NT Post-Game Report: Morocco 5/30
Live from the Pop Center in Poland, The Season 16 World championships continued as the United States National Team was set to take on the Morocco National Team. As the team entered the facility, I noticed they were a little sluggish and "hungover". I asked Martin Medrano what was up with everybody and he responded with, " Well few of us guys went out last night to see Hangover: Part 2.. then after.. we "did" the Hangover: Part 2". For those of you who haven't seen the movie just know these are guys are pretty F'd up.
Tactically tonight both teams went with a look inside focus offensively, while defensively the USA used a 3-2, and Morocco chose to use a man-to-man.
Starting Lineup:
PG: Martin "Money" Medrano
SG: Ricardo "The Rocket" Madrid
SF: Irwin "IV" Velasco
PF: Jairo Alejandro Renteria aka "The Beast"
C: Geoffrey "Out of the Way!" Galloway
20 seconds into the game and the United States had scored off a nice basket from SF Irwin Velasco. From that point on, Team USA did not look back and although Morocco was scrappy the lead favored the US 28-24 at the end of the first buzzer. US fans were still confident in their guys as the team walked over to the bench to get some coaching tips from Jfarb and Namssor for the next quarter. I turned to Domestic scouts Oriole, Rcosta, and Panic and asked them what their thoughts were about the team and their chances tonight.
Oriole: Well we seem a little sluggish out the gates but we'll catch fire
Rcosta: Yeah I agree! although it doesn't look good when you have Dennison over there throwing up the chunks
Panic: Yeah and I wonder how well Velasco is feeling with that huge "I Love Jelme" tattoo on his cheek and neck area. What a crazy night.
In another electrifying quarter, Team USA tried to pull away but could not exceed their lead of 9, however they did not look back and let Morocco have a chance at taking their lead. At the half the US NT led 60-51.
Namssor high-fived every player as they walked into the locker-room.
Namssor: "Alright guys this game isn't over you have to be able to focus.. the best you can.. for the rest of this game to pull it out
Ugona: *snickers* That's what she said!
Namssor: DID ANYBODY ADDRESS YOU RICHARD UGONA! No! THATS WHAT I THOUGHT! SO SHUT YO MOUTH! NOW THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!
*Everybody shakes*
Namssor: Alright with that said.. Joe-Bro.. you have to finish out your layups even with 3 of our guys in the box clogging the lanes what do you have to say about that?
Bronson: It's such a tight fit with the other three already in there!
Namssor: That's what she said!
The third quarter started off great for the USA as they extended their lead but a late third quarter surge had put Morocco down 5 at the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter was a slow start for Team USA and a HOT start for Morocco because at 6:27 Morocco had tied the game at 92! Looking for baskets a tight game was about to begin and this was the fear of many of the NT staff members. At 3:57 Ricky Logsdon hit a layup to give the US a 99-98 lead. Down 104-102 at 1:01 Geoffrey Galloway screamed, "Out of the way!" as he hit a game-tieing shot off a pass from Madrid. At 30 seconds left Joe-Bro threw a wicked no-look pass to Clay Moore who with the shot gave the US a 107-104 lead. The events that followed were the downfall of our team. The inbound play for Morocco led to a 3 to tie the game. Bronson looked woozy and thought Jfarb was a player when he passed him the balls turning over the ball to Morocco for the final possession. When this game was about to head into OT the unthinkable happened. Richard Ugona passed out and in doing so fouled with 4 seconds left to allow Morocco free throws to give Morocco the 109-107 win.
Last edited by SpF at 5/30/2011 9:41:13 PM