The first match-up, against the Missouri Rhythm, on paper, looked like it would be as confrontational as a bible-study class. The Missouri Rhythm’s website proclaimed their mission to “utilize biblical principles to build spiritual and moral character throughout the metropolitan area”. I am not exactly sure of what “biblical principles” they were referring to, but the principles I came away with was that they would “not go gentle into that good night”.
The question we all asked ourselves that first game was “Can a rivalry be made after the first game?” The resounding answer was yes!!! To give you an idea of the intensity of the series – if the officials were being paid by the number of times they blew their whistles, all three could have enjoyed early retirement.
Over the season the Kings have made it a habit to start their games slowly, which makes the fans nervous, even though they know the inevitable outcome of the games. And not to disappoint, the Rhythm managed to stay in the game early. They were only down by seven with just four minutes to play in the first quarter. But before you knew it the first quarter ended and the Kings were up by double digits.
But the Rhythm started the second quarter on a 7-0 run. But if there could be a pivotal moment in the game, it came when Robert Frazier had a one-handed stuff on an attempted dunk. OMG!!! The crowd was awakened, which meant the Kings were awakened and the rout was on big time.
Half-time score: Kings 79. Rhythm 57. End of the 3rd quarter: Kings 122. Rhythm 92.
A few minutes into the fourth quarter a hockey game broke out. The Missouri Rhythm had had enough. We lost one of our guys; they lost one of their guys. The rivalry was born. We decided to nickname them the Christian Warriors. They put up a good fight and gave the fans a most enjoyable game. Final score Kings 158 – Missouri Rhythm 126.
