‘Twas the night before Christmas and in Wasarenland
Players had gathered for the basketball tournament at hand.
A two on two tourney was about to unfold
Standing room only, no tickets left unsold.
A boy and girl player from each league school
Playing as teammates on the eve of the Yule.
Make it Take it, was the rule on this day
Or “Winner’s Outs”, said another way.
First team to 11, have to win by two
Would reduce the field to a precious few.
The sound of a whistle began first round play
Games at each end in a half court fray.
Cross-overs and jumpers, blocked shots and more
It was something to see, the talent on the floor.
As the round played out it was great holiday fun
Except for good players who were one and done.
Mueller and Galarneau, Kuzmich and Brophy
Upson and Bolen would take home no trophy.
Gone too, Stalker and Ritter, Faraj and Rice
Their defense was naughty but all their J’s were nice.
One semifinal bounced Bassett and Lanoue
In the other Thayne and Kempf, they went home too.
Mechanicville and Cambridge were the last teams to ball
Goverski and D’Ambro facing Phillips and Hall
But before the game started, at the far end of the gym
The door swung open with Santa and the Mrs. stepping in.
“Combine your teams,” yelled Santa, “Two in and two out.”
“While Mrs. C and I show you what the game’s all about.”
Phillips and Hall started against the holiday pair
Quickly learning Kris’s wife could score from anywhere.
Knocking down jumpers and scoring at the rim
The hopes for the Wasaren began to look grim.
Trailing 6-2 Goverski and D’Ambro took the floor
Each connected once from deep but would score no more.
Santa blocked a D’Ambro floater that opened everyone’s eyes
It had plenty of arc, but the Kringle Man can rise.
He showed athletic skill belying his diet
The man lives on cookies and milk, I think I might try it.
Santa bottomed five in a row to close the championship out
As for the tourney’s best, the north’s duo left little doubt.
And from a cheering gym Santa quickly ran to his sled
Filled with plenty of gifts for the long night ahead.
Having enjoyed his run in the gym down below
Santa’s magical sled rose through the night time snow.
And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
Excellence. It’s a word like others that while it may be hard to define you recognize it when it’s present. Like love when you find it, trouble when you’re in it or hunger when you feel it. We know excellence when we see it, and for a number of years the followers of Stillwater girls soccer have seen plenty.
