Sunday night, 1/8/10, and the Greater Grifs lined up against a Norwood side that had defeated them earlier in the season. Brian Ho (M.D) and Robert Bob were unavailable for the do-or-die clash, but the Grifs brought enough firepower to down Chuck Norris. The Grifs came out running and gunning in the First Quarter, trampling right over a hapless Norwood defence. Kel was money from the outside, Scotty could miss from mid-range and the Johnson boys got busy in the key to the tune of 6 easy points. Norwood’s centre dropped 3 treys before the Grifs decided to D him up, and the first quarter scoreboard read 20-12 in favour of the Griffins.

Adam ‘Tuz”TJ”The General’ Turrell worked the basketball like it was a soap-on-a-rope in the Second Quarter, stacking dimes and embarrassing Norwood in their futile efforts to stop him, including a full-court over the head pin-point pass. Crazy-funny. Mockford got on the break (on the break, Mockford didn’t get over half court!) and layed in 6 easy. TJ dimed Kel for consecutive triples, Jay got his inside and Scotty kept banging them in from 15 feet and the Griffins lead had ballooned to a 20 point 47-27 lead. The Grifs were led by Jay’s 8, Kel’s 14 and Scotty’s 10. Special mention to

The Third Quarter was much the same. Jay dropped 8 in the quarter, Chris dropped in 5 and TJ got on the scoreboard with 4. The Grifs took the quarter 21-12 and the lead was getting to a silly 30 points.

The Grifs continued to turn the screws in the Fourth Quarter, blowing the game right out and giving themselves a massive percentage boost. Jay was into straight Termintor mode, dropping 10 in the quarter (that’s an 18-point second half), Kel got cheeky and was floating in spinning runners and hooks, and Wens got a jumper and a layup to go. The Griffins took the quarter 25-17, and the match 93-56.

FINAL SCORE: AUBC Griffins 2 def Norwood 2 93-56 (Jay 26, Kel 23, Scotty 14, Chris 11, TJ 8, Toby 7, Wens 4)

The Grifs went 4/7 from the free throw line (57%) and hit three 3s.

In the second match of the double header, the Grifs, flying high off the momentum gained from the Norwood match, were set to take on a rejuvinated Western Magic squad. Squaring off in a quiet Hillcrest stadium, the Grifs were rocking and landing thundering blows like Manny Pacquiao, looking to make it two wins from two starts.

The Grifs started cautiously, feeding the ball inside out for open looks to the Johnson boys and even better looks for the snipers on the perimeter. Toby was especially geared up, finishing in the congestion and leading the Grifs to an early lead. The Magic hit a half-court three at the buzzer to cut back into the margin, but the Grifs had momentum and the lead at the first break, 14-12.

The second quarter was a laugher. Kel dropped in a triple to open his account, Toby hit a freebie and a lay-in, Chris got on the break and Robbo was dropping in jumpers. TJ, sick of dishing to everyone else, went coast to coast twice for tough runners off glass and before the Magic could call a timeout or make a change, the Grifs were up by 20 and were knocking on the door of a blowout. The Grifs took the quarter 27-5, capped by a Toby Johnson buzzer-beating reverse layup, in a sound display of offensive ingenuity and defensive intensity. The Grifs led the Magic at the majoy break 41-17, paced by TJ’s 8, Chris’ 11, and Toby’s 10.

The Third Quarter was no let off for the Magic as the Griffins continued to pile on the pain. Jay, free from the defensive shackles of his opposing number, got his short-game working a treat dropping 7 points in the quarter. Meanwhile, Kel pulled on his TMac v SanAntonio cape and went to town, dropping 8 points in what seemed like 8 seconds, including a pair of triples and a steal-and-stuff. Wens hit a long jumper and the Grifs had extended their lead and closed out the quarter, taking it 22-9.

The Final Quarter was a formality, with the Grifs up 30 and the Magic’s top scorer on the bench in foul trouble. Scotty got long for some layups and jumpers, Kel dropped a running scoop and Jay hit two more and the Grifs cruised to victory. The Grifs took the last quarter 14-12 and the game 77-38.

Final Score: AUBC Griffins 2 def Western Magic 77-38 (Kel 15, Toby 14, Jay 13, Chris 11, TJ, Scotty 8, Wens 6, Robbo 2)

The Grifs went 6/12 at the stripe (50%) and hit 5 threes.

Great games all round, boys. That puts us 1/2 a game out of the playoffs in 5th spot behind Nth Red (they had a draw). I wish we didn’t drop some of those easy ones (Bearcats, Nth Red, Nth White) that could’ve guarenteed our playoff spot. Looks as though with three games left in the season, two against top 4 sides, we’ve got our work cut out to scrape into that 4th spot.

thanks for reading,

kel

Congrats again, Fab

-Kel

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

1st Quarter:

The Grifs started patiently, working their flex offense and passing the ball around the perimeter finding the open man. Scotty carried on his hot-shooting, nailing the first jumper of the game. Kel hit another jumper and Jay missed four straight freethrows and the Cougars pounced to an early lead, thanks to some questionable officiating. Jay hit a put-back two, then was credited a three pointer from someone… Chris maybe? Scoresheet don’t lie. In between putting up 30 points on the regular, Jay is developing a habit of nicking his teamamtes baskets. Ask Tobes who was credited his first AUBC donut a few weeks back. Forget beer, gotta protect your baskets better, fellas. Jay’s a ninja. Brian marked his comeback from injury with a defiant drive into the teeth of the Cougars defence, hitting the runner off glass before the Cougars hit a few shots from deep, and they took the quarter 14-11. Jay ‘led’ scorers with a questionable 5 points.

2nd Quarter:

The see-sawing affair continued, with neither side giving away an inch. Looking over at the show court, it looked as thought the Griffins were up by a few, 30-17, but assuming Jesse Voyer would soon break the “Jesse Voyer doesn’t get to shoot” rule, it was a safe bet that Norwood would fight back. Back on our court, Jay was putting in work like a cheap escort on a friday night – getting in the paint, going hammer and tongs, and getting thrown/pushed/forced into positions where he’d struggle to score. Still, Jay dropped in a quickfire 4, including a strong putback where a Cougar had him in a headlock – no call – and the Grifs had taken the lead. The Grifs were making strides in transition; Kel side-stepped on the break for two, Chris finished strong off of Scotty’s penetration, and Toby showed strength at both ends putting in four points for the quarter as well as murdering a guy’s shot into the back wall. The Grifs took the quarter 12-11, and trailed by two at the main break 25-23. Jay led scorers with 9, while Toby and Kel had 4 each.

3rd Quarter:

Third quarter: Championship Quarter. And the Griffins played like champions. An even scoring spread, with every Girffin bar Robbo contributing on the scoresheet in the quarter shifted themomentum of the game, giving control to the Griffins, and setting up the clinching final quarter. the Big Fantastic (TJ) went into the post, drawing fouls and making his defender look a bit silly. When he wasn’t scoring, Big Fantastic was dishing, diming Kel for an easy reverse. Toby pulled a post move out of the Kevin McHale playbook and finished pretty off glass. Time-out, Cougars. With instruction to attack the pick and roll, Scotty dimed Wens for an easy deuce, then when the defence sagged, Scotty drove the lane and rough’n'tumbled an and-1 layup in, converting the free throw. Chris hit a crazy jumpshot leaning left while fading right, and Jay brought out the Magic Johnson foul line hook shot, and the Grifs had a strong and steady lead going into the last quarter. The Grifs took the quarter 17-11, paced by Jay’s 11 and Toby’s 6, and led 40-36.

4th Quarter:

The Cougars made run after run at the Grifs, but someone would step up and hit a big shot. Big Fantastic nailed a arcing three, Jay got to the line and made the freebies, Scotty hit yet another jumper from the corner, then Brian hit essentially the dagger – a knucklepuck three from the corner – “it’s knucklepuck time!” Chris put in another triple, Jay went a big and-1 and the Cougars were forced to foul to salvage the game. There were 17 fouls called in the final quarter. Big Fantastic was clutch at the stripe, and, no kidding, Jay was credited with another three pointer. I’m just saying, like, it’s MY WIFE on the scoresheet – surely any ambiguous points are going to number 40. Serious domestic issues will arise from this. The Grifs held off the Cougars last ditch attempts and took the quarter 22-21, and the match 62-57.

FINAL SCORE:

Adelaide University 2 def Torrens Valley 62-57 (Jay 19; Big Fantastic 11; Scotty 7; Chris, Kel, Toby 6; Brian 5; Wens 2; Robbo 0)

Notes:

I’m pretty sure Robbo hit a three… but sportingpulse has you down for two straight donuts Rob. Tough…

Did Jay really hit two threes? Did I miss part of the game? I know I was coughing and practically dying on the bench, but two 3s? Can someone fill me in? I’m not saying Jay’s not a good shooter, but, damn… if you can get it, flaunt it…

Thanks to Tuz (Andrew) and Hayley for spectating, and Dani and Johanna for scoring (Cos Scotty’s mum has got it going on…)

Thanks to Phil for coaching and the ace post-game team huddle. True Kanye West style – Now, check it out, I’ma let you finish… but…”

Great first game from The Big Fantastic, and belated congratulations on your first child. Right out of the loop on that one…

Both Uni teams won, which was a fairly good reusult, considering the stadium.

The Grifs hit four 3s and went 9/17 (53%) from the charity stripe. Better than last week, but can still improve.

 “For now I’m being carefully evaluated by myself, we’ll see how I pull up, and I guess I’m in the doctor’s, you know, my, hands”

Adam Robertson was back in squad bringing much needed hops and raising the average athletic ability of the team back to a respectable and reasonable standard. Pre-game, Toby was talking up his DPOY game – “I’ma like the new Dwight Howard, you know the new Ben Wallace”, before checking himself and stating, “You know, I’m like the new Ronny Turiaf…” On the other hand, Jay talking down his recent points explosion – “Yeah, I know I dropped 35 last week, but, I’m a team guy, pass first type player. Don’t forget I scored 28 before that…” Yeah, it was a focused warm-up.

Kel, Scotty, Chris, Jay and Toby hit the floor, Robbo and Wens took a seat next to Phil, game on!

1st Quarter:

UniSA came out in a full court trap to start the game, forcing early Griffin turnovers. Once the ball cleared half-court it was lay-up city for the Griffins, but some poor decision making from the Griffins starting backcourt gifted UniSA an early lead. Chris nailed an open in-rhythm three, Kel went baseline reverse and Wens hit a leaning jumper from the wing to bring the Grifs back into contention. Jay finished around the rim, Tobes hit a short jumper off glass and Buckets finally found his stroke for one in the corner and the Grifs had taken a small lead. UniSA ran off 6 points unanswered before Scotty stepped up and put in two more right before the quarter buzzer. Quarter score 20-16, UniSA, and Scotty Buckets led all scorers with 4.

2nd Quarter:

 The Griffin’s sloppy, low scoring play continued. Turnovers and an inability to finish at the rim cost the Griffins as they made it much harder than it had to be. Kel swatted a three-point attempt, running it down for a Jay layup, Chris went glass for two and Scotty stepped up again hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. The Grifs took the quarter 11-10, but overall it wasn’t that memorable. Halftime score 30-27 UniSA. Scotty led all scorers with 8 at the half, followed by Jay with 6.

3rd Quarter:

 Jay began to impose himself on the game, getting out on the break and finished over UniSA’s bigs. Toby was patrolling the paint like it was Amity island and he was Jaws, chasing loose balls, spiking soft shots and eating small children. Robbo was pushing the tempo and taking the opposition point-guard right out of the contest with some fantastic one-on-one defence, Scotty hit another jumper (somebody, guard that man, he’s a shooter!) and Kel popped up, cashing two 3s from inbounds plays, and the Grifs were down by a point at the final change. Jay led scorers with 11, Kel and Scotty both had 10.

4th Quarter:

 Having taken all UniSA had thrown – presses, double teams, zones, pressuring man –  and wresting momentum with a third quarter surge, the Grifs were poised, ready to pounce on the jugular, or at least throw a few sharp elbows into the jujunem, of UniSA. No one scored in the first three minutes of the quarter, but a quick timeout by coach Phil, some reorganisational focus, and the Griffins were about to open the floodgates. Jay and Toby flicked on the over drive and left UniSA’s bigs in the dust, running the floor and finishing (well, mostly) on the break. Jay put up 7 while Toby had 4, including one coast to coast layup that had ‘uncontrollable steam-train’ written all over it. Defensively, the Grifs tightened the screws, holding UniSA without a field goal for the quarter, their three points coming from free throws. The Grifs ran away with the quarter 14-3 and the match 56-46.

FINAL SCORE:

Adelaide University 2 def UniSA 56-46 (Jay 18, Scotty 12, Kel 11, Toby Turiaf 8, Mockford 5, Wens 2, Robbo 0)

Notes:

Great shooting by Scotty all night, way to find a stroke.

Bigs held it down again – Tobes, Jay, Wens and Chris all hit the boards hard, especially in the second half, and this really pushed us to the win.

Shout out to Robbo for some excellent one-on-one defence against serial pest Cliff.

Grifs hit three 3s as a team and went 5/16 (31%) from the line. That’s filthy.

Lining up for a 9:20 game at the Port against the Spanish West Adelaide Team (Juan Carlos, Juan Pablo, Cheeko and Julio all present), and looking to bounce back after last weeks drubbing to “the other” Griffin squad, the Grrrifs were prepping for a scrappy up-and-down affair. Well, everyone was but Wens, who was doing his best to have a nap at centre court. The previous time these two teams met, it was the infamous “that’s it, we’re leaving” game when the West coach threatened to forfeit the match to remove his players from the dangerous psychopaths that wore the black, white and blue. This was despite Iain being horse-collared on a fast break and Juan Pablo punting the ball into the Hillcrest roof causing dust and asbestos to shower the floor. Moreover, this was the match of “the dunk”, where Johnny T finally popped that cherry and threw one down on the fast break. Those were my memories. Back to future, MJ Fox style, the Grrrifs were down two men; Toby ‘Tasty Toobs’ Johnson was off fulfilling his requirements for the Mile High Club and Brian ‘Young B’ Ho was somewhere tearing along Grand Junction Road at 90 kmph. The Phantom was roaming the sidelines with his Coach Krzwzewski constipated face set to a tee, while on court Robbo and Jay were doing their best to maximise their hops by throwing down some nice one-handers during warm-ups. The afore-mentioned Jay Johnson (JJ), Wens, Mockford, Buckets and Kel hit the court while Robbo hit the pine. Game on!

 First Quarter:

Whether it was the cold, whether it was the short bench rotation, or whether it was the fear of getting stabbed in the car park before entering the stadium, but the Grrrifs started slow. Wens decided to employ the ‘I won’t box out if you don’t rebound’ strategy on his opposite number who clearly didn’t get that memo and put up six quick points on offensive boards. On the other end, the Grrrifs were embarrassing West on inbounds plays, running game like the Blue Devils and catching uncontested layups off back screens, slip screens and curls. Jay had his Altair game working smoothly, quietly and subtly going about his business assassinating West’s front line to the tune of 8 points in the first. If Jay’s game was all silk and smooth, Wens was on some UFC shit doing his best to hammer dudes in the post, spinning left and right, ducking the shoulder and doing his best Tractor Traylor impersonation. Chris Mockford (who desperately needs a nickname that isn’t ‘Mocky-wocky’, as Danielle suggested on the way home) had his Bob Lee Swagger game working tight, nailing a triple and pumping up the crowd. Scotty Buckets finally got a shot to go to close the quarter but West’s ran it back the other way under 3 seconds and hit a lucky floater, so the Grifs trailed 18-15 at the first break.

Second Quarter:

Brian pulled an offense straight from the Tom Frogley playbook and rocked up to the wrong stadium. Shmooving up to the Port at quarter time, ‘B’ immediately made his impression felt in the second, grabbing two easy steals, initiating transition and flying all over the court at warp speed. And while B’s form on court looked nice, his form on the bench was all-star to say the least. Let’s just say the secretaries at my work are all 60+ and built like Mack trucks, so it’s good if you can get it. Jay picked up right where he left off and scored on two straight possessions bringing his tally to 12 for the half. Coach Phil shifted the defence from a man to a wide 3-2 zone to shut down West’s pesky shooters and dribble penetration. Some of West’s heaves would’ve made C-Money and his rainbow shot blush: three-pointers released one-handed that damn near touched the ceiling. Manute Bol was obviously in charge of the Bearcat’s shooting drills. Offensively the Griffins were getting no love from the boys in black and grey; hacks, slaps and holds were going unnoticed and were clearly frustrating Jay and Wens, who were held scoreless for the second-half of the quarter. Robbo stepped up and hit a three from straightaway, Kel split pair from the line and Mockford adjusted the sight on his sniper scope and nailed another triple. The Grifs took the low scoring quarter 11-9 but trailed at the major break 27-26. Jay led the Grifs with 12 and Mockford had 6.

Third Quarter:

 Switching from a 3-2 to a 2-3 zone, the Grifs looked to wrest back momentum from the Bearcats. Wens hit a jumper, but West rallied and stretched the lead to 9. Robbo sparked the comeback, hitting two straight ‘float-like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-bee’ jumpers where I swear he released the ball on the descent of his leap. JJ flexed the extender-claws and crashed the boards like Wolverine for a big follow bucket and the Grifs were back in striking distance. Mockford nailed his third triple for the game and narrowly missed his fourth on the buzzer. Westies took another low-scoring quarter 15-14 and the Grifs trailed 42-40 at the final change.

Fourth Quarter:

 The table had been set, entree had come and gone, the main course had been cleared and it was time for dessert and Kel was doling out big spoonfuls of buckets-pudding to any West player who wanted a serve. A pair of threes, pulls ups, step backs and finger rolls had the Griffins snatch the lead early in the Fourth and they didn’t look back. JJ got in the lane for a quick-fire four points, Mockford wheeled and dealed in the post for two more and the Grifs rocked the Bearcats to sleep, taking the quarter 17-5 and the match 57-47.

 FINAL SCORE:

 Adelaide Uni Griffins 2 def West Adelaide 57-47 (Jay 19, Kel 14, Chris Mockford 11, Robbo 7, Wens 4, Buckets 2, Brian 0)

Notes:

Good grind-it-out win, we stuck with them through three quarters, then strapped on the afterburners in the fourth. Massive game from Jay, providing consistent offence in brutal offensive conditions.

The Grifs went 5/9 at the Charity Stripe (56%)

Here it is, it’s back and it’s badder than ever. In digital form!