Week #1: Game Recap

Welcome back, boys!  

There was a lot of positive energy at Nelson High School yesterday evening to get the 2022-23 BMBL Season started.  The season's excitement was quickly drained from the gym when in the early moments of the second half of game one, Keith Andruch landed awkwardly and fractured his ankle.  Keith is scheduled for surgery tomorrow and seems in great spirits, aside from the pain of a gruesome injury.  A big thank you goes to Adam Lempka for staying with and helping Keith at the hospital after the game.

Keith, all of the boys wish you a speedy recovery.  We hope to see you at the gym again soon.

Game 1: Goldfish Swim School defeats Adam Lempka Real Estate

There was a lot of energy at tipoff.  Many veterans in attendance commented that Adam Lempka Real Estate is a massive team.  The first half was competitive, but you could tell that ALRE was having a tough time getting into an offensive flow.  It was a very physical game.  During halftime, Ryan French said, "damn, I forgot how physical this league is."

To be honest, most of the first half was a blurr once Keith got injured.

When the game resumed, the second-half clock was wound back from 24:00 to 7:00 (our permits end early, so regrettably, these teams lost a bunch of gametime), instantly turning this tied-ball game into a war.  Things got chippy between Adam Lempka and Cody Matthews.  Each possession was grimey.  

Goldfish Swim School had a 32-31 lead with 15 seconds to go.  ALRE had possession, and point guard Jon Kryzanowski ran a high pick and roll.  He was looking for an attack angle...only for everybody to realize that Jon was waiting to be fouled, thinking that his team was leading by one (not down by one).  The final buzzer sounded with GFISH taking the victory.

It was tough to gauge these two teams with a shortened game (with a large break).

Game Notes: Jon and his daughter (the scorekeeper for the evening -- and did a fantastic job) were seen in the parking lot collecting a stack of 20s from Dave McCay.  An investigation has been launched to determine if this was an inside job.

Game 2:  My Insurance Department 67 vs. New Start Kitchens 65

New Start Kitchens and My Insurance Department battled throughout in what proved to be the most competitive (full) evening game.  NSK came out of the gates firing.  League self-proclaimed first ballot hall of fame Craig Emuss reminded everybody that he would rain holy hell from three-point land if not challenged.  Kevin St. Kitts wound back the clock to 54 and was sometimes dominant.  MID struggled to find their grove in the first half.  Team captain Beto Gerones and massive human being Boris Zadkovic provided some offensive stability and kept the game within striking distance in the first half.

MID came out of the halftime break and found their grove.  Veterans Larry Lusdanis embedded a massive defensive footprint on the game, pressuring self-proclaimed hall of famer Craig Emuss into a poor second half.  Rookie Paul Ricciuti drained three three-pointers, and long-time BMBL sniper Tony Bartley gave an offensive boost with strong drives to the hoop and knocking down shots.

MID had a 4-point lead with 3 minutes left in the game.  NSK managed to take a one-point lead.  Laundry hit a free throw to tie it (we're not talking about his airballed free throw, but rather the one he made).  NSK had the ball with 25 seconds left.  Laundry stole the inbounds pass.  After a timeout, MID drew up a sexy play.  Beto drove to the hoop and tried to make some bulls*** pass that was deflected into Tony's hands under the hoop for an easy layup.  Game over!

Game Notes:  Rick and Paul Ricciuti become the first father-son team since Ken Griffey Jr and Sr played on the same team in Seattle.  Rick was comparing themselves to Lebron and Bronny, but I sighed and walked away.

Game 3: Joseph Pitirri Real Estate 44 vs. Overhead Doors 82

Curtis Seeley's Overhead Doors overmatched the undermanned Joseph Pitirri Real Estate.  Joe's team was without their starting QB (Joe Pettiri), TE (Jordan Johnston) and DE (Chris Keith) and couldn't muster enough offence or oxygen to keep up with the onslaught.

Andrew Ferris and number one pick Dustin McTaggart were formidable.  Ferris pounded the glass, got to the rim and was a difference-maker.  Dustin was noticeably complacent in the first half.  The scorer's table was openly questioning his abilities and manhood.  In the second half, notorious s*** talker Kris Ceelen also challenged Dustin's status as the number one pick. Dustin proceeded to light Kris' ass on fire with somewhere between 4-7 threes (more precise stats would have been provided by league officials who sucked at using the stats app).

John Van Loon and Glen Julien provided a lot of great defence intensity and presence. 

Game Note:  Commissioner Brandon Miller was interviewed after the game and asked, "how do you feel about your team's first game?"  His response, "i do nt tink tis was good gme.  we betr tjha tht.  me. hungry.  go hme eat."