1990 Semifinals
#1 Simeka Sleuths 96, #5 Irving Crows 75
If the first round wasn't enough for basketball fans to swoon over, the Sleuths' semifinal performance against the Crows certainly proved that Simeka could be consistently dominant. They took a 10-point lead to halftime and never looked back. Brody Rizzo slammed Irving for 48 points and 12 assists. Malachi Lewis looked great on the offensive end for the Crows (28 points, 10 assists) but clearly couldn't contain the league MVP. Sol Renfro played a solid second fiddle for the Sleuths, contributing 22 points and six rebounds of his own. For the second time in four seasons, the city of Simeka will send their team to the OCS Finals!!

#2 Soup 82, #3 Gin City Porkers 88
This game had everything - the drama, the almost-fights, the tension, the fireworks... it crushed the television ratings record for a non-OCS Finals game in the history of the league. Soup's Clarence Poole and Gin City's Ibrahim Mohammed got tangled up underneath the basket before being separated. In a different moment in the first half, Porker PG Otis Carter took offense to a hard foul by Soup's Horace Suggs, leading eventually to bench warnings being issued by officials to both teams. From there, the game was defined by physicality. Players on both sides were going to see bumps and bruises pop up the next day. The first half was tightly contested, with Soup leading by a point. At the half, Carter and Suggs exchanged words near halfcourt, with Carter ending the conversation with "Call me in 20 minutes." Prophetically, Otis Carter put the team on his back, scoring 23 of his 28 points in the second half, including 12 in the last five minutes. While Suggs and Poole kept up the pace, it was the Porkers' three-headed monster of Carter, Mohammed, and Byron No that dominated the end of the game. Carter could not miss and No played lockdown defense on Soup's role players. Mohammed excelled in a defensive role, racking up another double-double in the victory. Soup fans were once again left disappointed and in shock at the end of the game. Gin City's repeat hopes remain alive!

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#1 Simeka Sleuths vs. #3 Gin City Porkers
Legacies are on the line in this edition of the OCS Finals. The Sleuth Squad is looking to avenge their previous disappointments by bringing home their first championship. Clearly, this year's team has the best chance at ending the streak of postseason woes. They have been one of the most fun teams to watch in the league's history. Standing in their way is a Gin City team poised to take home its second consecutive championship. Both franchises feature a core of superstars and strong supporting casts. Will the Sleuths finally make it over the hump? Can Gin City keep the Sleuths in check and upset them on their way to their own historic rise?

Sleuths. Porkers. The 1990 OCS Finals is upon us!!!

PLAY THE HITTS; ONE LAST TIME
Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, the Mescudi Moonmen announced a special event to occur two weeks after the OCS Finals. While it wasn't necessarily advertised as such, fans had an inkling of what was to come, and it was confirmed on that evening:

Legendary point guard Hitts Weckerthaul announced his retirement from the game.

It began with a couple concerts from local alternative band Styrofoam Takeout Box and Weckerthaul's favorite rapper Jacques Scott. The team then hoisted up two new big screens, really the first of their kind in any arena in the country. Then, it came time for speeches. Former teammate Nicholas Laundale introduced the surefire Hall-of-Famer with a recount of his resume. Finally... it was time for Hitts, who walked out to a standing ovation:

Weckerthaul: "Man... Nick's right... I didn't want to go out with this big elaborate bang or whatever but... I can't lie... seeing the smiles and hearing the crowd... this thing that means a lot to a lot of people... man... I'm alright with it. I'm alright with it..."

The crowd erupted.

Weckerthaul: "But we're here... and I'm sure we all know why. I've been here 15 years... we've won four OCS Finals... Nick won a Finals MVP... Bojan been dominating and he's not even 30 yet, I don't think. Maybe he is. I don't know. But basically we've had like... a decade of dominance. The best fans in the world. How lucky... how blessed am I to be here."

He continued after a failed attempt to prevent himself from crying.

Weckerthaul: "But now... now it's time for me to let someone else share in that. It's time for me to go. I am retiring from the game of basketball."

The crowd clapped.

Weckerthaul: "And while... while I won't be wearing this jersey anymore... while I won't be trying to prove to everyone, including myself, that I've still got it... I'll still be here. I'll have the best seat in the house, sharing with these best fans in the world, cheering on the Moonmen as they dominate and win more titles and more games and produce more legendary moments. So Mescudi... I thank you...

I was a boy and you turned me into a man. I was single and you gave me a family. I was ringless and you gave me five rings - four on the court and a fifth with my wife, whom I met in this very arena.

Somewhere in this city... there's a kid practicing a crossover, imagining this amazing crowd and these bright lights, hitting a game-winner, hoping to put on this uniform. My hope is that... my hope is that you all will continue to give that very kid a home... give that kid the roars and the support and the cheers. Do what you can to make this place... this arena... the greatest in the country... JUST as you have done during my time here. Mescudi... I thank you for allowing me to be who I am. Thank you... and good night!!"

The crowd rose to its feet a clapped one more time, chanting "THANK YOU HITTS!" in repetition.

The night concluded with Hitts grabbing a rope-and-pulley connected to a banner with his name and famous #5 on it. He hoisted it up into the rafters, never to be worn again in a game.


Hitts Weckerthaul
x4 MVP (1975, 1976, 1977, 1980)
x8 All-OBA
x4 Champion (1975, 1976, 1977, 1980)
x3 OCS Finals MVP (1975, 1977, 1980)
All-1970s First Team
All-1980s Second Team

Congratulations to Hitts Weckerthaul on an exceptional career!!

1991 Regular Season

The Team of the River Galloway improved their win total by six en route to finishing #1 in the league for the sixth time. Stanley Sweetney put together a dominant campaign, joining only Hitts Weckerthaul and Andre Oz with at least three MVPs. He finished by averaging 30.6 points per game and 11.1 rebounds. His running mate, Tavian Jarvis, also fared well, earning his first All-OBA nomination. The Team is aiming to make up for their early exit in last year's playoffs behind this dynamic duo and their electric play.

Murdlock's own Batman-and-Robin carried them to a second place finish. Ish Anderson and Io October both played a complete season and their chemistry was off-the-charts. They dominated for almost the entire year, but fell a game short of The Team. Murdlock swept both Soup and City Van East to win the tiebreaker. Soup continued to show why they are a mainstay near the top of the table. City Van East's Matt Morris propelled the Sunrisers to the #4 seed. Simeka put together a strong season, albeit not as strong as previous. They battled through some injuries with key role players, but overall didn't miss a step. The Sleuths clinched their ninth consecutive postseason berth.

Kennedy took away wins from teams who needed it most and skyrocketed up the standings late in the season to secure the #6 seed. Ensylvan got off to a bumpy start but cruised through the second half of the season. The Drakes enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league as they won their last ten straight contests. The Bara Cudas received a nice defensive boost as they traded for Manuel Fuller, the center who formerly played for Convenance. It took a while for the team to mesh, but strung together a handful of key victories over Gin City, Nachtigen, and Luva to close out the year. By way of the +/- tiebreaker, they edged Desherd City by 60 points in the category to clinch the final playoff spot.

Although the Dachshunds fell short for the second straight season, they jumped eight spots in the standings and were on the verge of returning to the playoffs. Tyrone Buckley had another good year with the Dogs, but an ankle injury caused him to miss the last seven games, leading to Desherd City's demise. Nachtigen gave teams a run for their money but, despite being a solid squad, couldn't put together enough victories. Gin City disappointed in their attempt to follow up last year's runner-up finish. Between injuries to their stars, as well as aging, they fell well short of expectations. Luva also had bright spots throughout the season as they continue to find their footing in the post-Sinclair Journey era. The Mountaineers have not returned to the postseason since 1988. Dovinwitt and Mescudi were also just average teams. Novak Junction improved, as Harlow Rivers starred. However, the surrounding pieces weren't good enough to compete. Hustlers fans have plenty to be excited for as the team added 11 wins from the previous year.

Boothtown, despite a wonderful season from Aaron Batista, struggled to defend and it cost them games. McQuelsey also had a difficult time competing, although Bryson McMurray did what he could in his role. Remolvo's Julio Ball missed the 75% of the season with a knee injury, and it was reflected in the Chorister's record. Veñuto was nothing spectacular. The Bay's woes continued as they missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The Razors have finished in the bottom five in seven of the last eleven seasons. They have not had a winning record since 1986 and have not made the playoffs since 1980.

Perhaps the most surprising (and most disappointing) season belonged to the Irving Crows. A major injury to big man Felix Grant hurt their interior presence and the Crows finished with one of the worst defenses in the league. Malachi Lewis was borderline unstoppable offensively, but he received little help on the defensive end. Lewis was a top five scorer in the league, but it wasn't enough to carry the Crows back to the playoffs. Convenance played better than expected, considering the Fuller trade. However, their sheer lack of talent kept them near the bottom. The Ricos, for the fourth consecutive season, finished last. They have combined for 31 wins in the past three seasons. When you compare that to The Team of the River Galloway, who won 31 THIS SEASON... yikes.

1991 All-OBA Teams


1991 Playoffs
#1 The Team of the River Galloway vs. #8 Bara Cudas
Stanley Sweetney continues to solidify himself as one of the league's all-time greats. Tavian Jarvis is also emerging as a superstar alongside him. Bara made moves in the offseason to make a playoff push. Additionally, Jefferson Conners' growth is continuing to put the league on notice. Can the Cudas pull off a historic upset? Will The Team have enough to win their first title since 1978?

#4 City Van East Sunrisers vs. #5 Simeka Sleuths
City Van East shocked plenty of people by returning to the postseason this year. Matt Morris's two-way ability puts him in an upper echelon among players in the OBA. However, they will have their hands full with the defending champions. While Simeka suffered a handful of injuries throughout the year, they remain a formidable opponent. Can Simeka continue their success and repeat as champions? Will the Sunrisers establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with?

#3 Soup vs. #6 Kennedy Hooks
Soup is always a tough out, especially when they play at home. The Soup Bowl Ballistics will bring the ruckus in Ragley. Kennedy is still looking to win their first playoff game in franchise history. Will the stalwart Soup return to the Finals? Can Kennedy stand in their way and make history?

#2 Murdlock Monocles vs. #7 Ensylvan Drakes
Ensylvan barely scored 50 points when they got trounced by the Sleuths in last year's first round. This year's challenge won't be much easier - the Monocles sport two of the league's best in Io October and Ish Anderson. The Capital City Cornea-Correctors can't collapse in their quest for the Carrot. Of course, could the creek-fowl catch them in a colossal catnap?

IT'S TIME FOR THE 1991 PLAYOFFS!!
 

1991 Semifinals

#1 The Team of the River Galloway 87, #4 City Van East Sunrisers 78
While the score appeared close, the #1 seed proved why they stood at the top of the table. City Van East's Matt Morris put up 37 points for the Sunrisers to keep them within reach, but they had no answer for league MVP Stanley Sweetney. The Team's longtime veteran dominated on both ends of the floor, tallying 43 points and 16 rebounds. He also stole the ball four times from City Van East, all of which turned to points on the other end. Ja Perrano lost the ball a handful of times and had a disappointing game. While City Van East's season ends two games short of the ultimate prize, Sunrisers fans have plenty to look forward to once 1992 comes around. The Team of the River Galloway advances to the OCS Finals for the first time since the Andre Oz era ended, with their last appearance coming in 1978.

#3 Soup 80, #7 Ensylvan Drakes 81
RINGONE AT THE BUZZER!! Ensylvan upsets Soup in dramatic fashion!!!! This game was a cinematic masterpiece for 40 straight minutes. Soup looked like it was going to cruise to victory as they opened on a 15-3 run. However, the tides turned as Larry Antwan scored on an ATO and followed that up with another three buckets consecutively. The Drakes weren't going to go away that easily. After a physical first half, Soup went into the locker room with a 37-36 lead. The blows continued as the two squads traded punches for much of the second half. With 35 seconds left, Soup was down 78-77 when Clarence Poole slammed the ball through the hoop through contact. He put in the subsequent free throw to put Soup up by two. Ensylvan called their final timeout to draw up a play. It was supposed to be a pick-and-roll between Antwan and big man Javen McFoster III. McFoster set the screen and stepped like he was going to roll to the hoop, but popped back to the top of the three point line. Anticipating the roll, Soup's weakside defender sunk deep into the lane. Antwan kicked to McFoster who pump faked himself and drove to the middle of the lane. Soup's defender was in the paint and caught in the decision-making process. McFoster stopped on a dime and executed a beautiful pass to Tsu Ringone in the corner. Ringone caught it, pump-faked and sent the defender FLYING into the bench. Ringone took one dribble to his left, kicked his leg out and swish!! Horace Suggs last second heave was way off and Ringone sent the Drakes to their first OCS Finals since 1972 when the annual championship game was established!!

#1 The Team of the River Galloway vs. #7 Ensylvan Drakes
The Ensylvan Drakes have everyone outside of Gilroy rooting for them in this OCS Finals. The Drakes have captured the hearts of both casuals and fans of non-competitive teams around Oneioea. However, The Team of the River Galloway is attempting to cement themselves as the franchise with the most championships in league history. Stanley Sweetney and Tavian Jarvis command a team that has controlled most of the games they played in. Two of the league's original franchises will square off in an exciting championship game!!

WILL IT BE THE PERENNIAL WINNERS OF THE TEAM? WILL CINDERELLA DANCE ONCE MORE IN ENSYLVAN?? THE 1991 OCS FINALS HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!!!

1991 Sports Photo of the Year - The Gazette of the City Gilroy
Photographer Neilus McStoudemire for The Gazette of the City Gilroy captured this earnest moment when Tavian Jarvis realized he just won his first OCS Finals. At the Annual Oneioea Journalism Recognitions, McStoudemire's photo won the 1991 Sports Photo of the Year award.