Spark-less In Cabrillo
By: Curtis Hemingway
Game 6 vs FOR Sparks - 10/29/2006
The electricity was in the air in anticipation of a pyrotechnic display not seen since the July 4th celebrations, or at least the latest self-indulgent comeback of an aged rock band from the 1970s. Prior to the game, and Halloween, the Tiger Darlings were hungry for the sweet taste of a win and it is rumored that some consumed pre-Halloween sugar treats as part of the warm-up routine …
Word had also gotten round that the FOR Sparks were ready to recharge their season against a (mostly) fifth grade Tiger Darlings squad. Whatever truth behind the allegations, the Tiger Darlings were wary of any trap that might be sprung on them.
In the end, the game was scintillating – for the Tiger Darlings. The opposition, indeed, needed to recharge their batteries -- the Sparks, more often than not, fell into the Tiger’s backcourt trap, and no amount of shouting “press break” could deny the stifling effects of the Tiger pressure.
In the end, Emiko led the way with a solid 12 points, coming off a sweet blend of lay ups, jump shots and foul shots, and Kris was unstoppable from distance, from inbound plays, and yes, this writer believes there was a lay up in their somewhere, as well.
But the biggest story of the game was undeniably Kristen Tsai’s stupendous 10 point effort. On this day, Kristen was not to be denied. Rumor has it that Dr. Tsai, fastidiously dedicated to his patients and fitness, caught the flashing visage that was his daughter’s play, and was so mesmerized by her prodigious output that, at one point, he closed up his files. Oh, my …
As for the other girls, Shelby was an unstoppable force in moving the ball and setting the offence, providing assists, rebounds & steals aplenty. Erica the “Rebounding Machine”, lived up to her moniker, CC dominated the middle when called upon and pitched in a few points, and Kayla scored on a foul shot and did her ball handling thing, dampening any hopes that the opposition could catch fire to spark a comeback.
When ignited, this team will scorch the opposition, if any combination of two Tiger Darlings catches fire, let alone three. The FOR Sparks III learned about this as the scorekeeper turned off the clock to limit the emotional fire damage. 41-11 says it all.
