Kettering (AP) - As Ben Kingsley once said, "All good things must come to an end." Team Shooters put their historic winning streak on the line against Team Two, but came up short in a heated battle. The loss snapped a 21 game winning streak for the squad. The absence of team stalwarts Sam Lechleitner and Dan Kimble was too much to overcome, as Team Shooters played a horrid offensive game that left them with just 34 total points in the 14 point loss as time expired.
The last time these two teams hooked up was the most legendary game in the history of Kettering Recreation Center. In a game that was close the entire way, the game came down to the final possession. Due to disqualifications by fouls, Team Shooters was down to 3 men with 20 seconds remaining. Zach Hensler who was in street clothes nursing an injury, checked into the game wearing jeans, with a ringing cell phone in his pocket to give them a fourth player. Down two, Team Shooters worked for a good shot, eventually finding John Beyer in the lane. Beyer received the ball, pump faked, got his man in the air to gain a foul and hit the lay-up to tie the game. This allowed for one free throw with a second remaining. With the weight of a national audience on his shoulders, Beyer calmly sank the game-winning shot from the charity stripe to complete the miracle finish. With that as the backdrop for last night's game, there was hope for another instant classic.
The game was heated right from the start and tempers flared after several dustups under the hoops in the opening minutes. It was clear that this game would not be one for the timid, as each team was in for a battle. With strong interior post play, Team Two led right from the beginning. Boasting a really strong, 35 year old man, they continually went at Team Shooters in the paint, scoring on a variety of post moves, most notably "Elbow your man in the face and shoot a lay up." However, Team Shooters stayed right with Team Two throughout the entire first half. Ben Sicnolf was getting to the paint at will and seemed to be on a mission to foul our his opponent's entire roster. Making a couple of "And-1's" and hitting his free throws, Sicnolf was determined to keep the game close. Team Shooters continually battled at each end of the floor to knot the score several times throughout the opening stanza, and even took a lead at 18-16 with a couple minutes remaining in the half. Team Two closed on a run to make it a 6 point lead at half time.
The second half was all Team Two, as Team Shooters just could not score the ball. No one was hitting their outside shots, and Team Shooters began turning the ball over. Team Two methodically worked the ball on offense until they could get a good shot in the paint. Frustrations for each team were boiling over and the game got chippy toward the end, as Team Two pulled away. The only real second half highlight for Team Shooters came with about a minute left. Walking to the free throw line, perhaps the worst player for Team Two (who was bald) made some joke to Sicnolf. Sicnolf retorted, "Ok, this bald motherfucker is talking now, he's got jokes." The bald man, replied, "Yeah, well, I have a beautiful wife and a son, I don't need to listen to you." All right then.
Eddie Marrinan and Tony Schoen were great to come out to help last night, though Tony left early for undisclosed reasons. Marrinan is a beast, and will likely be called upon again next time these two match up. If Team Shooters shoots better from the outside next game, and can somehow get Sam Lechleitner there, they'll have a chance for the win.
Approximated Box score
John Beyer - 0 points, 8 rebounds - Beyer didn't hit a shot from the floor, but that was pretty much the norm for everyone on Team Shooters. He did a good job taunting an opponent after a technical was issued.
Zach Hensler - 8 points, 5 rebounds - Remarkably, Hensler probably kept his cool the best out of anyone on the team. Spiked a big first half three.
Eddie Marrinan - 0 points, 8 rebounds - Marrinan played admirably in defeat. He will be needed to defend this team when they meet up again. His presence allowed Sicnolf to talk more shit than he otherwise would have because at least someone on the team wouldn't get their ass kicked with him being there. Also had an awesome play saving the ball from going out of bounds.
John Pallant - 8 points, 4 rebounds - Pallant was asked to do a lot on both ends of the floor tonight. His shot from distance was off, but if his shooting will be key the next time these two teams match up, so he needs to keep stroking.
Tony Schoen - 0 points, 5 rebounds - Schoen hadn't played since February, but did a really nice job defending one of the big men for Team Two in the first half.
Ben Sicnolf - 18 points, 5 rebounds - Sicnolf scored a ton in the first half, but struggled mightily in the second. Turned the ball over like five times in the half, and got tired too easily. He'll need to put together a full game to beat Team Two next time.
No one deserves a game ball - we scored 34 points, that's incredible.
Team Shooters hopes to rebound - in more ways than one (hey-oh!) - next Tuesday night. They are having a general team meeting on Saturday to discuss a few plans and basic plays that Sicnolf has that will help them in future games. We need to take better advantage of Beyer cutting through the lane for one, and we've got to not just get three point attempts for Hensler and Pallant, but rather get ones where they are in a position to actually hit the shot. Need to get Kimble back.
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