Recap

8:30 Chuckin’ Champs 63 vs. Crazy Al 55

The matinee game (after schedule alterations) for week 1 turned out to be a pretty competitive affair. Usually the first week of a new Grinders season tends to be low scoring as new teammates are getting used to each other, and the open runs aren’t populated. This was the case in the 6:30/7:30 games, as none of the those teams cracked the 50 point barrier.

New guy Garrett “Bee-Sting Wee Wee” got it started for team Al. He was continually able to drive by the “Matador D” of both Wayne and Cole, leading to easy layups or a drive and dish scenario. This allowed the Crazies to grab an early first-half lead. Garrett (10/24, 21 pts, 4 ast., 3 stls) was able to get Crazy Al (14/7/2/3) loose for his baseline jumpers as well as get some open looks for Todd “Big Dixon” Nixon (6/5/1/2). About the only guy that wasn’t getting it going for the Crazies was Jeff “Superman” May.

The Champs were still in parade/hangover condition. They came out shooting blanks (mostly Cole and Thomasulo). As they continued to misfire like a vasectomy victim, Wayne “Phonebooth” Haynes and “First Ballot” Boerdner (who was subbing) did find some open room near the hoop to get some easy lay-ins to keep the margin (9) somewhat close at the half.

As the second half began, the Champs did what they had done all last season, get hot. Statracker (Jeff May 14/10/2/1) stated the Champs went on a 16-2 run to open up in the second half, claiming a lead they would never relinquish. Chuck “Parkman” Thomasulo (11/8/1) drained a couple 3’s early in the run. Wayne found his bearings too, drilling (3) 3’s en route to a 18/12/4/2 statline. The real story in the second half for the Champs was their sub, E. Boerdner took over in the second half, running the Stockton/Malone pick and roll to perfection. E finished with 21 points to go along with 8 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals. He also had a game high GAPE of 28. This begs the question, “Do the Champs need Richie?”

Random stuff from the game:
Wayne, Chuck, and E were each 1/2 from the free throw line. There were no over-and-back violations.