FOUL

Upon further review, maybe there was contact. Of the final four teams, the St. Stephen's league most definitely resemble Michigan State. Lots of half court offense and nothing easy inside. Last week we once again had 4 on 4 with subs, and the living was easy. This week's stat will be: TPG (turnovers per game). Watch for results in the next blog. In the meantime, watch out for Calvin if you're near the free throw line. Thursday nights, 7:00. Divine madness. 

DEFENSE

Eleven is an awkward number at St. Stephen's,but last week we dealt with it gracefully. Check out Joe - the big man coming out of the paint to challenge the three. In the last month we've seen a new shot, the hip-hook, been reintroduced to the finger roll via Big Reggie, seen the proliferation of the headband and felt the spur of March Madness in our running game. Progress continues at St. Stephen's. Like the movie of the week, we have everything - sports, fashion, drama, violence, mystery and history - in one two-hour time slot. 

SKY HIGH

Last week we jumped. We gracefully left our feet and for a moment felt the youthful power of defying gravity. There is unabashed joy in these moments. On the left panel of our tryptych, Jonathan's unstoppable jump hook. In the middle panel, Scott's intimidating defense in the paint, and on the right, Eric's gliding left handed layup. We jumped. We played four on four basketball and didn't get hurt. It was the old team (youngest player, 37 - I think that's older than Shaq) vs. the young team. As expected, experience won early and youth came back late with the extra stamina. 

Will this pass get through Ben's legs and find the streaking cutter for the easy bank? The only way to find out is to show up. Note Eric drawing the double team and Jonathan spotting up.

And here's the full shot of Eric's layup. Everyone stands transfixed at the sheer beauty of it. We don't want to interrupt this delicate moment. It may never come again. Forget about defense. Forget about boxing out for a rebound. This is something to behold. 

February 26 - SNOW EMERGENCY

LAST WEEK, despite the blizzard of '09, we managed to get 3 on 3. Welcome to our newest player, Bryant (as in Kobe), pictured below. That shot went in, by the way. Teams were Mike Dust, John C and Bryant against Tait, Joe and John R. Highlight of the week: Tait declaring, a la Joe Namath, that he would not miss a shot in the final game, then hitting his first six before the clampdown came. Take a good hard look at that St. Stephen's logo. Doesn't it make you want to play? We've not only got game, but the strength to push our cars out of the snow afterward.

Feet well behind the arc. Good wrist action. Squared up. Both feet off the ground. Not falling away. It's a clinic out here, gentlemen. A clinic.