Spring 2011: B Draft League Champs: Team Fun Time!!

Gray Seals The Chip For Team Fun Time
Team Fun Time!! 52 Earthquakes & Cupcakes 51

The highly coveted B Draft league concluded this evening with Team Fun Time and Earthquakes and Cupcakes battling for the lucrative banner. All sorts of hype and pregame storylines surrounded this one as the MattyBells – Jtho rivalry was in full throttle. No punches were thrown this time around as we had a hard fought clean game throughout. 

We got underway and it was clear only one team had showed up to play. To the crowd’s surprise it was E+C. E+C ripped off an 8-0 run to open the game as McCauley got things going crossing up Matty, sending him flying to the floor (he claims he “fell” on his own…yeah, ok). Caughney hit a 3 and it looked like E+C had no jitters to start this one.

On the other end, TFT couldn’t buy a bucket. Literally. They didn’t score their first point until the 14-minute mark (yes, 6 minutes without a point) as Strange buried a 3 to get TFT going offensively. Offense was very difficult to come by for TFT as Strange struggled early with his shot. E+C maintained the lead for the opening segment of the first half but as we moved along Strange started to heat up.

Strange went on a personal 9-point binge getting TFT within 3 all while making this game watchable. About time. Shit was ugly for most of the first half until the Strange show began. JTho’s defense was admirable, but it was only a matter of time before Strange played like an MVP. With 5 minutes to go Strange had brought TFT all the way back as he and his bys trailed by just 1.

One minute later TFT was able to take their first lead of the game. Gray really played well in the waning minutes of the first half (in the whole game really) collecting offensive rebounds in bunches and doing all the little things it takes to win titles (7 ORebs). E+C went cold from 3 after their initial spurt as TFT went into the break with a 19-18 lead. 

With a half of championship play under their belts both teams shook off the jitters and really picked it up on offense. JTho opened the 2^nd half with a triple as I could tell he had that look in his eye (LET’S GOOOOOO!). Caughney hit a couple threes of his own as well giving E+C some much-needed life.

The beginning of the 2^nd half was really ALL E+C. Saltzman was a machine from the perimeter draining mid range shot after mid range shot. Talk about stepping up to the plate as this guy was easily the unsung hero for E+C really bailing them out on offense on numerous plays. McCauley did a nice job as well finding Saltzman on several drive and kicks for open looks so he should be credited with his playmaking.

Strange and Gray kept TFT in it though with great hustle and timely shot making. Bells and Glumac picked up the pieces playing solid team ball, hustle defense and making the extra pass to put Strange in good positions to score. Despite their efforts though, the 3 ball had come alive for Caughney and JTho as E+C led 40-32 with about 10 minutes to go.

If I ever saw an MVP put a team on his back when the going got tough it was right at this point. Strange decided he was done clowning around and led TFT on a huge 9-0 run. It was the Strange show once again as he hit some ungodly floaters in the paint and a huge 3 to give TFT a one-point lead. We were headed towards the final stretch and we hard ourselves a barnburner.

With 3 minutes to go the game was tied at 45. Both teams hit 1 FT each and that was all the scoring for the rest of regulation. E+C had a chance to take this one in regulation but McCauley was unable to convert a difficult shot. TFT got the ball with 3 seconds left but Gray was unable to get a shot off as time expired. In fitting fashion, on to OT we went!

In OT the drama was not lacking. McCauley hit one of his 2 threes in the opening minute giving E+C the early lead. Strange was there though to answer with a three of his own. We had a scintillating battle on our hands as every shot at this point had the crowd holding their breath.

We moved along in OT and neither team wanted to give the other any sort of edge. The defense was active and intense and you could cut the tension on the balcony with a knife. Both teams traded buckets as Strange converted a layup only to be followed by 2 CLUTHC FTs by McCauley. We had a tie game with under a minute to play as TFT had the ball with a chance to take the game. They came up short giving E+C a chance to come away with the win After a sloppy possession a wild scrum ensued which resulted in TFT coming up with the ball. They called timeout and had once last chance in OT to take this one. With .8 on the clock, Gray got the inbounds pass and got fouled as he went up for the mid range buzzer beater. A silly foul indeed sent Gray to the line for 2. He missed the first…and had one more for all the marbles. Gray was true as he wins it for TFT in dramatic fashion sending Bells and company into a celebratory frenzy.

A tough way to end for E+C but they should be proud of a great season. Congrats to Team Fun Time and MattyBells on a great season. They were the best team all season and capped it off with a title in a thrilling game. Strange was the MVP of the game as he led all scorers with 37 putting forth a heroic effort. An all around entertaining and hotly contested game goes to TFT as this season’s B Draft champs!

Scores, Box Scores & Write-Ups

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