By Mike Ainger
2023 saw the MLB head to London, England, the NFL to Frankfurt, Germany, and the NHL to Stockholm, Sweden. Looking to expand brand popularity in similar fashion, the 705 Spruce League took flight to a foreign venue this past week.
In what will be remembered as a defining game in league history, the 705 Spruce Mens Basketball Association (705-SMBA) hosted its first match outside of the familiar confines of the Spruce Glen gymnasium, on December 21.
Playing their last game prior to the midseason hiatus, the 705 visited the home of the Riverside Rams. This new venue provided teams the opportunity to put on a dazzling display of athleticism, proving to all in attendance that size does in fact matter, so far as gym space is concerned.
Moving to the larger court offered teams the opportunity to expand their offensive systems. Play quickly evolved beyond the traditional 705 style of hard-nosed, low post battles for points in the paint, to a more modern and dynamic scheme premised on perimeter shooting.
When asked at halftime about the rationale for players suddenly opting to shoot so many threes, one player remarked “because they don’t make fours.”
In the first game of the evening, Team Red absolutely decimated Team Black, winning convincingly 48-20.
A more even match closed off the night with Team Black coming up just short, losing the second of the back-to-back games, 26-22.
The first half of the season has shown yet again that players in 705 have no aversion to the limelight nor apprehension towards effort. The remainder of the season suggests much is left to be decided, in the run-up to the coveted Emu Cup.
In post-game comments, league representatives suggested they were open to further invitations from alternate venues to host future 705 games but did not comment if any plans were currently in the works. Games without serious injury returns to one, after a player suffered a sub-dermal facial laceration, requiring surgery, in the previous weeks match. Lastly, the league would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the official scorekeeper for evening, whose efforts were most appreciated.
Play in the 705 resumes January 10, barring a snow day, or other in-climate weather type event.
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