Um... Technically you lost

This last Thursday, the 19th day of February, 2009, we had a Churchball game.... well, 2 games actually. This was the second round of the post-season "just for fun" stake tournament. The 6th ward got first seed for going an undefeated 5-0 in the regular season. The 3rd ward got second for going 4-1 (only losing to the 6th). We, the Woods Cross 2nd Ward got third seed for going 3-2. First, at 7:00 we played the 3rd ward in the semi-final. In the regular season we lost to them by one point. On Thursday we beat them by 5. I had 12 points. It was a good game. We won and so we got to play a second game against the so named "Stake Champions" 6th ward at 8:00 sharp. A team of like 12 that had sat watching us- a team of 7- work hard to prevail over the 3rd ward.

For most of the game, we were pretty evenly matched with this team of semi-pubescent prima donnas, but we were all so tired from the last game and it was getting hard. They led us by almost 10 at half-time. But we got our second wind and we faught back, evening the score. Some very ridiculus calls were made... aparently you have to stand perfectly straight and upright while dribbling the ball as to not lower your shoulder to speed up past a defender... and apparently if an opposing player goes for your pump-fake and lands on your head and racks himself it's a foul on you.... and apparently if you get set up and draw one of the most beautiful charges ever seen by human eyes, and the shooter gets injured and stops the game for a few minutes, then the home-cookin' ref will just stand there looking dazed and confused and give the ball back to the offense and give no one a foul....

(Deep breaths...) Ok, Willey fouled out because of his head, and Trevor was ejected because he took his jersey off, and we were left with just 5 people out there on the court, behind by 2 points. No calls seemed to be going our way, and we couldn't get any rebounds, and I was getting very frustrated because we should've been winning, and then I got fouled over the back. I don't remember how many seconds were left in the game, but it wasn't a lot. We were in the penalty so I got the ball at the free throw line to shoot 1 and 1. I was angry. I believe in certain situations, especially sports and especially basketball, anger helps me perform. I glared at the ref passing me the ball. I glared at the ball. I glared at the rim. I shot. I made it. I could hear my mom cheering for me. Yes! I did the same thing again. I made it again. I glared at the scoreboard... 49-49. We were goin to overtime baby.

Overtime was 3 minutes long. We traded baskets. I was fouled again. I made two free throws again. Landon was fouled. He made two free throws. We didn't get rebounds. They scored some more. Our plan was to get me to the free throw line because I was feelin it. Once again, we were down by 2. I brought the ball across half-court. Nobody was fouling me. I penetrated a bit, the baseline got shut off and so I pulled up for a jumper. Immediately my right leg seized up in a humungous cramp. I fell to the floor and looked up to see my shot miraclously go in. But I knew something was definitely wrong. My leg was literally stuck in a flexed, toe extended downward position. It was insane! It hurt and it was very scary. I writhed in pain, holding my leg as a circle formed around me. I was afraid to get up because my leg wouldn't move or function as normal. Eventually, with help, I got up and limped to the free throw line. They had called a foul, the basket had counted, and I was supposed to shoot one shot. I knew I couldn't shoot if I couldn't even stand up right. They were gonna let Willey come in for me and shoot, but I knew he had fouled out, and I got my leg back to a normal position so I said no. I would do it myself. I was alright.

I missed the shot and as I tried to move my leg seized up again. I was done for the night. They let Willey go in, but time was pretty much gone and we are all tied up again at 58 I think. I don't remember if this all happened in the first or the second overtime, but the important thing is that we did go into double overtime. Nobody could seem to score. It was sloppy and hurried on both ends for both teams, and I had to watch from the sidelines. David, bless his heart, hit a clutch jumper near the end to put us up 60-59. And then with everyone missing free throws and rebounds going wild a foul was called on Willey with .3 seconds left.

I was very mad, limping back and forth on the sideline. I hadn't done all that work to lose. I hadn't scored a career-high 33 points to watch the amazing 6th ward get away with another one.... They got two foul shots.... They missed them both. Time ran out and WE WON!!! I had never felt so satisfied with a win before. Oh my goodness. And I was so proud of everyone on the team. We did it! We won despite the ref(s). We won despite the fact they were "Stake Champions," and the tournament was "just for fun." Psh! We should be the Stake Champions. We played 2 games and 2 overtimes in 2 hours and won them both. We beat every team. We earned it.

But hold the phone..... Word on the street is that the 6th ward "technically won" because we had to forfeit to let Willey play for the last couple of minutes when I could not. To that I say, "Shut up." Last time I checked, 60 > 59. Tell me if I'm wrong. I will go to my grave saying that we won fair and square.

And to all those unbelievers out there............ Um..... Technically you LOST......... because well..................... you did. Period. End of story.