AJM Makes OU LOL At The YMCA

Reading MA – 3, 10, 13, 25, 29

Those aren’t my lottery numbers, but they were lucky numbers last night as Origins Unknown had their most balanced scoring game of the year, defeating AJM 80-57.

New to the Reading Y league, AJM showed flashes of potential early as both teams started off trading blows and knocking down shots. AJM had two solid players; a quick point guard and a solid 6’5” inside player (15 points), who did the majority of scoring. Dan Fisher (13 points) started off the game with fast break lay-up off of the tip, and the tone was set. The pace of the game was up-tempo and AJM started strong with some inside buckets and long range jumpers by their big man, but OU matched their efforts with a barrage of three-pointers and back-cut lay-ups.

The balance and pace of the OU attack was at a seasons-best and while AJM started to tire, the torrid tempo lasted through the half for OU. Cap’n Mike (29 points) knocked down several long-range jumpers and Jim “Stretch” Hogan (25 points) slashed to the bucket going over, and around, their big man. There were some sugar-sweet passes made to cutting OU players, with Pete Martin (3 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds) dropping a doozy of a dime to Cap’n Mike under the hoop with four minutes left. No word on whether Cap’n Mike made the lay-up. With the unselfish offensive onslaught in full effect, OU built the lead to 17 at the break.

In the second half, OU spread the offense around like some warm strawberry jam. Greg Robinson (season high 10 points) hit multiple shots, and also helped control the offensive and defensive boards. Martin had the “did-he-just-do-what-I-think-he-did” moment of the night, when he took the ball to the hole, and promptly turned 180 degrees to throw up a shot backwards and over his head. Cap’n Mike contributed to the madness by hoisting up three straight missed three pointers on ONE trip down the court. Instead of making the wide-open jumpers, he opted to pad Greg Robinson’s offensive rebounding numbers. But, it was all in good fun at this point with OU cruising and the only outcome in question being the final score of the Duke vs. LSU game. Unfortunately, Duke wasn’t able to balance the scoring as well as Origins Unknown, and ended up getting bounced from the tourney, much to the displeasure of this writer.

After last week’s bitter loss to Howse, this was a great bounce-back win for OU and generated smiles all around after the game. Speaking about the win, Dan Fisher said in the post game interview, “Now I don’t have to be angry all week.”

With the win, OU climbs into third place in the standings with a 3-2 record. Next week is an upcoming grudge match against the Crusty Muskets at 8:30 pm on March 30. The Muskets are the defending YMCA League Champion, beating OU in the finals during the fall session. OU and the Muskets have combined to win the last four championships, and have a history of chipiness and general distaste for each other, dating back years. Should be fun!