Dallas Hoop It Up - Game 2

Game one was really the first time we had ever played together as a team. Even though we lost we at least got a feel for how we worked together on the court and we came off that first game pissed that we lost but more confident than we were going into it. We felt good going into game two and by all outward appearance, this looked like an easier team to beat.

Note to my fellow b-ballers: Appearances can be deceiving.

Now I will say this for them; they did have some fancy matching jerseys and they were here from across the country and clearly had been playing together for a long time. We found all of this out before the game and that should have been a clue for us to take them very seriously. Don't get me wrong, we didn't think they were a joke or anything but I think we all figured we'd take this game. I know I did. So much so that I volunteered to start out on the bench.

I guess the best way to start describing this game was to say that after about five minutes into it we were down 8-2 and I was about to go crazy on the sidelines. They had this one guy who didn't miss a shot from three point land. He had knocked a few down before we even knew what hit us. By the time we realized that we couldn't give these guys an open look from behind the line, it was too late.

These guys hustled like their lives were at stake. They were also just fundamentally good as a team. They were the Indiana Hoosiers. I got in the game and was able to get some points on the board by taking it to the basket and even knocking down one from behind the line. But it wasn't enough. We were down so far so fast that it was tough to come back. One bit of satisfaction I got was a really nice block on their little "star" player. He tried to drive to the basket but didn't realize I was headed that direction fast to help my teammate who was guarding him. Or maybe he did realize and went for it anyway. In either case, I damn near jumped over him and blocked his shot with the bottom of my elbow, all ball, no foul. That was fun but they sure had the last laugh.

Again, I think as a team we didn't play aggressively enough on offense and sure didn't crash the boards enough on defense. They lit us up with the threes. In fact, minus a point or two I think that's all they did, three pointers (which count as 2 in Hoop It Up). But I gotta say, if I have to lose, this is the kind of team I want to lose to. These guys were gracious winners and should probably also receive some kind of good sportsmanship (or Miss Congeniality) award. This was probably one of the friendliest games I've ever played in hoop it up. That may also have been one of our problems.

This was our only bad loss, 20-11. I even had some blood shed this game after sliding and hitting the pavement one time. Scraped up knee and hands and not even a win to show for it.