After tonight’s convincing 105-69 win over Wok Style, the Clams are looking forward to promotion. As Bassols and Stratzalis hoisted Coach Simon on their shoulders to cut down the net from the rim, the 6160 lucky fans who packed the Dundee Center chanted, “Sotally tober! Sotally tober!” The chant, which has become the new rallying cry of the Drunken Clams, is a reference Italo Campioni’s reported words upon being arrested early Saturday morning.
The Clams had their trademark slow start, but came alive with 2 minutes left in the 1st, going on a 15-0 run to establish a 28-17 lead that only expanded. The team shot better than 50% from the field, and out-rebounded Wok Style by 9. They were led by outstanding play from Michael Christiansson, who went 9-14, including 3-5 from downtown, to put 21 points on the board. He also led the team in assists, with 7, and had 2 takeaways. Wisutratsami came off the bench to replace Joan Bassols who had early foul trouble, to led the team with 13 rebounds on his way to his second double-double of the season. Álvarez was injured on a flagrant foul by Landacaranda, but added 12 rebounds and 8 points before he headed to the locker room. Smith made two quick fouls and came out after less than a minute. But the rookie still managed to score 16 off the bench, including 5-6 from the foul line. Hui took over at SF and played well, snagging 7 rebounds, putting up 7 points and dishing out 6 assists. Campioni had a great all around game, scoring 11, making 5 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals and one assist.
As the ticker tape fell out of the rafters and Queen blared from the loudspeakers, the team celebrated out on the court. When the league commissioner handed the trophy over to Coach Simon, he said this into the microphone for the fans: “This franchise has come a long way since last season when we were just a bunch of guys off the street in Dundee. We wanna thank the fans who have come to our games. We wanna thank the city of Dundee, that has supported us. And I wanna say thank you to all the players who have poured their digital hearts and souls into this game. We look forward to trying our luck in Division IV.”