After Monday game @ the Melo center, I couldn't help but to go again and get another dose. Forgive me (PLEASE) because Im still working on these names, so I will identify players by their jersey numbers. Everything happened just as Monday did,the bleachers filled up fast, people began talking about who was going shine this game and the little kids faces were scintillating with the joy of being in the presence of Semi-Pro basketball players.
Off top I made an assumption of the 2 players to watch this game, which was #11Green and #4 Black(Omar). Omar Strong, was also #5 in the Previous story "No Names Needed", this was when I realized the players rarely keep the same number jersey. I guess, its first come, first serve. That pre-game assumption changed throughout the game to #12Black(Dontaye Draper).
10min quarter,buzzer,jump ball,first pass of the game was to #11Green. Soon after Dontaye Draper re
turns to shoot a 3pt, which unfortunately fell a little short of the bucket, but he definitely made up for it throughout the game. #10 Green returns with a shot,then #15Black was sent to the foul line, only making 1 of his 2 shots,but as the ball gets brought back in, #15Black passes to Omar and a 3pt is made. It seemed like the Black team had more time to practice with each other or maybe they are that good. The Green team had almost one hand full of turnovers way before the 1st quarter was even @ 5Min's. The Green team at a point started to lose focus after Kurk Lee shot off a 3pt. The coach of the Green team starts yelling,the Green team is yelling, everybody is yelling...the same thing..."2SECONDS" to #41Green who had the ball in his possession at the time. #41Green rushed to get off the shot and NO GOOD. This Black team is aggressive and as Omar dribbles,drives to the basket and goes up, 3 Green players go up also, but Omar knew how to use his body weight, and all 3 Green players got to say Hello to the floor, "Hello". The Green team, did pass the ball adequately but the Black team passed a little better. Five minutes in to the 1st quarter Home (Black) was down by 1 (11-12). Right after the clock starts ticking down #10Green (Marcus) gets off a 3point and then (Dontaye Draper) is sent to the line for 1 shot, then #41Green is sent to the line for one shot. This game was made off fouls and 3pointers.Going into 2nd quarter Green looses the ball again! After awhile I started thinking they all put on lotion before the game, but if
everybody touching the same ball,wouldn't the Black team lose it too? I think that just means, the Black team has more handle on the ball, something the Green team needs to work on. The Green team is seeing their biggest lead durning the 2nd quarter (22-27). So funny, I was about to type a sentence as Im recalling the game and looking at my notes, and the line after that sentence was going say how #5Green lost the Ball.Hilarious? Soon as he loses the ball #11Black (Scoop) sees an opportunity and seizes the moment, goes up, and makes the basket. Doesn't seem like he went UP very far, he has to be around 6'2. Next play sets up #21Black to pass to #11Black (Scoop) and 3point shot is made. Seven minutes in and the Home(Black team) has 3 fouls but that seemed like a minor worry because #11Black (Scoop) shoots off another 3pt shot only for #3Green to return with a 3point shot, only for #11Black (Scoop) to shoot and score AGAIN, then Drapper shoots his 3pt and #3Green shoots his 3pt AGAIN. It seemed like 3s were the only shots being taken this game. If it works, why stop? Durning the 2nd quarter #21Green sat out and was replaced by #3Green.Going into 3rd qua
rter Draper hit a wide open 3pt and then #3Black returns with another 3pt. I don't know what started to happen with this Green team, but it seemed as though they weren't hustling to the ball anymore. When I use to play basketball, I was taught soon as a shot is made, find ur man and get to the other end of the court. The Green team seemed to start slowing down and it began to show, on the scoreboard. Five minutes into the 3rd quarter Black was up 8points. Dontaye Draper crossed over and shook a Green team player according to my notes 3 times but I'm thinking it was twice. None the less, he shined the 2nd 1/2 of the game. I noticed durning the 3rd quarter that though Sam Cassell Jr. was one of the smallest players on the court knew how to use his upper body strength to take a charge. Its something you would expect a smaller player to fail at, when playing with guys who are over 6ft while you are under 5'8.Going in to the 4th quarter, Black team was u
p 81 to 67. That spark the Green team had before is barely staying lit, at one point #41Green hits a 3pt then returns with a layup then returns again to get off a shot and he looks...and looks....and looks...and NONE of his players came to assist him. He ended up getting the shot off,no thanks to his team. I just realized that in the post "No Names Needed" I did on Tuesday July 20,2010, that I said something else about the Green Team version of "teamwork". Less than 3Min's left in the game and the Black team has managed to scorch the floor, leading by 21,101-80. The Black team was also leading with 5 fouls to the Green team 2. #21Black runs down the court=Dunk, then #21Green runs down the court=Dunk, then the clock runs down and with 5seconds left, the players began to walk court side to take off their jerseys. Final Score, Home(Black)105 Guest(Green)92.
