Wait, Wait, Wait

Utah Flash 100, Bakersfield Jam 95

 The Jam are falling fast. Derrick Byars hasn’t played in all of February (this is slightly funny because Black History Month is just four days old), they’ve lost four straight (4-6 in their last 10), and the Flash have taken their place as the 2^nd best in the West. Last night was more of the same for the Jam of 2009. They did manage to rally back from an 11 point deficit, but they couldn’t make it happen at the end and shot just 38% and were out muscled on the boards 46-37.

 Dontell Jefferson needs to be an All Star. Last night he had 26 points, 7 dimes, 7 boards and 3 steals (6 forgivable turnovers). His season averages are just below these numbers too. That’s an All-Star. As for the only Utah to make the team? Ronald Dupree didn’t look so good on 4 for 12 shooting. He finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks though. Solid contribution. James Lang looked great in his 20 minutes for Utah, as he put in 15 points and 8 boards on 6 for 7 shooting.

 The Jam’s Nick Lewis is another should-be All-Star. He’s been having a great season and in a league that only has a few solid centers (Sims, Hunter, and Lewis are in this class) he needs to be represented here. Last night he was brilliant for a team that didn’t really deserve him, with 27 points (including 9 for 9 from the charity strike – for a center!) and 8 rebounds. The real star last night for the Jam, however, was Terrance Thomas. MONSTER. 17 rebounds, 22 points, 6 dimes, 4 robberies. This all looks so good, but it should be noted that he turned it over 7 times, shot 7 for 19, and shot an embarrassing 1 for 7 from three territory. Eek! Good game last night between these two.

Dakota Wizards 106, Fort Wayne Mad Ants 98

 The Wizards snapped their two game win streak and the Ants weren’t able to repeat their win on Saturday. The wizards outshot the Ants 50% to 40% and there were a good deal of rebounds available in this one (three Wizards had double-figure boards) as Fort Wayne took 93 shots in the game that saw no Shawn Hawkins (head-scratching). The Ants were just 26% from behind the arc in a game that saw Dewitt Scott not put up a single deep ball. Odd. Taj McCullough didn’t help matters with his 2 for 10.

 Dakota’s All-Star Blake Ahearn had a game high 29 points and also dished 6 dimes (5 turnovers). Another Wizard All-Star, Richard Hendrix had just 6 points but went nuts for 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. Rod Benson was 6 for 8 from the field on his way to 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. And speaking of Benson, can someone explain to me what the hell “Boom Tho” means? Ah, yes I realize it’s ridiculous that I do not know this, especially as a faithful reader of his, but I suppose I just missed this explanation. So yeah, a comment explaining this would be lovely and you can laugh at me all you please!

 Ron Howard led the Mad Ants with 27 points. It’s nice to see Ron emerge as the leader of this team once again. He’s been playing really solid basketball lately. Walker Russell struggled tonight with his 3 for 9 shooting and 4 turnovers. He had 7 dimes, but this is well below his usual average. All-Star Chris Hunter had a wonderful night however, besides his limited 31 minutes due to foul trouble. He had 17 points, 17 boards, and 2 blocks. Beastly.