FLYWHEEL IM BBALL TEAM'S IMPROBABLE COMEBACK

Sunday, 23 Jan 2005
UM IM Bldg

In one of the most exciting IM bball games this season, Flywheel showed the sorority girls not to underestimate frisbee players in bball. The sorority girls (SG) wore their AAU shorts and ran organized drills prior to game time but Flywheel wasn't intimidated. Proudly representing Flywheel was Bailes, Murph, & MIT (pronounced "mitt").  Yes, despite playing two-women short (3-on-5), Flywheel gave the SG all they could handle and then some.

The beginning was a bit rough with Flywheel falling behind, 24-12 at the half. There were just too many sorority girls to cover.  If Flywheel was going to emerge victorious, a comeback was required, just like on Friday night during the scrimmage against Clutch/Strut.

After half time, Flywheel brilliantly implemented the "delta" defense, just like in frisbee.  Who said that frisbee strategies can't work in bball??  The "delta" defense totally confused and shut down the SG.  Murph's awesome footblocks (though illegal) put fear in the SG.  MIT and Murph repeatedly "layed out," hitting the floor going after a loose balls.  They also won the battle in the air, out "skying" the SGs for rebounds.  Bailes constantly filled the passing lanes and shouted encouragement.  The game was intense and Flywheel's defense was hot! Flywheel took away passing lanes and forced the SG to take bad shots and make bad passes.  After each turnover or defensive rebound, Flywheel showed off their "fastbreak" offense.  Bailes repeatedly hit Murph or MIT with a long pass (similar to a huck) for the score.  When the fastbreak wasn't there, the "dump & swing" offense was executed to perfection.  Working the ball back and forth patiently, Flywheel maintained possession until either Murph or MIT was open on the baseline for a layup or jump shot.  Slowly but surely, Flywheel began to chip away at the deficit.  With 30 seconds left in the game, Flywheel was just down 32-30.

Exhausted and dripping in sweat, the comeback was almost complete.  Could Flywheel pull it out??  Would all those Navy Seals workouts payoff?

The SG had the ball.  They repeatedly drove into the lane, trying to take advantage of how tired the Flywheelers were, but Flywheel (even MIT) wouldn't allow any of that.  Finally, the SG put up a tough shot, trying to shoot over MIT.  It was partially blocked and Bailes, the shortest player on the court, used a brilliant box out and all of her whooping 5'2" to "sky" the much taller SG for the ball.  Ten seconds were left on the clock.  The SG focused on MIT and Murph since they had the lion's share of the points.  Murph drove the lane getting triple teamed.  MIT wasn't opened, attracting 2 SG's, leaving Bailes wide open behind the three point line. Murph got the ball to Bailes.  This was just Bailes third shot attempt of the game.  Calm and collected, just like any good captain, Bailes caught the ball and shot the three confidently with no hesitation.  The ball was in the air when the buzzer sounded. Everyone watched with mouths opened.  The ball hit the glass, front of the rim, back of the rim, and finally through the net!  Yes, the bank was open on Sunday for Flywheel!! Flywheel had done it, coming back to win 33-32!

NOTES:
1) AND WHERE WAS THE REST OF FLYWHEEL WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING??  Boy, did you miss out.  Too bad we didn't have a bench or any fans to witness this improbable and amazing comeback.
2) WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE FLYWHEELERS REPRESENTING NEXT SUNDAY, 5 PM. SO WHAT IF YOU DON'T PLAY.  WHAT A BONDING EXPERIENCE!

Edited by HJH.  Monday, 24 January 2005 11:31 PM