2016 FBA Season/16.01.21/TXS@PLY/Capsule
Showdown in the Garden
The Texas Lone Stars and the Plymouth Taproots put on a real performance for the folks at the Roots Garden. The real drama of the evening was centered around Travis Buckner (Grey Koala, F) and captain of the Taproots who are struggling with a 3-16 record so far this season after their star player Nina Lime (Wolf, G/F) went down with a potential career-ender earlier in the season. Texas on the other hand with a 7-12 record have been dealing with problems of their own with an injury to their star veteran rabbit guard, Mitchell Redding (Rabbit, G), who may be on the verge of possible retirement himself. However the real struggle for the team out of Austin comes from a hole the size of the Alamo in their starting line up left by the departure of their star player Travis Buckner, who signed with Plymouth after the strike had ended.
Fans expected a good ole' Western classic with this match and were not disappointed. The 1st quarter ended with Plymouth ahead by six at 28-22. After Stripes Quinn (Tiger, G) lost the opening tip off to Kasa Yalenchka (Snow Leopard, G) Plymouth took off to an explosive start with a 3 pointer from the woods by Travis Buckner. Lone Stars responded their opening with a shot by the rookie François Martineau (Golden Retriever, G). The 1st quarter went by in a flash with the Lone Stars holding on to a single digit deficit.
2nd quarter the benches got a chance to come out and show their stuff but it was the final 2 minutes that made the Austin fans excited and the Plymouth fans speechless. With 1:55 left 'til half time and the score down by two shots for Texas, Travis Buckner came back onto the court guarded by the rookie Whitney Hawkins (Red River Hog, F). Buckner goes for a deep three but it is...Blocked by the rookie who takes it up the court to bring the game within a point, 48-49 Plymouth. Next 2 attempts by both teams no good, Lone Star coach calls a time out with 1 minute on the clock brings the tidal wave of Ahti Nereus (White Sturgeon, C) and Wesley Lachs (Sockeye Salmon, F). With Texas riding the wave of their star fish, Marcus Knight (River Otter, G) passes to Ahti 3 seconds left on the shot clock Ahti shoots from the right side of woods, no good. Buckner's there for the recovery but it slips through his paws and François there for the take away, fresh 30 seconds on the clock till halftime. François to Quinn, tiger sets up a play spreads things out a bit 10 seconds left Wesley with the ball he hangs it up in the air and the big fish Ahti is there to slam it down with the assist and end the first half with a 50-49 lead over Plymouth.
Plymouth wasn't ready to buy the farm yet. 3rd quarter began with Plymouth leading the charge full steam ahead with their front 4 leading the charge once again. The Taproots managed to close out the 3rd quarter with a 4 point lead thanks to a free throw made by Shou Masaru (Shiba Inu, G), and a 1 and done 3 pointer by Jordan McGrath-Alidis (White Rabbit, F).
4th quarter just as exciting as the second. Shou Masaru still on the court for a while but was benched part way through due to pains in his back. Half way through the score within a 2 bucket, {ID|Clyde Moerke}} makes his first and only basket of the night making it a one possession, but got sidelined after complaints about pains in his foot paws. And just when you thought you've heard all the Wild West stories of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Chester Blackwater (American Alligator, G/F) got muzzle full of basketball after a missed shot by Waylon Stone (Horse, C). Broke one of his teeth, but should be ok to play next game as long as there's no other damage. 1:05 left Plymouth down by 1. Kasa Yalenchka with the long shot from the woods, sinks the 3 pointer, it's a 2 point game 30 seconds on the clock, 2 points for overtime 3 for the win, What does Austin do? They give it to there wide open Point guard Marcus Knight who delivers the dagger 3 pointer, 4 seconds left Travis with a half court heave, no Good. So Texas rides off into the Roots Garden sunset with a 100-99 win over their former star forward's new team.
Marcus Knight was the Player of the game, but one wonders why that reward wasn't given to Ahti Nereus for that score before halftime and the fact he delivered 10 rebounds and 2 assists? It's a mystery as Texas moves up 8-12 with their next three games at home for charity week, and Plymouth falls to 3-17 with an away game against Albany.
- Mark Clemonds