Mr. Muddle's Befuddled Universe

SF Legacy at San Jose 23 FEB 2006

Hard Fought Game Expected!

The San Jose Spiders will host their local NWBL rivals, the San Francisco Legacy, Thursday night at 7pm (23 Feb. 2006). The game will be held at De Anza College.

The Legacy is much improved (see final roster below), and they hope to avenge their loss in the first meeting between the two teams. Whatever the outcome, the game should be exciting.

The teams in the NWBL this year are very evenly matched, and it has resulted in some great games. If you are in the Bay area I encourage you to come.

Jerry Rice came to the last Spiders game. He even threw tee shirts into the crowd. I stood right behind Jerry Rice in the Ticket line. He was really sweet to everyone who talked to him. No wonder everyone adores him. All those touchdowns may have had something to do with it too.

Who knows who might come to the next NWBL game. Maybe even Elvis will be in the building.

S.F. Legacy Roster
Num	Name	Pos	Height	College
3	Baskins, Megan	G	5-5	St Mary`s College
52	Jones, Myiesha	C	6-4	San Jose State Univ.
11	Russell , Toni	G	5-3	University of San Francisco
42	Jones , Dana	F	5-10	Univ. of Southern Miss
20	Hunter, Tyesia	G	5-10	Holy Names University
15	Hernandez , Alicia	G	5-9	Cal Poly Pomona
48	Bonner, Kandis	F	6-1	Miles College
21	Carter, Ameisha	F	6-2	Louisana Tech University
7	Glover, Erica	G	5-4	Akron University

Today's Playlist: 17 FEB 2006

Dave Clark Five:	``Doctor Rhythm'' (B-Side, 03/1967)
Liquid Blue:	``Rhythm of Love'' (Supernova, 2005)
Juniper:	``Don't Shut Me Out'' (Escape, 2005)

Lisa Potter of Juniper is pictured above.

Last weekend I saw two of the finest basketball games I could have ever hoped to see. Both games were played in the Bay Area by Bay Area NWBL teams. The expansion San Francisco Legacy (directions) and the San Jose Spiders (in its second year).

On Saturday, 11 Feb. 2006 I went up to San Francisco State University to see the San Francisco Legacy  play the San Diego Siege. This was one of the closest games I've ever seen. These two teams played to a tie so many times, I finally lost track of how many times it was, but it was a bunch. And we didn't know until the final seconds that the game was going into overtime.

The sad thing was the Siege had a deeper bench, and in the overtime the Legacy just didn't have any wind left, so the Siege ended up winning 91-84. But it was really heartening to see the Legacy show so much improvement after their first game. It shows that this San Francisco team is a made up of a gutsy bunch of gals.

On Sunday, 12 Feb. 2006 I saw another close game. This one was between the Siege and the San Jose Spiders (directions). This game wasn't decided until the last 0.1 second. Yes, you read that correctly. The game wasn't decided until the last one tenth of a second. Because of a totally fluky call by an official, the Siege would get one last shot at the basket with only one tenth of a second  remaining on the clock. Fortunately the ball went wide, and the the outcome of the game, wasn't reversed by an official.

But what does all this have to do with the playlist of the day?

Well, I was in the grocery store today, and the Dave Clark Five popped up on my MP3 player singing ``Doctor Rhythm'', and I thought to myself, man, that would be a good theme song for the NWBL players. Then I started thinking about the down sides. (1) It probably wasn't too cool having a women's basketball league theme song being sung by a male group. (2) The song could use a little updating. After all it was the b-side to a March 1967 top ten hit by the DC5.

I'm sure there are lots of potential song contenders, and I'd love to hear about them, but I came up with two possibilities right off: ``Don't Shut Me Out'' (Escape, 2005) by  Juniper, and ``Rhythm of Love'' (Supernova, 2005) by Liquid Blue.

I thought ``Don't Shut Me Out'' was appropriate for some of it's lyrics, and it's chorus.

``There’s something I need to say
There’s something you need to hear
...So,don't shut me out!

On the other hand, I thought ``Rhythm of Love'' was a nice update to ``Doctor Rhythm'' concept.

Oh well, the NWBL isn't having a contest to pick a theme song. But NWBL games are pretty informal, if you would like to sing your song at one of their games, I'd bet a Susan B that they'd give your suggestion a serious listen.

Well, Juniper and Liquid Blue are great dance groups, and if you've been reading this blog long, you know what we all have to do, when it's dance time: It's time to fill the dishwasher!

I'll see you after my Cascade is wet, or at the next NWBL game.

Liquid Blue is pictured above.

Technorati Tags: music, people

Former Spiders: Erica Glover and Andrea Garner

It was a pleasure to see two former San Jose Spider players at the Spider home opener with the San Francisco Legacy last Saturday night. Pictured above on the left is Erica Glover (G, #7, 5'8", Akron). On the right is Andrea Garner (C, #40, 6'5", Penn. State).

Daryl Harrison, Owner SFLegacy, said, ``Hi,'' as I walked by. He told me he visits his befuddled universe, who would have guessed! He invited me to come up to Oakland this Friday to Children's Hospital with some of the Legacy players. He said I'd have a chance to meet some nice kids, hang out with some swell ladies, and take some photos. That was an offer I couldn't refuse.

Below (left) Coach Charles Davis gives the team notes before the team photo is taken (my unofficial team photo is on the right).

Technorati Tags: people, sports

NWBL holds opening games

In the 2006 NWBL opening game on Saturday Feb. 4, the San Jose Spiders demonstrated consistent play in all phases of the game, plus a deep bench. This proved too much for the San Francisco Legacy, an expansion team, new to the league this year.

The Spiders lead throughout the game, and pulled away during the second half. The final score was 89-61.

Spiders forward Brittney Jackson led the scoring with 22 points on 9 of 16 shooting, including 4 of 7 from three-point range. Spider guard Caity Matter finished with 17 points on 8 of 13 shooting. Spider forward Lindsey Yamasaki's defensive play appeared to frustrate San Francisco all night.

Dana Jones led the Legacy with 15 points. Andrea Garner of the Legacy was injured, but she isn't expected to miss any games.

Technorati Tags: people, sports

Don't forget the NWBL game Saturday!

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, don't forget about the 2006 NWBL season opener between the San Jose Spiders and the Legacy from San Francisco, Saturday 4 January 2006 at 7pm. The game is being held at San Jose's home court at De Anza College (21250 Stevens Creek Road). You can get ticket info here.

I know people want professional women's basketball in the Bay Area, but we won't be able to keep it, if we don't go out to the games! And the best way to have a viable women's team in San Jose is to also have a viable team in San Francisco, so we can develop a local rivalry.

See you at the game!

Remember, if you don't come, we'll be talking about you.

A little bit of the Spider legacy moves to San Fran

At dinner tonight Mrs. Muddle and I were talking about the new rosters for the 2006 San Jose Spiders and the San Francisco Legacy. We commented on the fact that there's no one on the Spiders this year from last year's team. On the other hand the S.F. Legacy has four former Spider players: Amisha Carter, Erica Glover, Andrea Garner, and Tyesia Hunter.

Amisha used to play so well even though she was hurt. Erica was always an inspiration to watch. Andrea played well as a starter at the beginning of the season, then she got hurt just when her game was getting really great. She was a solid back up, and always a sentimental favorite, after that. And Tyesia was someone you could count on to come off the bench and keep the rally going.

Mrs. Muddle and I decided that maybe we would root for both the Spiders and the Legacy this year. I mean, once you're part of the Muddle family, you're always part of the Muddle family. And we couldn't possibly root against four of our very fine daughters.

Technorati Tags: people, sports

NWBL: Spiders & Legacy announce teams

I have been anxiously waiting for the NWBL teams to announce their complete player rosters. I have been particularly interested in the San Jose Spider and San Francisco Legacy rosters, because I am hoping for a heated local rivalry.

The rosters have now been announced, and there are some big, big surprises! I'll talk more about it on Wednesday, but for now you can check out the roster list below (or you can go to the NWBL website).

Technorati Tags: people, sports

NWBL March Madness in January

Saint Who?: No candy hearts where we're going!

I get the impression sometimes that some women start making their Valentine’s Day plans right after the New Year’s ruckus settles down.

Thank goodness Mrs. Muddle was never that way!

For the Muddle family, January is the month when we turned our attention to basketball; of course, occasionally Super Bowl Sunday does become a temporary distraction.

It wasn’t always that way, I suppose. It probably wouldn't have happened without the Magic of Earvin Johnson and Anne Donovan. But from 1979 on, Mrs. Muddle and I have been big college and women's basketball fans.

That's why we were so sad when the ABL died, and San Jose lost the Lasers.

It's also why Mrs. Muddle and I were so delighted last year, when San Jose got a new professional women's basketball team, the San Jose Spiders of the NWBL.

New Excitement!!

This year local women's basketball will be even more exciting. We can look forward to an exciting local rivalry.

San Francisco now has its own NWBL team, the San Francisco Legacy. They've got some players that look pretty good; for example, Tasheika Allen,  Toni Russell, and Alicia Hernandez.

The San Jose Spiders also have so good looking players this year, too, including Lindsay Yamasaki (Stanford) and Jessica Kellogg (SJSU).

To add to the excitement the first NWBL game this year is between the S.J. Spiders and the S.F. Legacy on Saturday, February 4, 2006. The opening game will be played at De Anza College. You can find ticket information here or here.

Technorati Tags: people, sports

Marching towards the madness

An article in the paper last week said the crime rate was down, so I've been feeling pretty safe around the old domicile lately.

I should know better. Hubris gets you every time.

Last night I was cool as a cucumber while I was strolling out to my car. (If I recall correctly I may have been rehearsing my three-part production of ``Comfortably Numb"; whistle, hum, and cluck.) But no sooner did I get mid-driveway, then my head was jerked to the side violently like I had just been grabbed from behind by a froth-mouthed chiropractor.

It took me a second to gather my wits. My head was throbbing, so I couldn't think. And my glasses had gone MIA, so I couldn't see.

I turned around slowly doing my best impression of The Karate Kid, Part I and II. (Who would have guessed that the next kid was the real winner?)

Anyway, just as I was getting myself into that bird position from the first karate movie, I heard a loud cackle.

``Hey, Mr. Muddle, great defense. You could play for Tom Izzo!"

It was my neighbor's daughter, Ruthie. For some reason she likes to shoot hoops in my driveway.

``What the heck are you doing up, Ruthie? Aren't respectable girls supposed to be in bed by 9pm?"

``Right, and what is this, nineteen fifty-aught-eight?"

``Oh, no, of course not," I muttered.  ``Just pick up your toys, and head on back to your house before your folks worry."

``Mr. M, you forget I'm twenty-two? I'm not twelve anymore. I've just been out here shooting some hoops, while I wait for my ride."

``Right, right, well, don't stay out too late tonight, Ruthie. Your Dad needs some sleep."

After that I went on to the convenience store to get my Wheat Thins.

When I got back, Ruthie was gone. She and her friends probably went out to get B-Ball tickets. Earlier in the day I had mentioned the NWBL was about to start up their 2006 season. Naturally Ruthie was excited.

This year the National Women's Basketball League has four teams:

• San Francisco Legacy,
• San Jose Spiders,
• San Diego Siege;
• Colorado Chill.

Last year the Spiders loved to give Colorado the stinger, and with now with three California teams in the league you know there are going to be some hot rivalries.

I wonder if that new S.F. Legacy team is going to be any good? I better check some  of  them out.

I wonder if I'll be seeing Ruthie at any of the NWBL games this year?

I wonder if I will see you at any of the games?