The Cool Factor. Doug E. Fresh had it. Vinnie Chase lives it, and this writer still believes that Keanu Reeves in Point Break is the definition of it, contrary to anything the critics and review panels say about "Canada Suave".
The Nimble Jacks have it all the time. The Jet Sets, Urban Legends, Night Owls, Throwbacks, and Work Horses have it against each other but they all seem to lose it against the Jacks. Whenever they find themselves in crucial spot in a match, they flip on the switch. It's like watching the cool kid at a Junior High social function when the first slow dance song flows from the speakers. While all the boys panic and plan their approach, he's walking over to the girls' side to grab a partner and commands the attention of the gymnasium dance floor in his Reebok Pumps and QuickSilver t-shirt. It cannot be taught by instruction, but it can be learned through example and experience. It takes the right type of athlete to possess and hone it and the Jacks have these athletes on their talented and deep roster. Your team does not. So crank up your Miles Davis albums kids, and learn the ways of the rabbits who have more swagger than Roger Rabbit and B. Rabbit combined and who will take you to school if you ain't cool.
Both the Nimble Jacks and the Urban Legends had their respective Ring "Mojo" levels set to maximum power in the first period. Legends' high-flying ranger Kevin Clark (team-high 24 points, 4 assists), who has a reputation for slow starts, had the hot hand right from the get go. He banged a 2-point Crown Ring slam, followed by two 4-point "Clark Zone" throws from the center of the field, and capped of a 14-point period by drilling a 4-point ring from the Flex. The Jacks did not seem impressed, however, as wedgebacks Pete Weiss (17 points, 9 saves) and Sean Kennedy (game-high 18 saves, 5 assists) took entry passes from captain Scott Kennedy (22 points, game-high 9 assists) in the goal Zone and combined to slam home four 2-point dunks over the Legends' stunned wedgebacks. Kennedy and crosser/ranger Ryan Coyne (game-high 26 points, 4 assists) provided the bulk of the offensive damage in the opening period, taking turns nailing throws from the Cross and Flex zones while Ben "Hutch" Hutchison (8 points, 13 saves) recorded 6 saves in net to limit the Legends' shooters and help the Jacks to a 46-38 after 20 minutes.The second period offered more insight into the Evolution of Greg Ermold. The multi-skilled Legends' ranger, previously a foot-only aficianado, literally took matters into his own "hands". Ermold (15 point, 11 save double-double) torched the Jacks for 9 points in the 2nd period with a healthy combination of 2-point throw and kick scores from the Flex and Wedge Zones. Kevin Glover (10 saves, 5 assists) and Scott Anderson (8 saves) made big stops in net against the Jacks big shooters. Rookie ranger Joe Petrino (15 points) was the only Nimble Jack that broke loose from the Legends' tight defense and hit for 7 points in the period. Both teams continued to play evenly and traded 4's for 4's and 2's for 2's as the Legends kept the gap in check by shooting fifty-percent as a team and the deficit remained at 8 points, 81-73, heading into the third and final period.
This is where the aforementioned "Cool Factor" of the Jacks reveals itself. Crunch time. Do or die. I mean, how could they settle for less with the name Jacks? Every Jack I know, Jack Bauer, Jack Burton, Jack's Mannequin, and so on play it chill and easy when their number's called and they get the job done. Any other Kronum League squad could succumb to the pressure of holding a small lead late in the game. But the Nimble Jacks know the situation. They simply watch their opponent self-destruct and nothing was different on this day. The Legends were without All-Star captain Cory Robertson in Round 9 and his presence as a leader was severely missed as a manageable 8-point deficit quickly transformed into a rout. Throw attempts for 4 and 8 point scores were attempted much too early by shooters and the typically-reliable Legends' defense was giving up open looks far too often. Jared O'Donnell (22 points, 4 assists) and Coyne set the net ablaze going a combined 11-for-11 for 22 points in the third period and Scott Kennedy shut the curtains with an 8-point Kronum shot to the jugular of the Purples. Hutchison and Sean Kennedy did serious work in goal with 7 saves apiece and held the Legends to 23% shooting late in the game. Ranger Brian Sperling was the lone bright spot in the final frame and finished with 16 points but the Jacks were too calm, cool, and collected to be upset and strolled to a 133-97 victory.
Both teams have huge playoff implication matches in Round 10 this Sunday, 1/8/12 as the Urban Legends fight for the #3 seed and face the Night Owls at 11:30am. The Nimble Jacks play a hot Jet Sets team also looking for that 3rd seed for playoff weekend. No off weeks in the Kronum League. Every team has to stay sharp and play to win.
Watch all the action LIVE beginning at 10am at www.kronum.com.
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