Bookstore Basketball XXXII: Jack Frost takes its toll on opening round matches
By JUSTIN SCHUVER and BRYAN KRONK
Sports Writers
If the first two days of the 32nd annual Bookstore Basketball Tournament could be summed up in a word, that word would almost undisputably be "cold".
With temperatures hovering in the mid-30's and the wind making it feel even colder, players were having trouble warming up – both physically and in playing their games.
Five Sexy Beasts 21, Off to Slushies 15
On the frozen tundra of Lyons basketball court No. 1 Saturday, in front of an announced attendance of five, the athletic prowess of one team overcame the clinical coaching of another, as Five Sexy Beasts toppled Off to Slushies in an entertaining, thrilling and stupendous first-round matchup.
In weather that would have made Frosty the Snowman seriously think about putting on a sweater, the weekend warriors battled valiantly for a piece of Bookstore glory.
It was a classic battle of the sexes, with the all-male Beasts taking care of the spunky all-female Slushies in a game that proved the basketball excitement of March Madness can indeed run into April.
The game featured a thrilling first half in which the Beasts seemed to be in total control after jumping out to a quick lead. It was Slushies head coach Sean McConnell and assistant coach Dubber Johnson who helped maintain his team's composure.
"Shoot," McConnell yelled at a player who had the ball five inches from the basket. Other times, he instructed his team to pass, dribble, or shoot at the correct hoop.
The coach-player relationship was not monopolized by McConnell, however. His teammates provided input right back to him throughout the game, as well.
"My fingers, I can't feel them," said Slushies point guard Allison Christie early in the first half.
The teams traded baskets back and forth, with the Beasts holding a 11-8 advantage at halftime. The second half got a little chippy, when a jump ball situation erupted between the two teams.
A Beast tried to wrest the ball away from Christie, but the point guard remained firmly wrapped around the rock. Undaunted, the Beast simply decided to pick up Christie as well.
Order was eventually restored, remarkably, and cooler — perhaps colder — heads prevailed. Slushies gave the rest of the game a valiant effort, but it was Beasts who eventually prevailed as the victors.
McConnell had something to say about each of his players after the game.
"Jen Eves had a strong game down low. Amy Reiff played excellent `D'. Kathryn Kinnier was our offensive powerhouse. Ivette Flores provided leadership as our team captain. Courtney Grattan … well, she goes with the flow and hangs out. Basically just walks up and down the court and stands around," McConnell said.
"She's looking forward to the post-game party," he added.
Steve Perry 21, Capes and Cowboy Hats 4
Maybe it was the green uniforms.
The all-female Capes and Cowboy Hats were bamboozled and discombobulated by the all-male Steve Perry 21-4 Saturday in Bookstore Basketball action at Hammes Courts.
Capes, so named because every member of the team was clad in a green cape and a black cowboy hat, simply could not handle the intense pressure defense of a hungry Steve Perry squad.
Steve Perry forced the Capes ballhandlers into numerous sloppy turnovers and capitalized on the fast break with a weave offense that would have made the Harlem Globetrotters jealous.
Steve Perry's vocal on-court leader, Matthew Cirenza, provided some highlight reel entertainment late in the second half.
Bringing the ball up court, Cirenza decided to call the "two" play, an intricate offensive system that involved weakside movement, numerous screens and precision timing.
But he settled for a 3-point skyhook instead.
After hitting the basket, Cirenza held both arms high in the and yelled out that it was "the play of the decade!"
Down 20-3 after Cirenza's shot, Capes was able to mount a comeback and cut the deficit to 16 before finally falling by the final score of 21-4.
"The score doesn't really reflect our team's character," Capes forward Kristina Lundquist said after the game. "It doesn't accurately represent our ability."
Asked about where the idea for the uniforms came from, Capes guard Katie Bell replied, "Just cause they're fun and we had them lying around."
A jubilant Cirenza talked about his amazing shot after the contest.
"It was great," he said. "Someone said, `What do you take in your coffee,' and I said, `Kareem.' Get it? It's a joke, see?"
All kidding aside, Steve Perry was very proud of its performance overall.
"This was a classic battle between good and evil," said Steve Perry forward Ralph Pantoni, who scored three points in the game. "It was a classic David-and-Goliath matchup. And strangely enough, Goliath won."
Team 457 21, Future Welfare Recipients 4
Sunday began with one of the biggest blowouts of the afternoon, as Team 457 knocked off Future Welfare Recipients, 21-4. Team 457 got off to an early 11-1 lead and never looked back, thanks to a shaky shooting performance by the team comprised of law students.
Between the Buns 21, PPP 13
This game began as a back-and-forth affair, with teams exchanging baskets up until a 7-7 draw, but Between the Buns gained a lot of momentum by taking an 11-8 lead at halftime. PPP was worn down by the hustling Between the Buns squad, who dominated the second half offensively, both outside and inside, though they were hindered by a gusty wind throughout the game.
Are You Serious? 21, LeBron gave us a Hummer 16
LeBron gave us a Hummer was able to keep up with Are You Serious? early in the match, with the two teams drawing even at 4-4. However, Are You Serious? took control from there, heading into halftime on a 7-1 run to take an 11-5 lead into the break.
LeBron gave us a Hummer made it interesting late, pulling within 20-15, but it was too late, and a basket by Are You Serious? put the game away. Seriously.
Bunion Predators 21, Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys 18
After falling behind 10-5 early, the Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys made a run at the Bunion Predators in the second half, sneaking up to within two at 19-17.
However, it wasn't a surrender, but a late offensive surge that sent the Bunion Predators home victorious, knocking down two key shots to hold off the surging Cheese-eating Surrender Monkeys.
The Matriarchs 21, Jenn Smells 2
This blowout actually began as a 3-2 game in favor of the Matriarchs early on, as the two teams exchanged sloppy offensive possessions which eventually led to a few baskets.
However, a more focused — and sober — Matriarchs squad advanced with an 18-0 run to close out the disorganized Jenn Smells squad.
Really Bad 21, Don't Make Us Use the Bank Shot 11
The inappropriately-named Really Bad dominated the game with Don't Make Us Use the Bank Shot, getting out to a 13-6 lead before closing out the game — and the outmatched Don't Make Us Use the Bank Shot — on an offensive run.
Fabolous Fuve def. Team 24
This very slow-paced and sloppily-played match was called at halftime with Fabolous Fuve leading 11-7.
After Team 24 got out to an early 3-1 lead, Fabolous Fuve roared back to grab a 7-5 lead, and the lead grew steadily heading into halftime.
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries 21, Team 200 6
Facing up against the fifth-seeded team in the tournament, Team 200 knew the odds were stacked against them.
Which is precisely why they went out in style.
Sporting knee-high socks and various props — such as a jockstrap, athletic supporter and flip-up sunglasses — Team 200 actually took a 1-0 lead with the first basket of the game.
Unfortunately for them, then La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries started playing, getting to halftime – and victory – in convincing fashion.
Azn Thug Ballers 21, Mounds Don't 17
After dominating the first half by jumping out to an 11-5 lead, Azn Thug Ballers forgot to play defense in the second half, letting a dressed-up all-female Mounds Don't squad get back into the game.
The game went from 16-9 to 20-17 because of the lackadaisical defensive style of Azn Thug Ballers. Mounds Don't made it close, but turnovers cost them in the end, literally handing their opponents the game.
Shroud of Torin 21, DuLac? More Like Don't Lac 14
Shroud of Torin stormed out to an 11-2 halftime lead, thanks to pinpoint accuracy from the field and strong defense. After allowing the DuLac? … team draw to within five at 14-9, Shroud of Torin responded with a run of its own to advance to the round of 256.
Master P's Theatre 21, Furry Monkeys 4
This one just wasn't close.
Offensively and defensively, Master P's Theatre controlled this game throughout, though poor shooting and defense by the Furry Monkeys contributed to the lopsided victory.
Master P's Theatre got out to an early 7-0 lead, while the Furry Monkeys, who at times seemingly couldn't buy a shot, were able to put a few points on the board and avoid the shutout.
Naughty Foxes 21, Amish Midgets 8
In the final scheduled match of the day at the bookstore courts, the upstart Amish Midgets squad were subdued and frustrated by the defense of the Naughty Foxes squad. From a 2-1 lead, the Foxes went on a run to get ahead at the half, 11-5.
Using their tough defense once again, the Naughty Foxes were eventually able to string together a 6-1 run to close out the vertically-challenged female squad.
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 7, 2003
