-- TEAM WOODCHUCK BASKETBLOG --
Sunday, March 1.

Sam Wallace (Groundhog, G) here. Man, what a weekend this has turned out to be. It started out like any other Saturday afternoon, doing our drills and prepping for the big game against the Albany Alphas. After a friendly game of lightning, we were all set to buckle down our game plan when suddenly, Coach Kruester came in... all flustered like. "Hey, guys. Sorry to bring this on you like this, but..." He turned his attention to Friedrich Peschke (Cat, C). "Frieder, we need to talk." The coach kept mostly quiet as he and Friedrich left the gym. The rest of us looked on, wondering what was going on.

Later that day, Frieder dropped by the compound, looking rather dazed. "Hey Friedrich are you okay what happened to you out there?" asked Scott Paulichek (Fisher, F) in his signature drawl. Frieder ominously replied, "Guys... I've been traded." You would think that news would be devastating enough... but that was only half of it. "I'm... going to be playing for Albany." The room practically halted when we heard those words. "What?" "Albany?!" "Impossible!" "No way! There's no way!!" Everyone was in a bit of disbelief mode at this point. Our good friend and teammate, Friedrich Peschke, was going to play for the opposition! The very next day!! "Hold the phone," exclaimed Theodore Sanftner (Prairie Dog, G). "If you're going to the Alphas... who are they gonna dump on us?"

That answer came in the form of a portly lop-eared 5-year career baller by the name of Lance Wildfyre (Rabbit, G). From what I've heard, he's the 3rd best lapine in the FBA, right below Buck Hopper (Rabbit, G). Anyway, Lance and the Alphas had just touched down at Santa Fe Municipal, when he got the word from his agent. His initial reaction? "The Whips!? Really! ?!?!? Ugh..." At least he took it well. We didn't let this get to us too badly, either... eventually. "That does it! Enough moping around," said Wiley Twaddle (Woodchuck, G). "This is a mighty fine opportunity for you, Frieder. We should do this send-off right!" And so, the team treated Frieder to the best place in town for fish tacos and lobster. Godfrey Zindendel (Goat, F) made a toast to the top cat in the league. "Frieder, no matter where you go... no matter who you shoot hoops with... just know that you'll always be a part of us. Kudos, you big lug!" "Danke. Dankeschoen, all you weirdos!" cried Friedrich, trying not to get too emotional.

Finally, the big day has arrived. The team was introduced to our new recruit earlier this morning at the Coliseum. Lance looked pretty nervous as the coach introduced him and stuff. I stepped in to give the rabbit some words of encouragement, "This has been a pretty awkward experience for all of us, bunny boy. Just do me a big favor? Don't drop the ball! We have one butterfingers too many." All kidding aside, we made sure to treat Lance like family... or at least try to, heh. I should warn him about the practical jokes from Alan Chesuk (Moose, C) and even Trent St. Croix (Polar Bear, C). The pre-game ceremony was pretty extravagant in its own right, I hate to admit. The higher-ups had opted to let the trade be known when Frieder entered the Coliseum on one end and Lance came in on the opposite side. Both of them stood at center stage while our GM, Hugo Chavic, made his little speech and announced to everyone the big news live on national television. It was like watching the passing of the torch... Friedrich gave Lance a folded up jersey. Lance followed suit handing off a jersey to Frieder. And then the sparks flew as the two of 'em revealed their brand new colors to the world. The two shook hands and Friedrich made his farewell speech to the audience. "Thank you, Santa Fe! It's been a fun 2 years. Sie werden nicht vergessen werden! Dankeschoen, everyone!" There wasn't a dry eye in the whole stadium. Well... this is it. Time to make history or be history. With Lance Wildfyre on our side, this is just the beginning. Wallace out~!