12 Feb 11 - Atoms Wolves Boys U15/3 (2010/2011 Summer)
FEB 12 - This week saw the welcome beginning of two new players in the side, Carter and Callum, friends of Connor’s (Thanks Connor) their introduction to the side was the perfect remedy for the much missed Dylan Curnow. Carter and Callum both tall and very handy under the ring proved to be the perfect foil for our other taller players. Allowing them to roam freer and take some outside rebounds last Saturday. Coming up against the SC Cobras currently 4th on the ladder was always going to be a tough match. Last game (first round) came down to the wire and we ended up drawing the game in full time. This game was to have a different ending. 6 all at half time it was an arm wrestle to say the least when Carter, Callum and Connor started to win the rebounds both offensively and defensively. After two weeks off with a hand injury, we welcomed back Hamish (the hammer) Tobias, and although a little rusty, he began penetrating the key in the second half and muscled the ball into Carter to score on three occasions. We then started to get away from them with some great rebounds and blistering passes from Oscar Sleeman together with grand gathers and layups by Azza man. Nicky, “the not so fuzzy anymore”  woke up and used his strong arms to bump out the opposition, and after a half time chuck!!! George “the getting freakier by the game” was pivotal in many strong turnovers in our favour. And one or two against!!! In the end we ran out victors 24 to 12 and cement ourselves in second place. Ever so close to the top.Nov 27 - Atoms Wolves under 15 div 3 - had another immensely satisfying win against a slightly smaller Nightmares Taylor team. Atoms began well jumping out to 8 points within the first 5 mins of the game leading 8/2. This game saw the real return of Connor Jordon who pulled down solidly many defensive rebounds. Oscar Sleeman was solid as always in offense and defence, but got called for two fouls for the same defensive move in two seconds. HE was not a happy camper and was sent to the bench fuming. Searching for a reason for his fouls, Oz questioned the ref on his decisions, and while the ref was doing his best to explain, an unsatisfied Oz let rip with the “Oh that’s B...S...” The whistle blew. A Tech Foul was called. The end of the first half. Score 22/8.
Second half begins with Oz rightly in the cool off box. NT began well, clawing back some of the deficit. They scored the first 6 points and got back to within 8 at the 6 minute mark. With some great defensive boards by Aaron “the kangaroo” Cutter and Connor “air up there” Jordon, Hamish and Winnie where able to get back in the game with many fast breaks, and that was enough to unleash the weapon, the sophisticated freak of the basketball court...Georgie Pyke Marcou. ‘The GPM’, as he is affectionately known, ended up on the end of most of most of these offerings and piled on the scores with a song and dance routine that Dancing with the Stars would have had to sensor.
Nicky “The Fuzz” Munyao again was terrific and He-Man strong, pumping the air when scoring consecutive two point shots after pulling the boards. Hamish “the Hammer” broke the lines and drove strong in the key, scoring twice and assisting another, and the whole team was firing. We ran out winners by 22 points in the end 52/20 and it was most satisfying. Well done guys, we should be nearing the top of the ladder. A good reward for a strong beginning to the season.
Atoms Wolves under 15 div 3 - had an immensely satisfying win against the persistent niggly Canterbury Cougars fly on the 20th of November. The Wolves who are currently just off top spot by 3 points and 10 percent, are currently shooting the highest in the comp. The Wolves went into the game without their star tall recruit Dylan (rowing in Sydney) Curnow and Hamish (Hammer) Tobias the fleet footed, spring loaded, slight of hand play maker.
The CCF showed that there is more than one way to play basketball, but also showed that this is not the way to go forward and win matches. With their head down bum up, elbow out style of play, no wonder they were collecting a few around the chops under our defensive hoop.
With our smooth direct an fast running style of basketball we broke the game open early with a 10 to 2 lead by the 10 minute mark of the first half, with Winston (the Terrier) repeatedly breaking clear, Nick (Fuzzy) Munyao and Aaron (push the tush) Cutter strong under the ring with some excellent 1st and 2nd attempt rebound and baskets.
We finished the first term 22 to 6 with a strong lead going into the second half. Connor (just got taller) Jordan back after some weeks off, after a near career ending back injury, was terrific under the ring, particularly with his defensive boards.
Into the second half and we broke away again with some quick ball movement, super strong rebounds and gunshot passes by Oscar (OMG) Sleeman. Oscar dominated the second half with 10 points finishing the game with his personal game high of 16 points. Georgie (the mercurial Cheech) Pyke Marcou, again played above his weight, and frequently broke in to the key with his now famous, side shuffle two step over the shoulder look away left handed drop shot for two. This became a source of frustration for the CCG team as they had not seen such a display of non Alien life form basketball play before.
The boys ran out winners 48 to 14 in the end, but not without CCF dragging us into a couple of scraps on the court, a couple of elbows to George and Connor made the blood boil a little, but a sensible time out with three minutes to go by Coach elect Harry (big Bear) Robinson soothed the boys calmly over the final buzzer with no more BIF BANG POW.
Next week we are up against Nightmares Taylor currently 8th of 9 in the division and we look forward to another solid win to consolidate our place in the top 4.