Seventh Woods overcame a first half that encapsulated all the potential the world thought he had lost to guide Blue Demons to the Irish Cup final with victory over Neptune. Emmet Ryan on the rebirth of the wonder in El Corkico
There is simply no bigger rivalry in Irish basketball than Blue Demons and Neptune. Neither side is at its historical peak right now but, irrespective of the form, every clash is a battle for supremacy in Cork. Seventh Woods took over El Corkico to guide Demons to a remarkable victory but he had to overcome a tough start to do it.
You wear that number
It doesn’t matter if it’s the Dean Dome, Neptune Stadium, or a rec league gym. If you choose 23 as your number in this sport, then you better back it up with aggression. Seventh Woods had it at the start of the first quarter but the Blue Demons man, who achieved extraordinary fame via his mixtape 10 years ago, looked overly cautious as the first quarter wore on.
After one tough trip to the hoop, not for contact but because he missed two putbacks, Woods opted to play more off the fringes. The story is well known. He went viral. He was Mr Basketball in South Carolina. He won a natty but the college career just never lived up to expectations.
Here, in Cork, was an opportunity. In a packed Neptune Stadium, in his first pro season, he had a shot at making a national cup final. To stand out though, he was going to need to remember the number on his back. Seventh Woods needed to find that extra aggression.
Hello to the birthday boy
Jordan Blount was celebrating his 27th birthday in this game. A spin move by him to start the second brought up 27 points for his team on the night. Blount then nailed a three to bring his personal haul on the day to 12 points and gave Neptune the biggest lead of so far at 30-21.
Blount is the star of this Neptune side. After playing four years with University of Illinois Chicago and a stint in Iceland, he came home as the hero to revive Neptune. Jordan Blount, the club’s biggest export in years was back to bring a fallen Neptune side back to the big time.
He has certainly sparked plenty of interest in the side and they are a clear playoff contender in a packed Southern Conference. Getting his side to the cup final, the big game on TV, that would mean something altogether different. Another three from Blount and Neptune were taking the first real grip on the game of either side.
After a first half high on possessions but low on efficiency, Neptune had calmed down first. Blount was guiding his side into a big lead as the game reached the midway point.
BallinEurope is ramping up its YouTube game this season. Subscribe to our channel now for player exclusives, analysis videos, and much more.
Here comes Seventh Woods
Seventh Woods was just plain horrible in the first half. He went 3 of 13 from the floor in the first half. Clearly something changed in the locker room because he came out with aggression.
A couple of made free throws settled him. Then Woods started dishing. Then came his first made three of the night and Blue Demons were right back in this battle by the mid point of the third. Woods had woken up.
Then came the three to give Demons the lead and the little Salt Bae shake after. You think about the rebuilding job Woods is doing here. He’s on the literal fringes of European basketball out to prove himself. This was his time and he was finally ready for it.
BallinEurope has a book, a real life actual book called I Like it Loud, and you can buy it on Amazon now. It’s here as a book and here in Kindle form.
A gritty dénouement
The fourth quarter devolved into a slugfest quickly. Birthday boy Blount’s Neptune were staying in it but Woods was continuing to grow in his own self-belief, attacking the lane irrespective of the call. Blount’s shot, which had been so sweet early, was letting him down but Demons couldn’t capitalise.
After what seemed like an age without a bucket from the floor, Roy Downey made a three for Neptune and business picked up for both sides immediately. Then came Seventh Woods. Off the screen with the over the shoulder whip to James Hannigan for a vital three.
Of course that wouldn’t be enough. Drew Gardner would tie things up from a seemingly impossible position. The sides would go to overtime. Woods with the floater put Demons back on top, bringing his personal tally to 21 on the night. His next one had the energy of a man just getting going. Jordan Blount by contrast looked exhausted. Yet from that fatigue came a response. A vital three to keep his team’s hopes alive.
Then he fouled out. The birthday would end in despair and defeat as Demons took El Corkico. Seventh Woods took a big step on the road to making the basketball world believe in him again.
Leave a Reply