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Wednesday, December 8
15 years ago
Yo from RoPo!
SUMMARY:
BDF @ ALB: L Bantams (3-12) 97, W Alphas (6-7) 105
PLY @ KCC: W Taproots (9-5) 106, L Clefs (4-11) 82
STA @ MON: W Thrust (8-5) 109, L Howlers (7-6) 108
PIT @ SAS: W Keystones (7-7) 93, L Spectrums (6-7) 91
SPO @ WIL: L Rapids (8-6) 92, W Minutemen (10-3) 94
INJURIES:
Marko Sly (Raccoon, F, PLY) - Shoulder, will return for next game
Lewis Lachler (Hyena, F, MON) - Handpaw, will return for next game
Joseph Trundle (Fox, G, BDF) - Muzzle, will return for next game
Ian Histon (Leopard, G, LOR) - Ankle, Out for 3 games
Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C, NWK) - Leg, Out for 51 more games
Brandon Dreyvus (Opossum, F, GAL) - Leg, Out for 25 more games
Nathan Robinson (Sidewinder, C, BLX) - Spine, Out for 41 more games
Liam Orwell (Labrador, F, WIL) - Neck, Out for 40 more games
Allen Sharp (Spotted Hyena, F, NWK) - Knee, Out for 2 more games
BOX SCORES:
http://bit.ly/gr44AZ
CAPSULES:
BDF | 24 26 23 24 | L 97
@ALB | 28 28 23 26 | W 105
The Alphas have strung together their second win in a row while the Bantams extend their losing streak to four games, matching their current season high.
PLY | 24 27 28 27 | W 106
KCC | 23 21 18 20 | L 82
Even with Kansas City's roster back at full strength, the Clefs are unable to defend their home court from the visiting Taproots as the reigning Eastern Conference champions blow them out by 24 points.
STA | 25 26 26 32 | W 109
MON | 25 26 30 27 | L 108
T. Matt Latrans put it nicely in his blog: "Montana saw a touch of Christmas tonight."
Snow covered the ground in the deep woods that surround Treasure State Arena. While it was freezing outside, it was boiling inside with a sold out crowd of big predators excited to watch their Howlers up against the most prominent prey animal in the league. The rivalry had spanned 3 years, but it was different that night, as Buck Hopper (Rabbit, PG) stepped out onto a Montana court without Julio Onca (Black Panther, F/C, HNT). The difference was felt immediately-- or rather, right after a quick joke.
In a stunt that got as rise of laughter from the audience, when B-Hop walked over to touch the spot where he was injured in the 2007 Playoffs, Shane Rufus (Red Wolf, PG) stood on the spot. Last year, Julio Onca had done the same thing, preventing the bunny from touching it. This time, however, in a sign of B-Hop's warmth toward the big wolf, the bunny looked at Fang and held out his arms. "Fang! Come on!" The big wolf then smirked and stepped away, giving Hopper's shoulder a shove. "Just f______ with ya, bunny," he grinned.
There were no jokes after tip-off. In some of the most intense basketball seen in the Western Conference this season, the Thrust and the Howlers stayed neck-and-neck throughout the entire first half. Defense was weak on both sides as the low post saw most of the action. Karl Gruber (Cougar, PF) and Nohea Holokai (Orca, C) were brilliant in working together to find open looks against Peter Conner (Cougar, PF) and Cletus Swinton (Pig, C). But the newest Thrust teammates did just the same, with P-Con providing the grace and Boss Hawg providing the power. Sharpshooter Rocky Caracal (Lynx, SG) was almost useless with Doral (Gecko, SG) wrapping up the position throughout the game, and while the young Carlos Syevens-Quiles (Calico Cat, SF) couldn't work through veteran Lewis Lachler's (Spotted Hyena, SF) excellent defense, he was spared having to show his own weak D by Laugh-In's poor shooting.
After matching scores coming out of halftime, the Howlers began to pull away as the real battle developed at the point position. Rookie Paul Shepherd (German Shepherd, PG) got blocked a couple times by Randy Catcher (Bullfrog, PG) before figuring out how to get around Dig 'Em and light up the scoreboard. That put Hopper back on the floor to stop the bleeding, which he did, but the rest did Fang a lot of good as he returned to bring the most thrilling one-on-one balling seen that night. In an almost personal challenge between the two veteran points, Rufus and Hopper traded jumper after jumper, bodying up, crossing up, showing off all their moves and aim to rack up the score. A clutch triple off Fang's big paws gave the home team the lead into the fourth, where the challenge continued.
Hopper was phenomenal in turning junk shots into points, finding open looks in traffic and getting buckets off quick penetrations. New pickup Michael Porter (Mallard, F) was deadly from the corner, providing three triples off kickouts from the bunny. And when Montana's D sealed up the wings, rookie Blythe Nacht (Red Fox [silver phase], G) was clutch from the shoulders, raining down treys from the woods, including an amazing buzzer-beating off-balance shot off a sloppy pass from Seth Ross (Gecko, F).
The Christmas miracle came as the clock ran down to seconds with Stanislaus down by a single point. With last possession, Hopper held the ball, letting the clock run. When B-Hop cut, Fang blocked the path, forcing the bunny to pass to P-Con. The cougar posted up on Gruber and threw him with a brilliant fake, giving him an open lane for the drop step and the dunk-- but Lachler came in from the weak side and got his paw under the ball. His wrist was bent back down into the hoop, injuring the veteran, but preventing the points. The ball popped out and was tongued by Doral, who was standing 14 feet from the hoop. With no time to do anything else, the gecko jumped and put the ball up off hir sticky paws. The buzzer went off, the ball hit the backboard-- and stuck to it, apparently glued by residue from the gecko's tongue. With the crowd dead silent and all eyes staring at the ball, the "glue" slowly gave way-- until the ball dropped, bounced off the inside of the hoop, then tapped the outside and rolled in for the winning deuce.
Somehow, the loss was not that heart-breaking for the fans, amused by the finish-- and by the Thrust dog-piling on Doral for hir extremely rare successful jump shot. When things settled and the teams were about to leave, Fang was seen giving B-Hop another shove, who returned the shove-- before the pair hugged. "See you in the playoffs, bunny," Fang was heard growling.
PIT | 26 24 24 19 | W 93
SAS | 25 19 24 23 | L 91
There were no buzzer beaters or heroics for the Spectrums as the Keystones manage to hold off the home team and extend their winning streak to four games.
SPO | 21 20 24 27 | L 92
@WIL | 27 22 19 26 | W 94
A persistent Rapids team nearly stole the win from the Minutemen, were it not for a last-second longball that propelled Williamsburg to victory.
With 1.2 seconds to go and Spokane sporting a 92-91 lead, the Minutemen set up to inbound the ball at half-court out of a timeout. Vera La Tiérra (Red Vixen, G) set up the inbounds pass with the Minutemen's best three-point shooters on the court: Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G), Leonard Mack (Red Fox, F), and Damien Nathaniel (Hyena, F). Nick Nwabudike (Elephant, C) provided an inside option if it opened even for an instant. In this case, it did not. However, as Vera looked around, she saw Nathaniel break for the corner as he attempted to lose Ryota Akinishi (Siberian Tiger, F). Seeing that cut, Vera passed the ball straight to where Nathaniel would be as he made the cut to get open. He accepted the pass. The clock started. He had enough daylight in the corner to turn. He shot. The loud horn pierced everyone's ears and the backboard shone red; there was no question he had let it go before the buzzer. The ball arced through the air... and swished through the net.
The crowd exploded in cheers and the hyena rose his arms in triumph. Not long after Vera grabbed him around the neck and planted a smooch on his cheek, Nathaniel was surronded by his teammates in a merry mob at the side of the court.
Nwabudike recorded his 10th double-double of the year with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Lenny Hicks (Coydog, F) led the Minutmen with 15 points.
The Minutemen led by 8 at the half, but Spokane used Jorge Vilata's (Cat, G) three fourth-quarter treys, Tatiana Trotsky's (Horse, C) 10 rebounds off the bench, and rookie Blanc Mange's (White Wolf, F) team-leading 13 points to stay in the game. Mange's floating runner over Nathaniel gave Spokane their short-lived lead.
Alan Chesuk (Moose, C) recorded a double-double for the Rapids with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: TBA
BDF @ ALB: L Bantams (3-12) 97, W Alphas (6-7) 105
PLY @ KCC: W Taproots (9-5) 106, L Clefs (4-11) 82
STA @ MON: W Thrust (8-5) 109, L Howlers (7-6) 108
PIT @ SAS: W Keystones (7-7) 93, L Spectrums (6-7) 91
SPO @ WIL: L Rapids (8-6) 92, W Minutemen (10-3) 94
INJURIES:
Marko Sly (Raccoon, F, PLY) - Shoulder, will return for next game
Lewis Lachler (Hyena, F, MON) - Handpaw, will return for next game
Joseph Trundle (Fox, G, BDF) - Muzzle, will return for next game
Ian Histon (Leopard, G, LOR) - Ankle, Out for 3 games
Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C, NWK) - Leg, Out for 51 more games
Brandon Dreyvus (Opossum, F, GAL) - Leg, Out for 25 more games
Nathan Robinson (Sidewinder, C, BLX) - Spine, Out for 41 more games
Liam Orwell (Labrador, F, WIL) - Neck, Out for 40 more games
Allen Sharp (Spotted Hyena, F, NWK) - Knee, Out for 2 more games
BOX SCORES:
http://bit.ly/gr44AZ
CAPSULES:
BDF | 24 26 23 24 | L 97
@ALB | 28 28 23 26 | W 105
The Alphas have strung together their second win in a row while the Bantams extend their losing streak to four games, matching their current season high.
PLY | 24 27 28 27 | W 106
KCC | 23 21 18 20 | L 82
Even with Kansas City's roster back at full strength, the Clefs are unable to defend their home court from the visiting Taproots as the reigning Eastern Conference champions blow them out by 24 points.
STA | 25 26 26 32 | W 109
MON | 25 26 30 27 | L 108
T. Matt Latrans put it nicely in his blog: "Montana saw a touch of Christmas tonight."
Snow covered the ground in the deep woods that surround Treasure State Arena. While it was freezing outside, it was boiling inside with a sold out crowd of big predators excited to watch their Howlers up against the most prominent prey animal in the league. The rivalry had spanned 3 years, but it was different that night, as Buck Hopper (Rabbit, PG) stepped out onto a Montana court without Julio Onca (Black Panther, F/C, HNT). The difference was felt immediately-- or rather, right after a quick joke.
In a stunt that got as rise of laughter from the audience, when B-Hop walked over to touch the spot where he was injured in the 2007 Playoffs, Shane Rufus (Red Wolf, PG) stood on the spot. Last year, Julio Onca had done the same thing, preventing the bunny from touching it. This time, however, in a sign of B-Hop's warmth toward the big wolf, the bunny looked at Fang and held out his arms. "Fang! Come on!" The big wolf then smirked and stepped away, giving Hopper's shoulder a shove. "Just f______ with ya, bunny," he grinned.
There were no jokes after tip-off. In some of the most intense basketball seen in the Western Conference this season, the Thrust and the Howlers stayed neck-and-neck throughout the entire first half. Defense was weak on both sides as the low post saw most of the action. Karl Gruber (Cougar, PF) and Nohea Holokai (Orca, C) were brilliant in working together to find open looks against Peter Conner (Cougar, PF) and Cletus Swinton (Pig, C). But the newest Thrust teammates did just the same, with P-Con providing the grace and Boss Hawg providing the power. Sharpshooter Rocky Caracal (Lynx, SG) was almost useless with Doral (Gecko, SG) wrapping up the position throughout the game, and while the young Carlos Syevens-Quiles (Calico Cat, SF) couldn't work through veteran Lewis Lachler's (Spotted Hyena, SF) excellent defense, he was spared having to show his own weak D by Laugh-In's poor shooting.
After matching scores coming out of halftime, the Howlers began to pull away as the real battle developed at the point position. Rookie Paul Shepherd (German Shepherd, PG) got blocked a couple times by Randy Catcher (Bullfrog, PG) before figuring out how to get around Dig 'Em and light up the scoreboard. That put Hopper back on the floor to stop the bleeding, which he did, but the rest did Fang a lot of good as he returned to bring the most thrilling one-on-one balling seen that night. In an almost personal challenge between the two veteran points, Rufus and Hopper traded jumper after jumper, bodying up, crossing up, showing off all their moves and aim to rack up the score. A clutch triple off Fang's big paws gave the home team the lead into the fourth, where the challenge continued.
Hopper was phenomenal in turning junk shots into points, finding open looks in traffic and getting buckets off quick penetrations. New pickup Michael Porter (Mallard, F) was deadly from the corner, providing three triples off kickouts from the bunny. And when Montana's D sealed up the wings, rookie Blythe Nacht (Red Fox [silver phase], G) was clutch from the shoulders, raining down treys from the woods, including an amazing buzzer-beating off-balance shot off a sloppy pass from Seth Ross (Gecko, F).
The Christmas miracle came as the clock ran down to seconds with Stanislaus down by a single point. With last possession, Hopper held the ball, letting the clock run. When B-Hop cut, Fang blocked the path, forcing the bunny to pass to P-Con. The cougar posted up on Gruber and threw him with a brilliant fake, giving him an open lane for the drop step and the dunk-- but Lachler came in from the weak side and got his paw under the ball. His wrist was bent back down into the hoop, injuring the veteran, but preventing the points. The ball popped out and was tongued by Doral, who was standing 14 feet from the hoop. With no time to do anything else, the gecko jumped and put the ball up off hir sticky paws. The buzzer went off, the ball hit the backboard-- and stuck to it, apparently glued by residue from the gecko's tongue. With the crowd dead silent and all eyes staring at the ball, the "glue" slowly gave way-- until the ball dropped, bounced off the inside of the hoop, then tapped the outside and rolled in for the winning deuce.
Somehow, the loss was not that heart-breaking for the fans, amused by the finish-- and by the Thrust dog-piling on Doral for hir extremely rare successful jump shot. When things settled and the teams were about to leave, Fang was seen giving B-Hop another shove, who returned the shove-- before the pair hugged. "See you in the playoffs, bunny," Fang was heard growling.
PIT | 26 24 24 19 | W 93
SAS | 25 19 24 23 | L 91
There were no buzzer beaters or heroics for the Spectrums as the Keystones manage to hold off the home team and extend their winning streak to four games.
SPO | 21 20 24 27 | L 92
@WIL | 27 22 19 26 | W 94
A persistent Rapids team nearly stole the win from the Minutemen, were it not for a last-second longball that propelled Williamsburg to victory.
With 1.2 seconds to go and Spokane sporting a 92-91 lead, the Minutemen set up to inbound the ball at half-court out of a timeout. Vera La Tiérra (Red Vixen, G) set up the inbounds pass with the Minutemen's best three-point shooters on the court: Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G), Leonard Mack (Red Fox, F), and Damien Nathaniel (Hyena, F). Nick Nwabudike (Elephant, C) provided an inside option if it opened even for an instant. In this case, it did not. However, as Vera looked around, she saw Nathaniel break for the corner as he attempted to lose Ryota Akinishi (Siberian Tiger, F). Seeing that cut, Vera passed the ball straight to where Nathaniel would be as he made the cut to get open. He accepted the pass. The clock started. He had enough daylight in the corner to turn. He shot. The loud horn pierced everyone's ears and the backboard shone red; there was no question he had let it go before the buzzer. The ball arced through the air... and swished through the net.
The crowd exploded in cheers and the hyena rose his arms in triumph. Not long after Vera grabbed him around the neck and planted a smooch on his cheek, Nathaniel was surronded by his teammates in a merry mob at the side of the court.
Nwabudike recorded his 10th double-double of the year with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Lenny Hicks (Coydog, F) led the Minutmen with 15 points.
The Minutemen led by 8 at the half, but Spokane used Jorge Vilata's (Cat, G) three fourth-quarter treys, Tatiana Trotsky's (Horse, C) 10 rebounds off the bench, and rookie Blanc Mange's (White Wolf, F) team-leading 13 points to stay in the game. Mange's floating runner over Nathaniel gave Spokane their short-lived lead.
Alan Chesuk (Moose, C) recorded a double-double for the Rapids with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: TBA
...except for the SAS match. Please don't OD yourself, Price.
And now of to back-to-back away games, yaaaaaay...
*squees*
:3
Damn I have to write something up for this :P.
I love the odd relationship he and Fang have, though.
Well, maybe *I* can. C'mon, Shane! What? Were you still hung over from last night?
I still know a little compared to the rest, still getting into it but I love sports as a result when I normally just was pretty passive about it.
I learned by sticking around and just following about. Maybe it'll work for you. In Arnie's words: "Stickaround!" We'll be glad to help you out. =3
My shot percentage is fairly low, so I wonder if I should use that stickiness to my advantage. Certainly didn't do that on purpose - sweat + secretions = temporary glue. :P
In all seriousness, I lol'd enjoyably at that. XD
After the buzzer, and another Howler loss, Paul Shepherd was frustrated and kicked over a Gatorade dispenser and a chair on the way to the locker room, letting out the steam that boiled inside him, despite scoring 17 points.
He was swearing, which was obviously in his mother tongue. "So ein Scheiss! Wir haetten gewinnen muessen! Der bloede Frosch, ey!" (He is expressing his anger towards Randy Catcher.) Karl Gruber came to him and calmed him down, not wanting to let the rookie sink into further anger. Even Shane Rufus came to him after he hugged Buck Hopper and calmed his fellow guard down. "Hey, listen, P, I know it was a close one, but look on the bright side, we still have a winning record and on track towards the playoffs. You didn't mess up, this is a team's loss. Just relax. We'll win the next one."
The next game will be in Williamsburg against the Minutemen. Rufus and Shepherd will have to find a way to shut down La Tierra.
---
Yeah, that's how I felt *table flip*
Awwww, don't be such an angry poochie. You played great, you had awesome stats, and you lost by the slimmest of margins. Hey, if a big meanie like Shane Rufus can end the game hugging B-Hop, everyone should be able to walk away from the court satisfied. The Howlers are a terrific team and they played really well. Hopper recognizes that, too.
We better get a 1st overall pick!
Or I will be forced to get the Rie-lazo Fruit Bars.
A New Plan
No one can take into account the final clutch play. Even with the best coach, the best plays at your disposal, the best setup, there is no good plan against the clutch shot. Tonight after coming off a loss at home against the Firestorm, a team they were confident that can take at their home court, the players and coaches again were humbled at the Patriot Stadium by 2 points. The is no doubt the team's morale was hit hard by this loss and in a day they have to face the #3 team in the Eastern Conference. Cheers can still be heard through the halls as the Rapids return to that locker room somewhat broken. As Nightfire and Slagburn enter the locker room the atmosphere was clear, furstration and anger. Nightfire look around for a moment and nods as he finally speaks up to break the uneasy silence.
"Everyone.. you did great. you were being 8 points at the half, you follow the plays open up three 3-pointers by Vilata. and you keep the lead till the last second. No one could have predicted that shot, and there is nothing we can do but to accept our loss and learn from it. You all are learning the positions well, you are learning to see opening and when the Point guard can't start a play or get it set up, you are able to adapt and move with the flow of the game.. I can't be more happy and soon we will be able to move to the next goal, we have to work on everyone shooting, right now we only have 3 people getting double digits.. I want to have 5."
Slagburn nods as Nightfire sits on the bench next to Trotsky (Horse/C). "This was a good close game, but a lost is a lost. And before you start to get down, need we remind you.. you had a 6-0 winning streak, teams are gunning for you. You were originally called "underdogs" and you show them up with great teamwork and chemistry. You all had the potential of being a good team and now everyone else knows this. For now on our path to the playoffs is not going to be easy, so now it time to show them your fangs."
Nightfire smiles "Keep the pressure on them let them know that we are a good team. Allright we have a game against the Spirits next so let prepare for our trip to Charm City Center"
The heavy cloud that daunted over the team has lifted a bit as Slagburn ask Nightfire to stop outside with him for a moment.
"So what you think?" Asked Slaguburn as cheers seem to have dimmed down and have been replaced with the sounds of furs moving out of the stadium.
"I think I need to come up with a new plan, get the fire going again." Nightfire said quickly as he seem to have taken the loss just as hard as well. "I can't have this team fall through the cracks again... I won't let it happen again."
12/8/10
The Spectrums’ locker room was strangely quiet after the loss to visiting Pittsburgh. The press had come and gone, the stands were empty, but no one had changed yet on account of Sandy DiTullio (Golden Retreiver, G). While Blondie said she didn’t mind seeing the males change, there were a few holdouts from the rest of the team, including a bashful Crosby Sutters (Genet, F/C) who insisted on a bit more gender modesty in the locker room.
So everyone sat, faces glum, spirits low, Jefferson Adams (Lion, C) rolling a ball between his paws along the floor as he sat stooped on the bench, still yet to actually play a game this season. Tails were still, and only the quiet sighs of various players broke the silence until head coach Jackson Price (Fisher) finally spoke up.
“So… we lost,” he said, more of an admission of failure than his usual accusatory tone after suffering a defeat.
“Yep,” Omar Pink (Saluki, SF) replied, nodding.
“Anyone got any ideas why?” Price then asked.
“Because we suck?” Aaron Murray (Ram, C) snorted, then was smacked upside the back of his head by Lance Cheval (Stallion, C), who was sitting next to him.
“Hey, maybe you do, but I don’t,” My Big Pony reprimanded him.
Instead of letting the tiff grow into an argument, Price regained control of the conversation. “Hey, now, none of that,” he said, his voice firm once more before softening again. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it, though, we’re not doing as well as we should be. Twenty points lost to the Rapids, Seventeen points lost to the Minutemen. We could have pulled out a win against the Bikers, but we fell short. Sure, we got a win over the Blanks, but we got lucky, and tonight we lose again, here at home, in front of your fans, to Pittsburgh, of all teams.
“What happened, guys? We know we can do this, we know we can win, but we just… don’t. Is it the playbook? Am I not explaining things right? Or is there something between some of you that keeps us from really playing together on the court as well as we do in practice? Are you nervous? What’s going on?” Price asked, a hint of worry in his voice. “I mean, could it even be me that’s the problem?”
Again silence fell over the team, eyes looking down and sneakers and bare footpaws alike, thumbs twiddled and paws toyed with the hems of shorts. No one was sure, and at long last, Crosby Sutters answered, “Have you ever considered that maybe we’re not very good, Coach?”
A collective wince went through the team, though each had to admit that they had been thinking the same thing. “Oh, come on!” Price then snapped, getting some of his fire back. “You’re all good, each in your own way, and as a team I know you can be great. I’ve seen you be great. But when I was with the Mayors—”
“We’re not your d*mn Mayors, Coach!” the sudden, roaring voice of Barton Bados (Ram, PG) cut him off, and everyone turned to see Blackbelly stand up. “Stop living in your g*dd*mn glory days and wake the f*ck up! We’ve got five members of last year’s squad, a has-been, we’re stuck with this goofball Yobia because your bosses went and just gave away Gruber for who the f*ck knows why, and then a bunch of leftovers because nobody good wanted to play for this team over their other offers, even when we offered more! It’s not exactly like we have a stellar history to live up to!”
“Bados!” assistant coach Randall Yoster (Border Collie) snapped, but was quickly called out himself.
“Oh, shut it, Randy,” Pink said, now standing. “And you shut it, too, Bart. We’re on this team. This is our team, and because I’m team captain, this is also my team. But, Bart’s got a point, Coach. We aren’t the Mayors. We don’t have you and Healey and everyone else in their prime. We’re outclassed, outranked, and most of us are underpaid, but we still go out there! And I don’t know about any of you, but I want to win, every time. Yeah, we get made fun of, yeah, the press flocks to the other teams instead of us, but d*mn it, we’re better than they think we are. We’re better than we think we are!”
“Better than the Rapids?” Hector Sanchez (Kangaroo Rat, G) said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “They beat us like a rented mule, esse, even without Stoat.”
“And what’s up with the sudden schedule change?” Phineas Jackson (Crocodile, F) chimed in. “What, they couldn’t even wait two weeks to watch us get trashed again?”
“We’re not going to get trashed!” Pink snarled. “They beat us last time, yeah, so now they think we’re pushovers. Well, instead of whining, why don’t we go out there and just kick a**? Hell, I know Hunter can push RadRab around, if he tries, and even Bing here got a technical for some attitude, tonight, so I know he’s got a bit more in him than just smiles and cheers.”
“Listen to your captain,” Price said. “I’m not sure what put the fire out, tonight, and maybe we’ll never know, but if you can only do two things for me this whole season, make it these: Believe in yourself, and believe in your team. And if you’ve got some space left over, might not hurt to believe in me and Randy, a bit, too. Who knows, Santa Price might get you all something good for Christmas.”
A much needed chuckle rippled through the team and Price leaned forward on his cane. “I know it’s been hard, and I know I’ve been a jerk at times. Remember, I’m learning, too, and it hurts me just as much when we lose because I feel like I must have done something wrong. I don’t know why the schedule changed, but it did, so we have to buck up and deal with it. Speaking of which, we fly out tomorrow, so make sure you pack your bags tonight with two away games in mind. Also, roomate pairings have been changed due to some complaints about snoring, so you can get the new list from Randy on your way out, tonight. And, due to the last-minute schedule change, we’ll have another passenger on the team jet, this time; our announcer, Alan Foster, is going to be joining us instead of flying commercial like they usually have him do. No short jokes, guys. Seriously, I mean that.”
“Aw, man,” Sanchez whined. “No fair, he’s like, the only dude around here shorter than me.”
“No short jokes unless you want your name mispronounced on the air, how about that?” Price countered. “Now, unless we’ve got any other pressing concerns, I think its time I let you all clean up and get back home to your wives, or girlfriends or boyfriends or whatever it is you all have, if you have them. And, Hunter, I need you to wake up on the court next game. Eleven points, that’s it? Wherever that fire went, get it back, we need it out there.”