Greater Grand Rapids Ligers news
MVP Finalists requirements:
Rookie, Over-40 & Under-30 Awards Finalists released later this week.
It wasn’t much of a game from the early going as the Ligers put together a team effort in a 53-16 win over the defending Gr3g League champions.
While the Ligers and Hawks both looked to the deep depths of free agency to fill their playoff roster, the names on the jerseys wouldn’t matter except for #13 in green.
B. Buckets set fire to the entire block on the home end via the 3G and sent the Hawks out to the lake on an early exit fishing trip.
Silky did his usual work, LaCrosse played the role previously filled by B Stacks, and Gr3g worked out on the defensive boards in his return to the court for the Ligers (after being released from the Buzz after their acquisition of Ford). In fact, we heard whispers of “is that team modeled after the ’96 Sonics?” in the arena throughout the night. (Think Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, and Steve Scheffler, respectively.)
DanielBk led the Hawks, as he did all season. After losing a majority of their roster after the holiday break (4 players went on to coach their kids in little ball), the Hawks became his team to lead. A team had to make week-to-week roster moves which caused a bit of flux in the flow of their foundation.
After a slow offensive start to the night, the Nines overcame a 26-8 deficit to push themselves into first place of the Gr3g League, beating the Greens, 73-70.
Without backcourt running mate MJ on the court, Los and the Greyline 9 looked to Boston, Red Leif and Goolay to methodically tear down the defensive wall the Ligers had built early.
$ilky did his best to keep the game close, scoring 30 to lead his squad while Moten (16), Sam Awry (10) and B Buckets (10) all hit for double digits.
The Nines moved to 6-2 overall and hold down first place for another week. The Greens fell to 3-4 before a quick turnaround against an up-and-coming City of Bridges club.
Even in the coldest days of the calendar year the Heavens bring forth the warmth and joy of celebration.
Today, we celebrate the Captain of The Greens, the original Greater Grand Rapids Liger, Sam Awry.
43 years this earth has been blessed with the smooth notes, subtle tones and an unwavering ability to bring the triumphant noise of life to every tribe.
For the last 5 years, we’ve had the privilege of having this guy around in our league and lives.
For that, we are truly blessed.
Thank you, Sam.