A BALLER’S HOLIDAZE

Christianity and basketball go back as far as the conception of peach basket and soccer ball. When Canadian gym teacher and seminary grad, James A. Naismith was given the task of organizing an indoor sport for the local YMCA riff raff during the winter months. It was in that field house on December 21st in sleepy Springfield, Massachusetts that the game, the faith and Jumpshot Jesus were born.

One hundred and thirty four years later, as we close out the two thousandth and twenty-fifth year of our lord by once again celebrating his glorious and immaculate birth on December 25th let us reflect on God's humility but also on his good son's perfect shooting form. Yes, we know about Mary and Joseph, the three wise men and the little drummer boy but not enough songs or folk tales speak to the hoop god's savior and Jumpshot J's divine journey. You see, after his birth in Bethlehem (not Massachusetts) the chosen one migrated to America to learn the great game and settled in Greenville, South Carolina (home of the store) to hone his form, handles, and love for ballin'. With his iconic robe and leather sandals, J-dogg was a menace on the court in his early twenties. Sporting a full beard and flowing locks tucked neatly under a red headband, he wasn't just turning water into wine, but also defenders into doormats.

And even though Jumpshot Jesus is no longer on this mortal plane with us, it's important to sacrifice in his name so we can hope to be gifted a shred of his holiness's insane game. So on the night of the 24th this month, forget leaving out cookies and milk for the fat man and instead make sure you leave fresh wristbands and jockstraps by the fireplace, no need for gift lists and mistletoe, this season it's about defensive slides and getting five hundred shots up. Because like any good Christian practice, to feel the ethereal spirit from Jumpshot Jesus requires sacrifice and penance. Holiday family gatherings must be forgone for dribbling, eggnog must be replaced with gatorade, treats for sprints and gifts for the grind. And it probably wouldn't hurt to donate to your local basketball organization 😉

You see, Jumpshot Jesus has always been part of the modern game. His divine touch was on display in Ray Allen's corner three to sink the Spurs in '13 or Kawhi Leonard's immaculate four bounce buzzer beater as he crouched to pray to JJ and topple the Sixers in 2019. When Kobe went for 81 and Jordan hit his first last shot on the sacrilegious Jazz (we all know that's Satan's sound). The truth is Paul Pierce, but it is also that we must honor our savior this Christmas so we can continue to ball in his image.

Happy Holidays y'all.

Here's the week's recap of league play with gifts and tidings to you.

Tuesday night Comp league was three wise men personified in hoop games with teams finding their late season strides and playing some quality ball. Silent Storm (3-2) vs Crazies (1-6) gave us a nicely wrapped forty minute back and forth with Storm winning a close one 72-68. Dalton Etkie was money from Grandma for Christmas all game with 27 pts and Wilford Troup was doing his best Santa impression gifting a game high 7 assists to go along with 18 pts and 3 thefts. Dre Lovato was flexing some new found confidence after last week's game winner as he led Crazy town with 25 pts and 8 rebs.

Heatwave (2-5) provided the "Miracle on 34th Street" of the night with an 87-68 beat down over Team Nuevo (2-3). Martin Gracia and David Sanchez provided the offensive eggnog with 33 and 26 pts while Ryan Trujillo double dipped the chip with 13 pts 14 rebs. For Nuevo Josh Salazar was the only one to show up to the party with 31 pts, Dom Baca had 14 pts, 7 rebs and 5 gifts but struggled from downtown (2 for 12).

Two top teams tipped the synthetic leather at eight o'clock and showed why they stand near the top of the heap. After a snow ball fight of a contest, Killer B'z (5-1) came up short against the mighty Mob (5-1) 61-76. Defense was the name of this game as Mob big man Matt Jackson seemed to secure every defense stop with his 18 rebs to complement 14 hard earned pts and MJ even gifted 4 buckets to his mates. Top scorer Dom Roybal struggled from deep due some stingy B'z defense but still managed to pace the winners with 20 pts. Antonio "Set the 'Tone" Lovato put up 18 pts, 4 rebs, 3 gifts, and 3 thefts for the Killer B'z.

Wednesday night Rec league started with more Dom Roybal and the Flash Floods (5-2) as they took down the up and coming Medium Kings 78-70. Roybal stuffed his stocking for a team high 35 pts and Matt Brito came up two gifts short of a triple double 18-11-8. Dedrick Johnson was sporting a fresh shave and a double double with 17 pts and 10 rebs in the loss.

At seven o'clock 505 Unit (8-0) flexed their undefeated muscle for a 92-76 grinching over Zia Elite (0-7). Angel Parra led five of Unit's Little Helpers in double figures with 30 pts, 5 rebs, 4 gifts and 3 thefts. Steven Lovato was efficient as a dad cleaning up wrapping paper with 14 pts on 6 of 7 from the field. For Zia not so Elite on this night, Marcus Williams played red nosed Rudolph trying to guide the sleigh with 23 pts and 8 rebs but there weren't enough reindeer in the North Pole to right this night's sleigh ride. Hoping for some New Year cheer in '26 to help Zia find that first win before tourney time.

In the late game after a tense as tinsel first half between IPS (2-4) and Dad Bods (3-3), 42-44, the Bods pulled away and won a good one 81-94. Nor Father time or Ol' Saint Nick were gonna stop veteran hooper Jassen Lopez as he wrapped three ball after three ball and stacked them under the tree for 27 pts, 4 rebs, 3 gifts, and 3 thefts going 7-15 from Steph land. Young gun Jacob Roybal asked Santa for a twenty ball and got it with 21 pts. Christian Farrar provided the inside "who spiked the punch" at this office party with 19 pts and 10 rebs. Alex Gutierrez and Jacob Torresday balled out with 29 pts, 13 rebs and 27 pts respectively but this shootout went to those eggnog hogs to finish our night.

In our geriatric but still got love for the game 35 Over league, we got to see those 505 Unit (8-1) boys put mercy on Meyers Bros (0-9) 85-55. Mario and Gabe Montano continued on their tear as they ripped ribbons, wrapping paper and nets going for 29 and 26 pts. Oscar Nunez filled in for the piecemeal Bros and filled up the cup with 23 pts before Meyers and Co got to exit early to do some Christmas shopping.

At seven Nothing But Net (4-5) started a rough double header night with the tough task of taking on a motivated Mob (8-1) team after their first loss last week and got thrashed like a three year old through a stocking on Christmas morning. Eric Martinez went "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" with a 30 piece and Andrew Ellsworth said "It's a Wonderful Life" as he dropped a casual 28 pts for the merry Mobsters. For NBN, Matt Brito had Christmas come early with a week high and team high 38 pts but couldn't halt the 76-96 twumping.

Things didn't improve for Nothing But Net (4-5) in the nightcap as they lost 85-78 to Zia Elite (4-5). Jassen Lopez continued his "hot as Santa Fe this December" shooting with 22 pts to lead Elite. Brito showed up again with 21 pts in the loss for Net, they'll have to regroup over the break and find their way in the new year before tourney time.

That does it for 2025 Swishers! Enjoy the two week break, be safe, have fun and get some shots up for Jesus. We will be back in action Jan 6th. Check out when you play next at www.santafeswish.com and keep an eye out for upcoming league registrations for the spring/summer! Let's make '26 the ballin'est Swish year yet!

🚨There will be Open Gym pick up games this Monday the 22nd from 5-8:30pm at Desert Sage Academy so come by and say Happy Holidays!

Respect the game, Santa Fe Swish