Last Update:
Wednesday August 27, 2008 10:58

B2 Spring Playoffs - 2005 West Division
COMMENTARY BY THE WOLVERINE

Finals - Tuesday July 12th

Ripcord Cruises Past #1 ALS For Finals Win

RIPCORD 48 ALS 30

Ian Whitney grabs his 2nd CRFC title in three seasons as Ripcord avenged three previous losses to ALS to win the coveted dish. Ripcord came out intense as Finals MVP Jean “The Iceman” Cadet (12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) put Ripcord up 8 poionts early. ALS actually looked a bit lifeless for these Finals compared the intensity of Ripcord. The only one who started off well was Jeff Cole (7 points) who was hitting his shots early. But they found themselves down 11 points at the half and much trouble scoring. ALS hasn’t been a high scoring team all year, but they have relied on their defense to win games. But in the 2nd half, they could not stop Ripcord’s offense as Whitney (8 points), Rob Gendron (9 points) and John Heinrich (12 points, 2 threes) lead a very balanced scoring attack. ALS never got it together and Ripcord cruises to the title.

Semifinals - Tuesday July 5th

ALS 43 BIOGEN 39

ALS Continues Streak Into Finals

ALS has held teams to just under 40 points all season long. What makes their games close is that they themselves score just over 40 points themselves. Yet they always seem to find a way to win and last night was no different. Brad King has emerged for this team as its leader and top scorer (13 points). Matt Bell (11 points) has also emerged as the perfect inside compliment to Ken Thompson (9 points, 11 rebounds). Behind these three, ALS managed a four point lead almost the entire game. Biogen, however, just wouldn’t go away behind the usual great play of Zoran Sosic (17 points, 13 rebounds). He played so well that I thought I saw ALS sign him after the game to a 10 day contract. Despite losing the lead on a few occasions, ALS managed to hang on behind King and Bell. Biogen finishes a lackluster season with a semifinal loss, but I hope it was a fun ride. ALS will face Ripcord in next week’s B2 West Finals. The Golden Nugget’s sportsbook has come out this morning with an over/under for this game of 79 points. Take the under!

RIPCORD 45 FOOT CLAN 43

Gendron, Ripcord Send Foot Clan Walking

In an intense battle, Ripcord hung on despite Jon Hanson’s return from a season-long back injury. It was an intense battle all the way through with the Iceman Jean Cadet getting off early (10 points, 12 rebounds). Foot Clan countered with Jon Hanson (12 points, 9 rebounds) and Klay “Wild On” Dendrinos (13 points, 12 rebounds). Ripcord maintained a 5 point cushion most of the way when Foot Clan began the fouling game. With Ripcord missing their free throws and Hanson hitting a few clutch threes, Ripcord’s lead was down to 1 point. After two clutch free throws by Ripcord’s Rob Gendron (13 points, 8 rebounds), Foot Clan got the ball to Hanson down three with 5 seconds to play. Hanson’s three pointer rims out, but he got fouled in the act of shooting. After making 1 of 2 free throws, Hanson misses the last shot on purpose but Foot Clan couldn’t come up with it. Ripcord hangs on in an exciting finish and will face ALS in next week’s B2 West Finals. ALS has beaten Ripcord in both of their meetings in the regular season, but the playoffs, as we all know, is a totally different game.