Escape from Mordor

When late word arrived of NVE being scratched (DNP-Coach Max's Decision), the capacity crowd of 2 quickly dissipated in anticipation of another disappointing outing by FCVH.

The 19-18 record (0.514; 10th place vs 2014 NBA WC Standings) in KBA EPL's fourth season was the worst in its short history and with only a few games left had the boys from FCVH dangerously close to being shamefully eliminated.

Again a late-comer, BSR entered the arena and quickly realized that this was no regular night for the KBA.  The teams assembled had turned the John Martin Legen-waitforit-dary Court into the hellish Mordor.

The team of Ricky F, Uni, RedShit, The Hobbit were pitted against Matt, Jedi Master, Beard Papa, and Carry McTraveller. 

It was unreal.

Three point shot after three point shot reigning down. Rebound after rebound snatched up by the evilly overmatched ones. With little effort, the Mordorians made mincemeat of the Ricky F led unit in a game that seemed like 45-0 when it ended.

With barely a chance to dribble the ball even once, BSR was "next."

Adding some late-arrivals the teams were "evenly split" as follows:

Team Mordor: Matt, It's Pat, Shahe, Beard Papa, and Carry McTraveller.
Team Hobbits: Ricky F, Uni, BSR, RedShit, and The Hobbit

This was it. Into the pits of hell we went...

12-2.

Yep.

Before anyone could blink, it was 12-2 and the Hobbits were gasping for air.  After calling on the ring, though, the Hobbit defense awoke. What was this? Ricky F boxing out?!  RedShit putting a hand up to contest? Uni not switching at random? Two BSR threes later, it was 12-8. Not winnable, but respectable.  

But, the lockdown defense by the Hobbits was suffocating and The Mordorians were not scoring again. 

In fact, the 2 fair weather fans that left missed perhaps the most remarkable comeback in KBA history: one to rival Coppin State's Legen-waitforit-dary game. 

Final score. 12-14 to the Hobbits. 
History was re-written.
Mouths were agape.
It. Had. Happened.

Dejected, the Mordorians quickly regrouped. In the next game, they quickly flew out to a 7-0 lead. But, alas, these be Hobbitses!

Final score. 11-14 to the Hobbits.
History was being written.
Mouths were agape.
It. Was. Happening.

Next game. Mordorians led 11-8.
Final score. 11-14 to the Hobbits.
History was shattered.
Mouths were agape.
It. Was. Real!

The night that unfolded will be one that many will not be soon forgotten.

Overall record: 5-0.
The Hobbits had iced Mordor.
It. Had. Happened.

Carry McTraveller won quote of the night as we walked off: "you guys totally dominated us."

What, one might ask, was the reason for this unlikely outcome?

Don't be fooled. There were plenty of BSR misses. Plenty of one-on-five jacked up fade aways by (no, not Ricky F) The Hobbit to make you vomit.  There were dozens of unforced turnovers by RedShit. Ricky F was Ricky F, though with a relatively stellar shooting percentage in the teens.  On at least three occasions, Uni was caught looking away from the play WHILE running a 3 on 1 fast break resulting in pass hitting the back of his wide open head.

None of that mattered. Because this will forever be etched in the Hobbitses brains: 5-0 vs Mordor.

But the real reason for the domination was perhaps best stated by one Patrick James Riley: defense.

Utterly dominant, demoralizing defense.

The night that could help pave the way for FCVH's much-needed resurrection did end with some entertaining twists.

In the final game (the injury game), The Hobbit "jammed" his finger and proceeded to freak out to the point of uncontrollable tremors of his left hand. After a normal exam and attempt to calm his teammate by the one they call BSR, it was revealed that The Hobbits uses his handses for his monies.

"What doth you do, Hobbitses?"

"Why, I plays the guitarses."

As it became quickly evident that this was no ordinary H o b b i t. (Editor's note: Each letter in the preceding "Hobbit" is a unique link. Proceed in order for maximal enjoyment).