The Ballad of Jordan Poole
The rock fight was on -
from the very first shot.
The Cougars were ready
the Wolverines, maybe not.
The man-bun was covered
by Z's excellent D
but the Z(ebras) corralled
what Moe Wagner could be.
Back and forth
forth and back -
Wouldn't ya know?
The game was tied at the half.
Surprise switching defenses
call for halftime adjustments.
In the second half we would see
what had been hatched
by the staff and coach B.
Heavy weights thunder
under staggering blows.
How would it end?
Surely, no one knows.
The announcers say - no jive!
The difference in score -
except for a brief time -
has been no more than four -
when the Cougars, of a sudden,
go up by five!
Matthews hits a three!
Wait - there's a foul underneath.
On the Cougars, this time
and I howl in relief.
Teske again - four for four from the line.
Will not be his fault
if we lose this time.
But the Cougars can't miss
their free throws from the line.
8 for 8 in a row -
will he now make it nine?
No! The first shot does not go
but he makes the seond.
We now trail by two, 20 seconds to go.
MAAR brings the ball up the court.
He has improved throughout his career,
especially this, his senior year.
But his shot fails to fall -
do not fear!
Matthews grabs the rebound
and tips the ball in -
Not!
It rims out
in Morganesque fashion.
As, once again, the Wolverines
just fail
to cash in.
Scramble for the ball
as in great pain I shout.
Zebras blow the whistle.
Matthews
fouls out.
Down two, 2 shots coming.
Houston heads to the line
3.9 seconds remain
with the game
on the line.
The first shot clangs off. Oh my!
This means that, at least,
we can go for the tie.
The second shot in the air
my heart sinks to my feet
on the verge
of despair.
But it clangs off too!
Moe skies for the rebound
and gets the timeout
before his feet touch the ground.
Trailing 63 - 61, the odds way against us.
Coach B in the huddle
the last play to discuss.
High school baseball player Isaiah Livers
stands at the baseline
winds and delivers
to midcourt,
a fastball
to MAAR -
he sure can throw far!
3.6 seconds left when he catches the toss.
MAAR dribbles toward the basket
two Cougars converge
to force the loss.
MAAR stops -
Who is open?
Not 3 point whiz D. Rob.
Fouled out, on the bench, suppressing a sob.
The freshman Poole, ever cool,
hands signal
"I'm open!"
MAAR quickly passes to him.
He squares up to the rim
though his legs splay wide,
the form, it is great!
The defender's body check arrives
a split second too late.
Flat on the floor,
he can't see
that his shot dropped through the hoop
delighting coach B.
The bench celebration tells Poole
watch out for your teammates, try to stay cool.
The team chases, led by Wagner, in hot pursuit
He circles the gym
Moe spots a downcast Cougar -
and stops to console him.
A St. Patrick's Day miracle,
it was just meant to be.
Jordan Poole's name now goes down
in March Madness history.
This Wolverine fan
could not be any prouder.
His voice is now shot -
couldn't have yelled any louder.
This game goes down
with the best
I have seen.
It is
always great
to be
a Michigan
Wolverine.
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