In a showdown that had our one fan wondering why he came, Team Gersitz emerged victorious over Tall Justin with a final score of 57-41. The game, held at the “packed” local arena, showcased a blend of grit, determination, and a few surprising moments that kept everyone guessing until the opening tip.

Bobby “The New Grinder” set the tone early for Gersitz with his relentless defense, racking up 5 steals and keeping the pressure on Tall Justin’s offense. Bobby had a career night offensively, managing 4 points from 2 out of 9 field goals, posting a 20.8 Game Score and +2 GAPE. Eric Boerdner stepped up with a crucial three-pointer and contributed 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. Jeff May was the standout performer for Gersitz, scoring 21 points with a 45.5% field goal percentage, proving to be a reliable scorer throughout the game. Mike Ford and Mike Gersitz dominated the boards with 13 rebounds each. Ford added 19 points to Gersitz’s tally. His performance was pivotal in maintaining their lead. Mike Gersitz, despite a dull effort, made his presence felt 2 blocks and 3 steals, adding to the team’s defensive strength.

Tall Justin’s Bryant “The Grinder” tried to keep his team in the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Gersitz’s balanced attack. Justin Rybinski added 18 points and 8 rebounds, but the team’s overall shooting woes, with a field goal percentage of just 27.7%, hampered mostly by KO’s turd effort (1/18 shooting). As the clock wound down, Gersitz’s defense tightened, forcing crucial turnovers and limiting Tall Justin’s scoring opportunities. Zach Newberry’s 13 rebounds and 5 assists were notable, but his team couldn’t close the gap.

In the end, Gersitz’s superior shooting and rebounding made the difference. The final score of 57-41 reflected a hard-fought game where every player contributed to the victory, even Ford. The fan left the arena buzzing with excitement, already looking to switching out his Bryant The Grinder fan jersey for a Bobby The New Grinder jersey.

Fun Fact: Bobby The Grinder almost has as many points as air balls this season.

Attendance: 1

In what was supposed to be a showdown of future Grinders HOF’s, the hype should have been placed on the “role players”. Cole/Hughes vs Witt/Curtis really didn’t materialize the way most prognosticators thought. It turned out to be more of a one-on-one battle between Hughes and Curt for scoring, but He Hate Me ended up getting more out of the rest of their team, which carried them to “the dub”.

Curtis played furious “D” on Cole making it hard for the hefty lefty to get his hands on the ball in any position to score. The rest of the Team Curt defense seemed to forget about their man and continued to cheat to help on the drives of Triumphant Tommy Hughes. This strategy backfired pretty badly as Hughes still dropped 22 points and was able to get others involved also (6 ast). Lil Josh (14/5/5/2) feasted on the liaise fare defense of Jon “Wounded Knee” Witt, consistently punishing his cheat D with jumper after jumper (including a first-half buzzer-beater). Pauly MVPalumbo subbed for Wayne and Boccio and had an outstanding game (12/17/3) while grabbing extra possessions on the offensive end and hitting shots late in the shot clock.

Curtis was just as good on the offensive end as he was on the defensive end. The AD dropped 22 points on 56% shooting including (2) 3’s. His efficiency was not matched by his teammates though. “Bended Knee” Witt continued to be in a shoot first, shoot second, pass late mindset. For the third game in a row, Witt led his team in shot attempts while not outscoring his captain in any game (stat brought to you by unnamed source from Team Curt). Pauly J continued to struggle from the field but did delight the crowd with a late 3 and by gutting Cole on the block and giving him the Mutombo (RIP) finger-wag. E subbed for Team Curt and struggled as well. Outside of the captain, the rest of Team Curt shot 13/40 (that stat also pointed out by an unnamed source in the Team Curt locker room).

A game that was tied at 28 at the half, turned on a 10-0 run by He Hate Me to start the second half. The game was not in too much doubt from that point on.

Pros:
– Lil Josh: 14 points on 16 shots
– Pauly P: 17 rbs, 50% shooting
– Hughes/Cole: 16 ast. combined
– Curtis: 10/18 from the field

Cons:
– Team Curt fg %
– an unnamed source from the Team Curt locker room already wondering if they are doomed to play in the dreaded 5 vs 6 play-in game after week 3

Team Garrett lost the opening tip, but immediately went to work after that. Grinders HQ doesn’t keep stats by half – but the beat writers are collectively pretty sure they shot 23/23 with (4) threes to start the game. Garrett and company reached the half-century mark before half-time, much to the delight of the scorekeepers, who pull it to stuff like that. Crazy finished this one with 20pts and 20 GAPE. Tirado knocked down a bunch of circus shots, hit a few threes, and tried to run, quite disrespectfully, right through OMJ’s sternum. Paul MVPalumbo continued his streak of solid performances with an 8pt, 11 Reb, 16 GAPE night. We’re pretty sure Garrett had 14 of his 18 points by halftime. This game was well on its way to being one of the most humiliating blowouts in Grinders history (at least since Helmet’s last achilles blowout).

But then, something all Grinders… no, all men, should know better than to even try, happened. Garrett had his lady friend sit in the rafters for the entire second half to watch and cheer her beau on. This game was like a 20 point slaughter at the half – but then Garrett stopped making baskets, but not taking shots. Team Peyton turned on the switch and started a furious comeback. Grant led the game with 29 points and 23 GAPE. Peyton did Peyton shit, scoring 20 points on 45.5% shooting, Three Buck Chuck hit some tres and dished out 5 assists. OMJ, despite Tirado’s nasty and vile attempted assault, stood so hard that he nearly shattered the leagues most obnoxious Yankee fans bones (much to the delight of the scorekeepers… who you know… pull it to these sorts of things). Oh, this comeback was sweet, Team Peyton was fired up!

It was all for nothing though. A game that saw Team Garrett’s lead get whittled down to tantalizingly close 6 points, finished anticlimactically with Garrett remembering how to hit his free throws. Team Garrett won by 10.

Fun Fact:
Garrett’s Lady Friend wouldn’t stop staring at this beat writers dick.

Attendance: 1