Australian University Games 2009 (only one year late…)

2009 saw a new era of Unigames begin for Adelaide Uni Basketball. 2 teams of Unigames ‘virgins’ represented Adelaide University. Despite the inexperience Griffins AUG Basketball took to the courts and to the streets of the Gold Coast in true Unigames spirit.

THE TEAMS

 (Origins of nicknames stay on the Gold Coast)

Pre – Tournament

Thanks to super organization from Mel Perry and some effective fundraising run by Jeremy Coterill. The Griffins headed over to the Gold Coast fully prepared and with personalized headbands. A pre-tournament session at the Elephant after the AUG dinner ensured the teams knew each other and signified the first round of beers drunk as a team (little did we know how many more were to come).

Flights

The teams flew over together on Saturday evening. Although uneventful Mel’s fear of flying did provide comic relief and scratches on Mark Scopacasa’s hand.

Gold Coast

Adelaide Unigamers were staying 15 minute walk from Gold Coast centre. The Griffins made use of the short trek to go and scout the Gold Coast at night. Despite countless mullets, rats-tails and fuck-me-boots the teams knew that this week would become unforgettable…

Sunday

Sunday was a pre-tournament rest day allowing players to make use of the hotels pool, spa and sauna and review the 2009 AFL Grand Final. Chris McMichael however thought it would be smart to go and get tested by the AIS. Shortly after running the beep-test he realized that he then had to play basketball for the next week…shit

Sea World held the Unigames opening ceremony. This was Mel’s big moment as she was selected as female AUG team captain. Mel nailed the waiving and sign holding however most of the team missed it either because they were waiting in line for beer, on the free rides or were trying to chat up Shane Heal. The night also enabled us to fit 8 people in a telephone box and meet the world’s only basketball team shorter than we were.

Monday

Gold Coast AUG Basketball was played in two stadiums unfortunately the boys and girls had their first games at the same time but in different stadiums. Both teams won but the boy’s victory was particularly exciting. The boys came up against James Cook University (JCU). Although young and undersized the Griffins out hustled JCU and were up by 2 with a minute to go. At this time the games suddenly fell apart. Griffins missed layups, the bench did not start the clock and both teams had players foul out… Players fouling out were less of a problem for JCU because they had 12 players, a coach and a physio… compare that to the griffins who had 7 and warmed up with a purple ball…

Despite all the tension the griffins held on to win by 2 points 44-42. JCU became our mates as the tournament progressed and we saw them reach the Div 2 Grand Final only to lose to a very good Uni of WA team.

Monday game 2 again saw wins to both teams with the girls playing great team basketball and the boys beat Curtan Uni 48-35.

Monday highlights included; Chris’ face passing the ball to Scopa for a layup in game 1, Donuts to Stu and Dave, Rich making the first 8 points of game 2 and Dave busting an opponent’s lip.

Monday night the Griffins celebrated a 4 wins out of 4… Pirate theme… yea we had a party!!!

Tuesday

Tuesday also proved successful as both teams remained undefeated. The girls team despite feeling slightly dehydrated were excited by the presence of “Basketball Barbie” and got another win. The boys seemingly not unaffected by hangovers smashed New England Uni 41-28

Tuesday’s basketball finished early and allowed the teams the chance to go shopping… It is after this shopping experience that Ruby Flynn became the Griffins mascot.

Tuesday night theme: The Wiggles

Wednesday

Despite the presence of Ruby Flynn on the girl’s bench (which gave them a surprise) they could not extend their winning streak. The boys however played even harder with another girl watching them (even if she was plastic and easy). The boys played the pools bottom team a Phys Ed school that couldn’t play sport … go figure. The boys did make it hard for themselves as Chris McMichael played with a monkey mask on (racking up 2 rebounds and 2 turnovers in 2 minutes). After getting down by 10 the boys decided to play and won 60-58.

The biggest moment of the Wednesday night was that it was to be the Girls initiations…. Without giving too much away, initiations were timed and began in the girl’s penthouse apartment and finished in the boys room next to the pool…. Anna P flew through the challenges and claimed the title as the champion virgin!

Theme night: Hat & tie

Thursday

Rest day before finals – Everyone appreciated the rest !!!!!

Full of revenge from last night the girls had organized the boy’s initiation. The initiation finished in the girls room and resulted in a naked lap of the pool for the loser…

Theme Night:  Gangster

Friday

The start of the finals saw both teams lose their first round matches. It was the first time that the teams were exploited inside (pun intended).

With the Griffin boys out of the medal race that night’s festivities became high priority… unfortunately if we won our second final the game was at 8:30 the next day… if we lost it would be 10:30. Vic Uni was one of the best teams in the comp only just losing to the eventual winner. As can be imagined the game became a farce with both teams trying to score in the others hole…

Despite a last second attempt the Griffins unfortunately won by 2 points…

Dinner at Hooters that night made us forget the day’s disappointment.

Theme Night: Dress to impress

Saturday

8:30 was a struggle for the boys and the girls didn’t make it… We came up against Bond Uni. These boys were mid way through their term at uni so they were not as inhibited as the Griffins were… The Griffins lost the 3^rd final finishing the tournament in a respectable 6^th place.

The girls won their 4^th final finishing 7^th. Both Adelaide Uni teams were in division 2.

6^th and 7^th were far higher than either team could have imagined. The Griffins represented off the court as well!!!

Adelaide University AUG Basketball is in safe hands for years to come!