By Martin Paredes/so news editor
The shortened intramural basketball season at South came to a riveting end March 24 as the YakkSQUAD downed the Money Team 61-60.
Having won the previous two games, a YakkSQUAD win meant that a possible Thursday Game 4 would be deemed unnecessary.
Photos by Marah Irving/The Collegian
Unlike the games prior, Game 3 had no dull periods as both teams came out playing spacious and fast-paced basketball.
The game had a flow about it that basketball fans come to expect from any organized game as both teams would take turns going on long scoring runs in this roller coaster of a game.
Just when one team looked to be pulling away and taking control of the game, the other would knock down a few threes or get an and-one basket to change the momentum of the game.
YakkSQUAD’s Tyrell Dockery carried momentum over from the previous game as he again led all scorers with his 25 points. Dockery put up a clinic on shooting the long ball, knocking down seven of his 11 attempted threes.
Dockery’s teammates recognized he was on fire early as they constantly went out of their way to feed him the ball. Chris Ortega was the next highest scorer with 13 points.
The Money Team was finally playing consistent team ball, racking up more assists and not having to rely on just a few players like in previous games. Justin Rogers led the Money Team in scoring with 21 points.
Money Team captain Jaymes Bradley led through his intensity, encouragement and his general-like organization of his team on defense. Bradley had 13 points including a half-court buzzer-beater at the end of the first half that tied the game at 40. Bradley said he was proud of his team despite the loss.
“Every game, we got stronger because we came together as a team,” he said. “We talked of what we needed to do as a team like pass the ball more, swinging the ball more and getting some more team play instead of being selfish.”
Bradley also felt that they deserved at least one win, but in the end, he gave his opponents credit.
“I think we did deserve to win these past two games, maybe not the first one, but these past two yes,” he said. ”I won’t say that they were better, but they came out with the W, and I’ve got to give them respect for that.”
YakkSQUAD captain Ferdinand Aguwa differed from Bradley as he stayed relaxed and jubilant throughout. After the game, Aguwa defended his shaky start where he threw away a few passes out of bounds.
“Those were early, though,” he said. “My offensive game wasn’t there, but like the greats do, the Russell Westbrooks, the Kobes, you get your rebounds and you get your blocks. You do what you got to do.”
Intramural organizer Alyssa Petty called the event an overall success.
“Due to the weather, some games were canceled and that made the tournament shorter,” she said. “We had a total of 17 participants that were split up into two teams, and we had three successful games.”
