Travis Acton
  vs.
the 3-on-1 Fast Break

One day, at the old wooden courts at Brewer, I saw one of the most impressive defensive plays ever exhibited.

Travis Acton is the finest defensive player I've ever known.  As a shot-blocker, there's none better.  He's tall, he's quick, and he's got timing that makes him incredibly tough.

The 3-on-1 fast break is meant to take advantage of players who have no help on defense.  It is among the most difficult situations to defend in basketball.  Well, when people are attacking the basket, Travis Acton never needed much help, as three unfortunate opponents found out one day at Brewer.

A steal led out to a fast break - with Acton in close pursuit.  Acton was back first, and blocked a lay-up down the right side of the lane.  The ball sailed back to the middle.  The man in the middle tried to shoot over Acton - who had just landed.  Acton when up, and deflected the shot - sending it off the backboard, and back to the man on the right.

Well, the man on the right, seeing Acton eyeing him and remembering what happened to his last shot faked Acton.  Acton didn't jump.  The man on the right then threw across the lane to the man on the left, who tried to get a quick shot up - but too late - Acton was there, and knocked it back into his hands.

Stubbornly, the man on the left went up again - this time - with Acton set square and waiting.  Acton got his hand on top of the ball, and slammed it viciously to the floor, causing the ball to bounce sky-high.  Acton simply landed, waited for the ball to come down into his reach, jumped up and grabbed the ball.  He had blocked four shots and grabbed the rebound in turning back a three-on-one fast break.

He glanced around the court, noticed where his teammates were, and then proceeded to cuss me (and the rest of his teammates, but particularly me) out for not getting back to help him.