FSPY Men’s Basketball League sees Week Two action

Photo caption: The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Men's 30+ Basketball League plays Sunday nights at the Y. (Y-USA Photo)

(Scotch Plains, NJ) A rain-soaked Sunday didn’t dampen the spirits of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Men’s 30+ Basketball League ballers, and as the dust settled after Week Two action, only a pair of teams remained unbeaten.

Game #1
Winning team: Ocho Macho (46)
Losing team: Under the Radar (38)

Behind its eldest macho man, Tim Gray, Ocho ran out to a 12-pt halftime edge, and held off a late Radar rally. The sharp-shooting greybeard was mucho macho from beyond the arc (6 of 8), finishing with 21 pts & 7 rebounds. Eric Halpin (6 pts, 6 dimes) and Craig Cichocki (5 pts, 8 boards) made strong contributions for the winners. Capt. Clay Torres tallied 9 pts and hauled down 16 rebounds, and the rookie tandem of Ross Lebrun and Steve Gallen each registered 9 pts in defeat.

Game #2
Winning team: Team 8 (58)
Losing team: Draymond (48)

Rich Cobbinah poured in 22 pts and grabbed 7 caroms, and Gavin Ford fashioned a 14-pt, 17-reb double-double, to power the undefeated Team 8. Fab frosh Rory Schulman (10 & 7) and steady vet Mike Ruccio (8 & 7) played pivotal roles in the victory. Nifty newcomer Taj Belfield (18 pts, 4 treys) paced Draymond, who also received double-digit scoring from Capt. Jamal Berry (12) and Dave Berger (11).

Game #3
Winning team: Lightning With A Splash Of Thunder (63)
Losing team: SuperSonics (55)

Tied at 50-50 with 5:00 remaining, the Lightning broke it open down the stretch thanks to the thunder of Warren Lowe (29 pts, 5 rebs, 7 assts). First-year man Rick Harris (12) and Capt. Troy Sims (10) made their splash as well. Diaper Dandy Joe Ruocco (21 pts) and sophomore sensation Brendan Ryan (20 pts, five from downtown) were super for the Sonics, and Eric Lai (9 pts) was his reliable self in the loss.

Game #4
Winning team: The Goonies (60)
Losing team: RunAsOne (48)

So much for these Goonies being anything like the band of misfits from circa 1985. Led by the ageless Goon, Steve Lee (16 pts, 6 off the glass), and Captain Goon, Chris Mattina (12 pts), the next-Gen Goonies lifted its mark to 2-0. The triumphant supporting cast was solid - stellar rook Rich Diomede (11), Kevin Adams & Gregg Carder (8 apiece) and windex-man Joe DeGennaro (5 pts, 12 rips). Capt. Jason Shann kept matters close for the Runners, netting 18, center Bryan Stitt double-doubled for the 2nd straight week, R.B. Alverna went for 11 & 6, and Ray Johns produced a 7 & 9 outing.

FSPY Standings:

Team 8 2-0

The Goonies 2-0

Draymond 1-1

Lightning with a Splash of Thunder 1-1

Ocho Macho 1-1

RunAsOne 1-1

Supersonics 0-2

Under The Radar 0-2