As the all-stars are recognized, the Beach soldiers on

Blog mood today. The entry after this will be my experience watching Long Beach State’s hockey team. Could you believe it: today is the day that Long Beach State’s academic all-stars for Fall and Spring 2006 are honored, and I’m blogging. I committed myself to one blog night per week if there are more than 4 games held that week at the Walter Pyramid. So here it is for the first day of February 2007.
Anyway, I’m a bit steamed that we’ve been having a spiel of futility against Cal State Northridge. Tonight, our men’s basketball team is facing them, and while I should be in Section 111 whooping it up, I want to save my energy for Friday and Saturday, where there will be action around every corner. After my blogging, I’m bent for a night of Visual Basic rundowns.
But right now, I’m hoping we can turn things around. The last game, our guys were snubbed at the end by Irvine, 88-84. Oddly enough, in my recent order for a couple of Famous Cheese from Carl’s Jr., I got an order #55, Aaron Nixon’s number. At the same time, I picked a couple of pennies, but that’s aside from the situation at hand.
Poor Kejuan Johnson, suspended three games due to team violations. That’s bad timing for the 49ers, who now have to find someone to replace him for the next three games, including the home contest against Pacific on the 3rd. Ouch. I’m also listening to the broadcast on longbeachstate.com. So, I’m getting the best of both worlds.
I don’t know what KJ did, but it placed us at a disadvantage, as the Matadors went on a tear after Long Beach State went to an early lead. Once again, I can see my fellow Super Fans enjoying themselves in the first two rows of 111. The 49ers are shooting themselves in the foot with errant plays. Cal State Northridge has been notorious for shooting the 3-pointer impressive, and they are spreading the ball around so far this first half. I am starting to be very disgusted with the 49ers’ defensive pattern, as it has been useless against the perimeter shots the Matadors have been putting out.
9:11 1st half, send help. The ill-advised play that killed us against Irvine is making its ugly appearance tonight. Interesting fact: the Matadors actually have a player named Austin Powers. Actually, his first name is Austen. E, not I. A shot-clock violation, even, and the Northridge is making us pay for our transgressions to the game. A traveling violation by Nixon. Thumbs down. I’m wondering to myself, what the bloody hell is going on here? We haven’t been able to catch up to them, and the closest we’ve gotten is tying the game at 37 with over 3 minutes left in the half, and 38 with less than 3 minutes left.
I nagged Nixon and Co., “Pretend that this is Long Beach City you’re facing.” The Vikings have similar, but more streamlined uniforms, to Northridge’s this year. We were finally able to get a one-point lead in the last couple of minutes. The sound system played the Black Crowes’ signature hit, “Hard to Handle,” during a CSUN timeout. That was the epitome of Northridge this half.

This was an interesting game, most definitely (Long Beach State University, established 1949). I wonder if we could open the gap a bit more. I think Kevin Houston may not be on pace to pass Ratty (Ed Ratliff)’s record of 410 assists, but mind you, there is still plenty of basketball to be played.

I got some Round Table for a midgame energy boost, and I’m checking the other conference scores. Actually, I prefer Papa John’s™, but this will suffice. Poor KJ, he wants to be on the court, but he has to serve his time. I feel for the guy. As a fellow Long Beach City graduate like him, I have to feel for him, because he’s one of the big scorers on the team. Had he not become suspended, he would have made the margin a bit more comfortable; we’ll never know.

Over 250 student athletes were honored-262, to be exact, as Academic All-Stars, spaning all sports. What does it take to be an Academic All-Star

The game so far has been a bit close, with the biggest lead from us in the 2nd half with less than 10 minutes to go being 5 points. It might become a defensive contest from here on, or it could be a race.

While I am seeing the other scores, UCSB is leading Davis 49-37. Apparently, the last result I saw was a typo. The usual business, and the quality win is holding firm, while Fullerton is off. With less than 8 minutes remaining, it would come down to who could do the charity tosses, and the finish the plays that turn the momentum better. A couple late team fouls by the Beach are making this run a bit sour, but some more big shots from #55, the one, the only, Aaron Nixon are making it a bit sweeter. Slowly, but surely, we were making the charity tosses, but I knew, it was gonna be a race. Just like the 95-85 win against Fullerton, who would be playing one game, against lowly UC Riverside, on Saturday.

This Northridge team would be a resilient bunch of scalawags, as they made a 3-pointer with less than a minute left. But, they ended up using too much time, and we won, 79-72. I found out that Mark Dawson also was suspended, which makes the win even more special. I think we’ll be able to replicate this on Saturday.