Church League and True Sport

Well, quesolitos, I actually have news for you. Last weekend I watched the single best basketball game that I have ever seen...and I was even there live! I saw in person the overtime thriller that pitted the Three Chopt Church of Christ squad vs a tough team from Grove Street Baptist Church. All joking aside it really was the best basketball game I have ever seen.

The first 20 minute half was loaded with intensity as Three Chopt smothered Grove St. with a tireless and dogged 2-3 zone defense. Grove Street, lacking natural shooters, were frustrated as they couldn't hit the jumper over the defense from any range. On the offensive end for Three Chopt, Darrell was on fire hitting shot after shot as the offense worked the old inside outside--pass down to Center, let the zone collapse and pass to the open man, which was usually Darrell. By the end of the half, the Grove St. Baptists on the bench and in the stands began to heckle that the defense should "only cover Darrell, because he isn't going to pass it." This wouldn't have been a bad idea.

With an eight point Three Chopt lead at half, the second half began with a Grove Street run. They began to warm up enough from 15-19 feet that the Three Chopt defense had to unpack a little bit. This gave "big 24" (that was the only thing that anyone ever called him, I don't know his name; although, I am not too upset using this moniker as it is indeed very accurate...number 24 was very large in the gut area--probably 5'10'' and about 290-300 lbs)...anyway...this gave big 24 enough room to go to work. At first I thought it was Christian charity that put the big guy on the floor, but then I realized that he could ball. He had soft hands, a nice drop step, a solid ball fake, and knew how to use his belly to box out and shield the defender. A 10-4 run and the lead was only two for Three Chopt.

Midway through the second half play got sloppy. Three Chopt was forced to play at the punishing lightning pace of the younger and much more tatooed and goateed Grove Street. With three minutes to go, Grove Street took their first lead as #2 (another no-name) hit a 15 foot jumper from the left side. At this point #2, who I think played some in High School, simply took over and captained his team--he was directing the offense, calling out shots, drawing up plays. He was the fearless general when it came down to cruch time.

There were refs, but keep in mind that these were church league refs--the absolute worst refs that only get this job because they are less likely to get punched or cursed out calling church league games. After the backside ref called a blocking foul from 53 feet away (no lie, this was the furthest I have ever seen a ref get from the play and still make the call...he simply didn't run from the other end, I think he wanted a rest. It didn't stop me from yelling out: "Jeez, he must have used AT&T because that call was made from long distance.") , Grove Street sunk both free throws putting them up three with under a minute to play. Three Chopt found their offense from the first half as they worked the old inside out for a quick give and go bucket to draw within one. The Three Chopt defense managed to get a rebound and call timeout following a blown charge no-call at halfcourt. Following the timeout, Three Chopt worked the ball to Darrell who sliced into the lane and drew a foul on his shot as regulation time expired. That left Darrell at the line shooting two with a chance to win the game. Darrell missed the first but made the heavy pressure second to force overtime.

In the three minute overtime (why shorten overtime, I mean, these guys just played two twenty minute halves???), Three Chopt squandered four forced turnovers only to establish a four point lead. With less than a minute to go, #2 for Grove Street found his stroke hitting three 17 footers for a 6-1 run and a one point lead. Rebounding after a missed free throw, Three Chopt worked the ball ahead and got a quick two with just under 16 seconds to go. Grove Street's MVP, #2, confidently dribbled down the court as seconds ticked away, down by one he was setting up for the last shot of the game. With a mean crossover, he lost his tired defender, shook past a screen on his right, stepped back behind the arc, and lofted a gorgeous three-point jumper that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. The Grove Street fans and bench erupted, as #2 let his hand hang in the air following his shot--it wasn't proud, it was good, and we all knew it. A last second three-quarter court shot by Three Chopt fell just short and Grove Street Baptist celebrated a hard fought victory.

I know that this was church league. I know that this was average guys that get a little too overly competitive and aren't in great shape. I know the refs were bad. But for me and about thirty other fans there that night, this game was magical. It reminded us of what basketball--and sports really--is all about. It was gutty, scrappy, hard-fought, exhausting, and inspiring. It was true sport played out in real time. I was pulling for Three Chopt, and even though they couldn't give me a win, they gave me so much more.

God save the Cheese.