By Adrian Beltran/reporter
Team Buckets defeated the Jordans 30-14 in the final game of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament held on NE Campus Oct. 11.
After the tournament started on Oct. 9 with eight teams, only four teams were left to fight for their chance at the final: The Jordans, Menez, Straight Kings and Team Buckets.
James Davenport of Team Buckets said cohesion was the key to success.
“It was all about having chemistry on the go,” he said.
Brett Lewis of Team Buckets said he faced some diverse opponents.
“It was interesting to play against people of all different skill levels,” Lewis said. “You would think it would be a bit easier to play against people who aren’t at your skill level, but you have to adjust to what they can and can’t do which makes it a bit more difficult.”
Despite the heated competition, there was a great amount of respect for each team and an acknowledgement of the other teams’ skills by players such as Brandon McMillan of Team Buckets.
“The other team was very good and very aggressive,” McMillan said. “My height also gives me a good advantage for rebounds and gives us more diverse attacking options.”
One of the games to determine who went on to the final was between team Menezes and the Jordans. Isaac Rios of the Jordans had a lot of respect for their opponent.
“The other team was very good. It came down to the wire,” Rios said.
The game got very competitive toward the end, with both teams giving it their all. Jordan Hornbuckle of Menezes had to sit out for a few minutes because of an injury but still finished the game.
“I got the wind knocked out of me, but I like to win,” he said. “I’m a competitor.”
Lorenzo Chavez of the Straight Kings picked up eight points for his team.
“Being a big guy, the other team don’t see me as a threat, so they leave me open, and I am able to score some points,” he said.
When asked what encouraged him to join, Lewis said he “saw a flier, talked to my buddies about it and was able to get my buddies together and make a team. It was a lot of fun.”
