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 2006_Summer/Fall NL (NYC) |
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The NL Corner... | | Click: All League Selections Announced!
Cruisers Cruise to Chip
And so the title returns…Home(crest.)
With a resounding 62-43 thud, Gen X came crashing down from the sky and got trounced on Wednesday night by the Homecrest Cruisers in the NL Finals to send back the crown to the Cruiser camp that was so rudely taken away from them the season before.
Were it not for a miracle 47 foot shot from Nik Nayak last season to stun the Cruisers, we would be looking at a three-peat with these guys, all the while making it look so easy.
With nothing left to prove, and officially a dynasty in their golden years, the question for Homecrest is, what comes next?
 Dave Cheng came in and killed Gen X. |
Well, they’ve got the Gotham City Games this weekend which should prove to be a challenging situation for them especially since George Chan will be out of action for two of the three days.
Geez, Dream League. Let a man have some time to celebrate his championship!
As for the Dream League, they’ve been perched at the top – or near the top – every season they’ve been in it, and last night’s game was just the icing on the cake to cap a season in which they lost just one single game several months ago.
Tony Hu was once again unstoppable with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists, but the unsung hero of this game was seldom seen shooting guard David Cheng who played in just three games all season.
With Gen X holding their own despite Dennis Yang pulling another no-show stunt and leading 14-13 after one, Cheng came on in the 2nd quarter and poured in 8 quick points – including 2 3’s – to help Homecrest to a 22-8 quarter that they never looked back from.
Cheng finished with 13 big points on 5-7 shooting and Chan and Hu neutralized Brandon Chock down low as he struggled through a 7 of 21 night with seemingly two bodies all over him on every possession.
Rob Schopen and Sung-Mo Cho combined for just 2 points on 1 of 15 (0 of 9 from the arc) as Homecrest’s perimeter defense did to them what no one has been able to do as of late – contain them.
Actually, it wasn’t just containment. It was annihilation.
Stan Yeung and Mika Ohiorhenuan barely needed to do anything. CB Liu had another sub par showing (3 of 13). And Quincy Tso missed 4 of 5 from long distance.
 Your Summer/Fall 2006 Dream League NL Champions: Homecrest Cruisers - TOP (L to R): Coach Rob Lee, Tony Hu, Garry Yeung, George Chen, Dave Chan, Warren Cheung (or is it?), Mika Ohiorhenuan; BOTTOM: CB Liu, David Cheng, Stan Yeung, Quincy Tso. |
This title was won on defense that created offensive opportunities as Gen X struggled to do anything right after the 1st and Homecrest built momentum after the big 2nd quarter to end any hopes of Gen X getting this series to see Thursday.
Gen X has no one to blame but themselves and Homecrest, of course. But they do have reason to blame Dennis Yang.
Last season’s All-Star Game MVP has gone Barry Sanders on us. He’s left the game, his team, and himself in deciding to walk out on the team during the most important point of the season when he is in the prime of his athletic life.
The word is that he’s lost his interest in the game and will probably give it up for good to focus on other areas of his life.
It’s just a shame as he’s selling out on himself more than anything else. A guy this young with that much upside – thus, the Barry Sanders comparison.
Let’s not kid ourselves however, even if Yang was present, this was Homecrest’s night to have. It’s actually been their season to have.
After the painful way last season ended, they came back this time ready to make the journey with but one mission in mind.
Journey over. Mission accomplished.
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