Vinsanity and a hickey
When you think about all time NBA records the name Nat Hickey certainly doesn't jump to mind. Nor do the Providence Steamrollers, or the year 1948. Even so, on January 27th of that very year, for that very team, former player and current coach of the Steamrollers checked himself into the game at the spry ol' age of 45 years young. He scored two points in a loss to the St. Louis Bombers and became the oldest player to suit up in the NBA before then and since. Ol' Nat played himself the next night too, and so what if it was a mere three minutes in a loss to the New York Knicks? Nat got after it. You may say Nat paved the way for Kevin Willis, Robert Parish, and Vince Carter? But Nat's career total games played is two. Those two. Career point total, two. His record was 0-2 in games played. Nat's an asterisk.
Udonis Haslem was nearly 43 in his last game and played all twenty seasons with the Miami Heat. In a sport that is built for youth and athleticism to flourish, basketball is seeing more players playing well past the retirement average of 28-ish years old. We're getting to see greats like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, and Lebron play well into their thirties and early forties. Adding experience, high IQ and still being able to put up impactful numbers. There's no compensating for the prime youth playing ability that you get from Anthony Edwards, Shai, Luca or Wemby but the trend seems to be pairing these young stars with future hall of famers. Shai and the Thunder being the clear anomaly here of course.
The first Swish 35+ League Tourney wrapped up this past Thursday and we got some inspired play. With the champions having to win two tough games on the same night, which is no easy feat at any age. Relying on controlling pace, moving the ball and high IQ. Teams came together, overcame injuries, recruited and pieced together a great first season for the older heads. We already can't wait for season two. More teams, more in depth stats, same quality Swish content, less Nat Hickey.
Week 14 Recap:
We start where we left off on Thursday night with our final four of 35+.
Game one was (4)Zia Elite vs (1)Mob. Eric Martinez was back and in form with 27 pts to pace the high scoring Mob to a 90-72 victory. Andrew Ellsworth went for 22 pts, 13 rebs and 7 dimes and Alex Simon filled in at the post and doubled down with 12 pts and 13 rebs. On the other side of the ball Oscar Nunez paced Elite with 21 pts on 7-14 from deep but it was Jassen Lopez posting a triple double with 15 pts, 10 rips and 10 dimes, he threw in 2 Mutumbo's to boot. The difference in this one was the three ball. Elite going 16-48 didn't help against Mob's 12-21 mark. Great season Zia Elite!
In game two we got a burner between (3)Nothing But Net and (2)505 Unit. For the two seed, Brandon Encinias was big with 22 pts, 15 rips and 5 dimes helping secure a spot in the championship game as Unit won 70-59. Mario Montano went for 17 pts and 8 rebs with Rob Cdebaca controlling the ball with 12 pts, 9 rebs and 7 dimes. Matt Brito had 20 pts, 14 rebs and 3 dimes and Brian Fairchild went for 18 pts and 8 reb in the season ender. Thanks for a great run fellas.
That set up a dream match between (1)Mob vs (2)505 Unit. These two teams had set the mark all season with their unselfish play, shot taking, shot making, defense and quality team play. The final was no different. Encinias continued his great play with a team high 29 pts. Rob Cdebaca showed up again with 15 pts and 7 dimes for the short handed Unit who were without their captain and sharp shooter Gabe Montano. Jake Hayman cleaned the glass all night with 16 rebs to go with 8 pts. Mob, already short-handed without big man Matt Jackson, got bad news just six minutes into the game when leading scorer Andrew Ellsworth went down with an ankle injury. Eric Martinez did everything he could to pick up the slack as he dropped a monster 35 pt, 18 reb game against the stingy Unit defense. EJ Lucero dished out 5 dimes and got hot from deep to the tune of 15 pts while veteran 70+ baller Kelly Baker added 2 pts and 5 rebs in the paint, but it wasn't enough as they lost 65-71. Congrats 505 Unit on a great season and first champions of the 35+ league.
Brandon Encinias - Tourney MVP
Eric Martinez - All Tourney
Rob Cdebaca - All Tourney
Mario Montano - All Tourney
Andrew Ellsworth - Season MVP
Oscar Nunez - Season MVP
Matt Brito - Season MVP
Moving backwards through the week we had a full slate of Rec League action starting off with a vicious overtime game between Medium Kings (3-5) and Nothing But Net (3-6), with Kings prevailing 63-58 in a methodical thriller. Four Kings scored in double digits with Adan Lopez leading the way with 19 pts, 7 rebs and 4 dimes. Dedrick Johnson doubled his luck with 13 and 13. For the vanquished Nets Xavier Padilla was notable with 21 pts, 12 rebs, 3 dimes and 3 thefts.
Blakes Lotta Buckets (5-2) got the dub 83-79 over IPS (2-6) in the second game of the night. Isaac Shanley put up 35 pts and 15 rebs and Eli Dawson almost whipped out a triple double with 14 pts, 19 rips and 8 dimes. IPS picked up some friends to make five and got 23 pts, 6 dimes and 4 thefts from Gabe Serrano in the loss.
At 8 o'clock 505 Unit (9-0) slapped a twenty piece on 2nd Stringers (4-5) 92-72. Brandon Encinias gave a glimpse of what we'd see twenty two hours later as he did everything to net a triple double with 12 pts, 18 rebs and 10 dimes! Mario Montano and Angel Parra helped keep Unit undefeated with 23 and 21 pts. Shawn Daniels was stellar once again in the loss with 24 pts, 10 rebs and 7 dimes. Wilford Troup added 22 pts.
In the Comp Division we had just two games starting with the unstoppable force that is Santa Fe Style (8-0) winning 77-61 over Degenerates (3-4). Once again Cody Garcia led everyone with 38 pts, 14 rebs, 5 dimes and 2 thefts. Post presence PJ Lovato was back in action and in fine form with 26 pts, 18 rebs, 3 dimes and 3 Mutumbo's. A twenty ball from Mario Archuleta and 15 from brother Arturo wasn't enough against the undefeated Style.
At 7 o'clock Heatwave (3-5) took it to Lethal Injection (3-4) to the tune of 65-54 in a grind of a game. 20 pts and 16 rebs led the way from Ryan Trujillo for Heatwave who managed 4 dimes, 2 thefts and 2 swats as well. Tre Morinia had a solid line with 14 pts, 4 rebs, 3 dimes and 4 thefts. Alex Gutierrez was a one man rebounding machine, hustling his way to 16 rebs and 15 pts. Greg Trujillo added 13 pts and 4 dimes in the defeat.
That does it for the week. We're back Monday for Open Gym where registration is now on our website and we cap at 30 so if you're planning on playing pick up make sure you secure a spot. Registration will open Monday's at 4:45pm. Here's the registration link for Open Gym
Remember to dap up the old timers out here balliin' when you see them and never forget Nat.
Register for the next 35+ Season here
Respect the game, Santa Fe Swish
