Friday, November 20, 2009

OUt Performed

Reading, MA - Origins Unknown, winners of five or six Reading Men's League Championships ended the fall session the way they started it - with a loss to Kickin Time. This time around, there are no playoffs though, and OU finishes with - gulp - a sub-.500 record. All is not lost this session, however. The boys reunited after taking a summer off, and also added two new important pieces to the puzzle for next session - which should lead to more success next year.

In their final game, OU was sent to their fate by a solid, yet unspectacular, Kickin Time team. OU once again brought only 4 to the court, and this time their lack of gas at the end of the game sealed their fate. The teams were pretty even through the first 35 minutes as OU seemed to outwork KT, but saw their opponents keep the game close through well-balanced scoring.

After falling behind by a couple early, OU scraped together a small lead in the first half by playing solid team defense, and making just enough shots. As the second half commenced however, open looks became harder to come by and OU started to lose their fluidity. Cap'n Mike, who made several first half three pointers, suddenly got cold. Danger Dan Fisher, who created space with his dribble-drive in the first half started to suffocate in the corners. And, some of the passes that were on the money to James "Stretch" Hogan IV and Shu-ter Patel in the first half bounced off their hands, or flew over their heads when it mattered most.

With less than three minutes to play, OU scraped to within 2 points - but could get no closer. More off target shots, and missed connections sealed their fate as KT rallied to win 76-67. With Doubleteam Dan Rasanen and Brian Buzz Jones, the outcome would have been far different - but OU will have to wait until next session to find out for sure.

On another note, big ups to Howse Corp who pulled off a major upset in the 8:00 game, knocking off previously undefeated Intervale. Intervale had not lost in a few sessions (since their winless inaugural season with a different lineup?), and Howse pulled out a 2 point win to end their own season.

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