DO NOT TRY AND BEND THE SPOON
In the realm of competition, be it individual or team, the glory of the winner is celebrated, revered, immortalized and named as champion. With every other placing under it considered a loss, with harsh known tag phrases like "second place is the first loser" or "if you're not first you're last" echoing in our ego filled frontal cortex to act as some pillar of motivation for our future selves to train harder and achieve the supposed only mantle that matters, 1st place.
But let's go back in time for a minute, the late 18th century on the campus of the University of Cambridge to be exact. It was then in a fit of ironic celebration that the term "Wooden Spoon" was "awarded" to the student with the lowest test score to still earn a third-class degree. Obviously a cruel mockery of an English lad's lack of preparation that would no doubt be part of cancel culture in today's world of participation trophies and Nature Valley granola bars for all. Even though the official award was banned in 1875 from the University, the term and the spirit of the award has lived on, spreading to other English-speaking countries. You can find the dubious award recognized in Indian Cricket leagues and Rugby Union competitions, it's made its way to Australian sports culture, Canadian Premier League, it has transcended into the "anti slam" for tennis tournaments such as Wimbledon and even shows up in Major League Soccer here in The United States.
The truth is that the thrill of competition doesn't exist without the fear of losing, the pressure of performing, or the motivation to not be last at the end of the season. Who doesn't love an underdog story? Rudy, Rocky, The Mighty Ducks, and more relevant to our reality, the '94 Denver Nuggets (look 'em up kids). So as we march through our Swish winter basketball season I couldn't help but admire the teams at the bottom or the standings this week, showing unwavering enthusiasm, dedicated team unity, fans in the stands and hearts on their sleeves.
Like most sports leagues we often recognize the top tier performers, and rightfully so, but we just wanted to give a little love and appreciation to the teams towards the bottom of the food chain, because we see you improving, showing up week in week out, scraping your metaphorical bowls with what would be wooden spoons for better outcomes. Because without you this league is not as dynamic, it's not as interesting, and it's not seeded with the stories, drama and passion that has fruited so sweetly. Just to gently remind everyone that yes, winning feels good, but learning to lose builds character, and building character creates winners. Trust the process, play with joy, respect every team the same and let's have fun whether we win or lose.
On to the weekly roundup!
Tuesday Comp League had just two games this week but in those we got inspired performances from the two bottom of the ladder teams starting with the now (1-5) Crazies as they upset Blakes Lotta Buckets (4-3) 79-78 on a Dre Lovato game winning 3 ball corner pocket which gave him 11 pts on the night to go with 5 rebs and a dime. Q Watts went crazy with 22 pts 4 rebs 5 dimes and 2 steals to lead the underdogs. Isaac Shanley did all he could to bring sanity to a nutty state of affairs with 28 pts 13 rebs 4 dimes 1 theft and 2 Mutumbos (circa '94 Nuggets) but it wasn't enough to hold off an inspired team that's been shaking up the roster, playing together and found the winners circle, welcome in fellas.
Dad Bods, still winless at (0-6) squared off with perennial powerhouse Mob (4-1) and gave them all they could handle before losing a shootout 96-85. Dom Roybal stood out again netting 35 pts to go with 2 rebs and 3 dimes and Matt Jackson was a one man mob in the paint grabbing 17 rebs to complement 20 pts and 4 helpers. For the Bod's, David "Spider" Jaramillo, Jonathen Ealey and Vince Damelio were ballin' as they put in 21, 20 and 19 points respectfully, but in the end to much beer and BBQ held them down to be the new front runners for the Wooden Spoon.
Wednesday Rec League showcased four bottom of the standings teams in spirited action starting with Nothing But Net (2-4) playing not to lose behind Xavier Padilla's 22 pts 7 rebs 1 dime 2 thefts and 1 Mutumbo but ultimately showing why they are a favorite for the Wooden Spoon as they got shellacked by an angry Blakes Lotta Buckets (3-2) hot off the heels of their Comp League loss to previously winless Crazies, 67-49. Shanley was back in fine form with 25 pts 8 rebs and a dime but on this night he got winning time help from Chase Stafford (18pts) and Matt Bagwell (13 pts 8 rebs) to ensure they did not repeat Tuesday nights melt down.
The 7 o'clock was what a Wooden Spoon game is all about. Sitting in the last two spots of the standings, Medium Kings (2-4) and Zia Elite (0-6) donned their specialty jerseys, called in their fans, loaded their rosters and gave us a show of passion and teamwork, the win ultimately going to the slightly favored Kings 70-60. Dedrick Johnson and Adan Lopez switched from medium to high heat as they cooked with 19 pts each. Oscar Nunez led a balanced attack with 14 points, four threes and some inspiring leadership but could not match all the Kings men on this night.
In the night cap IPS (2-3) gave 2nd Stringers (4-3) all the acronyms and then some before Stringers silenced the dB that IPS was playing with behind Wilford Troup's shushing double double of 27 pts 14 rebs, Shawn Daniels 24 pts 8 dimes and Bailey Lozada-Cabbage 23 pts 11 rebs 5 dimes and 5 thefts. Jacob Torresday led four acronymic players in double digits with 22 pts, but the five ironman came up short after an inspired, sub-less effort to fall 76-86 and remain in sole possession of last place and the coveted Wooden Spoon for now.
35 Over League started off with yet another battle for the Wooden Spoon (you're seeing a theme here) between Santa Fe Elite (3-6) and Meyers Bros (0-8) with Elite twumping the Bros 76-56 as Ryan Romero showed elite pace with 22 pts. New Meyers Bros recruit Danny Salazar was on fire from three in the first half and finished with a team high 18 pts in the loss. Enjoy the splintery soup for now fellas.
On the other end of the standings spectrum we got a top of the heap treat from Mob (7-1) and 505 Unit (7-1) going back and forth, both with depleted rosters but inspired play. In the end Unit proved too powerful behind the Montano brothers, with Mario pouring in 26 pts and Gabe going for 22 pts, both dialed in from long distance, with six a piece. Nick Williams filled in for the short handed Mob and used his calling card to dial in five of his own three balls and a team high 15 pts but was the only player to get anything going as Mob came up short 64-73 to taste loss for the first time this season.
Our week ended the same way it started with Nothing But Net (4-3) winning in dramatic fashion over Zia Elite (3-5) on a game winner at the buzzer. Matt Brito hit the hero shot and scored 15 pts, teaming up with Brian Fairchild's 21 point master piece for "those that only swish" in the win. New Mexico's flag sign elite were raining like the monsoons of summer from downtown as Oscar Nunez (23 pts) Matt Valdez (22 pts) and Jassen Lopez (20 pts) combined for thirteen threes in the unlucky loss.
What a wonderful week of Northern New Mexico hoops! Thank you everyone for the continued support. This is the point in the email where I remind you to please visit the website at www.santafeswish.com and check up on all current stats, standings and schedules. You can always reach us at the contact info located at the bottom of the site where you'll also find our local sponsors websites to visit and support.
Coming up this last week before a two week break for the holiday:
Monday- Free Open Gym from 5-8:30pm at Desert Sage Academy
Tuesday- Comp League play at DSA 6-9pm
Wednesday- Rec League play at DSA 6-9pm
Thursday- 35 Over League play at ECCO gym 6-9pm
See you ballers there!
Respect the game, Santa Fe Swish
