Jammers and X-Men Win in FSPY Old Timer's Hoops

Here's your week three review of the results from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA (FSPY) 30+ men's basketball league.

In the first match-up, we saw one team continue to roll down undefeated lane while another remained lost in the streets of Mudville. The second game played out with one team claiming sole possession of second place, while the other wondering what could have been.

Game No. 1: The Jersey Jammers vs. The Clippers

In game No. 1 Sunday morning, the undefeated Jammers arrived at the YMCA gymnasium full of confidence after last week's tough win over the X-Men. Meanwhile, the Clippers showed up still looking for their first win to get off the schnide, despite being without their leading rebounder.

With first half contributions from Eric "Hamburger" Halpin's 13 points and 8 rebounds and Marlon "Knock'em Down" Brown's 6 points and 7 rebounds, the Jammers put on a transition game exhibition that left the Clippers befuddled throughout the entire first half. After the first 20 minutes, the Clippers were only able to put up 11 points, while getting out rebounded, 30-21, and found themselves deep in a hole to the Jammers by a score of 36-11.

In the second half the Clippers managed to match the Jammers point for point, but unfortunately were still unable to get control of the board. Without their leading rebounder, the Clippers could only grab 40 rebounds, while the Jammers fought for 52 of them. "Knock'em Down" Brown grabbed another 7-second half rebounds for a total of 14, while "Hamburger" Halpin led the Jammers with 18 total points and 12 boards.

For the Clippers, team leaders were David "El Capitan" Berger with 20 points and Kubi "The Enforcer" Koseoglu, who swiped 13 rebounds.

In the end, the Clippers "transitioned" into a 0-3 record as they took the loss from the Jersey Jammers, 59 to 34.

Clippers' management released the following comment: "Although we are disappointed by our team's start in this inaugural season, contrary to rumors we are not moving the team to Hackensack."    

Game No. 2:  The Razorbacks vs. the X-Men

The late game of the week featured the preseason favorite X-Men trying to get back on victory road by running over the Razorbacks, who were fresh off their previous week's victory.

Led by Jason "Deck the Hall" Holley's first half 15 points, the 'Backs had a 10 point lead late in the first half. But then the three-headed monster of Jamal "1st Ballot Hall" Berry, Sid "The Big Sombrero" Jackson, and Troy "Goliath" Sims grabbed a total of 18 boards with 27 points and finished the first half with the X-Men leading 29-28.

In the second half, the game went defensive and the scoring slowed down from the first half's pace. The score was close for the first few minutes of the second half, but in short time the X-Men started to build up a lead. Although the 'Backs made some strides to get back in the game with second half contributions from "Deck the Hall" Holley's 10 points, Jason "Sham-Wow" Shann's 8 points, and Joe "Anyone Seen My Braces" Negley's 7 rebounds, it was not enough to defeat the three-headed monster that the X-Men have. With the scoring output of 30 points/12 rebounds from "1st Ballot Hall," 11 points/11 rebounds from "the Big Sombrero," and 10 rebounds from "Goliath," the X-Men were able to keep any comeback tries by the 'Backs in check.

Spotlights from the Razorbacks included  Jason "Deck the Hall" Holley, who finished with 25 points, Jason "Sham Wow" Shann with 16 points, and Joe "Anyone Seen My Braces" Negley with 10 rebounds.

In the end the X-Men move into sole possession of second place as they defeated the Razorbacks 53-46.

Week four games are slated for the FSP Y Martine Avenue gymnasium on Sunday, March 21. Admission is free to the first 200 fans.

For more information about the league, contact the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at 908-889-8880.