Jones comes through in the clutch for Black Magic

The wizards cast their spells and it worked as Black Magic overcame a determined push by B-n-S, courtesy of another clutch smack by Dior Jones, to claim victory in the ongoing 2005 World Organized Rocball High School League Thursday at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

The win, however, was a nail-biter as Black Magic had to overcome an early deficit when league scoring leader and current Master Blaster Myron Laniyo drilled a goal in the opening set that highlighted a 15-8 B-n-S victory.

The wizards, however, were not to be denied again as they prevented B-n-S from pulling away by turning the table in the second set and swinging favor into their corner with a 17-9 victory. As a result of the score, Black Magic held a slim 25-24 lead heading into the third set.

B-n-S tried to put up a response in the third set and had a respectable charge only to see Black Magic have a better performance. Jones and company were firing away and set the stage for a juice out by claiming the set, 16-11, and stretching their lead to six points, 41-35.

Black Magic, however, was not able to put out B-n-S’ fire as Laniyo’s troops picked up their level of play and refused to throw in the towel. Their never-say-die attitude did them well as B-n-S forced o-kon with a 15-14 victory.

Black Magic still led after regulation, 55-50, however, Rocball rules indicate that a team leading heading into the fourth set must win the set to close out the match.

Black Magic was still in good shape, though, as their lead meant that they only needed to win one o-kon set while B-n-S had to win two sets to take the match.

What was expected to be another down-the-wire finish was quickly ended as Jones stepped up and shined on center stage.

Black Magic’s leading scorer in the season came through when his team needed it the most as he leaped and pounded the ball with all his might for a match-ending goal.

Rocball rules states that the team that scores a goal in o-kon wins the set.

With the win, Black Magic leveled their record at 3-3 and are now in a two-way tie with B-n-S for fourth place. Black Magic holds advantage over B-n-S if the two finish the regular season with identical records because of their victory.

For more information on high school Rocball, contact sport creator Jim Feger at 664-3801.