The Ballad of Jordan Poole

Submitted by k.o.k.Law on

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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