Slam Dunk and Oh boy how we Sunk !

Ok,ok we lost the basketball finals and by a big margin to haunt the already bruised ego, so to all my friends who are scoffing at me i give you a moments time to laugh your heart out, place that "L" on your forhead and say the most heard duologue, "i told u so!!". Ahh haa it's a pity u can't see the finger im holding !!

I started this wondrous game back in 7th. Skipping ropes and Frisbies were stacked away in the closet after we picked up that Basketball, looking back the first few years were the most hilarious. We didn't know jack about basketball but we would diligently play this game every day. Twenty feet would go scurrying in the direction of the ball ,the cornered girl out of delirium would toss the ball high in the air to the other corner which would sent all of us running in the opposite direction , and so we would go back-n-forth the court. "Oh! the ball had to be put in the basket is it"? That question was asked a year later. Bloop! Picked up the game thanks to a few helpful guys in class who taught us the very basics like,"you cannot run with the ball holding it up high in the air, you need to dribble it". Armed with this knowledge and a few cool phrases like fast-break , convert and pivot i stepped into college.If i could sum up my whole Engg story in one word it would be Basketball. I didn't play any super-dooper game but it was just soo soo cool hanging around in the Basketball court, all those elusive lanky guys with amazing height , loose shorts that went well past their knees and expensive shoes were clearly the cynosure of all eyes. So i spent my 4 yrs doing lay-ups and tryin some cheap scale shots and playing tournaments.I had kissed this game good bye after i entered the corporate world but the magic of it was revived on Saturday. It was like unearthing those emotions stacked away in some safe corner. Oh boy, the emotions of bygone college days are threatening to emanate. *sniff,sniff*

The mails started pouring in a week before the tournament, thanks to our official Basketball Club spammer Mr.Visakan ,but it did fortify our spirits to put up our best and spread the word around. It turned out to be a sure-fire strategy cos on the day of the tournament we had three teams complete with a good set of subs. Belts and polished shoes made way for shorts and jerseys. Saturday ,it was a glorious morning , threatening clouds and a chill early morning breeze set the stage for what happened to be one super-dooper day. People started pouring in at 6:30AM, eyes clearly showing a dirsupted sleep but heart skipping with great enthusiasm.

The three teams were , First Punch , Slam Dunkers and Trail Blazers, all with a right mix of pro's and amateurs. White Blue and Grey colours on court , players two foot taller and wider than me , and no female species around except for moiself and Pallavi. The first match was between my Team(TB) and First Punch. The whistle was blown and thus started the game. We got thrashed left,right and centre but not before putting up a gutsy fight, courtsey Jason and Paddy clearly the two awe-inspiring players in our team. We had to soothe ourselves with the reality that First Punch had some remarkable players. Vijay's gravity defying moves and baskets were a delight to watch. Hail thee dudeh!
We went on to win the second match against Slam Dunkers. Good defense and aggressive press in the final quarter coupled with rebounds saw us through. Yoo hoo.! We stormed into the finals thanks to a snug strategy adopted by First Punch who defeated Slam Dunkers in what was a blink-your-eye-and-u'll-miss-out-on-action game.
FINALS :: Trail Blazers v/s First Punch
Playing under floodlights was one experience, loosing miserably was another. A one sided match right from the first quarter. I choose to believe that the stars were not on our side. If you asking waht the score was, i would say "ahh..hmm, was that a squirrel or a mongoose on that tree!!"

Playin after 8 months was a real challenge , i was puffing and panting right from the start but the experience was exhilarating, something that will be etched in my memory for a long time. It was all possible thanks to the unceasing exuberance of our BBall members. Tight-D , watch-your-man , convert da, drive-in ,these words are still resonating in my ears. We packed our bags and left the court recounting every moment and talking about the aching back and legs to feel good about the following day.