By Matt Fulkerson/sports editor
The intramural basketball tournament started on NE Feb. 7 with two intense games and a forfeit.
The Buckets left as the victors over Unknown, 47-44; Torro narrowly defeated Scottie, 45-44, and the Rebels forfeited to WLM.
Brett Lewis of Unknown attempted to provide a defensive push but could not keep up with the Buckets.
Dominic Brookins and Roderick Bester were the Buckets’ secret weapons, providing a constant barrage from the line.
By halftime, the Buckets led Unknown, 24-17.
“We can still pull this one off,” Lewis said.
The Buckets provided an impressive show of teamwork and operated like a well-oiled machine despite having never practiced together.
“This is the first time we’ve played as a team, but we all went to high school together at Trinity,” said Buckets team member Isacc Sebarme.
With eight seconds left on the clock and the game tied up, Bester sank a 3-point shot, giving the Buckets a 47-44 win.
As Scottie and Torro took to the floor, both teams were short players, so members of the Buckets and Unknown entered as substitutes.
Scottie team member Steve Harding said he liked the talent available on his team.
“I’ve never met any of these guys before,” Harding said. “I’m really impressed with the fundamentals I’m seeing out there.”
A lot has changed since Harding first starting playing the game 57 years ago.
“When I started, I was playing against a wooden backboard, nailed to the side of a barn,” he said. “There was no 3-point line, and it was a no-contact sport.”
With four seconds on the clock and Scottie down by two points, Harding took to the free-throw line.
His first shot sliced through the net without a problem, but the last bounced off the rim, and Torro walked away with a 45-44 win.
In the final scheduled game of the day, the Rebels were no-shows, forfeiting their win to WLM.
The next round of tournament play will pick back up in the gym 1-4 p.m. Feb. 14.