As Chad Clum (with ball, right) initiated the offense, Brandon Johnson (left) lurked in defense.

Str8 Heat began the Fall campaign on cloud nine as their iron-five effort sank Nationwide 73-53 on Scottsdale's opening night.  Chad Clum's stat line will remind you of a record skipping on the needle: another triple-double (the 14th of his esteemed career), with this one composed of 24 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals.  Clum led a less-than-crisp Str8 Heat offense (39% FGs), but their defense (team totals of 6 steals and 7 blocks) and rebounding (60 boards, +18 advantage over Nationwide) were far too much for their opponents to handle.

Despite the defeat, Nationwide forward Darrin Smith found a way to steal some headlines as his gargantuan 25-rebound effort earned him a spot in Scottsdale lore.  Smith's performance on the glass was one better than the previous record set by Brian Sappington, who coincidentally was on the floor last night as Smith's opponent, back on May 7th.  The connection went a bit further too, as Sappington tied the blocks record (6) last night as well.

Other scores from Scottsdale's opener: Movers & Shakers 91, Take N Flight 67 ... PHX Ballas 67, Run 'N Gunners 39 ... Team Olson 70, Hoopaholics 64