Foamposite 39, Uptempo 53

"How will the defending champs play?" This was the first question that came to mind when I sat down to watch the Foamposite vs. Uptempo game. After identifying the key matchup of the night to be Scott Williams vs. Keith Howard, you could see that these two were determined. Maybe they read the game preview, or maybe the preview simply read them. Either way, it was game time.

Foamposite rookie Brian Bachelor came out the gates early trying to get something going, but whether it was first game jitters or an adjustment to the league, he had a rough first half (four turnovers). To begin the game, you could see that Uptempo missed their former players. While they still had their core and some talent on the floor at all times, it's gotta be tough to lose integral parts from an NRF championship team.

But before you knew it, Uptempo's first round pick, Nick Blatchford, made everyone forget. Blatchford was killing, finishing with 11 in the first half with three bombs from beyond the arc. While I didn't think it was possible, it appeared the Foamposite captain Do Kim got quicker. In the first half, especially without Mike Tumbarello, Kim was pushing the ball too much as he tried to get settled with his new team.

With Uptempo leading 31-23 at the break, it was time for Foamposite's Mr. Consistent, Keith Howard, to take over. Perhaps the most underrated player in the entire NRF, Howard ended the first half with 11 points and was looking for more. But you can't talk about the second half without mentioning the reigning co-Rookie of the Year, Scott Williams. Williams was playing with passion and energy as always, but with the new year, expectations appeared to be weighing him and his team down.

Play of the Game: Juan Reyes leaves a ridiculous dime drop around the back to Williams for the bucket, putting Uptempo up 41-30 with about 11 minutest to go. Then things got heated. Howard was T'ed up after a player control foul and Williams was visibly on edge after getting into it with the referees. 

With 5:00 left, I took out my umbrella as Blatchford continued to rain threes. At times it looked like he and Williams had been playing together for years. Perhaps one of the two is a chemistry teacher. Finishing up, the stars came through: Williams had 18 points, Blatchford had 16 points and Danny Milan finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.

Uptempo

Danny Milan - 11 pts
Mike Won - 5 pts
Rashaun Smith - 4 pts
Juan Reyes - 2 pts
Scott Williams - 18 pts
Nick Blatchford - 16 pts

Foamposite

Chris Petrie - 3 pts
Dan Cherry - 3 pts
Do Kim - 7 pts
Keith Howard - 18 pts
Ron Jackson - 8 pts

Box Scores