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Last Update:
Thursday July 24, 2008 12:00
B2 Spring Playoffs - 2005 East Division
COMMENTARY BY THE WOLVERINE
Finals - Tuesday July 12th
| Ruckus Shocks Mighty Momenta in Finals Classic |
| RUCKUS 47 MOMENTA 45 |
| In a game that featured the intensity of an NBA Finals game, Ruckus managed to outlast Momenta in a very thrilling and hard fought Final. Momenta started off with a 9-0 run as Ed Finn (12 points) and Mr. Everything Jeff Hrkach (7 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals) lead the charge. Ruckus looked very confused and I thought it was going to be yet another route for Momenta. But Ruckus fired back behind the low post play of Gregg Goff (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals) and the Human Jumping Jack Daniel Cadet (8 points). After three straight free throws by Ed Finn, the game was tied at halftime and both teams looked tired. But after leading scorer Ed Finn fouled out early in the 2nd half, Ruckus dug deep and jumped all over Momenta as Gerry Arbens (14 points) picked up his game and they continued to pound it inside to Goff and Fritzgerald Daniel. Ruckus went up 7 with about six minutes to go, but there was some fight left in Momenta yet. John Masso picked up Finn’s scoring with nine 2nd half points as Hrkach continued to pass the ball well and play tough defense on the inside. Momenta climbed all the way back to even with a few minutes to go. Ruckus then turned to the Finals MVP Arbens for yet another clutch playoff performance. Arbens put his team up two with a fearless drive to the hoop and after another Momenta bucket, Arbens was fouled and calmly nailed two free throws to put his team up two with 8 seconds to play. After a timeout, a Momenta jumper bounced off the rim and after a mad scramble for the ball, time expired and Ruckus hangs on for the championship. A great game to finish a solid season. Congrats to Momenta on another great year and congrats to Ruckus for coming together and dethroning the kings of the B league.
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Semifinals - Tuesday July 5th
| MOMENTA 73 EXPOS 35 |
| Momenta Cruises Into 2nd Straight Finals |
| Momenta showed no signs of resting on the rise of its stock price as they came out and buried the Expos with an 18-4 run to start the game. Ed Finn did most of the burying with 23 points on an almost perfect night from the outside. “Mr. Everything” Jeff Hrkach had a triple double with 10 points, 10 rebounds 10 assists and 4 steals while again guarding the Expos’ biggest man. “Mr. Everything Else” John Masso’s 18 points and “AI” Erik Moy’s 11 points just added to the Expos misery. Cliff Laro did manage 13 points while John Kneeland had a nice game with 10 points, but the only time the Expos were in this game was when they pushed the button for a ticket in the parking lot as Momenta could do no wrong. Nonetheless, a fine season for the Expos who surprised everyone by making it to the semifinals. Momenta will face Ruckus in next week’s B2 East Finals with revenge on their mind from a 12 point loss a few weeks back. If you haven’t seen either of these two teams play, I suggest you watch this one. It will be entertaining - that is a CRFC guarantee.
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| RUCKUS 64 FUNK SOUL BROTHERS 59 |
| Arbens Saves the Day Again, Ruckus in Finals |
| If Ruckus did not get down on their collective knees and thank Gerry “The Waterbug” Arbens last week, then they certainly should do so this week. For the 2nd game in a row, Arbens lead his team when it looked as if the game was about to slip away from Ruckus in the end. Behind Arbens’ 21 1st half points, Ruckus jumped out to an 8 point lead. Fritzgerald David started off very strong underneath as well with 12 points, 7 rebounds while Daniel Cadet provided his usual high energy on the glass and defensive end. It’s like this guy has firecrackers in his socks he is so energetic (token July 4th reference). For Funk, Kevin Walsh showed miraculous heart by playing on a busted ankle and contributed 9 points and 11 rebounds. In the 2nd half, Funk made a run behind Brendan Smith (11 points) and GR Brickley (16 points) and managed to cut the lead to two. Ruckus looked disoriented again with careless passing and shot selection. But then enter Gerry Arbens, who simply took over the game, finishing with 32 points, ½ of the team’s total. Khabeer Sultan also had a big steal and block on a critical Funk possession that also helped save the day for Ruckus as they held on for the five point victory. A great season for Funk albeit unfortunate that Mr. Walsh was injured for last part of the season. Ruckus will face Momenta in next week’s B2 East Final in what will undoubtedly be a very physical and emotional game. And keep in mind Ruckus is one of only two teams that have beaten Momenta - ever. Can they do it again?
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Play-In - Round: Tuesday June 28th
| RUCKUS 54 FAMA 51 |
| Ruckus Survives Overtime Thriller In B2 East Playoff Opener |
| Round 1 of B2 East playoffs did not disappoint in the least. CRFC playoff action is always great to ref as teams are amped trying to snag that elusive title and get their names postered on our hallowed walls. Both teams in this one exhibited a clean, hustling, intense, and emotional brand of basketball that CRFC is proud to host. For Ruckus, this game was almost a capsule of their entire season – some high highs and some low lows. Ditto for Fama – reliance on one superstar with everyone else contributing very nicely. Ruckus started off hot in this one as the big men down low of Fritzgerald David’s 10 points, 13 rebounds (sorry for all the weeks I got your name wrong, Fritz!) and the outside play of “The Waterbug” Gerry Arbens (14 points). Magic Man Chris Louis (12 points) was also hitting from the outside and Daniel Cadet had his best game of the season with 16 points, 9 rebounds. Ruckus was playing smoothly in the 1st half and seemed to be in control of the game, up four or five points. Fama hung in behind aforementioned superstar Brian Merrill (19 points, 8 rebounds), but he also got help from Mike Reilly (8 points). Fama upped its defensive pressure in the 2nd half and clawed its way back behind a total team effort. On the other hand, Ruckus at times looked like me after six Red Bulls – a little out of control. Fighting amongst themselves, emotional outbursts, even a technical foul. "Our second half pressure defense turned the game around. They were absolutely rattled," confirmed Fama’s Ed Harrison after the game. Fama had even Ruckus on the ropes up two with 12 seconds to play and up two points after some huge free throws. It looked as if Fama would hang on and upset the higher seed. But men of Ruckus needs to bend down on one knee and praise all gods relating to waterbugs as Gerry saved the day. After being fouled driving to the basket on the ensuing possession, he calmly sank both free throws to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Ruckus jumped out to a quick 5 point lead behind Arbens’ six points and it looked over for Fama. But Merrill nailed a huge three and got fouled to cut the lead to one. Two more free throws from Arbens put Ruckus up three with 5 seconds to play, but a Merrill three at the buzzer fell short and Ruckus escapes with a victory. A great season for Fama and if improving is the name of the game, then these guys win the title. "We had out chances, but couldn't fully capitalize on them,” said Merrill after the game. “It's disappointing to lose a winnable game as this was a season of growth for us, as many of us had to shake off 10 years of rust. Fama will be a team to be reckoned with moving forward.” For Ruckus, this win was an escape and time will tell if being such an emotional team will help or hurt them in their championship hunt. "If we are to win the league, we have to play better," said Cadet after the game. Either way, this group of great guys will be fun to watch next week as they will face #2 seeded Funk Soul Brothers.
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| EXPOS 54 GENZYME 52 |
| Sawyer’s Heroics Down Genzyme In Instant Classic |
| Aaron Boone. Keith Smart. Bucky Dent. Steve Kerr. Sometimes you find heroes in the most unlikely places. Now you can add Jason Sawyer to this list. In one of the most exciting games I have seen in this gym, the Expos outlasted Genzyme to move on to the next round of the B2 East playoffs. More on Sawyer later, but this game was an instant classic form the start. Zach Vallentine (21 points, 11 rebounds) returned form an injury just in time as he got the Expos off on a great start. Genzyme countered with super-stud Mike Kmiec (28 points, 23 rebounds) who returned to his beginning of the season form. The game was tight in the 1st half, but the Expos managed to pull ahead by 6 just before the end of the half behind Vallentine and Cliff Laro (12 points). In the 2nd half, Genzyme went on a huge run as Greg Miller (13 points, 10 rebounds) picked up his scoring as did Kmiec. There was plenty of fight left in Genzyme. After two consecutive huge threes by Miller, these two teams traded punches like two heavyweights. 1st it was Laro, who at one point in the second half turned to me with the game tied and said ‘It’s showtime, baby.” Love that guy! Then it was Kmiec nailing a three. Then it was Vallentine posting up for a three point play and then nailing a three from beyond the arc on consecutive posessions. At a time that required a hero, we actually had about 6 of them on the court! With Genzyme up one with a minute left, the Expos decided not to foul. Genzyme held the ball for 30 seconds and it looked like it was gin got be over. I was very confused as to why the Expos weren’t fouling. But the Expos strategy was far more sophisticated than my mind, as they managed to knock the ball away and come up with the steal. After getting fouled, Ben Pressgrove banked a free throw to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Genzyme was called for an offensive foul (which does not result in free throws) and the Expos had a chance to win it with 6 seconds to play. Cliff Laro got the ball at half-court and missed a three pointer, but there was Mr. Sawyer waiting for the rebound to put it back in as the buzzer sounded. Game over. Sawyer saves the day for the Expos and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Genzyme ends a disappointing season on a high note as they did play very well in this one. "Our team started to come together in the second half for the first time this season, but just couldn't finish,” said Miller after the game. “I predict a better season this summer." As a reward, the Expos get #1 seeded Momenta next week in what will be a very physical game for sure. Stay tuned.
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