Cinderella Runs Out of Gas on the Way to the Dance

I regret that the following article didn't get to press yesterday...please accept my apologies!

Last night while most of my readers were tucked away in their warm beds, and some were even boarding a late night flight, I had the honor to watch a battle of epic proportions taking place at the Felix Event Center on the west campus of Azusa Pacific University. You see, the playoffs began last night. The Big Dance intramural style. The invites went out and the Late Greats (never a bubble team), got an 11 seed, which paired them up with the 2 seed that boasted two former collegiate players. This was David vs. Goliath. Pinckney vs. Brighton. Chilson Hills vs. BCC. The Late Greats came clad in their usually blue tatters picked by Vegas to be a whopping 17 point underdog.

The fans had once again turned out in droves to support this underdog. I had to push and shove and squeeze to get my usual baseline seat amidst a capacity, standing room only crowd. The game began a little rough. The Late Greats fell behind by 10 early in the first half getting taking punch after punch from what appeared to be an opponent thirsty for an easy knockout. However, Gaines decided to pick the team off the mat midway through the half burying 2 consecutive trey knifing into the lead and cutting it to four. Physically exhausted, but refusing to relent, Gaines then said, "Fellas get on my back and watch me carry you to the Promise Land," as he got an off balance running jumper to fall brining them back to within 2 by halftime.

The Boyz in Blue were visibly exhausted at halftime. Gaines stopped by my seat and told me as much not knowing how they were going to hang in the second half. They did more than hang in the first 5 minutes. The Late Greats came out firing in the second half grabbing their first lead in the opening minute. Gaines continued his clutch shooting knocking down another trey and pushing the lead to as much as 4 with about 12 minutes to go in the game. Unfortunately, that was when the gas ran out. Running on fumes, costly turnovers cost the fellas the lead and when the shots stopped falling, so did their hopes for a stellar comeback. A few dunks later they were down by 10, a margin they would not be able to overcome.

Alas, the game ended and so did a remarkable season. But get this, you'd think the fans might have been pulling a "Bill Gaines" and heading for an early exit to get out of the parking lot. Not on this night. They stayed and they cheered and and they chanted and they even formed a tunnel of love for the guys as they came off the court holding their heads high knowing that they'd proven that they belonged at this dance. Cinderella had run out of gas, but not out of class. This team will be remembered for years to come, not because of their highflying antics and bigger than life aurora. But, they will be remembered because they brought hope and inspiration for their fans and foes alike. They were the embodiment of what's right in college sports today. They were fearless and selfless. I think they have something to teach us all!

Special thanks to the Late Greats for reminding this sports columnist why he got into this job in the first place. Will there be a sequel?