Basketball Ramblings

So it's been a while, and for that I apologize, but aside from a weekend visit from Ryan Harms, my year in London is just steadily chugging along. Basketball serves as the only counterbalance to the doldrums of classes and homework, although the results thus far have been less than satisfactory.

After practicing for a few weeks, the LSE Beavers (yes, that's the mascot...no, there isn't a picture of a deranged beaver on our jerseys) kicked off their 2005-2006 basketball season with a visit to South Bank University. We exchanged baskets for the first few minutes before they pulled away on some and 1 dunks and timely three point shooting.

Final score: South Bank drowns the Beavers by 30.

Earlier today was our home opener, and what a home court it is. Scoreboard doesn't work, so there's one guy watching a stopwatch and shouting out the time, and one of those manual flip scoreboards in between the two benches. Add those to zero fans and one ref and welcome to London Basketball. Nevertheless, this game was much closer, but we still couldn't eek out a W.

Final Score: Greenwich by 5.

Some random facts about my experiences adjusting to international rules basketball:

-In the first game while lining up for free throws I stood at the top spot closest to the shooter...little did I know you're not allowed to stand there. The guy got two more shots on lane violations by me (made only one) before I realized what I was doing.
-10 minute quarters here...today at halftime I thought it was the end of the third. Energy conservation takes on a whole new meaning.

Sorry, no exciting pictures to show. Ryan was the photographer for the weekend, so hopefully I can get some pictures from him.

In the meantime, I hope these pictures from Bowling Night will hold you over...