HOW
SWEET IT IS!
Many
players go their entire careers without tasting sweet
victory, leaving the game they love feeling unfulfilled.
We didn't want that feeling. Last year's disappointment
already left a bitter taste in our mouths. We named
this year's team, "Money Shot" to remind us
to finish off teams. We wanted redemption. We wanted
to win. We wanted to walk away as champions. And we
did.
On
Saturday, we rolled through the first two games, winning
by a total score of 33-10. Our offense was clicking,
and our defense limited the opposing teams' chances.
Sunday began with a tougher-than-expected 16-12 win
to finish the round-robin with a 3-0 record and earn
a first-round bye. This gave us the wake-up call we
needed that we weren't going to just walk on the court
and roll over teams.
We
entered the playoffs with a brand-new focus. In the
semi-final game, we quickly built an 8-1 lead and frustrated
our opponents into early foul trouble. Thanks to good
poise and composure, we won the game by a final score
of 16-12.
In
the final game, our team faced our biggest test defensively.
Both of their guys not only had height and size advantages,
but were also capable of shooting the basketball from
outside. As the game wore on, however, our team's chemistry
began to show. One by one, we took turns taking the
ball to them on offense and denying them easy baskets
on defense. The final score was 16-13 for us.
I
can't say enough about how sweet it feels to win this
year's Hoop-It-Up championship. Neil, Jerrick, Nadia
and Corinna - thank you! If this is indeed the last
year we are entering the tournament, then I can't think
of a better way to walk off - as champions!
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