March 21, 2011
7 Hills 8th Grade Hoopsters End Season With Fun Game
Vs. Parents
by Brian Ellis
Seven Hills 8th Grade Coach
In a season that ended rather abruptly and anticlimactically as the final tournament was cancelled due to snow; the defending tournament champions from 2010 were left feeling a little empty. They decided to cap off their two year run with one more challenge…a game against their parents.
The kids were sure it would be one of the easiest victories of the year. The trash talking began early as Seven Hills sharpshooting guard Trevor “Jimmer” Humpherys shouted across the court during pregame warmups to assistant coach JJ Pounder who was playing on the parent team that Trevor would be guarding him. JJ calmly replied, “Just you? You might want to ask some of your friends to help.”
There were also some comments from the younger team that they would run their parents up and down the court in efforts to tire them out. The strategy appeared sensible as the youth bounced back from a fast start by the parents who jumped out to a 6-0 lead early behind some hot shooting by parent Newell Humpherys.
The young guys put together some awe inspiring moves in the first half as Trent “Mr. Intensity” Foster scored a few impressive hoops, Matt “Silk” Damele was as smooth as ever, and Michael “Sparky” Quinn came up with two steals and layups to help build a 7 point first half lead for the Raiders.
However, the parents regrouped for a final run in the second half as they chipped away at the lead with some consistent play from Tom Quinn and Aileen Damele. The magic that was there over the past two years for the Raiders was no match for the late game finesse and power by their parents . Max “Secret Weapon” Bishop, who’s usually deadly from outside seemed to be stifled by his mom, Jodanna’s tough defense.
Post players Ben “Mr. Intelligence” Beltran and Steven “Mr. Integrity” Skaggs were held in check by Steven’s dad, Randy who dominated the paint the entire second half. Beltran, who found creative and clever ways to be a force all over the court throughout the season seemed confused and baffled by the parent’s mix of half man, half zone defense.
The six foot five Skaggs seemed to be on the verge of losing his composure as his, what appeared to be clean blocks, were called as fouls. Michael Quinn’s energy ran out as his late game heroics, which the Raiders came to depend on in the 2011 season, were nowhere to be found. Gabe “Big A” Ross and Tyler “The Rock” Shaffer appeared rattled throughout as they failed to make the plays and passed up shots that they consistently made throughout the season in practice and games.
Trevor Humpherys, who led the Raiders in scoring, was also noticeably bothered throughout the game by a hostile crowd, led by his mom Sally, that clearly preferred the older team. Trevor hit only one three point basket and at one point threw a pass unexplainably directly to Aileen Damele on the opposite team.
Despite all this, the Raiders clung to a 35-30 lead with less than two minutes to go. The parents had them right where they wanted them. Like a racer in the draft of the leader just waiting for the right time to shoot to the front, they used that momentum to overcome the younger team.
Late in the game “The heart” of the Raiders, Evan Dejardins, had a fifteen foot jump shot rattle around and trickle off the rim. Moments later, his dad Phil, was able to grab a tough rebound and score to cut the lead to three points. Trent Foster missed a wide opened layup, clearly rattled by the crowd, and Newell Humpherys scored for the parents to cut the lead to one with less than a minute to go.
The stage was set. Gabe’s dad Steve, who played tough defense the entire game, came up with a big rebound and passed to JJ Pounder who was wide open, as neither Trevor or any of his friends were anywhere to be found, for what proved to be the winning hoop with less than 20 seconds to play.
The Raiders decided to go without a timeout, a strategy that a year ago was quite successful when Trevor Humpherys drained the winning three pointer to cap the season with the Nevada County Tournament championship over Magnolia.
However, this time Humpherys faced a tougher foe, one that knew his tendencies and moves on the court. One that taught him everything he knows. He was unable to get off a clear look, and the Raiders were left staring in disbelief at a one point defeat, 36-35, and the task of fulfilling the pregame wager of serving their parents dinner after the game.
There were some rumblings from the younger players about the officiating of their coach Brian Ellis. They wondered why there was not a single foul called on the parents throughout the complete game.
Unfortunately Ellis could not be reached for comment. By the way, the entire game was played to the rhythm of a compilation of music put together by Seven Hills guard and “Mr. Utility” Connor Upton. Connor was convinced that his choice in music would help his teammates play inspiring ball and lift them over the parent team. I guess he was wrong, proving once again that age and experience can overcome youth and confidence.