Thursday, March 19, 2009

Week 1, Round 2 Results

Round Two is over, in the books even, and four of our authors have made it to the Sweet Sixteen. The #1 and 2 seeds in the Mystery bracket have advanced, setting up a battle for the ages between the timeless Agatha Christie and newcomer Janet Evanovich.

Christie opened a big early lead on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, jumping out 4-0, only to see the sophisticated, yet surprisingly agile, Conan Doyle reel off five straight to take the lead. In the end, however, it was Christie's defense that pulled her through-- she shut down Doyle's post-up game and forced him to make the jump shot. He couldn't do it, and the final two points went to Agatha as she closed out the win, 6-5. Evanovich had an easier time of it, rolling to a 3-0 lead and then coasting to an 8-3 win.

In the Fantasy/SF Bracket, the matchup between H.G. Wells and Terry Pratchett was nip and tuck the whole way. Neither man could get more than a point up on his opponent as they traded baskets and defensive stops. It came down to the wire, Wells up 6-5 and Pratchett with a good look from 15 feet. The shot found all kinds of rim, even got part way down, but in a heartbreaker for the Englishman, it rolled out and #2 seed Wells moved on to the Sweet 16.

The other game... wowsa! I didn't see this coming. No way, Jose. Ray Bradbury took the opening tip, slammed it home and never looked back. Never even slowed down. He stopped Asimov cold, playing shut down defense while effortlessly dropping in shots from all over the court. The final score? #5 seeded Ray Bradbury 10, #1 seeded Isaac Asimov, 0. Zippo. Nada. A big old goose egg.

Can Bradbury repeat his dominance against Wells? Will Christie maintain her choke hold as the grand dame of mystery? Or will it be the #2 seeds playing through their brackets and facing off in the Week Five bracket?

Tune in tomorrow, to find out!

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