Game 8 recap 6/10/08

Members present and game grades:

Zeke (B+) – limited his turnovers and play well defensively.

Mike B (A) – Killed it on the three-point shot and made a couple of big free throws, with the exception of the first two for the technical foul.

Ahmad (B+) – spin move spin move spin move. The guy was aggressive.

Joe H. (B+) – Hit some tough mid range jumpers and rebounded well.

Jeremy (B) – played well defensively, lost half a grade for a three second call.

Mike A (B+) – Made his jumpers and battled on the defensive end.

Mike T. (DNP) – Ant farm convention in Tulsa.

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing” – Abraham Lincoln

What is it about a school’s gymnasium? The smell, the lighting, the size and conditions of the court, the newspaper cut out of professional athletes, or just maybe the NY Knicks poster of Sprewell, Camby, and Houston?. If you’re like me, it reminds you of your days back at whatever elementary school you attended. For me, it was the gym exercises that I, as a pudgy kid, could never complete. For example, there was no way I could climb that rope. There was no chance of me doing pull-ups. I was usually the one who did push-ups from my knees with the girls. So for me, and probably Joe H as well, walking into each of these gymnasiums brings back a slight feeling of nausea.

But when The Lawmakers take the court and play the game God loves, a.k.a. basketball, all those butterflies spread their wings and flutter away. Last night’s game was the last of the regular season for the newly constructed Zuricalaw.com team. Only one loss in the regular season and trying to keep it that way. They took the court against an opponent who stumbled in their first few games but came in on fire, winning their last four matches. The Lawmakers were without their own Bill Wennington as Michael Tanzosh was not in attendance. This did not bode well for the Lawmakers since their opponents’ average size was 6’3.

The Lawmakers came out in a 2-3 zone defense and really were not doing a good job rebounding the ball. With Anicito, Joe H, and Ahmed in the front court, they were simply not big enough to eliminate second chance opportunities. As the first half went on, the Lawmakers controlled it. Mike B made some huge three point shots, while Joe H hit some off balance seven footers. Zeke handled the ball in delicate fashion, keeping the turnovers to a minimum. Right now he is fighting for his point guard position as Joe H and Ahmed feel they should be handling the ball more. Team officials are slightly worried about the number of coast-to-coast maneuvers taken by both Joe and Ahmed. They will review the game tape and probably give them a pass considering the court was so small. In any event, the Lawmakers controlled much of the first half until turnovers and lack of rebounding caught up with them. As the first half came to a close, the Lawmakers only held a one point lead.

Anicito recommended that the team switch from zone to man defense. The thought would be that everyone has someone to constantly box out. Jeremy stepped in and did a nice job of denying his man of open looks. Overall the team did a fabulous job in their man defense. It broke up easy looks and got us fastbreak opportunities. Anicito hit a couple of open jumpers while Mike B continued to break their backs with his dagger three point shot. The Lawmakers won this game on second half defense in my opinion. It was a hard fought win. It was also a nice way to go into the playoffs. It looks like our 7-1 record will get us a slot as the second seed.

I just wanted to recognize a couple of people who have shown support for the team throughout the year. Anthony’s wife Pina has made 84% of the games this year and played a pivotal role in stepping up to help distract the opposing teams or just moving our bags from one side of the gym to the other. Mike B’s girlfriend Mary Beth has been a stalwart. She has attended almost every game with the exception of one, only because she was in China. And she is always vocal on the bench, something that I know gets Mike B going, in more ways than one. Great job girls. Ahmed, get Erica to at least one game next season, if not the playoffs.