overbites and underdogs
Inspired by the English Football League fan involvement, who would often chant songs during match play, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury wanted to write a song that transcended the realm of music and turn his art into something for the fans, for the people. In 1977 he wrote "We Are The Champions" on Queen's sixth studio album, News Of The World. Not only did this rock anthem for the ages instantly become the most recognizable song of the era and reach number two on the UK singles chart, but in 2011 it was scientifically proven to be the "catchiest" pop song ever made. Paired with a seamless transition from "We Will Rock You" it allowed radio play to get an easy two for one and gave sports enthusiasts everywhere the greatest one two punch of warm up mixtape material and end of game, send 'em home singing anthem. What Mercury did was create a song that no longer belonged to Queen, but became a folk song that belonged to the people. The real champions. The fans of soccer and sport. The tone deaf that can't hold a note to save their life but can belt the chorus into a blended melody of sports enthusiasts in the camouflage of an open air pitch or the acoustic cheat code of a gymnasium. Blessed with four extra teeth, an iconic overbite, a four octave vocal range, and a pitch perfect mustache, Mr. Mercury cemented himself into rock 'n roll royalty as well as one of jock rocks most recognizable voices. RIP legend.
On to the Weekly Recap where we got to crown a champion (and sing our favorite song):
The final four was set as we finished up our Comp League play, and game one gave us a gutsy, all out effort from both (6)Silent Storm and (2)Team Nuevo. The quiet lightning struck first out the gate and took a ten point lead into halftime thanks to a downpour of defense and a game high 29 pts from Shawn Daniels. Nuevo sharp shooter Josh Salazar kept the score close in the second half as he did what he does best by knocking down seven threes en route to 23 team high points but the Storm's stars came to play as Bailey Cabbage went near perfect from the field with a 20 piece and Wilford Troup did it all with 19 pts, 9 rebs and 6 dimes. Matt Brito played to the tune of 19 pts, 7 rebs, 4 dimes and Luis "Manos" Guerro recorded a double double with 11 pts 11 rebs for Team Nuevo. But in the end Silent Storm moved on to the chip game with a 75-65 dub. Thanks for the incredible season Team Nuevo!
The other semifinal of the night saw a (5)Blakes Lottabuckets vs (1)Santa Fe Style showdown. The burger bucket getters played inspired ball in the first half behind Isaac Shanley's 32 pts and 8 rebs. Chase Stafford served up one of his best lottacombos of the season with 16 pts but the powerhouse that is sage smudge sticks and beige adobe building showed all their style and then some in the second half. Led by Chano Herrera and his 35 pts, 9 rebs, 4 dimes, 2 blocks plus Cody Garcia's 26 pts, 11 rebs, 3 dimes and 2 Mutumbos, the donners of turquoise locked in on defense and held Blakes to 26 second half points and the win, 80-68. Two claps for Blakes Lottabuckets!
That set the Chip, pittng (6)Silent Storm, playing underdog, vs (1)Santa Fe Style as the heavy handed favorite. Despite inspired play from the shushed ones chosen by Zeus God of Thunder, it was never gonna be enough rain, hail, sleet or snow to topple the boot wearin', big hat cappin', piñon sniffin', chile ristra stringin', Stylin' boys from Santa Fe as they rode into the sunset with the 93-78 win. All the stars came to play as Cody Garcia capped his dream season with an MVP worthy 20 pt, 12 reb, 9 dime, 4 theft effort to lead the arroyo lovers. But he wasn't alone this night because big men Chano Herrera (31 pts, 8rebs) and Steve Lovato (16 pts, 14 rebs, 5 dimes) brought their pachouli scented panchos and their game to help secure the dub. For Zeus' finest Wilford Troup went thunderbolt crazy on 29 pts, 5 rebs and 4 dimes while Shawn Daniels had a complete game going for 19 pts, 6 rebs, 8 dimes and 5 thefts. Post man and Post Malone look alike Jessie Woosley was tough inside ripping down 19 rebs as he battled a stout Style front-court. Congratulations Santa Fe Style! Freddie would be proud and thanks for an amazing season Silent Storm.
Tournament Awards:
MVP - Cody Garcia (Santa Fe Style)
All Tourney - Chano Herrera (Santa Fe Style), Shawn Daniels (Silent Storm), Wilford Troup (Silent Storm), Isaac Shanley (Blakes Lottabuckets), Josh Salazar (Team Nuevo)
After a quick breath from that excitement Swish was back Thursday night for the 35+ League. Our three game night started with Santa Fe Elite and 505 Unit. Elite proved true to their name in the first half as they stayed within one point of the defending champs backed by 26 pts, 5 rebs and 4 dimes from Bobby Richardson and a 20 piece served up by Ryan Romero. But thanks to Mario Montano's 25 pts 5 reb and Brandon Encinias 20 ball to go with a team high 7 rebs, Unit prevailed 85-70.
Game two saw Zia Elite put up 81 points to Nothing But Net's 67. Matt Valdez let team Zia with 31 pts 6 rebs and Mike Rivera with 16 pts, 15 rebs, 6 dimes and 3 thefts. For NBN, Martin Ortiz led the way with 24 pts 10 rebs and Randal Holmes went for 16 pts and 13 rebs.
To wind down our week IPS took down Vatos Locos 72-59 with Greg Trujillo leading the winners with 23 pts, 9 rebs, 5 dimes and 8 thefts. For the Locos, Nick Williams had a rough night from deep but managed 10 pts, 12 rebs and 6 dimes.
Thanks for the runs everyone. We'll take a little break until we fire up our summer season so enjoy the rest, heal those injuries and get in the gym. We're back April 28th with 'The League' and until then we will have our Monday night open gym going as well as the 35+ action on Thursday nights. Keep up with us at www.santafeswish.com. Ball is life.
Respect the game, Santa Fe Swish
