12.31.12

By BRYAN CLARK

Sports Editor

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) – Sometimes the sideshow is better than the main event.  Team Bryamy won the 11^th annual Quad One Braggin’ Rights 2-on-2 Basketball Challenge over Team Torraveris 15-3, 15-12 at the Dublin Rec Center, but the real excitement came in the full-court pick-up games that followed.

“To be honest, it was difficult for me to focus today,” Lee Delaveris said.  “With this fiscal cliff looming, I don’t know how anyone can be focused on basketball.”

This lack of focus was evident in Game One, when Team Bryamy ran out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back.  But Delaveris and teammate Dustin Torres rallied in the second game to make it close.  Team Torraveris jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead and led 10-7 before Bryan Clark and Jeremy Bridgman tightened up on defense and finished the game on an 8-2 run.

“I was a little worried there for a moment,” Clark said. “There were so many people in the gym – it would have been really embarrassing if they had won the game and torn off their shirts like last time.”

Several junior high and high school students were on hand to watch this year’s contest.  They described their first-ever Braggin’ Rights experience as “bad,” “ugly,” and “vaguely resembling basketball.”  The Quad One Wives Club and the Quad Two Kids Club did not attend, citing disinterest and embarrassment.  The Challenge was played at the Dublin Rec Center on the recommendation of Team Doctor Dan McFarlane, who said the conditions on the team’s home court (covered in snow) could pose a “serious injury risk.”

“It would have been stupid for them to play outside today.” McFarlane said.  “Of course, these guys have done stupid things before – repeatedly.”

After the Challenge, the fans were given a rare treat as Quad One brought several young people onto the court for a series of full-court games, including members of the Dublin high school team nicknamed White Lebron, Orange Shorts, the Freshman, the Shooter, Sandusky, and Special Needs Nathan.

In the first game, Clark and Bridgman teamed up with three high schoolers against Torres and four high schoolers.  Running the fast-break with veteran savvy, the duo led their team to victory and put together several highlight reel plays.

After that, it was time for some off-the-court drama.  Delaveris led a crew of junior high players – calling themselves the “Mighty Ducks” – onto the court to play the next game, leading to conflict with the high schoolers.  Torres came to their aid and a neutral arbitrator eventually awarded the court to the Ducks.

“I always enjoy the opportunity to teach young people, and this was a teaching moment,” Delaveris said.  “I believe in justice and I think we taught these boys about justice and fairness today.”

Thrilled to have a chance to play in the big leagues, the Ducks ran onto the court and insisted that Delaveris join them to play the “big kids” – a decision they quickly regretted.  Fueled by “justice,” the underdogs played surprisingly well, finding Delaveris repeatedly for wide open lay-ups under the basket.  He promptly missed all of those shots, drawing boos and cat-calls from the crowd.

“It was another teaching moment,” Delaveris said. “I looked like a basketball player sitting on the bench, but looks can be deceiving.”

Then, for the first time ever, it was time for Quad One to play together.  Quad One – plus Special Needs Nathan – took the court against the high school all-stars for the final game of the day, and they were promptly run off the floor as the high schoolers dazzled with alley-oops, no look passes, and tight defense.

Quad One made a few nice shots and a couple strong defensive plays – including one that may have cost Delaveris full range of motion in his right shoulder – but these plays were rare.  The low point came when Torres got a wide open lay-up opportunity while White Lebron was tying his shoe.  Torres missed the lay-up and before he could take a second shot, White Lebron finished tying his shoe and blocked the next shot into the fifth row.

“I almost retired from basketball right there,” Torres said. “The only thing that kept me going is the thought that I would be replaced in the Challenge by Special Needs Nathan.”

Ironically, Nathan was the lone bright spot for the Quad One team.

“Well, our leading scorer was the guy with special needs, so I think that tells you everything you need to know about our performance,” Clark said.

There was a clear generational divide between Quad One and its fans.  None of them seemed to share Delaveris’ concern about the fiscal cliff, and they seemed confused when the older players tried to introduce themselves and shake hands.

“I’m pretty sure they were just mentally texting each other through the whole game,” Bridgman said. “Technology is amazing.”

It was unclear if the teenagers knew the Challenge participants were almost twice their age and had five kids between them, but it was probably apparent as they headed out of the gym.

“Come on guys,” Clark said. “Let’s pile in my mini-van and head home.”