The second was Mid Range Magic’s last to get a victory before the playoffs start. They were up against one of the favorites to win the chip and that’s Commando. Commando is one of my favorite teams to watch because they are the true definition of what it means to play TEAM basketball. That’s exactly what they did from the start to the end of the game. Adwaith Nair was hitting shots as well as Bryant Backus. They went on a massive run to start the game. It honestly suffocated all the energy MRM came into the game with. They had only field goal and two free throws in the first 14 minutes of the game and only 4 points to show for it. Commando was up 20-4. MRM was able to finally get some baskets at the end of the half from the team’s highest scorer Clifford Bouchereau. Cam Kelly was also getting some shots to fall as both combined for 12 of the 16 points their team scored in the first. Commando was looking to finish out the game strong the next half as it seemed light work for them this game.

                The second half was honestly more of the same of the first half. Commando went on a 12-3 run fast to start. Max Heinrich wanted to get in on the action as he had a quiet 6 points in the first, but he exploded in the second. He started to hit shots from long range and taking it to the rim. Even though Commando was getting outrebounded they still managed to only allow 20 points in the whole half. The physical play by Commando was too much for MRM to handle as they just couldn’t get any momentum going as Commando would close out the game easily. Max was the leading scorer of the game with a solid 18 points. Final score was a blow out 58-36.

                The good news for MRM everyone makes playoffs and records don’t matter everyone is 0-0 and single game elimination so anything can happen. They are going to have to play their best game of the season to have a chance. Commando is just the team that can’t lose. They continue to make plays and play team basketball. Excited to see if they can make a run.

                The last game of the night had two winless teams going to head-to-head. Mid Range Magic Vs Them. Them is unintentionally the funniest team in the league as they have the most players in the league yet half of them show up. Tonight was not the case. They had 10 players going. Both teams came out firing with energy. The chemistry with Them seemed a little off to start the game but that’s just because a lot of them were making their first appearance.  Jimmy Ward kept them in check with his leadership and scoring. They were down 15-13 with 11 mins remaining in the first. It was at this point where MRM caught fire. They got threes from Max Mckee and James Smith. They were able to go on a 11-1 and it seemed like they were having the most fun they’ve had all season. It was 26-14 with about 6 minutes to go. MRM had 7 assists at this point. Them took a time out to stop the momentum MRM had. After the time out they were able to shrink the lead by 7 at the end of the half. They were down 35-28. The leading scorer for both squads was Max with 10.

                Them was able to come out of the half on a positive note with Ryan Donovan getting some offense going after having a quiet first half. MRM wasn’t disciplined though when it came to fouling outside shots. Them was able to go to the free throw line after being fouled twice on three-point shots. They took their first lead of the game after it then happened again! Ryan hit a three and there was an off ball foul after the shot so it counted. They took the lead 45-43. Both teams were treating it like a play off game trying to get their first win. Down the stretch it was a 4 point game, Them was still leading. Them was able to force MRM to call a time out when they didn’t have any. This was caused by the full court press from Them. Them went 12-20 from the free throw line which was the difference in the game. Them gets their first win of the season and hopefully will have a full squad moving forward. They finish out the game 56-52.

                Them looked very relieved after their first victory. They can’t get comfortable as they will go up against Leonard and the Boys next week who are also coming off a good win. MRM had a lot of good going for them this game but unfortunately the fouls on 3pt shots is what killed them this game. If they play with that same energy, they had though tonight I feel like they will able to get a couple of wins down the stretch of the season. They face off against Commando next week who is coming off a loss so they’ll be hungry.