Chips and Salsa All Around!

Reading, MA - The 2008 version of Origins Unknown started off the New Year the same way they ended 2007 - winning. Taking on a depleted Chili's team, Origins Unknown played rusty, but ultimately persevered in a 63-53 victory.

The OU bunch arrived early to warm up and get the cobwebs out, but needed the first few minutes of their game to get going as well. A quick survey after the game showed that most of the team hadn't touched a ball since their last game, nearly a month earlier. On the other side, Chili's had won a week earlier in the first round of the playoffs, but showed up with only four players - and didn't quite have the legs to stay with OU for the entire game.

The first half saw OU take an early lead through hot shooting by Shu-ter Patel and Dr. J Robinson. Both players had their mid-range games working, and Shu-ter also stepped back to knock down two straight three pointers in a row to build the lead to double digits. Down low, Chili's "225 lb" big man Dan did a great job at neutralizing OU's session MVP Chris "Big" Johnson, while keeping his team close on the offensive end. OU kept the lead hovering around 10 points for most of the first half, as Cap'n Mike and Danger Dan Fisher each found their offense while struggling to find consistency.

The Chili's shooting guard and big Dan kept things interesting in the second half, as the game plodded along. Both players knocked down shots, but they were never able to make a major dent in the lead. Danger Dan heated up again, and made some difficult shots to keep OU out front. OU also battled some inconsistent officiating that saw Chili's go to the line 12-15 times, while OU shot exactly 2 free throws...the entire game.

While it wasn't a game that would win either team style points, OU did make enough plays at the right time to win fairly easily. The postgame celebration was held, of course, at Chili's.

The win vaults OU into the YMCA Fall Session Finals, where they will face off against the #2 seed Hustlers. The young Hustlers are headed to the Finals after defeating Howse Corp 100-93.