In one of the most highly touted and thrillingly entertaining clash-of-the-titans type matches in Griffins history, it took some late game heroics from Uni 2to hold off late charge by Uni 1 to win by a solitary point, 48-47, at Wayville.

The Greater Griffins (team 2) were teetering, with 7 wins and 6 losses, and coming off an uninspiring performance against the lowly North Red. The needed to register a victory against the Lesser Griffins (team 1) to establish themselves firmly as contenders for the playoffs.

The game began much in the same way the previous derby was played – hard-fought, scrappy, intense basketball. Mockywocky went coast to coast with the foul to open the scoring and the Greater Grifs went on to score the next 7 points, courtesy of a Buckets’ bucket and some fine post play from one Jay Radar Johnson  Esquire. Leading 9-0 the Greater Grifs had established control over the match, control they would not relinquish until well into the fourth quarter. Money finally got the Lesser Grifs on the board, and The Dan hit a pair from the stripe, but it was like building a sandcastle to hold back the ocean – the Greater Grifs took the quarter 13-4, led by Radar’s 7.

Other stuff happened in the next two quarters. Stuff like Buckets getting more buckets, John showing a pulse and getting some runners to go, Mockywocky hitting a three, Rich hitting two threes, and Kel launching at least seven threes, and making one, The Dan intimidating the ref into making bogus calls, and Mockywocky getting T’d up for swearing at the ref for making bogus calls. The highlight of this period of the game was definitely Toby’s up-and-under scoop reverse. Fantastic! The Lesser Grifs began establishing their height and strength inside, getting to the rim and finishing at the line. The Lesser Grifs took the middle two quarters by a combined 31-24, making it 37-35 going into the final quarter. Leading scorers at this point had Rich (9), Chris (8) and The Dan (8) leading Uni 1, with Mocky (10), Jay (9) and Kel (8) guiding Uni 2.

The final quarter was an arm wrestle. The funny thing is it was won by the guy with the skinniest arms on the court. Patty showed zip and touch, roadrunnering 4 straight points to give Uni 1 its first lead of the match. TJ hit a tough runner in the lane and Jay got to the line and converted and this gave Uni 2 a two point lead with less than a minute to play. At this point Tom Alford ran off the court and into the nearest telephone booth, got his lycra on, strapped on his cape , put on his mask, then came running back onto the court at warp speed: it’s hero time. Tom stepped up and demonstrated he’s got balls the size of a rhino’s by nailing a straight-away triple off a broken play with 20 ticks on the clickety, giving Uni 1 a one point lead. And what happened next? Well, the clock ran down, the ball got swung, and with less than a second on the clock Kel hit ‘The Shot’ and in doing so may have delivered what might be the ugliest game winner in Griffins history.

FINAL SCORE:

Adelaide University 2 def Adelaide University 1, 48-47.

Scorers: Uni 1 – The Dan 12; Money, Richie 9; Tonkin 6; Patty 4; Tom, Stubs 3; Max 1

Scorers: Uni 2 – Radar 15; Kel, Mockford 10; Scotty Buckets 5; Toby 4; TJ, Robbo 2; Wens 0

Uni 1 went 13/16 from the free throw line (81%) and hit 4 threes

Uni 2 went 14/20 from the free throw line (70%) and hit 2 threes

 

 

Some player and crowd responses to ‘The Shot’:

“Well, with my pink eye, everything’s a bit blurry. I couldn’t really get a good look at what was going on…” – Dr Brian Ho

“When Kel put that shot up, I seemed to float in mid air for ages… I mean, it seemed to float in mid air for ages” – Adam Robertson

“Man, I’m so unfit, I got puffed out just watching the game. I was too tired to see the last shot *breathes heavily*” – Scotty K

“When I saw that shot go up everything suddenly went slow. And trust me, I know slow.” – Matt Wensley

“Aww, F#%*!” – Tom Alford

“I didn’t see Kel’s shot, I was too busy fouling everyone…” – The Dan Harris

“Alright, alright, I’ll admit, wearing the headband and then losing the game makes me look like a total stooge” – Johnny T

“Man, where’s the celebration from Kel? He was like Robocop or something. If I’d hit that shot and won the game I would’ve had my cock out and everything. It would’ve been bananas! *grabs crotch*” – Jay ‘Radar’ Johnson

“Ha! Just like I drew it up. Swing the ball uselessly 3 times, then TJ threads a pass between two defenders to a cutting Kel, who fumbles, then turns and fires up a terribly-off balance one-handed hook-shot from behind the backboard. Direction-Perfection. Hey, doesn’t Cleveland still need a coach?” – Phil Antram

“Yep. Probably should’ve called a time out.” – Chris Ellis

“Man, I would blocked that shit outta here. Why’d I get dropped? I’ve been putting in work, getting double figures on the regular. I’d have totally outplayed The Dan tonight. Gotta respect my game!” –Stuart Renigers (aka Disco Stu)

“Yeah, did you like my floating up-and-under reverse? Hardwood classic nights, baby… Oh wait, you mean Kel’s shot…umm…” – Toby Johnson

“Can I please have a new nickname?” – Mockywocky

“Baaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhrhrhrrrrrrrrrr” – Jamie Drumm

“That’s a foul. No wait, two fouls… and a travel” – the Umpire

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Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the Div 4 teams.

Thanks to Johanna and Charles for scoring.

-Kel