12.30.06

By BRYAN CLARK

Sports Editor

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) – Some things never change.

Team Bryamy dominated Team Berraveris in the third annual Quad One Braggin’ Rights game. The win came easy despite much pre-game speculation that the duo would struggle against future Lakota East star Tom Berry, who filled in for regular participant Dustin Torres. Torres has gone missing in recent weeks, so team captain Lee Delaveris overcame his grief long enough to choose his brother as a replacement. It didn’t help.

As usual, the pairing of Bryan Clark and Jeremy Bridgman were dominant from the start, winning the first game 16-4 and the second game 16-5.5 to sweep the three-game series. When the final horn sounded, Team Bryamy lifted their trophy high and smiled for the cameras. This year’s score will carry an asterisk because of the replacement player – not that it mattered.

“They were trying to get fancy, running a zone defense and some plays they came up with,” Bridgman said. “I just turned to Bryan and said, ‘Let’s run the play where we win.’ It seemed to work.”

Team Bryamy jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in game one on five straight points by Clark. Team Berraveris finally got on the scoreboard after a brief timeout so Berry could get his ankle brace out of his mom’s car. This also afforded Bridgman the opportunity to greet Lee’s mom for the second time in less than 24 hours. The sexual tension was obvious.

“Hi boys,” she said with a sly grin. “Happy New Year.”

And it was a happy new year for Team Bryamy. Inspired by his favorite muse, Bridgman then rolled off five straight of his own and the route was on.

With the hoop lowered to eight feet for game two, it was time for an acrobatic display. The second basket of the game came on a perfect lob pass from Bridgman to Clark, who corralled it with one hand and threw it down. A similar alley-oop on the next possession convinced Delaveris to give up on the zone.

“They were running fast-breaks in a half-court game,” Delaveris said. “It was time for a change.”

But the change didn’t help. Bridgman sliced through the defense for a two-handed jam to make it 15 and then Clark broke loose for a one-handed Tomahawk jam to end it. The lone bright spot for Team Berraveris earned them a half-point for hustle. Berry made a perfect pass out of a double-team that hit Delaveris in stride. Clark went up to block his inside shot for the millionth time, but Delaveris ducked under him and made it all the way to the rim. Alas, he still missed.

“What do I have to do to score around here?” asked Delaveris, setting off a lengthy string of jokes about his mother.

The extent of the domination was a surprise to many after the addition of Berry, who is an up-and-coming player who seems to be growing like a beanstalk. Last year, Berry came in for an injured Delaveris and helped Torres hang close. Apparently, Delaveris is the weakest link.

“Lee sucks,” said Tom in response to his mom’s question about why they lost. As an example, he pointed to the play where Delaveris hustled to grab a rebound in traffic, only to slam the ball into the bottom of the rim as he attempted a dunk. This led to a brief timeout for the laughter to subside.

The bloodlust that usually accompanies this heated rivalry was notably absent in the main event, but reared its ugly head in the consolation matches that followed. In the first match, which pitted Bridgman-Berry against Clark-Delaveris, Berry was bumped off the court and into a tree by his older brother. Later, in the match-up between Clark-Berry and Bridgman-Delaveris, Clark and Delaveris had a head-to-mouth collision, nearly knocking out one of Clark’s front teeth.

Asked about the extent of the injuries, team doctor Dan McFarlane simply said, “I’m not a dentist. I’m sure they will be fine.”

The consolation matches gave all three fans in attendance a chance to see some close match-ups and everyone played better. Delaveris netted the first two baskets in both contests, drawing huge cheers from the crowd. Unfortunately, he left the court on Saturday as the only player who did not win a game.

“It just wasn’t my day,” Delaveris said. “I guess there’s always next year. Plus, the Bengals are playing the Steelers tomorrow, so I’m saving my luck for them. It’s bound to work.”

The next game should take place sometime in 2007, either in Las Vegas or the Greater Cincinnati area.

NOTES: Fans were invited onto the floor between the main event and the consolation matches for two games of Knockout. Bridgman won both games despite good showings from Lea Delaveris and Leslie Clark… Delaveris looked quite intimidating in his Under Armor, prompting Bridgman to wonder aloud upon his arrival if he had walked into a “We Must Protect This House” TV commercial shoot… Dr. Dan arrived late for the festivities, prompting some in attendance to wonder if he was Greg Kinnear as he walked up the driveway… Clark celebrated his team’s victory by throwing his headband into the stands. The disgusting, sweaty band was thrown back… Shoot me, Dragon…