Soul Train's Blog: Off The Mark in 2010

Added 31 March 2010

Justin "Soul Train" Guppy

Round 1...
So season tip off was last week and you could definitely say we didn't get off to the start we wanted. The Div 1 squad took on Melbourne Uni at their home court. We didn't really know what to expect from them, except they had some very good players and they didn't lose a game in the division below us last season. Right from tip-off we had about as much intensity as a Yao Ming dance move. Not saying that the big Rocket can't get down, but you wouldn't really expect him to be tearing up a podium at Loft after a big win. Scoring 48 points as a team for the entire game was proof enough we didn't really have it together for the season opener. We all knew it was the worst (Karl) game we had been apart of, but we also knew that we would never have a game like that again.

Youth league boys headed to Geelong for their first round match and got busy. They came away with the 12 point win. Chris "Cream" Shallue led the way with 24 and Cam Lowe and Pauly K had 11 each. Pete Vermont, a Magic rookie, managed to score on his first shot in the league. Talking to coach Cam Taylor after the game, he said he now expects Pete to not miss for the rest of the season. Pauly K managed to drive all the way to Geelong, only to realise he left his shoes at home. After trying to kick in the door at the local Rebel sport he was able to pick up some shoes and made it back just in time for the National Anthem. He paid straight cash... Only problem, the shoes were Geelong colours.

The YL boys then had to back up on the Sunday against Hume City, and it was a big welcome to YL1, with Hume City getting the 42 point win. For some of the boys it was their third game of the weekend, but this definitely wasn't the result they wanted.

Round 2…
After receiving a very heated and inspired mid-week texty from coach Reesy after reading the Big V game previews, we knew we had to come with intent to not only win, but win and send a message to the rest of the league that round 1 was not a reflection on what our team is capable of. Round 2 saw the Div 1 squad taking on another unfamiliar opponent in Keysborough. It was our first home game which means home court fans. Most turn up to see Jimmy "I Don't Like Clothes" Todd changing in to his uniform pre-game, but they were shattered to see him out of action with a lingering leg injury suffered in the pre-season tournament. He was designated to door security, and i'd be double checking that door entrance money as he left the game in a Hummer on 24's. We came out strong and didn't look back. Everyone contributed and that's what got it done. 40 points from the bench was the difference, with Jezza connecting on a lot of slippery back door cuts that he is famous for, giving us 15 points. Z Barry was a monster on the glass, collecting 15 boards including 7 offensive rebounds. PJ pinned a shot attempt into the glass on what was one of the plays of the game, Jazzy said straight after the game his block was better, but he blocked the shot in for 2 points to the other team. We came away with the 24 point win, and ran some flex cut's at the bar that night for PJ's birthday so Jezza could find his mate "Haircut"...

YL took on Bulleen at home on the Sunday and its was close through 3 quarters until Bulleen ran away with it in the 4th. Coaches Cam Taylor and Frankie Nigro obviously not impressed with the previous 2 games called for 3 trainings this week, with Frankie showing his tough side, threatening to unleash his beard on them if they didn't lift their intensity.

Easter Break...
We now go in to the Easter break and rest up for our next game which is in Geelong next Saturday. What can I say about the Geelong home court atmosphere that hasn't already been said about Paris Hilton's singing career... It's a fail... Last time we went up there we got the win on the buzzer from a Jazzy J baseline fadeaway. All those years of studying Kobe game tape paid off with that one shot, and it was a turning point in our season. We are hoping to to do the same next Saturday. Youth League have their 3rd round match this Thursday 1st April at home against Sherbrooke. The boys would love everyone to get down there to support them, Friday is a public holiday so come down, be loud, then get on Luther's list at Seven for the after game party.

Justin “Soul Train” Guppy

Soul Train's Blog: Preseason
Magic BigV Season Review 2009
Magic at the BigV Awards
2009 BigV Season Photos in the Gallery