Staff 54 – 54 NE
The Staff A team moved to a karmically even record playing to an overtime tie with the upstarts of NE on Monday night last week. The 54/54 stalemate moves the Staff to a 1-1-1 record. The game featured some inspired play by Brian Henderson, a rookie to the Staff team, whose blocks, rebounds and put backs (including the game tying goal off his own deflected shot) were key to keeping the Staffs hopes of an A-league championship alive. Other staff notables were Todd Mulder (always a rock), Arthur McKenzie and another rookie, Andy Gray, whose half-time 3-pointer paved the way for a second half comeback. Staff had a one shot lead at the end of regulation; however NE, undaunted, ran a patient offense and got a game-tying jumper just before the buzzer. An off balanced, rushed, prayer by the usually ‘Clutch’ Staff team captain was unanswered and the teams went into over time. The rest of the game was a ‘foul fiesta’ and a bunch of traded baskets resulted in the aforementioned 54/54 OT Tie! The one down side to this epic battle was an injury, in the closing seconds, to one of the NE stand out players. He turned ankle, but hopefully he’ll recover soon.
