Twas the night before Grinders Christmas, and all through the gym,
Not a player was stirring, the lights were all dim.
The jerseys were hung in the lockers with care,
In hopes that the championship soon would be there.

The players were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of step-backs danced in their heads.
With Pauly P meditating, so calm in the night,
And Salvati still covering his ears from the fright.

When out on the court, there arose such a clatter,
Richie destroyed a chair—it just couldn’t matter.
Wayne’s shoulders collided, creating a scene,
While Crazy kept running like a well-oiled machine.

The moon on the rim of the freshly waxed floor,
Lit up Big Josh chasing Little Josh once more.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Bryant with 100 shots—and not a single fear.

With a flopper named Witt, so lively and quick,
And Cole smack-talking with his usual shtick.
“Now Chuck! Now Tirado! Now, Peyton and Zack!
On, Justin! On Garrett! Bring the girls right back!”

“To the top of the key! To the arc where we shoot!
Now hustle and dive, before the buzzer’s salute!”
And there stood Jon U, ready for a brawl,
As he tackled poor Tommy like a wrecking ball.

At the laundromat, Gersitz folded his gear,
While Ford sipped spiked milkshakes, spreading some cheer.
Matt V stayed in Baltimore, missing the game,
And Nixon hit Vegas, adding flair to his name.

Kellen knelt low, one knee on the ground,
While Grant stayed so quiet, not making a sound.
Curtis missed playoffs, yet again unclutch.
And Pauly J returned with that veteran touch.

Chuck was chucking threes, with reckless delight,
While Hall of Fame E dished assists all night.
Zack yelled at everyone, keeping them straight,
While Garrett’s girl cheered, arriving fashionably late.

Then the horn blew loudly, and Salvati ducked low,
Team Cole took the title, the show of all shows.
But as they celebrated, a truth came to light,
The Grinders will be back to keep up the fight.

So here’s to the chaos, the laughs, and the fun,
Merry Grinders to all—see you for the next one!

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Here’s what our esteemed beat-writer Captain Tenneal had to say after the draft this season:

Tall-Justin: Should reach the semis (in semis)

Team Peyton: fighting for play in game (finished 2nd, in semis)

Team Gersitz: easy path to semis, possible finals. (Lost play-in)

Team Garrett: Fight to make play-in game (finished 1st, in semis)

Team Curtis: Play-in game or semis (lol)

Team Cole: semis, battling to make Finals

In typical Grinder Beat Writer fashion… NAILED IT!

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Quick Preview of tonight’s games:

1 Garrett vs Tall Justin 5

Team Garrett takes on play-in game winner Tall Justin.  Tall Justin is coming off an absolutely dominant performance last week, 14/18 (3/4 FT – put him in the HOF), 32 points, 11 boards, 39 GAPE and a Game Score of 122.3!  This team is not your typical 5th seed – playing more like a top-tier team since the return of Richie “Will Work for Food” Creamer.  KO on defense, Zach on defense, Bryant The Grinder… the team slays.

Garrett wins by 7.

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3 Cole vs Peyton 2

The season series between these two squads ended in Team P winning by 2, and by 1 in the season finale.  That last game, by the way, was an exemplary example of gentlemanly play.  Just 9 dudes having a fun time and shooting some friendly hoops.  It’s what Grinders is all about.  Or something like that.  

Will Team Cole solve Team Peyton?  Unclear – these have been the most evenly matched games all season.  Grant and Wayne have been unstoppable.  Peyton and Chuck have been shooting lights out, and Chris Cole has been his usual top-notch self.  Tommy continually does Tommy stuff.  Will it come down to the 4th guy on each team?  Or which of the top 6 guys are going to win it for their team?

This one ends in another close one.  Team Cole by 1.