This Sunday's 2 vs. 2 match-up

Well most of you missed some exciting match-ups this Sunday.  Matthew, Ray, Alec, and Herb all "showed up" - but as you will see, that is being a little kind.  Alec apparently just had lunch at Panda Express, and based on his odorous burps, we could all guess his exact meal - I hope it tasted and smelled better on the way down.  Alec spent much of the inter-game period, sitting on his arse, holding his belly, and moaning.  Herb was only in a slightly better disposition - I was made to understand that they both had gone on a lengthy run yesterday or something like that.  Of course Matthew, who had done a rigorous core work-out the day before, and Ray, who biked from his home to St. Mary's, then from St. Mary's to the Commons, did not have a single complaint...

Anyway, this is how the games went down - each series was played as a best of three games, 2's and 3's to 21:

Series 1 match up: Herb-Ray vs. Alec-Matt

Alec-Matt somehow took game 1 with a surprising early flurry of shots from Matt and a 3 from Alec, along with some slick passing.  Herb-Ray made a run at the end to get within a few points, but lost anyway.  Alec-Matt 1 - Herb-Ray 0

That woke Herb up finally, and game 2 was a no-contest romp for Herb-Ray as Herb repeatedly took Matt and Alec to the hole. Rebounds were all going the way of Herb-Ray and the game was over quickly.  Alec-Matt 1 - Herb-Ray 1

Prior to game 3, Ray told Herb that the final score would be 21-8.  He was close, the final score was 22-9.  It was over before it started, and Alec was left rubbing his belly, while Matt was left scratching his head.  Series over; Herb-Ray 2, ALec-Matt 1

The next series paired Herb-Matt against Alec-Ray.  Alec and Ray had their passing down to a science and there really never was a threat.  However, it became obvious in this series that Alec had just come from the movie theatre and had eaten a lot of popcorn; as many crisp passes to Alec simply slipped right through Alec's well buttered fingers.  4 consecutive game winning passes to Alec for easy lay-ups, while both Matt and Herb were draped all over Ray, went instead harmlessly through Alec's fingertips.  Ray had to repeatedly chant, "I will not pass, I will not pass, I will not pass" so that Alec-Ray could wrap up the series 2 games to none.

The last series paired the force of Herb-Alec against the resilient team of Matt-Ray.  This was in fact the match up that started the entry into the BBA for both Ray and  Matt almost 1 year ago.  Back then, Ray was getting back into playing shape after suffering a broken leg, and Matt was just starting to re-learn how to play the game of team B-ball.  The outcome then was a 3-2 5 game series loss for Matt-Ray to Alec-Herb.  This time would be very different.  With the consistent outside-inside game of Matt, and the stealth passing and fade aways of Ray, this also was done in 2 games.  Matt-Ray 2, Alec-Herb 0.  While this was a somewhat surprising outcome in its shear domination, I must allow that neither Herb and Alec were not in their usual form - for instance Alec made just 1 or 2 3's a game while Herb did not throw even 1 ball into the stands out of frustration.  I hope that next time they each bring their A-game.

After 2.5 hours, Ray got on his bike and went home.  Matt put on his Will Farrell headband and shorts and walked away to his car, Alec let out another loud belch and finally wiped the butter off his fingers, and Herb sulked away with his ball in hand.

Hope that gives you all a little taste for the BBA this Sunday!!

See 'ya then.

For those not able to keep score, here it is:

Ray 6-1 (should have been 7-0 if Herb was not watching rebounds bounce right in front of his face)

Matt 3-4 (should have been 5-2 if not for being let down by his teammates)

Alec 3-4 (should also have been 5-2 if he didn't each so much Kung-Pao chicken)

Herb 2-5 (should have been 6-1 if he actually cared to go after all the loose balls that were not his own)

It was fun for all. I wish more of you had been able to join us.