12.31.10

By BRYAN CLARK

Sports Editor

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) -- Order was restored in the 2010 Quad One Braggin' Rights 2-on-2 Basketball Challenge.

After dropping a game in 2009 for the first time in the history of the contest, Team Bryamy made short work of Team Torraveris, winning the ninth annual match-up 15-10, 15-2 at the McFarlane Center.

"To be honest, I was a little concerned when Lee [Delaveris] and Dustin [Torres] came out in matching jerseys this year," said Bridgman, referring to the t-shirts with a large logo emblazoned in neon green that Torres pulled from his car moments before the match.  "I was particularly worried that I was going to be blinded by that shade of green.  But after my eyes got adjusted, I realized it was just the same lousy basketball players in different, oversized clothing."

Bridgman was the star of the game, creating his own shots off the dribble, knocking down jumpers and finding his teammate Bryan Clark for open looks underneath.  Team Bryamy also buckled down in Game Two with stingy defense, holding Team Torraveris to one of the lowest single-game point totals in the history of the Challenge.

"I drove 6 hours for this, so things were a little stiff as we got started," Clark said over the giggles and "that's what she said" jokes from his fellow competitors.  "It [the drive] was long and hard; thankfully the game was not."

But Team Torraveris did not go down without a fight.  Torres came out on fire in Game One, hitting shots from all over the floor, and Delaveris worked hard underneath, blocking shots and pulling down rebounds.  The duo scored first in both games and spiced up Game Two by running a variety of "football plays," such as the hook and lateral and the option.  The plays did not result in any baskets, but would have thrilled the crowd -- if there was one.

After the game, Delaveris blamed the conditions for his team's performance.

"We're not a fair weather team," Delaveris said.  "It's 60 degrees out here on the 31st of December.  How are we supposed to react to that?  It doesn't fit our game."

When reminded that his team's greatest triumph came on a warm, sunny day in 2009, Delaveris gave a terse "no comment" and headed out to drown his sorrows in some beef bourguignon and lots of orzo.

Although all players escaped major injury, they were somewhat surprised to find themselves a bit winded after the match was over.  Team Doctor Dan McFarlane informed them that this is probably because they are "old" and "somewhat out of shape."

"Honestly?  I wasn't really paying attention, but I figured my diagnosis was a safe bet," McFarlane said.  "This year was a banner year for me, so I wasn't about to spend the last few hours of it watching four short white guys pretend they can play basketball."

McFarlane was not alone in his indifference.  Most of the game was played without a crowd, although Charis Bridg - er, uh - McFarlane did fill in briefly for usual Team Photographer Lea Delaveris, who was at home training young Steven Delaveris.  Based on his ever-increasing agility, speed and hand-eye coordination, scouts project that Steven could supplant his father in the starting line-up within the next couple years.

When asked how his father should be punished for losing the first Braggin' Rights game played since his birth, Steven pointed to an Oasis album and said, "That."  Meanwhile, Jackson Clark was so excited to learn about Team Bryamy's victory that he spilled a glass of wine on Dr. McFarlane and had to be soothed by a haunting rendition of "I'll See You in the Morning."

The date of the next Braggin' Rights Game is not known, but it should occur sometime in 2011.  And before it does, Bridgman has some friendly advice for his opponents.

"They've got to shore up that D," Bridgman said. "Their zone is sagging more and more each year, just like half of Dick Clark's face... What?  Too soon?"