Razorbacks, X-Men Win in Week Five of 30+ Men's League

Here's the week 5 review of the results from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA (FSPY) 30+ men's basketball league.

In the first match-up we saw a battle between two short manned teams with the help of some barnstorming. The second game was for sole possession of first place. 

In game No. 1 Sunday morning, the Razorbacks showed up with only five players, while the Clippers had six. Being that it is the inagural season, at the last minute the commissioner's office enacted executive order #8675309, which essentially allowed the Razorbacks to add a barnstormer onto their team. Unfortunately for the Clip's this player was none other than Sid "The Big Segundo" Jackson.

On the flip side, the winless Clippers were without one of the team's leaders, Kevin "the Commish" Adams, who was sidelined with a strained MCL. Team doctors would not reveal which knee was injured nor a timeline for Commish's return. 

Being inspired by the loss of their point guard, the Clip's played valiantly in the first half with offensive contributions from players such as David "El Capitan" Berger (22 points), Gene "Speed Racer" Tavara (10 points) and solid defensive performances from Peter "Pistol" Donahue.

But in the end, the four-headed monster of Joe "Braces" Negley (13 points), Jason "Decks the Halls" Holley (15 points), the Big Segundo, and Jason "Sham-Wow" Shann (25 points) proved to be too much for the league's lovable losers.

In the end, the Clippers are still looking for the promise land, while the Razorbacks show they still have a pulse. The Razors won 55-47, moving their record to 2-3.

After the game, the Clippers submitted a formal protest contesting the commissioner's barnstorm ruling prior to the game. However, it was immediately rescinded when Clippers management realized that the commissioner is one of its players.

Game No. 2 featured the preseason favorite X-Men trying to exact some revenge against the undefeated Jersey Jammers.

The first half was a tough hard fought battle that had the Jammer's leading 27-26 with solid all-around team production from Marlon "Knock'em Down" Brown (10 points), Nias "Galactic Star" Battle (9 points), Eric "Hamburger" Halpin, and Steven "the Blade" Fuller (16 points).

The second half continued to be a close game that would not be decided until the final minute. With a solid contribution from the barnstormer, Sid "the Big Segundo" Jackson (12 points), it still was looking like the Jammers were going to continue to avoid the taste of a lost. But just when things seemed bleak, the X-Men went to their leader Jamal "1st Ballot Hall" Berry (33 points) who sprung into action.

As the second half played out, the X-Men were able to separate themselves from the Jammers and take a slight lead heading into the last two minutes. But the X-Men started to force shots and allowed the Jammers to get within two points. However, although they played gallantly, it wasn't enough to stop the X-Men.

The X-Men won it 55-51, handing the Jammers their first loss of the season. With this win the X-Men move into a first place tie with the Jammers at 4-1.

Week's six games are slated for the FSPY Martine Avenue gymnasium on Sunday April 11.  Admission is free to the first 200 fans.

For more information about the league, contact the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at 908-889-8880.