BREATHE EASY BRETHREN
The term "mouth breather" refers to chronic oral respiration, a condition often caused by an obstructed nasal passage that has real health concerns attached to it. Unless you've been living under a rock in Hawkins, Indiana stuck in the "Upside Down" you've probably heard it mentioned as a classic 80's insult in the Netflix TV series Stranger Things. Season five just dropped and to all us nerd's delight they brought this classic diss back in episode one. But when you unpack the science behind the burn it may have truer application than just name calling, not to mention a key piece of the puzzle to athletic excellence...
When you breathe through the mouth you may take in slightly more diatomic oxygen (O2) but you expel a lot more carbon dioxide (CO2). We humans rarely run low on O2 since healthy oxygen saturation (SpO2) sits at around 92% or higher. But the magic in the science lies behind the veil of CO2 which often gets a bad wrap as an ozone killer. The fact is CO2 is much more than that and is the best vasodilator our cardiovascular system has. The more CO2 in our body the easier oxygen rich blood flows to reach its primary destinations, our tissues, muscles, organs, and the brain which on its "problem solving" own requires roughly 20% of our bodies available O2. So, "mouth breathers" essentially starve their brain of oxygen making them cognitively slower than the average nasal breathing human. Burn.
But I digress, we are basketball heads here at Swish and if you've read this long you must be in it for that puzzle piece to athletic excellence...
Allow me to introduce nitric oxide (NO). This little gem of a signaling molecule is the foundational driver to optimizing oxygen delivery. In combination with healthy CO2 resilience it is the magic to stronger muscles, faster recovery, and beast mode cardiovascular functioning. In addition to adding to vascular dilation, NO is responsible for getting O2 from its vascular highway on hemoglobin and hitting the off ramp to your muscles, tissues and organs that are in demand, allowing athletes to jump higher, run faster, longer, and make quick cerebral decisions efficiently. So how do you ask, can I up my nitric oxide game? The most potent production of nitric oxide occurs in the paranasal sinuses and is stimulated by consistent nasal breathing. So it's simple. Breathe. Through. Your. Nose. Even when you're gassed, try to take calm, slow breaths through your nose to get that famous "second wind" quicker and remember when it comes to NO, just say YES!
On to the Week 9 league recap:
Tuesday night Comp League started off with a blow out even a mouth breather would envy as first place and undefeated Santa Fe Style (5-0) mercy ruled Lethal Injection (2-3) 88-56. The dynamic duo of Cody Garcia 34 pts 10 rebs 5 dimes 2 cookies and Chano Herrera 28 pts 10 rebs were Tango and Cash all night long, thanks for cutting this blow out short fellas. Greg Trujillo and Danny Salazar were able to scrape up 13 and 12 pts respectfully.
Next up Killer Bz (5-0) got a first half test from Crazies (0-5) before stinging the not sane with a 92-77 win. Isaiah Fairchild pumped out the most venom with 24 pts 8 rebs 3 dimes and 4 cookies. Antonio Lovato buzzed hard for a double double with 16 pts 11 rebs. Dre Lovato was certifiable with 23 pts 6 rebs in the loss.
In the eight o'clock game, time ran out for Dad Bods (0-5) against a red hot Silent Storm (2-2) and Dalton Etkie who hit 7 threes en route to 29 pts and decided to clean some glassware while at it with 12 rebs. Big Jesse Woosley doubled down with 12 pts and 11 rebs as well. Nathaniel Naranjo collected a cool 13 pts 16 rebs but even so Dad Bods will have to wait another week for that elusive first win of the season.
Wednesday night Rec League action was breath holding, heart pumping, overtime thrilling madness starting right where we left off Tuesday with Dad Bods (2-3) back and giving undefeated 505 Unit (7-0) a second half scare before losing 98-89. Angel Parra answered all the prayers and then some with 26 pts 11 rebs 4 dimes 4 cookies and then invited 4 friends to his block party for good measure. 505 was sharing and caring all game with four other players netting double digits. Brandon Encinias polished the backboard 12 times, found his buds 7 times, and stole 4 cookies to go with his 14 points. The only Dad flexing his Bod was Jacob Roybal with 27 pts and 7 rebs.
Flash Flood (4-2) was flashing in the 7 o'clock game taking down Hoopers (3-2) in OT. The three headed down pour of Dominic Roybal (24 pts), Matt Brito (23 pts), and Luis Alvarado (20 pts) was too much down the stretch as they helped drown the sputtering Hoopers 6 to 0 in OT. Carlos Quintana and Diego Ortiz continued their bag work to the tune of 23 and 21 pts but even with the added veteran leadership of Albuquerque's own Larry Morina (12 pts, 4 dimes) it wasn't quite enough to topple the defending champs.
The nightcap gave us another nail biter as Nothing But Net (2-3) squeaked out a 76-73 win versus Zia Elite (0-5). Isaiah Bustamante was nasal breathing all game going for 27 pts 12 rebs 5 dimes 3 cookies and 3 Mutumbo's. Crafty vet Martin Ortiz has clearly been doing his breath work as he found the touch for 19 pts. For Zia, Anthony Salcido (29 pts, 9 rips and 4 dimes) was a bag of CO2 trying to get his guys their first dub of the season, but even with teammate Oscar Nunez's 18 pts and 4 cookies it wasn't to be on this night.
Thursday night saw two games in the 35 Over, old heads league starting off with a banger! Santa Fe Elite (2-6) stormed back to secure the victory 72-70 over Zia Elite (3-4). Bobby Richardson led three players in double figures with 18 pts.
We ended the week the way we began, with mercy, as undefeated Mob (7-0) blew Nothing But Net (3-3) right out the gym with an 84-54 score. Andrew Ellsworth (26 pts) and EJ Martinez (23 pts) were up to their old tricks combining for 15 threes. Matt Brito (20 pts) and Brian Fairchild (13 pts) were steady as always but couldn't slow down the ball movement or some efficient O2 unloading from hemoglobin on this night.
UPCOMING WEEK REMINDERS:
Monday - Open Gym 5-8:30pm at Desert Sage Academy
Tuesday - Only 2 games, we moved the times to have a short night for our hard working staff, so check those game time changes
Thursday - NO Open Gym.
As always please visit the website www.santafeswish.com for all stat and schedule updates and show us some love by donating a couple bucks to the cause if you can. We are entering the season of giving and we here at Swish are so happy to continue giving you all the very best in Northern New Mexico basketball, if you like what you get and you're loving the FREE Open Gym find that donate option in the upper right corner of the web page. Blessings and joy to you and your loved ones.
Respect the game,
Santa Fe Swish
