His teammate, The Human Eraser tallied 13 boards, and a season high, 7 blocks. His highest swat total since he accumulated 8, back in the 2k10 season of “Bringing the Heat.” That’s what’s up! The Carpenter appears to be back in his workshop (8 points, 19 boards, 3 assist and 1 block), as Scrappy contributed 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals to the 61-50 Runnin Rebels victory.
Runny Ray finished with 6 points and 12 boards (season high). Frost tallied 21 points, 2 assist and 2 steals. The little giant generated tons of energy in the open court, but had a dismal day shooting the ball (8/31 from the field). The telling stat was E-Smoove going scoreless in the 2nd half. SMH
This is the first time this season; team Sky High has had a complete roster. They’re much better than their 1-6 record. With 5 games left in their regular season, I expect them to get stronger as we near the postseason. Word is bond!
The second half of today’s Cotton session started with the unfinished business of Day 5’s Water session. The last meeting between the Funky Technicians (5-3) and team Regulators (3-5) was halted with 5:50 left in regulation – due to rain. Team Regulators held a 50-35 advantage when the game was called. All they had to do today, was finish the remaining 5:50 the way they played the first 26:50 on 6/18/12; heartless! But that proved to be too tall of an order for the Regulators.
The Regulators held the ball – expecting a win – rather than attacking the basket and owning the W. Heart-N-Soul, a.k.a. The Prince of Thieves, made them pay dearly. He scored the first 7 points of a 16-2 run. He led team Funky Technicians with 31 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 7 thefts (season high). His play inspired a gutsy effort from Bucktown, who’s currently suffering from some damaged ligaments in his left knee.
Bucktown scored some clutch baskets in the midst of that inexplicable 16-2 Funky Technicians run – including the go ahead basket after a theft by Slick Rick. Bucktown finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 1 leg). Real talk.
In dramatic fashion, Heart-N-Soul received the inbound pass, just inside of half court, with 6.3 seconds to play and the score knotted at 55. Wearing the defender like a state issued white T, he drove baseline, right to drop in the 22nd point of a 22-5 Funky Technicians close out run, elevating his team to sole possession of second place with a stunning 57-55 victory. The early season popular opinion was this team would have a winless season. At 5-3, I’d say they’re in contention for the chip. Ya heard?
Today’s scheduled meeting between these two teams immediately followed the 5:50 miracle. The Funky Technicians won this game decisively 61-48. The Wild Thing; Tone Loc has been playing out of his mind. He led this Funky Technicians 13 point rout, with 25 points and 6 rebounds. Slick Rick contributed 8 points (All in the first half). And Bucktown held his own with 6 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, again; on 1 leg. Na mean?
4-0-9 (20 points, 14 boards and 1 block) and Bigg Dogg (15 points, 11 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block) led the ever-so-frustrated team Regulators.
I’ll see you at the table on 7/16/12.
Be Easy,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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