As the Clams walked out of a packed Hickman Arena last night after giving up their first loss (48-77) of the season to USA IV.50 powerhouse, Wildens, Coach Simon had this to say: "Tonight's game was like a land war in Asia. There was no way for us to win. Even against Wildens' scrubs, the team we had on the floor just was outclassed. And then it was a kick in the pants when just as we started to have a competitive third quarter they rotated in their regular starters to give their scrubs a break in the fourth. But there's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We've gotta get ready for Saturday's game against Wok Style."
The stat line was filled with woe for the Clams. Their 18 fouls gave Wildens 23 free throw opportunities. They were out rebounded by 11. And they had a mere 9 team assists, while giving up 14 turnovers. With all those crucial statistics going in favor of Wildens, the game was almost certain to come out as it did. And with that all (vain) hopes of a Cup Championship were dashed.
Expressing their displeasure for leaving their beloved "Il Mollusco" on the bench all night, frustrated fans threw the remnants of their concessions at Coach Simon. Campioni had this to say: "I totally could have *hic* &%#!ing rocked it out there. I mean Fro-Yo [Saleas] and The Wiz [Wisutratsami] are fine and all, but they just don't have my – hold on a sec... *belch* Oh man, vurp is the worst! Sorry, what was I saying?" Inside sources suggest that his absence may have been due to the incident before the game where a fan lowered a full beer bong into the tunnel which Camiponi obligingly emptied to wild cheers from the Clams' fans.
Despite Campioni warming the bench all night, there were a few bright spots in the game. Lo Guo Hui, a.k.a. "The Dragon," had one of his best games for the Clams, nailing 9-15 jumpers while putting up 23 points, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 2 steals. Joan "Largemouth" Bassols hearly had a double-double when he fouled out in the third, and Yioti "Yo-Yo" Stratzalis came off the bench to snag 9 rebs in 15 minutes. But perhaps the Clams' best statistic of the night was holding Wildens to a season low 77 points.
Thursday's cup game saw the Clams close a 4-1 road trip, picking up two conference wins and 1 each in Cup and interconference play. On Tuesday the Clams roared into interconference play, pounding Tha Dawgz 101-48 and dominating every statistical category. The big story here was back-up Sean "Monty" Jack coming off the bench after Álvarez got in early foul trouble to give 33 quality minutes and put up his first double-double of the season – snagging 15 rebounds, hitting 5 of 11 from the field and going 6-7 from the foul line.
A look ahead to next week sees the Clams face two good teams in the Great 8: Wok Style and the Jellico Terrapins. Recent additions, Genival Melo and Antoni Novellas, have allowed Wok Style to play an explosive Run 'n' Gun offense that flexed its muscle last night, scoring 131 against the Ghost Dunkers. This matchup of conference leaders looks to be a clash of the Titans. And the Terrapins, led by star center Giovanbattista Scalamandre, whose season has included both 32-point and 33-rebound games, will give Álvarez and his fellow big men plenty to chew on.
Will the Drunken Clams get served up Wok Style or will they make their opponents do the Wok of shame? Will the Terrapins turn the Clams to jello, or will the Clams tear them pin from pin? The only way to find out is to play!
Good luck Clams!
Last edited by Rhymin Simon at 3/10/2012 10:13:54 AM