OU Loses First Game (Still Champs Though)
Reading, MA - The spring session of the Reading YMCA Men's league kicked off with Origins Unknown (Winter League Champs) matched up against their finals foe, the Muskets (NOT the Winter League Champs). While the game was a battle from start to finish, and OU did their best to hang with the Musket's big bodies, OU ultimately fell 67-57 in a defensive battle.
OU took the court without 1/2 of their 'meat in the middle', Nick Dutton-Swain. And, with Jay "The J is for Jumper" Wandtdke running behind on the 8:00 tip off, OU had a difficult time matching up with the rugged Muskets to begin the game. While battling immediate foul trouble, OU was able to hang tough until Wandtke laced them up, through solid play down low by James "Stretch" Hogan IV. Offensively, OU had trouble with the intense defensive pressure as well - as Cap'n Mike really struggled to beat his man off the dribble and create space to operate. This lead to too many turnovers, and well contested shots that were not falling consistently until late in the game.
The Muskets also added another young, solid guard to their rotation, which helped spread the floor. But, it was three straight three-point baskets by Crusty Musket original Ralphie which took a four point Musket lead and pushed it to double digits at the half.
OU battled valiantly in the second half, as Danger Dan Fisher made some tough hoops to keep it close. The tired teams counter punched for the better part of the half, with OU making small runs - only to give back points defensively. OU cut the lead to seven with four minutes left, but excellent free throws and dead legs ultimately finished them off.
With a perfect season now out of the question, OU can now focus on getting victory number one against Northwestern Mutual in their next game.
OU took the court without 1/2 of their 'meat in the middle', Nick Dutton-Swain. And, with Jay "The J is for Jumper" Wandtdke running behind on the 8:00 tip off, OU had a difficult time matching up with the rugged Muskets to begin the game. While battling immediate foul trouble, OU was able to hang tough until Wandtke laced them up, through solid play down low by James "Stretch" Hogan IV. Offensively, OU had trouble with the intense defensive pressure as well - as Cap'n Mike really struggled to beat his man off the dribble and create space to operate. This lead to too many turnovers, and well contested shots that were not falling consistently until late in the game.
The Muskets also added another young, solid guard to their rotation, which helped spread the floor. But, it was three straight three-point baskets by Crusty Musket original Ralphie which took a four point Musket lead and pushed it to double digits at the half.
OU battled valiantly in the second half, as Danger Dan Fisher made some tough hoops to keep it close. The tired teams counter punched for the better part of the half, with OU making small runs - only to give back points defensively. OU cut the lead to seven with four minutes left, but excellent free throws and dead legs ultimately finished them off.
With a perfect season now out of the question, OU can now focus on getting victory number one against Northwestern Mutual in their next game.
posted by Cap'n Mike at 8:34 PM
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