Well, if you have been following my updates on my basketball season you would know that we into final stages of our championship. We have qualified for the Final Four and played our first playoff game against a tough opponent on their own home court. If you are not caught with my basketball season updates you can catch up here. We were huge underdogs in this game and nobody ever expected us to win. Heck, even I knew it would be a very tough game to win. It was not only a tough game, but we played on their own court.
But one thing was for sure. All the pressure was on them as no one expects us to win this game and they HAVE to win this game or they are in the world of trouble. I knew that if we can keep the games close that we will have a chance as the pressure to win a game will get to them in the later stages of the game.
I talked in my last post about how my team is not the most talented team in the championship. But, one thing this team has is amazing chemistry between players, or I can call it friends now. We trust each other, encourage each other, and most importantly willing to sacrifice everything for the good of the team. And, as I said in my last post that can be a HUGE difference in close games. That bond between players is what decided the games.
Game Summary
1st Quarter
We had terrible start guys. I think they were up 9-0 on us in no time. We played a bad defense and were too nervous taking bad shots and not playing as a team. The other team used it well to their advantage. But, in at 5-minute mark of the first quarter, we started to play a tough defense. We started to play as a team we know we are. From our defense, we got a couple of easy baskets on the fastbreak and ended up closing the first quarter only -2(17-19).
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2nd Quarter
The second quarter was all about our team. I mean we played such a great defense. It was incredible to watch my teammates working so well together. Helping each other. Throwing their bodies for loose balls and just simply out working for the other team. I was so proud to see it. We ended up dominating our opponent and going on the break with +9. Great half for us, but no such a great half for the other team. Not by long shot. lol We definitely got them nervous and we can feel it.
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3nd Quarter
We got them rattled no doubt. They did not know what was going on. So at the half-time break I gathered my guys and told them this:
Guys, we know this team we playing against does not have that chemistry and if we keep pushing and playing hard defense they will break. But, we can't let our guard down. We had two great quarters, but now it is the time push even harder. Let's not settle.
We went into that 3rd quarter like a team on a mission. I mean amazing guys. Everything was going smoothly like somebody wrote it in the script before the game. We were just simply out-working this team. The harder they tried to push, the harder we pushed back. And, soon they started to trash-talk. Making hard fouls, dirty fouls as well. But it was not helping them at all as we closed out the third quarter with 13 point lead.
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4th Quarter
We had an advantage coming into the 4th quarter but we knew they are about to put pressure on us. And, they sure did. But, we responded right back. That is until we had a couple or rookie turnovers and bad decisions which lead them to score easy baskets on us and come in only to -3 with 4 minutes to go. But we held our ground and the pressure got better of them. They made one anti-sportive foul and got one technical after. They tried to play bully ball if they could not beat us with just play basketball. But it did not work at all as my team did an amazing job controlling their pressure. We ended up winning the game 79-70 and stealing their home advantage.
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Final Thoughts
I was so proud of my team. I could off not even put into words. The came out on that floor and played like lions. Nobody gave us the chance to win this game, but we out there and CREATED OUR OWN CHANCE. We created it by playing as a team, and with our own hard work and sweat. Everybody underestimated this team and we proved them all wrong. It was an amazing feeling. And we all enjoyed being part of this game. This is what basketball is all about.
I love being the underdog. And I live for this kind of games. Because sometimes in life people will think you are crazy as well, and that you don't have a chance of accomplishing something in life. And, on one side there will be them(other team, newspapers) and on the other side, there will be YOU proving them all wrong. Just like my team did in this game.
We play our second game against this team again today, and again on their own home floor. They underestimated us and paid a price for it this time. We know they will not make the same mistake again and we have to be ready to match their energy and show them we are not backing down. It should be a fun game no doubt. The game every athlete dreams of participating in, and I am sure my team is ready for it.
You can find the report from our game by clicking here.
Thank you all for reading, have an amazing day all, wish us luck, much love,
dbjegovic 💕 💞 💓
P.S. If you have not heard about the new amazing discord group called The Steam Engine you should definitely take a look. Amazing group of people helping each other become better Steemians and succeed on Steemit. Plus, of course, have some fun doing it.Take a look, maybe joining this success train will be one of the best decisions you made in 2018.
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Helloooo... 🙂 I haven't come to visit you in awhile...
Wow, Congratulations on making the Final Four and coming out from being underdogs (even though you say you enjoyed being the underdogs 😄 ) That is a great achievement!! Wish you many many more great games ahead...
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TrufflePig, an Artificial Intelligence Bot that helps minnows and content curators using Machine Learning. If you are curious how I select content, you can find an explanation here!Have a nice day and sincerely yours,
TrufflePigGood luck in the finals! I'm sure there won't be any problem and you and your team will win the battle :D
@gabrielatravels thank you so much my amazing friend. I really appreciate your kind words. :)
We will do our best for sure. Tonight is our game and it should be a good one. :)
Have an amazing day. :)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! Have a great day too :)
There is at least one guy in that top picture with no pants on. Just sayin'. (Do you think I will not notice these things? [grin] I admit your dazzling smile provides quite a distraction ... but still .... )
Nice, hope the finals go well! Good to see you sticking around steeeeem, lol
good luck,
b.a.