Tag Archives: Balladeer’s Blog

USCAA2 CHAMPS CROWNED, NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DAY ONE RESULTS

USCAA DIVISION TWO

penn state brandywineCHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The title tilt in Division Two of the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) pitted the 3rd seeded PENN STATE AT WILKES-BARRE LIONS against the 5 seeds – the JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. By Halftime the Lions were well and truly in charge, leading the Wildcats by a count of 47-27. From there PSU-Wilkes-Barre coasted to an 86-64 blowout win led by Jordan Williams with his Double Double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. * THE LIONS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE USCAA DIVISION TWO *

NAIA

jamestown college jimmiesDAY ONE, GAME ONE – The UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES took the court against the SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE in this game. The Jimmies had managed a 47-39 advantage at the break before leaving the Fire coughing and choking in their dust with a Century Club level 106-85 smackdown. Terrell Alfred led the University of Jamestown with a Double Double of THIRTY points and 10 rebounds.  

Indiana East Red WolvesDAY ONE, GAME TWO – The INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST RED WOLVES battled the BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Red Wolves and the Pilots exchanged blow for blow and basket for basket. A 39-39 tie at the Half became a 73-73 deadlock to end Regulation. In the Overtime session Indiana University East emerged with an 83-81 triumph. Aaron Thomas of the Red Wolves led his team with a Double Double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Continue reading →

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BIBLE COLLEGE NIT CHAMPS CROWNED, USCAA TOURNAMENT SEMIFINALS

BIBLE COLLEGE NIT

Davis College FalconsCHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this Tournament were the top seeds – the DAVIS COLLEGE FALCONS – and the 2nd seeded TRINITY BAPTIST COLLEGE EAGLES. The 1st Half ended with the Eagles on top 35-29 but the Falcons regrouped in the locker room and came out primed for a comeback. Davis College outscored Trinity Baptist 39-28 to win the game 68-63 for their 4th National Title. Corban Usry led the victors with 17 points. * THE FALCONS ARE BIBLE COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

USCAA TOURNAMENT

FJohnson and Wales WildcatsIRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the 5th seeded JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY WILDCATS against the 9 seeds – the PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS. The Wildcats were chasing the Lions 35-28 at Halftime but after the break they roared back for a 77-65 comeback triumph. Kajuan Madden-McAfee tossed in 23 points to lead Johnson & Wales University. Continue reading →

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 24: ALIEN INVASION

Mister TerrificBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 26ALL STAR COMICS #26 (Fall 1945)

Title: MYSTERY OF THE METAL MENACE

Heroes: FLASH (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER, THE ATOM (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, WONDER WOMAN (Original), GREEN LANTERN (Original), HAWKMAN (Original)

Villains: THE METAL BEINGS OF JUPITER 

flashSynopsis: The Justice Society members are assembled at their Philadelphia headquarters because of the disappearance of scientist Herbert Crawford. Crawford had fallen into disrepute recently over his claims that a spaceship from Jupiter was headed for the Earth with hostile intentions.

Around the world that spacecraft is spotted as it distributes beings of living metal which proceed to run amok. The JSA battle the Metal Men as they not only devour all manner of precious metals like gold and silver but also eat iron railroad lines, copper out of telephone cables and so on.   Continue reading →

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EMPIRE OF ASH WEDNESDAY: MOVIE REVIEW

After a terrific Fat Tuesday it’s time for Ash Wednesday … as in Empire of Ash, the awful series of post-apocalypse movies. From Canada! Brave the Canuckalypse with me! 

Empire of AshEMPIRE OF ASH (1988) – Also released as Maniac Warriors, this post-apocalypse movie is, as you would expect, another of the 1980s’ countless imitators of The Road Warrior. In Empire of Ash our year is 2050 and our main location is an American settlement called New Idaho, with Canadian forests passing for the post-holocaust world. All cities have become uninhabitable so survivalists scrape by in woodland communities.

The plague that destroyed civilization is a blood disease and it continues to be one of the biggest threats, along with the usual mutants and rampaging, gun-wielding gangs. There are some scattered scientists trying to come up with a cure for the blood disease but there are also evil sufferers of the disease who prey upon the unafflicted by consuming their blood and bone marrow to survive a little bit longer.

The disease-ridden have been organized into a bizarre religion and they consider the plague to be God’s vengeance, just like AIDS was being called by assorted zealots at this point in the 80s. The religion and government are run by a preacher called the Great Shepherd (Frank Wilson). Before draining the blood and marrow of “pure-bloods” they baptize them as human sacrifices.  Continue reading →

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ACCA BASKETBALL CHAMPS CROWNED PLUS DAY TWO OF THE USCAA TOURNAMENT

Arlington Baptist PatriotsACCA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded Defending National Champions – the ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS – faced the 6th seeded CHAMPION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TIGERS in the title game of the ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics). The Tigers held a 38-36 edge come Halftime but after the break the Patriots demonstrated the old “heart of a champion” and came back to win this 75-73 Instant Classic. * THE PATRIOTS ARE ACCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

USCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Central_Pennsylvania_UniversityDAY TWO, GAME ONE – Starting Day Two in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) was this clash between the 8th seeded CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE SILVER KNIGHTS and the 6 seeds – the NEW HAMPSHIRE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE LYNX. The Silver Knights had the Lynx on Upset Alert with a 42-31 lead at the break, then kept NHTI at arm’s length in the 2nd Half for an 82-70 victory. Tyreke Woodard led Central Penn College with 28 points. Continue reading →

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MARDI GRAS MASSACRE (1978)

After this seasonal post had last year off it’s the return of my review of Mardi Gras Massacre.

Mardi Gras MassacreMARDI GRAS MASSACRE (1978) – Category: A neglected Bad Movie classic, but its hard-core gore will prevent it from ever having a Plan 9-sized cult following

It takes a twisted sort of genius to make multiple disembowelment murders look boring, but that’s exactly what Jack Weis accomplishes in Mardi Gras Massacre! Today may be Fat Tuesday, but let’s rechristen it “Splat Tuesday” in honor of this late 70s splatterfest. 

The actual “massacre” part of this movie is an incredible disappointment. An insane, hate-filled man with a knife – no, not Jim Bowie (rimshot) – is roaming around New Orleans during Mardi Gras targeting prostitutes as sacrificial offerings to the Aztec deities he worships.

That sounds promising for a horror film but the disembowelment ritual is reenacted word for word and movement for movement for EACH VICTIM! There is no variation and also no suspense because after the first killing we know exactly how all the subsequent sacrifices will play out. The only chills come from listening to the awful disco music that plays during the ceremonial slayings. (“NOOOOOOOOOO!”) Continue reading →

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USCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: DAY ONE RESULTS

USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association)

Vermont Tech Green KnightsDAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 10 seeds – the VERMONT TECH GREEN KNIGHTS – took the court against the 7th seeded PENN STATE AT MONT ALTO LIONS. The Green Knights showed they were in it for the win with their 40-36 Halftime lead. After the break Vermont Tech got more and more separation from PSU-MA, ultimately defeating them by a final score of 89-73. Jeremiah Shaw tossed in 21 points to lead the Green Knights.

Penn State at YorkDAY ONE, GAME TWO – This game pitted the 8th seeded PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS against the 9 seeds – the CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE SILVER KNIGHTS. The Lions held a comfortable 34-27 lead by the midpoint but from there the Silver Knights closed the gap. The Central Penn rally fell just short as Penn State at York won it 58-57. John Gillespie’s 14 points led the victors. Continue reading →

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON ACTION CONTINUES

*** NAIA ***

oklahoma city university starsSOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the SAC Tournament were the 5 seeds – the OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS – and the top seeded JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (should be the Abolitionists). The Stars were chasing the Golden Eagles 37-34 at Halftime but after the break they outscored JBU 40-36 to win this Instant Classic by a final count of 74-73. Chris Williams led Oklahoma City University with 22 points. * THE STARS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT *

SOUTHERN STATES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Middle Georgia State KnightsFIRST SEMIFINAL – The Cinderella 7 seeds – the MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE KNIGHTS – remain THE story of the SSAC Tournament. The Knights notched another Upset, this time over the 3rd seeded BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. A 42-33 lead for the Wildcats at the Half became a 74-74 tie to end Regulation. The 1st Overtime ended in an 86-86 deadlock before the Knights emerged with a 94-93 triumph in DOUBLE OVERTIME. Darrell White had THIRTY-ONE points to lead Middle Georgia State.   Continue reading →

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 23: THE FORGOTTEN CRIME

HawkgirlBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 25ALL STAR COMICS #25 (Summer 1945)

Title: THE FORGOTTEN CRIME

Heroes: FLASH (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, GREEN LANTERN (Original), WONDER WOMAN (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER, THE ATOM (Original), HAWKMAN (Original)

Villains: THE HOODED MAN, BIG HUNK ADAMS AND HENGAST KIMBALL THE OIL BARON

WildcatSynopsis: At their Philadelphia headquarters the Justice Society of America encounter an amnesiac man who insists he somehow knows that Rob Victor, a man convicted of murdering wealthy Timothy Kimball years earlier, is really innocent.

The JSA members look into this and are secretly followed by a Hooded Man who often seems to be interfering with their investigation of this old crime involving one of America’s wealthiest families.

Crimelord Big Hunk Adams and his gang try to thwart the Justice Society as well. Adams’ involvement thoroughly baffles the Justice Society members. Continue reading →

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SQUEEZE: PULLING MUSSELS (FROM THE SHELL)

Balladeer’s Blog’s Give Them A Shoutout Before They’re Dead feature returns with this look at Squeeze and their song Pulling Mussels (From The Shell). 

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