by Jennie Tiler Jeffries, Bricklyn Eagle Sports Reporter
In a heart-pounding showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Bricklyn University’s “BRU Crew” emerged victorious, 83 to 82, over their arch-rival Brickover University’s “Big Red Squad” in the 2024 Inland Sports League (ISL) championship basketball game. The game was an absolute roller coaster of emotions, with leads changing hands multiple times. But in the end, Bricklyn prevailed, claiming the ISL tournament title in dramatic fashion.
With early Spring snow squalls blowing outside, a sold out Dunk Them Donuts crowd awaited the start of the Inland Sports League’s (ISL) championship game between Vermont’s Bricklyn University and New Hampshire’s Brickover University. All photos in this article by Bricklyn Eagle reporter (and basketball fan) Paul B. Macro, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.Tip off between Bricklyn (in blue) and Brickover (in red).
Bricklyn forward Sven B. Svenson was free for an easy two point early in the first half.
Right from the tip-off, both teams showcased their incredible athleticism and skill on the court. Brickover’s “Big Red Squad” took an early lead with some sharp shooting from beyond the arc, but the Bricklyn “BRU Crew” fought back, fueled by a relentless defense and lightning-fast transition plays.
Guard Billy Tiler Williams dribbling past a Brickover player.
As the game progressed, the momentum swung back and forth. Bricklyn’s star point guard, Jeff Tiler Andrews, orchestrated some jaw-dropping alley-oops and no-look passes, igniting the crowd and rallying his teammates.
But it wasn’t just individual talent that sealed the deal for Bricklyn. Throughout the game, their team chemistry, and leadership by the BRU Crew’s trio of seniors shone through.
Players communicated seamlessly on defense, moved the ball with precision on offense, and lifted each other up during crucial moments.
Senior center Terry “The Train” Thomas about to stuff the ball late in the second half. Note that The Train always plays in his good luck faded blue Bricklyn U. uniform. It paid off once again last night.
In the final minutes of the game, with the score tied and tension reaching a fever pitch, Bricklyn’s unity and determination proved to be the difference-maker.They dug deep, feeding off each other’s energy and executing flawlessly under pressure.
With seconds left on the clock, a clutch three-pointer by Bricklyn’s sharpshooter Andrews sealed the deal, sending the crowd at Dunk Them Donuts Arena into a frenzy and clinching the championship for Bricklyn University.
Jeff Tiler Andrews releases his game winning three point shot.
After their thrilling 83-82 victory, we had the chance to speak with Bricklyn University Coach Brad Strongbrick and the hero of the night, Jeff Tiler Andrews, to discuss their incredible journey to the championship.
Bricklyn Eagle reporter Jennie Tiler Jeffries (on left) interviewing Bricklyn guard Jeff Tiler Andrews and Coach Brad Strongbrick after the game. Andrews received the “Swiftbrick” award for Outstanding Player of the Tournament. Strongbrick, retiring after ten years coaching the BRU crew, received the 2024 ISL Coach of the Year award. Note that Andrews quickly changed into the team’s “team victory” jersey with the number 112 patched on, reflecting the fact that this game marked the 112th win for the BRU crew under Coach Strongbrick.
Coach Strongbrick emphasized the importance of teamwork. “It’s not just about one player making the winning shot,” he said, “It’s about the collective effort of every member of this team. Our success has been a testament to the strong bond these players share both on and off the court.”
Jeff Tiler Andrews, still riding the wave of adrenaline from his game-winning three-pointer, echoed his coach’s sentiments. “We’ve been through so much together this season,” he said, “and that bond we’ve built carried us through the toughest moments tonight. When I let go of that shot, I knew my teammates had my back no matter what.”
It was clear from their words that the victory was as much a celebration of their unity as it was of their skill, highlighting the special chemistry that helped propel Bricklyn’s “BRU Crew” to victory. ✥
Editor’s Note: thanks to “rookie” Bricklyn Eagle reporter Jennie Tiler Jeffries for her coverage of the ISL championship game. She received some assistance from Chat GPT.
To the Editor: What an amazing game! Thanks so much to The Bricklyn Eagle and News Channel 5 for live-streaming it. The teamwork that the BRU Crew showed should be a reminder for what we all need to do wherever we work. Those young athletes provide a terrific example. Of course, Coach Strongbrick’s leadership was stellar. What a record of accomplishment he’s had, and to top it off with the ISL Championship is like a dream come true. — Keith B. Holmes, South Bricklyn
To the Editor: Just penned this to thank the BRU Crew! — Oscar Newbrick, Bricklyn
“Yo, listen up, here’s the scoop, ‘Bout the Bricklyn U Crew, who love to play hoops. Outside the Dunk arena, snow falling so cold, But inside, the BRU Crew were bold.
Coach Strongbrick leading, with a plan so tight, Terry “The Train” dominating with all his might. But in the final tick, with tension in the air, Jeff Tiler Andrews, showed he’s beyond compare.
With a clutch three-pointer, the crowd went wild, Bricklyn’s victory, forever compiled. On the Bricklyn streets, their names now renowned, The BRU Crew champions, with their game astound!”
January 6, 2024 — updated & revised January 7 and 12, 2024
by Roger Brickell, Sports Reporter & Amanda B. Starr, Metro Desk Reporter
In a surprise ruling Thursday night, the Realm of Bricklyn’s Board of Education (BoE) has banned Patricia Plater Perry from competing for the Bricklyn High School Striders track team. Complaints had been filed with the BoE by several parents of South Bricklyn and Bricklyn Junction students alleging that Percy’s physical attributes as a so-called “little person” gave her an unfair advantage over “normal” LEGO minifigure athletes.
Patricia Plater Perry, center, with two of her Bricklyn High School classmates, Nancy B. Wren (on left) and Susie Tiler Sandman (on right).
Board of Education Chair Melinda Tiler Marshall.
In response to questions from the press, Melinda Tiler Marshall, Chair of the BoE, said that Perry – a 16 year old student from the Realm of Brickport, Maine spending the year in Bricklyn with her parents under a V1 Visitor Visa – had “an unfair competitive advantage as a result of her longer arms and legs.”
As Marshall noted, “in the past visiting students from other Inland Realms were just like Bricklyn students in terms of their physical attributes, and fairly participated on school sports times during their stay in Bricklyn. But there have been a growing number of visitors who are little people, including students spending a year in Bricklyn’s public schools. We are seeing that these students clearly have a distinct, and unfair, advantage in many sports, especially track.”
Patricia Plater Perry by Lake Bricklyn, one of her favorite spots for enjoying water sports.
Perry, distraught over her disqualification, found some solace in hugs and shouts of “got your back” from her track teammates.
Bricklyn track coach (and teacher) Jerry Plater-Zybrick also expressed support for Perry saying “it’s unfortunate that some parents – and perhaps others in our community – have caused distress to one of our students. Patricia, besides being a star of our track team, is also an outstanding student, as I can personally attest being one of her teachers this year at Bricklyn High School.”
Plater-Zybrick acknowledged that he has been consulting with Patricia Perry’s parents on whether to appeal the BoE ruling. ✥
Update, Jan. 7, 2024: The Bricklyn Eagle has learned that Patricia Plater Perry has just filed an appeal to the Bricklyn Superior Court, and has requested an expedited hearing so that she can compete in the upcoming “LEGO Realms of New England” track meet on January 14. Perry has retained prominent Bricklyn attorney Wendy Tiler Wilson to handle the appeal.
Update, Jan. 12, 2024: With use of Bricklyn Superior Court’s expedited calendar, Superior Court Judge Marnya Brickerlan quickly held a hearing in the matter, and just issued a decision. For TheBricklyn Eagle’ssummary of the decision and reaction of the parties. For a copy of Judge Brickerlan’s full decision (called “historic” by the appellants).
Fair or Unfair : What Do You Think of the Bricklyn Board of Education’s Decision to Ban Patricia Plater Perry from Competing?
E-mail your thoughts to Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman: bricklynvt@gmail.com — but please read the remainder of the article (below) first.
When we publish letters to the editor, we will just use your first name, or the initials of your first and last name.
Some Background for Readers about Little People / Mini-Doll Figures
For clarity, what we at The Bricklyn Eagle and many others refer to as little people are, in LEGO-related literature, often referred to as mini-dolls or mini-doll figures. We prefer the term little people because these minifigures have more human-like body proportions, shapes, and skin color than traditional LEGO minifigures — and, to us, look more like little human people.
As an aside, we should note that author Steven Millhauser also uses the term “The Little People” in a short story by that name about a 2 inch high race of little people — though we are not aware of any direct connection between Millhauser’s and LEGO’s little people.
The Brickipedia web site notes that: “Mini-dolls [little people] are around 5 millimeters taller than a standard minifigure, and are less blocky and more stylized. They share a similar construction with the minifigure, having four parts: the legs (which cannot move separately), the torso, the head, and the hair or headpiece. The arms can be moved up and down, but unlike the minifigures, the hands can’t be turned around.”
“So far,” reports Brickipedia, “over fifty [models of] mini-dolls have been produced. Initially [introduced in 2012], they were exclusive to the Friends line, but in 2014, they were adapted to a new wave of Disney Princess theme sets and in 2015 they were featured in the Elves theme.”
Letters to the Editor in Response to Banning of Patricia Patrick Perry
From the Editor: As we previously noted, to avoid any potential harassment, we are only using the initials or first name of those writing to us, along with their state [if known] or Inland Realm.
To the Editor: Is there an appeals process that can be implemented? From a Bricklyn Supporter. — From M.S. [Vermont]
To the Editor: Oh, my. Does Bricklyn have a Supreme Court? If they do, I sincerely hope they have no Trump appointees. — From P.D. [Vermont].
From the Editor: Sorry we forgot to mention that appeals from the Board of Education can be made to the Realm of Bricklyn Superior Court, at which time evidence can be presented and legal arguments made. Further appeal is possible to the Realm of Bricklyn Supreme Court, though it is up the Supreme Court whether to accept an appeal from a Superior Court ruling. Finally, all members of Bricklyn’s judiciary must be citizens of Bricklyn, and none have been appointed by any U.S. president. Appointments to the five member Supreme Court are made by vote of the Federal Council; but appointees must also receive a “qualified” rating from the Executive Committee of the Bricklyn Bar Association. Appointments to the Superior Court are made by the President of the Federal Council, and also require a “qualified rating” from the Bar Association.
To the Editor: It seems to me that banning Patricia Pater Perry from competing for the Bricklyn Striders track team is discriminatory, and that is the long and short of it. — From I.S. [California]
To the Editor: I was dismayed to learn that the BofE [Board of Education] in Bricklyn would not let a “small person” student play sports because her body parts are different — and I assume they think this is an advantage compared to other student bodies. This is clearly discrimination, which has no place in a school for all students learning together about the world and their community. Shame on them. Of course some athletes are better than others. That is what learning/living together in a diverse community is all about. I would hope the BofE is not looking to delete anyone who is different. One could argue this student’s longer legs are a disadvantage: she has further to fall and could be more severely hurt if she did; she cannot rotate her hands and catch herself if she did fall, she can’t move her legs separately. So what’s the advantage really? I protest this dismissal. As another famous governor — and the most popular one in the above ground [Outland] U.S. world, Phil Scott [of Vermont] said about school discrimination of athletes, “let (all) the students play.” — From Nancy, a concerned observer. Vermont.
To the Editor: Transfer student Perry should be grateful for having the opportunity to study for a year in Bricklyn, the Greatest of all Inland Realms. Instead, she and her parents are complaining about so-called discrimination. The people really being discriminated against are Bricklyn-born and raised athletes who have normal size LEGO figures, and not extra long arms and legs, and slender torsos. Keep Bricklyn Great! — From T.B.S., South Bricklyn, VT.
From the Editor: Just a quick note. While The Bricklyn Eagle is aimed at readers living in Outland communities, we do have a few subscribers from within Bricklyn and several other Inland communities. In light of this, we have decided to publish their Letters to the Editor to give readers the broadest perspective possible.
To the Editor: As you note Perry is so called a “mini person”, and in words I have sung before about mini people:
They got mini hands And mini eyes And they walk around Tellin’ great big lies They got mini noses And tiny mini teeth They wear platform shoes On their nasty mini feet
Well, I don’t want no mini people Don’t want no mini people Don’t want no mini people ‘Round here
I think that says it all! P.S. – -Yes, of course my song is all about how idiotic it is to discriminate against mini people. Go Perry! — From: Your friend, Randy Newbrick
From the Editor: It is unclear who exactly this “Randy Newbrick” is, or where he is from. But Gloria Vanderbrick of our staff thought this old video might shed some light.
