It all comes down to this.
Hakuna Matata: on the brink of a championship. Apocalypse: to prevail, they must win twice
in this double-elimination tournament.
Challenge accepted! Throw it up;
let’s get it.
The tension: as thick as freshly churned butter. The game: a grind early; both teams feeling
each other out like 2 heavyweight contenders.
The intensity: increases as the sound of flesh wounds are heard all the
way up to the gun-towers, causing the black birds to take flight. Under a minute to play in the 1st
half: E-Smoove picks up his 4th foul, spelling potential disaster
for Hakuna Matata. At the half: its
34-31 Apocalypse leading as they vie for a winner-take-all final.
We were tied at 36 at the 12-minute mark when the Little
Giant (15 points, 4 rebounds) got loose and turned up the heat. The Human Eraser (20 points, 11 rebounds, 3
blocks), the all-time leader in blocked shots, in what could be his final game;
saved perhaps his best performance for last.
Clearing the boards, pouring in 20 points and changing the game with his
signature swat!
For Apocalypse, The Phenom (17 points, 8 rebounds) left it
all on the floor! Billy-Ho (13 points, 7
rebounds, 3 steals) playing every game like it’s his last, left it all on the
floor! Bucktown (12 points, 7 rebounds,
2 blocks), playing with 17 stitches in his right hand; literally a one-armed
bandit.
And 4-0-9 (11 points, 12 rebounds), gave it their all, but
it was E-Smoove, in perhaps his finest hour (27 points, 9 rebounds) shooting a
blistering 51% from the field and playing the entire 2nd half with 4
fouls, who would not be denied. He’s
been here before. He’s always had the
talent, but today we witnessed that it is poise, determination and leadership,
along with great athletic ability that makes a champion.
There were questions of Coach Chimmi’s strategy to leave his
star player in the game with 4 fouls in the 1st half. He challenged a good player to be great;
challenge accepted! As we watched him
perform the entire 2nd half with the same level of intensity, but
just out of reach of that 5th foul.
Willing his team to victory, and finishing with a flourish and
dominantly at the rack with an & 1; we saw a maturation process that has
fully evolved.
There was skepticism from the beginning, even of the team’s
name and Coach Chimmi’s philosophy of team over self. Hakuna Matata is Swahili for “No Worries,”
but today call them champions as they win going away 72-57. Congrats to E-Smoove, our post season M.V.P.
and to Coach Chimmi and Hakuna Matata on a job well done.
As we turn the page on another season, adding another
chapter to our legacy, we honor the vision of The Blueprint. Much respect to the rec department and
central prison staff for their professionalism.
To the top-flight officiating crew of Lil’ Magic, Big Bank and The
Diesel.
Hats off to my tablemates who help me do all the dirty work,
Bigg Dogg, Chino, Frog and our point guard, The MannofStat. Big shout out to all my girls: Mom, Auntie
Rose, Tara, Makayla, Mariah, Alice, Harriet, Fem, Pam and Jenn. You keep me strong and give my life meaning:
I love you all.
And finally to all the ballers and coaches: you’re all my
teammates. Who know what the next day
may bring: Let’s make today great! Keep it 100.
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown
Hakuna Matata, Apocalypse intensity and tension rising all the way to the guntowers. Bring on 2014,dmc
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