Hustle and Flow

Reading, MA – Origins Unknown delivered a message to the young Hustlers last night at the Reading YMCA. That message was: “Don’t come into our house and think you can take over our league.”

OU out-hustled the Hustlers in a 40-minute schooling that ended in an 86-74 win, and locked up first place in the fall regular season. All facets of the OU game were clicking, and all 6 OU’rs contributed to the victory. Evident at the tip, when OU veteran James “Stretch” Hogan IV out-jumped the Hustler’s athletic big man and slapped the ball out of bounds – it was clear that OU was pumped up. OU used the energy and patience to methodically pick apart the athletically-gifted, but fundamentally-challenged Hustlers. Excited by the surprise appearance of his son, Max, and wife, Deanna, Cap’n Mike shook off a season long slump to play his best game of the year. He pounded the glass on both ends of the floor, tracked down loose balls, and also stayed within his limits shooting the ball. It was a welcomed sight.

The Hustlers did manage to stay within striking distance in the first half, hitting some long range shots, but got very few open (or easy) looks. Meanwhile, OU was spreading the floor and using heady passing to find the open man. Chris “Big” Johnson once again hit anything within 10 feet of the hoop, and was utterly unstoppable on the block. Danger Dan Fisher, after a slow shooting start, also found his mid-range game towards the end of the half, when OU made their run. Throw in some timely shooting and defense by Shu-ter Patel and Dr. J Robinson, and you have a dominant performance. The first half came to an end with OU scoring 50(!) points, and building a 10 point lead.

OU showed no signs of letting up in the second half, and even managed to avoid the dreaded drag-ass wall that typically occurs at the 8 minute mark by subbing in and out at the ideal times. Driving the lead up to over 20 with less than 5 minutes to play, the OU crew was obviously in the zone. Pick and rolls were executed perfectly. Cap’n Mike, Dr. J and Danger Dan were hitting jumpers. All was right in the world.

Finally, with about 3 minutes left, OU let off the gas, and the Hustlers hit a few threes to make the final score respectable. The win gives OU an 8-1 record, and a one game lead over Howse Corp (OU owns the tie-breaker), with only one game remaining. They’ll take on the Free Agents next week, to wrap up the regular season.

Cap’n Mike was 2 for 2 from the line, and now stands at 25-33 on the season.