Charles Dickens wrote, ‘A Tale of Two Cities, a
classic. Today’s contest between Hakuna
Matata and Apocalypse was a tale of two runs.
In this highly anticipated match-up for first place and the top seed in
the post-season tournament, tensions were high.
Led by The Phenom’s (32 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3
steals) and Billy Ho’s (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals), Apocalypse
exploded out of the gate, opening with a 15-1 run. And it appeared that we were on our way to a
blow out city. But, hold up, pump the
brakes, Young Frost (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal) stopped the
bleeding with a breakaway basket.
And it was Hakuna Matata who were off and running, using
tenacious D to key the fast break, cutting the deficit to 4, 26-22 at the 5:23
mark of the 1st half and taking the taking the lead 27-26 at the
3:21 mark. They led by 10 at the break
37-27 and went on to win by 10, 73-63.
Two incredible runs, but the story of this game was
defense. Despite his numbers, The Phenom
was stifled and the offense for Apocalypse was not cohesive. While Hakuna Matata got huge contributions
seemingly from everywhere: Geezy (17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals),
E-Smoove (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block), The Human Eraser
(13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 swats), El Toro (8 points, 12 rebounds, 3
steals). This team simply has too many
ways to beat you, and Coach Chimi has them single-mindedly focused.
The second game featured Dead Game vs. TTTB. These two teams always play each other close
and today’s match-up was no different.
It was nip and tuck all the way.
Silk Money dictated the tempo, going for (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3
assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks). He teamed
with Tone “Wild Thing” Loc (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and
Hilltop came up huge (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and its
official, The Carpenter is back! He had
(9 points, 20 GMBs, 1 assist, 5 steals, 1 block).
Also, solid contributions from T-birds, Pop-A-Shot, and Big
Duke. TTTB pulled off the victory in
their typical hard-nosed fashion 57-51.
Dead Game was led by Heart-N-Soul (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4
steals) Pitt Bull (14 points, 7 rebounds) El Concrete and Scrappy. This team is true to their name, they never
quit, but they sorely lack offensive firepower.
Two players were sent to the hospital today.
Bucktown for Apocalypse had to leave his game just before
the half to get stitches in his hand.
And Big Duke for TTTB took a nasty spill and had to be examined by a
doctor. Also, E-Smoove had to visit the
nurse’s station to get an ice pack for his busted lip. The intensity, the physicality and we’re not
even in the post-season yet!
But when you get knocked down and you get back up; you get
stronger. The blacktop, like life, is
unforgiving. Learn your lessons, go to
the next level; and always get back up.
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown
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