9.13.09

By BRYAN CLARK

Sports Editor

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) - It was bound to happen eventually.
 
Team Torraveris shocked a record crowd of eight spectators by winning Game 2 of the eighth annual Quad One Braggin' Rights Game.  Team Bryamy rallied to win Game 3 in convincing fashion and take the match, maintaining the coveted Quad One trophy for the eighth straight contest.  But regardless the final outcome, the day belonged to Lee Delaveris and Dustin Torres.
 
"I'm so happy right now.  I just - wow - I mean - we never thought we would beat these guys.  And to do it in front of my family - to be able to tell little Quadbaybeh that it was here for such a momentous day - I can't believe it.  Where's the trophy?  I want to kiss the trophy," Delaveris said, before being told that the trophy is only awarded to the winner of the best-of-three series.
 
Bryan Clark and Jeremy Bridgman easily took Game 1 by a score of 15-6, although there was some foreshadowing of the fireworks to follow when Team Torraveris held rare leads at 1-0 and 2-1.  The game was close until the 7-5 mark, when Torres called an ill-advised timeout.  Team Bryamy then finished the game on an 8-1 run.  In Game 2, Team Bryamy seemed poised to sweep the series yet again, leading 8-6 before Torres and Delaveris began an improbable 9-2 run marked by stifling defense and clutch shooting. 
 
Leading 13-10, Delaveris fought through tight defense from Clark to score an impressive basket from the corner, pulling the team within a point of its first-ever victory. Torres finished it off with a running jumper that set off a frenzied celebration.  Torres and Delaveris leapt into each other's arms as Bridgman laid on the court in shock.  Delaveris then ripped off his shirt in celebration and ran into the crowd, followed by Torres (also shirtless).  Clark watched it all with a smile, holding the ball.
 
"I think they forgot that it's still a best of three series," Clark said. "It would have been like the Orlando Magic breaking out the champaign after winning Game 3 of this year's NBA Finals.  I congratulate them on the win, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  There's still another game to play."
 
Torres seemed near tears after an emotional victory.
 
"We left it all out on the court today," Torres said.  "This is unbelievable.  There's something in the air.  This will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and unlikely game you'll see this weekend.  I can't think of anything that could be more surprising.  I mean, we were about as likely to win this one as Kyle Orton is to throw a game-winning 90-yard touchdown tomorrow for the Broncos.  Close to zero."
 
After expending all their energy in the unlikely win -- not to mention the raucous celebration -- Team Torraveris had nothing left in the tank for the all-important Game 3.  Clark and Bridgman turned in a dominant 15-1 performance that lasted less than 10 minutes.  After Team Bryamy jumped out to a 7-0 lead, Torres and Delaveris seemed to give up, content with earning a special place in history.  Clark and Bridgman flirted with the shutout, reaching 12-0 before Delaveris knocked down a jumper.
 
"It feels so goooooood," Torres exclaimed at one point, causing his teammate to double over in laughter and allowing Clark to drive for another easy lay-up.
 
The game was played at the Clark Coliseum for the first time and some speculated that the smaller confines prevented Team Bryamy from utilizing its speed advantage.  The weather was shockingly pleasant for the first time in series history, but there were still minor injuries all around.  Several players took shots below the belt, Delaveris jammed a finger, and Clark caught an elbow to the kidney.
 
But team doctor Dan McFarlane seemed more concerned with the condition of team photographer Lea Delaveris.  McFarlane diagnosed her with a condition commonly known as "pregnancy," the primary symptom of which is apparently the birth of a human child.  Lee Delaveris seemed briefly rattled by the reality of the situation during the post-game handshakes when a fan yelled out, "Next time we see you, you'll be a dad," but he donned his "QUADDADDEH" shirt with pride for the post-game press conference.
 
Delaveris is likely hoping that his first child will be able to improve on the family basketball legacy -- perhaps picking up a few pointers from the perennial champs along the way.  When they weren't missing open jumpers and getting beaten on the pick-and-roll, Clark and Bridgman showed flashes of the brilliance that has made them dominant over the years.  The highlight of the day was probably the clinching point of Game 1, where Bridgman drove the lane, drew a double team, and flipped perfect alley oop to Clark, who laid it in off the glass.
 
"I hate this phrase, but 'a win is a win,'" Bridgman said.  "It sucks to lose, but I think dropping one game every 10 years isn't so bad.  Today, they were like one of those scrappy No. 16 seeds from the NCAA tourney.  Every once in a while, Cinderella plays the game of her life and makes things interesting.  But the overall outcome was never in doubt."
 
Delaveris had a different take.
 
"We're obviously getting better," he said.  "In ten more years, I fully intend to win that trophy."