Recaps 03/18

Friday 04th of July 2008

-by Janny Who?

As I traveled to Seattle to the sports writer’s conference, I had some time to ponder. As the gray hound bus moved at a steady 40 mph, the cold rain drops hit the windows. The drops started some cadence in my thoughts. I mulled the end of the CFL season over once, twice, even three times. I was wowed at my thought process.

As the season’s end drew near, I noticed that each team’s success was tied to their chemistry. The quest for the Scott Crook trophy ended. In every game, each team found their niche whether it be finding a third option scorer, finding their identity on defense, or just simply helping each other on defense, each team tried to find their stride. Within each game, there is a discovery. By now, the successful teams knew the strengths of their teammates. Knowledge of specialization occurs. Know your strengths, know your limits, know what other teammates are good at. Much like a body, each part does its job and functions together as one. If you played to your strengths you would usually win, if not put a checkmark in your loss column. I stumbled across this team concept in these verses:

1 Cor Chapter 12: 14-26 NIV 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

End of Season
Rankings
1. Yellow
2. Blue
3. White
4. Red
5. Black
6. Green


Yellow Team: Scott Crook Trophy Winners

Last week, the yellow team has put themselves into the championship game by beating the Red Team in the semifinals, and then beat the blue team to win the CFL championship. Jeff Chan, the defensive stopper, marveled how quickly the team’s chemistry came together. Dane Horn won the scoring title and shot the lights out from the land of plenty. He connected on seventeen three -pointers this year setting a CFL record. The next best this season was Andrew Liu making eight. Jeff Chan has been the defensive stopper all year causing havoc on the defensive end of the court. The young guys are starting to play well making timely shots and taking care of the ball. The young guys played well all season. The coaching staff credits the (Bakersfield Jam) D – league team for the development of some of his players. In an interview, a player met Patrik O’ Bryant and Ryan Susanto was efficient this season and shot 70 percent from the field while taking only 5 shots a game while leading the CFL in assists (3.2). They barely edged the blue team in the finals and are these years’ champions.

Blue Team

After barely squeaking into the playoffs, the blue team finally found who to get the ball to. Before facing the white team in the semifinals, he sat down with our own Michelle Tafoya. He stated that he enjoys playing eating burritos and that his team is primed for the playoffs and may be the sleeper of the league. Like Beasly from K. State, he guaranteed a win against the stronger seeded white team. He would make good on his promise by rebounding and scoring like a man possessed. Averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds, Captain Greg Wong demanded the ball down the stretch. Down one, he bulled his way in the lane, missed, got his own rebound and converted the put back. The white team had a chance to answer, but Eric Chan missed a 12 foot jumper near the top of the key. The game was close the whole evening and fans were treated to a chalupas because the Blue team went over the century mark divided by two minus ten. The blue team then lost to the yellow team in the finals but they made huge strides to end the season. Pending free agent issues and contract negotiations, they look to perhaps stay together next season.

White Team

After going undefeated in the regular season, the white team fell victim to an focused blue team hitting their stride. The white team had been a model of consistency all season. The white team had a very successful season displaying uncanny chemistry at the onset of the leagues first game. Their balanced scoring attack was spearheaded by Sherman Low, Colman Chung, and Erik Chan. Colman and Erik were number 2 and 3 respectively in assists this season, giving their teammates easy looks often. Erik Chan was like Robin Hood, stealing from opponents and giving to his teammates all season. Many believe he was the best this year on the defensive end of the floor. Hubert Lim was a monster all season living up to his nickname Tauren Chieftan, gobbling up rebounds. He was consistent all season almost averaging a double double. The white team just fell victim to the adage “Any given Tuesday,” any team can beat any team. In this playoff format, it is one and done. Commissioner Rob Tam may institute a best of seven playoff game format, but this is unlikely. The league regents will vote on this next year. They won the third place game handily, again led by their guards. If their team stays together, they will be ranked very high next season.

Green Team

Winning the first game of the season two weeks ago, Pete Tam was on cloud nine. His euphoric streak came to an end however; the green team dropped the next two. This season no one shot over 43% from the field this year. The green team must put away their “go green” t-shirts until next year. By season’s end, the green team had a glimmer of hope in their eye and a bounce to their step because they made vast improvements. Neil Wong averaged 12 points and eight rebounds. Their team, Neil Wong, will work with the young players in the off season to hone their skills. Like Don Nelson, Coach Pete Tam is rumored to remain head coach next season, but is seeking a hefty contract extension. Contract Negotiations are underway, since their season ended last week. He credited his sole win to reading retired Pacer Mark Jackson. Jaskson’s book titled, “Story of my life: Slow it down Set it up,” was a best seller this season. Coach Pete Tam adopted this style of play. In the draft, they will have the most ping pong balls, which translate into perhaps getting a top tier point guard like DJ Augustine or perhaps a sleeper like Dayton’s own Brian Roberts. Coach Ryan Susanto is rumored to move some veteran leadership to his team and is close to signing veterans Daniel Quach and Calvin Lee, who helped him win his first CFL championship two years ago.

Red Team

The two beasts played hard all season. Pineda and Lin carried their squad with points, rebounds, and hustle. They had a sporadic win loss pattern, the red team would win then lose two in succession. Ironically, both ended the season shooting 52 percent from the field, averaging nine rebounds and averaging over ten points. Unfortunately, they shot a combined 45% from the charity stripe. Much like the green team, the red team can use a guard or two to bring up the ball. Talent was never an issue for this team. My sources tell me they need a coach. If the green team does not renew Coach Peter Tam’s contract he may be available.

Black Team

The hungry black team’s defense of their championship did not come to fruition this year. The grueling schedule of the CFL claimed them as its victim. Plagued by injuries, the black team struggled this season. Coach Kwok sorely missed J.C, who led the CFL in rebounds last year. His toughness on the boards and on defense was missed all season. Sherman Lee and Norm Siu led the team on offense and defense this year, respectively. Next season, Kwok will need both players back healthy. The black team fell prey to faster teams this season and they need an outside shooter to open up the defense. If all their pieces come back, they will have a potent lineup. They have a plethora of small forwards, thus they can use a few more guards. Management will decide this off season if the team will add some new pieces or if they will resign J.C. If they can do either of the two, they are poised for another championship run.

Thank you all for participating in the CFL this season. We look forward to seeing you next season!