It was a generally good day for the Irondale 2 Gold Standard as they won two of three games in the Mounds View 5-6 basketball tournament today at Chippewa Middle School in tony North Oaks. The day began early, with a 9 a.m. tilt against the always-rugged Irondale 1 team, which had defeated the Gold Standard a few weeks before. The tables were turned this time, as our lads defeated Irondale 1 by a final score of 24-13. Ben scored, grabbed a handful of rebounds and was typically tenacious on defense, helping to ensure a good result.
Game two took place at 11 a.m., against Mounds View "31," the team that the Gold Standard had beaten convincingly last week. The 31 team had a bye and was well-rested and the difference was obvious as the game went on. The Gold Standard broke to an early lead but were eventually worn down by the fresher Mounds View squad, losing 35-22. Ben did not score but was effective on defense and hit the boards hard. After that, we escaped Chippewa to have some lunch, allowing Ben to rest a bit and for all of us to experience the Doctor Zhivagoesque conditions that are settling in on the Twin Cities.
We returned to Chippewa for a consolation bracket tilt against Mounds View "29," which had lost earlier to Irondale 3 and was well-rested. The Gold Standard started slowly but took control as the game went on, cruising to a 34-20 victory. Ben did not score but was ferocious on defense, nabbing a half-dozen rebounds and making a beautiful bounce pass assist on the final play of the game. It's a lot of basketball but it was fun.
Action in the double-elimination tournament continues tomorrow at Chippewa with a 9 a.m. tipoff against St. Anthony 1, who beat our Gold Standard very early in the season. If our lads win, they play for the consolation championship at 1 p.m. against the winner of the Irondale 1/Mounds View 27 tilt. Stay tuned to Mr. Dilettante for up to the minute coverage of exciting Irondale 5-6 in-house basketball.
UPDATE: In a tough, physical game, the Gold Standard ended their season with a heartbreaking 18-16 loss to St. Anthony 1 Sunday morning at Chippewa. Our charges fell behind 9-2 early, then clawed their way back into the game but could not get over the hump at the end, playing in the teeth of a ferocious St. Anthony press. Ben did not score but again played his usual solid game, defending a variety of St. Anthony guys with tenacity and grabbing four rebounds to boot. Thus the season ends. A splendid time was had by all. And baseball will be starting soon enough!
No comments:
Post a Comment