Rumours were that Grin-07 and Zapata were rounding people up to dethrone Elodin.  When this news reached the crowd, the number of banners and wavey toys increased.  Elodin was the people’s choice but the rest of Chicago were not for giving this one up!

Next up was former leader AidenPearce for his final attempt at qualifying.  Poised like a scorpion if scorpions were poised but anyway…he was ready.

Rack 1 – Word was out about Grin’s plan for last rack drama and it looked like it had legs.  It just needed someone to execute the plan to perfection.  Rumour had it that “No bagels!” was writ large over the top of the plan.  First rack drama for Chicago but not the planned drama as AidenPearce missed all his shots.  He had been the leader, top of the tree, king of the hill but all those skills seemed to have deserted him.

Rack 2 – While skills were in short supply, there was moxie on show…and lots of it.  Moxie o’clock by Chuck’s watch.  Aiden only managed two in rack two but it heightened the tension.  The booing behind the hoop was deafening…Aiden had to have three perfect racks to scoop the prize for the time being!

Rack 3 – The best laid plans of mice and men…usually a reference to things going wrong and within a couple of shots it was obvious AidenPearce was now playing for pride.  Three points in the rack was a good haul but under the pressure Elodin was exerting on the whole city it was never going to be enough.

Rack 4 – This rack silenced the boos.  There was no chance of Aiden getting the lead but he could still do something on the leaderboard and this response was worth it.  Not a shot missed.  All perfect!

Rack 5 – Final five shots for Aiden and a chance to make a name for himself.  He made a couple of points, the crowd cheered and Grin-07 plotted about who to throw in next.  His scores of 11, 11 and 13 were fairly reasonable but just not quite good enough.  Well played though.

CH Leaderboard

1 – Elodin 16 points

2 – AidenPearce 13 points

3 – Grin-07 13 points

While my hopes were alive, it was of no use disclosing the nature of the various upper and lower body injures I've been playing through this tournament. Now that it is over for Team Zapata, however, it can be revealed that I've had to get my wrists splinted and ankles wrapped, various pain treatments for my back, a thoroughly-needed neck massage, and thrown down several glasses of extremely high calcium milk to repair my broken body. The warrior I am, I toughed through it to compete. 

Safe to say, any other day I would have left a pipsqueak like Elodin in my dust, but the slow march of age is an undefeated champion.

It is with that said that I announce my retirement from mafia basketball. Sometimes you know when the time is right. It is time to give way for the young bucks. I would also like to announce my pleasure at joining the senior mafioso PGA tour at Grinble Beach. Catch me on the links, you basketball weenies. 

Master_Splinter was the next one thrown in front of the pro-raccoon brigade.  The jeering was ear splitting as the rat ventured out.  Why a rat was more acceptable than a raccoon was only for Grin-07 and Zapata to explain but Chuck was happy to take the money and set it up.  Before the start, Chuck asked for a moment of silence to appreciate the efforts of the recently retired Zapata whose injuries had just come to light.  If there was a player's player award then surely he would win that.

With that out of the way, the booing started as Master_Splinter took to the floor.

Rack 1 – Not being one to conform to the slow start approach that was the current Chicago strategy, Master_Splinter raced out and drilled in four of his first rack.  This was an all out assault on the lead and it silenced the boisterous crowd.

Rack 2 – All the effort and concentration seemed to slip away.  One measly effort, better than none but still.  Some time to recover but it would have to be a quick.

Rack 3 – Another great rack with four dropping in and things were looking good.  It would still take another good rack to cement in these good racks but Elodin could start to squirm.

Rack 4 – Hmmm.  While he needed a good rack, a score of two from rack four wasn’t quite what was needed.  It left a lot to do with Rack Grin-07 to come.

Rack 5 – Oh no.  So near yet so far!  There was a smorgasbord of potential outcomes, yet the one he got was one of the less fulfilling.  A full rack would have put him in a tie for the lead, three and four would have been outright second but Master_Splinter ended with a two.  Better than his first effort by far but not of the standard needed yet.  He still has one attempt left but it will take a great effort to win.

CH Leaderboard
1 – Elodin 16 points
2 – AidenPearce 13 points
3 – Master_Splinter 13 points

You know, something just doesn't sit Right with me that people in Seattle have to compete with members of a professional basketball team. At least it means we should take home the national cup I guess. 

Still I guess I'd better have a go. Maybe I'll be a natural and can pack up the life of crime for the much less glamorous and profitable pursuit of this strange sport. 

Chuck looked up and saw Rick_Dalton appearing from the crowd…a cattle prod disappeared once Rick emerged fully. His first effort had been pretty good, not stellar but there was definite promise.  Chuck nodded towards the first rack and the crowd starting yelling.

Rick “couldn’t give a shit” Dalton stood gesturing to the crowd.

Rack 1 – Chicago tactic 101 devised by Coach Zapata – start slowly.  Rick did this perfectly.  Two points, he didn’t look particularly happy with the distractions behind the hoop.  He slid a thumb across his neck at some of the crowd.  Rick 0 Crowd 0

Rack 2 – The crowd were silenced a little and Elodin leaned forward in the hotseat.  Bang…all five shots sweetly through the hoop.  Game on! Rick 1 Crowd 0

Rack 3 – Rick 1 Crowd 1.  The noise was deafening and Rick had no answer, he looked rattled as each of his shots clattered off the rim.  Was this going to be the rack that defined Chicago?

Rack 4 – Rick 2 Crowd 1.  What a rack after the last one.  He made four, should have made all five but it just bobbled out.  Zapata would surely query whether it was too bouncy if it’s close.  It’s got to be a tall order though for Rick to draw level.  He needs a perfect rack to draw level with Elodin.  Chuck looked nervous, he had a contingency if the scores were equal but would the pro-raccoon crowd accept anything other than an Elodin win.

Rack 5 – Oh wow!  What a rack under the pressure of the crowd and the situation.  As each basket landed the crowd’s jeers changed to a scream as Rick inched closer.  When the last basket landed in, the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.  Chuck had a decision to announce.

He consulted with the organising committee and strode to the floor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, pursuant to rule 17 sub section 4c, the committee have devised a tie breaking measurement.  As such, the leaderboard will be updated to reflect this."

CH Leaderboard
1 – Rick_Dalton 16 points
2 – Elodin 16 points
3 – AidenPearce 13 points

Seattle were taking their cues from Chicago and having a right old ding dong for their city winner.  MezzaninE was next to try his hand.  With lots to get through, Chuck made sure things moved quickly!

Rack 1 – Two points.  Not a great effort but better than nothing!  Zahara sat filing her nails wearing a pretty crown and not looking too bothered by what was on show.

Rack 2 - Same old same old from Mezz.  Another two points and this didn’t seem to be the attempt to take the lead but lots could change.  Zahara stifled a yawn.

Rack 3 – Better this time as Mezz made a concerted effort to not challenge the lead.  Three points and maybe if he had a stellar last two racks he could sneak into the lead.

Rack 4 – If Mezz could concentrate then maybe he’d be better.  Unfortunately this was on show here with another three points.  He wasn’t going to be leading now!

Rack 5 – A drop in intensity and his score dropped to another two points.  It wasn’t a bad score per ce but Zahara was never really challenged.

SEA Leaderboard
1 – Zahara 16 points
2 – Right 14 points
3 – MezzaninE 14 points.

West now liked the look of this competition enough to remove his velvet cloak and stroll down.  The last person to look so swanky was Evening and that had gone down really well.  Chuck checked to make sure he was aware of what was going on so when West nodded Chuck let him start.

Rack 1 – West started off in the right manner sinking three of his attempts.  This was a good start.  Well, it was an ok start.  Whether it would trouble Zahara remained to be seen.  A couple of great racks and West could be right in contention!

Rack 2 – What started out as unbridled optimism soon descended into abject dejection.  West had been at the same practice sessions as Evening.  Some of his misses weren’t even close, in fact the one that went in would have bounced out on any other day.  Un punto or something like that.

Rack 3 – What an improvement!  West managed a massive two points in rack 3.  There wasn’t really anything else to say.  He lacked timing.  He lacked technique.  He lacked style.  The say a broken clock is right twice a day and twice was how often the ball went through the hoop.  Onwards and upwards though!

Rack 4 – The organising committee suggested to Chuck mid-rack that allowing the crowd so close to the action was not wise when West was throwing spuds like this rack.  There was more danger of a concussion in the crowd than a basket.  Nuffink!  Zero!  Zilch!

Rack 5 – Chuck checked the list of low low scores.  Mysteriously Elodin held the record with 7 but at least had kicked some tiny raccoon ass afterwards.  West still had to score one point to equal that and with the evidence on show, that wasn’t guaranteed!  Somehow, the ball gods were on his side and he somehow scraped two points.  Better than Elodin and barely as good as Evening.  Illustrious company indeed!

SEA Leaderboard
1 – Zahara 16 points
2 – Right 14 points
3 – MezzaninE 14 points.

Onto the “stage” strolled Nipsey for his last dance.  Twenty five shots to beat Zahara or go back to Seattle with nothing.  

Nipsey stared at the basket like it was his own worst enemy!

Rack 1 - Nipsey started brightly. Three baskets was a good start. Not mind blowing but steady. Good enough to attract Zahara’s attention. 

Rack 2 - Ahhh, the defies of dreams!  One point, there was still plenty of time but it had to be almost flawless from here on in. 

Rack 3 - Rather than flawless the rack was flawed. Not so much the rack but the person throwing. Routinely Chuck would have called then dummies but he was taking their money so had to be supportive. Two points. Technically yes. It was possible to beat Zahara from here but nothing in Chuck’s tea and leaves foretold the coming of the great Nipsey in racks four and five. 

Rack 4 - Chuck needed to stop using tea bags. They served no useful clairvoyant purpose. What did they know?  Nipsey hit his stride and was on a roll. When he needed five he got five to really put the heebie-jeebies into Zahara. It was all down to this last rack. 

Rack 5 - The occasion has finally gotten to Nipsey. His nerves clanged his knees knocked and his palms sweated. Whatever reason he could not hit a basket to save his life. Zahara went back to looking on with nothing more than a faint interest. Nipsey’s scores had been 10, 13 and 11. Not the worst scores in the city but not quite enough. 

SEA Leaderboard

1 – Zahara 16 points

2 – Right 14 points

3 – MezzaninE 14 points.

Rick was a happy chap alright. He'd just taken top spot for the great city of Chicago with his hugely impressive effort. He had never played basketball previous to this little competition, which he failed to let on prior to shooting the proverbial hoops.

'When you're hot, you're hot, Rick' he mumbled to himself. Bit of a cocky twat like, but it was hard for the crowd not to find this devilishly handsome chap likeable. He just oozed coolness you know? Type of guy you wouldn't mind your Mrs sleeping with, just so you could say he'd been to your house. 

Could he really make the Nationals? Only time would bloody tell. 

Right hesitantly starts wiggling his hips as Zahara is clapping with the weird looking provisional Seattle crown balncing on her head..

As he is sure no one really is watching, he asks her

All Right, is that enough?

First up on day three came harison, desperate to get the lead back from DiegoCortez.  Chuck rubbed the sleep from his eyes, too much partying at night.  He would have to put a limit on how early these starts would be.  Chuck nodded to let him know to go.

Rack 1 – The early morning seemed to agree with harison.  Where most people would take a minute to wake up…boom…harison was straight on it.  He only missed one of his first rack…great start.

Rack 2 – This was another impressive rack so early on.  harison was looking really in the groove.  With few issues whatsoever, he racked up another four!  Two shots missed in two racks.  Time for DiegoCortez to start feeling the squeeze!

Rack 3 – Pros don’t get tired…some are just rubbish at threes but ordinaries did seem to get tired and maybe this was affecting harison…although he still picked up three baskets.  Only three behind DiegoCortez with two racks to go.  His lead was looking shaky at best!

Rack 4 – A slightly sloppier three, not quite as sweet as the previous rack but still enough to level with Diego.  A couple bobbled about and one was a complete airball.  Pressure on now though!  harison needed to avoid the dreaded bagel and he’d be in the lead.  This had sunk lots of people in the past so rack five was becoming sweaty palm central!

Rack 5 – Well that was a turn up for the books.  Pressure?  What pressure?  Even though he missed one of the attempts, it didn’t phase harison at all!  Four more points and he really put Diego’s lead away in style!  There could be hope for a half decent pro team in LA after all!

LA Leaderboard
1 – harison 18 points
2 – DiegoCortez 14 points

Next up was Evening, holder of the joint worst active score at the moment along with West.  Not the place someone wanted to be when they were hoping needing to win the whole thing and relieve their cash worries!  It was a little ignominious for such an esteemed leader to be passing buckets around the crowd looking for entry fee donations. 

Chuck didn’t care where the cash came from as long as he was paid and so nodded to Evening to get started right away.

Rack 1 – For someone looking to win, the start wasn’t great.  For someone looking to put some distance between herself and West it was solid.  Two points was pretty good given the pitiful performance last time.  It was a fine line between success and failure at this.

Rack 2 – Well, now Evening was looking a lot more consistent and less shaky than her first time.  Three points, a couple more half decent racks like this and her total might be adequate!

Rack 3 – Well it wasn’t the worst of racks and it wasn’t the best of racks.  Two points.  Her goal of being in the lead was pretty unlikely at this point but surely beating her previous total was possibly in the bag.  Evening only needed two points over two racks to get there.  Surely even she couldn’t mess this up.  Surely the motivation of leaving West behind would spur her on!

Rack 4 – Well colour us impressed!  Evening got her act together and wuuuuffff….four peachy points!  West is cast alone at the bottom of the heap…set adrift on memory bliss.

Rack 5 – It seems the euphoria of the last rack has gone to Evening’s head but even despite that she makes two baskets.  Well done Evening for not sucking as much as West!

PH Leaderboard
1 – Sisyphus 18 points
2 – JimmyTheWeed 14 points
3 – Ghus 14 points

The latest episode in the battle for Seattle saw MezzaninE pitching in for his last throw of the dice trying to unseat Zahara the Aloof.  All the singing and dancing in the world couldn’t shake the fundamental truth that baskets win points, points win prizes and the prize seat was occupied by someone other than Mezz.

Rack 1 – To give Mezz’s efforts some context, Zahara was unimpressive with her first rack.  MezzaninE was almost as equally unimpressive managing just two points.  Straight away he was put on the back foot.  Zahara had taken control of his head like a good waltz partner leading his partner around.

Rack 2 – Mezz could afford precious few mistakes and he managed to sneak through this rack with a streaky four points.  It was like an unseen presence had taken control of his hands and was guiding him around.  The crowd could see him mentally fighting to keep things in check.

Rack 3 – Another sketchy round in the context of needing to keep up with Zahara.  Her total of 16 is not out of reach, MezzaninE just needs to keep his head clear.  Three points isn’t the end of the world but it could have been so much closer.

Rack 4 – Here is where the pressure tells.  An absolute shocker!  No points at all.  The radar has gone, if rhythm was a dancer Mezz would be a drunk uncle at a wedding sloshing about in time to the tune in his head.  That.  Was.  That!

Rack 5 – For what it was worth, Mezz at least made it to the last rack but the damage was done.  The crowd had already started to focus on lunch and Mezz only managed one point, finishing to a smatter of applause.  His scores of 14, 12 and 10 leaves him on the leaderboard for just now but short of the lead.

SEA Leaderboard

1 – Zahara 16 points
2 – Right 14 points
3 – MezzaninE 14 points.

In the post apocalyptic wasteland that harison left in his wake, DiegoCortez stumbled forward in a final attempt to take the coveted LA spot.  He had been blown away earlier in display of dominance so…errr…dominant that if it was a prize fight Diego would have been counted out.

Chuck nodded to get him going.

Rack 1 – Oh dear.  Diego would have been best placed to start quickly and get into his stride.  A two point rack was not the best of starts.  It was possible to recover and Chuck certainly hoped he would but it was a long way to go if the ball isn’t dropping.

Rack 2 – Now Diego was cooking!  Four points.  Things could go anywhere from here but he started to look good.  harison meanwhile, did not look phased at all.

Rack 3 – Now then now then now then.  When it doubt…just throw them all in the hoop.  It was as simple as that at times, just let everything go out of your head and trust yourself.  All five looked great, there was now a tingle of expectation rippling through the crowd.

Rack 4 – Diego needed steadiness to get him through this one.  One good rack could set him up for a final crack.  He was looking very good and a couple of mistakes stopped him taking control.  Three points left him needing a full rack to lead and four needed to draw.

Rack 5 – Chuck checked his watch.  It was Twitchy Sphincter Time.  Diego stood at the rack:

Swish

Miss – the draw was on but the lead was gone.  Would he rue the first rack mishaps?

Swish

Swish

The crowd hushed and waited.  LA were producing a great occasion and fight for the lead.  Diego grabbed the ball and threw it hoopwards…harison stood to get a good view…

The ball bounced on the rim and away from the hoop.

So.  So.  Close!  What an effort.  If it wasn’t for a ropey first rack Diego could have pulled this off.  One of the few people to get better as he went through with scores of 8, 14 and 17.

"Don’t go anywhere Diego.  If no-one from Detroit, Vegas or New York turn up, I may give their spots away to the highest scoring runners up."

LA Leaderboard
1 – harison 18 points
2 – DiegoCortez    17 points

Aang had been following the competition, hoping against hope that someone would dethrone that clown sisyphus before the city qualifiers ended. So far it hadn't happened, and enough people had suffered that Aang decided it was time he came to the rescue.

Charles_Barkley, I would like to enter the competition! I promise not to use any airbending to affect the flight of the ball.

He stumped up the entry fee and began meditating on the basket.

JimmyTheWeed had sat and watched the Philly to-ing and fro-ing from the sidelines and had seen enough.  Sisyphus was pretty far out front at the moment and things could change for sure but if nobody challenged him then he was being given it for free…Jimmy couldn’t have that.  Having kept his powder dry for a while, now was the time to step into the breech!

Rack 1 – Cracking start from Jimmy.  Intensity all the way was needed and Jimmy was intense like a kid staring at a vending machine hoping the chocolate would fall out!  Four super points.  Fifteen more needed!

Rack 2 – Jimmy needed to keep it up in the second rack but obviously wasn’t quite feeling it.  He made three points and the ball was bouncing wildly so it could have been one it could have been five.

Rack 3 – Better from Jimmy but not quite getting the reward he needed.  Another three.  Nine needed from the last two, it was going to be very tricky.

Rack 4 – What a shame!  Nothing went right at all.  The two points made were lucky and the crowd sighed.  They were enjoying the ride but now it was just trying to get a good score.

Rack 5 – Was it better to get a four when the pressure was off or would Jimmy have preferred the hope in the fourth to be brought crashing down in the fifth?  The crowd liked the four he got with the smile he had.  Bad luck Jimmy, one attempt left!

PH Leaderboard
1 – Sisyphus 18 points
2 – JimmyTheWeed 16 points
3 – Ghus 14 points

Entering the Philly frame sauntered Aang the newcomer.  He scorned at Sisyphus sitting relaxed in the hotseat.  Aang had a look that said Sisyphus was about to get taken down to Funky Town. 

Chuck loved chutzpah but in the pressure cooker atmosphere created by the imposing crowd and the high scores needed…nerves of steel and cast iron concentration when it’s one person, a ball and a hoop were waaay better than a bit of moxie!

Rack 1 - Evening had set the bar quite low for an initial entry into the maelstrom.  Aang crashed right into that bar.  The nerves were visible as he struggled to make two baskets.  Chuck looked for a towel to help with Aang’s sweaty palms.

Rack 2 – The few things that went right with Aang’s first rack struggled to materialise in his second.  Shaking like a leaf, he made one solitary basket.  Chuck was feeling for the guy.  Until you stood there anyone thinking it was easy needed to pony up the cash to join in.

Rack 3 – Marginally better from Aang.  Another two points.  Chuck glanced at the scoreboard for Philly and wondered whether Aang would beat Vulcan.  Two racks to go and five points to get.  If he didn’t get a grip on the nerves he’d end up dead last.

Rack 4 – The crowd tried their best to encourage Aang but the fourth rack was a calamity.  No baskets made AND not being bottom was looking like quite a stretch.

Rack 5 – This was an improvement for Aang.  Three points but the poor guy looked shot.  Sisyphus had barely moved a muscle as Aang folded in front of him easier than a house of cards.  As the crowd sang that things could only get better, Aang left the court to lick his wounds.

PH Leaderboard
1 – Sisyphus 18 points
2 – JimmyTheWeed 16 points
3 – Ghus 14 points

Standings After Day Two

Current Qualifiers:

Phildelphia - Sisyphus

Seattle - Zahara

Chicago - Rick_Dalton/Elodin*

Los Angeles - harison

Closing Date For New Qualifying Entries: Saturday 30 May at 12:00 MR Time

Closing Date For Final Attempts: Sunday 31 May at 21:00 MR Time

Original Contest Rules are for one representative from each city to enter the National Final.  At this moment in time there are no qualifiers from Detroit, Las Vegas or New York. 

If this situation remains the same at the end of qualifying, the top two representatives from the current four cities will contest the National Finals in a different format from that originally advertised.

*Final committee decision pending due to tied scores

Mercury had performed poorly in this. She read the final qualifiers and noted there were two from Chicago. There were also a few cities who had not brought a contender forward. She hoped that would change. She decided she would check back in on this later. While she had not qualified, she would be here to root for Philly. Sisyphus could win it all!

Meliodass had been aware of the action unfolding with DiegoCortez and harison and decided she wanted a piece of that particular action.

Rack 1 – This was Meliodass’ first experience of the cauldron created by the baying crowd and she didn’t seem particularly phased by it.  She managed to hit three of her baskets.  Getting close to harison was always going to be quite tricky.  Meliodass did look pretty comfortable indeed.

Rack 2 – The second rack was very similar to her first one.  She hit three again…not quite perfect but keeping pace with both Diego’s scores and a little behind harison’s.  The crowd were starting to take an interest in proceedings.

Rack 3 – Sometimes the balls were kind and sometimes fickle.  This was fickle time.  Meliodass didn’t seem to be doing anything different but only two attempts went in this time.  It was now unlikely she would equal harison’s score but it was still a steady effort.

Rack 4 – Meliodass showed what she could do by hitting four of the five shots.  This performance did bode well for any future attempts Meliodass might have.

Rack 5 – It looked as if tiredness was a factor as Meliodass seemed to fizzle out a little on the last rack.  She only managed one point but it was a great effort overall.

LA Leaderboard
1 – harison 18 points
2 – DiegoCortez 17 points
3 – Meliodass 13 points