By Dean Adi/sports editor
Competition heated up March 4 in NE basketball as six teams went head to head in the double-elimination tournament.
Team Finnell and Team Faculty started off the day in what seemed like a blowout game with Team Finnell attacking the basket quickly and consistently. Team Faculty struggled to defend its opponents’ organized play-calling but picked it up toward the end of the game.
After a hard-fought game, Team Faculty fell short by two points, losing 39-37. Team Finnell’s Brandon Lewis was disappointed that Team Faculty almost came back in an upset but was happy to move forward.
“We hustled, so I guess that’s where our victory came from because it definitely wasn’t from our defense,” he said.
Team Adams knocked Relentless out of the tournament, winning 46-40. Team Adams’ James Adams set the tone with a late-game dunk.
“We played as a team, and I think we can win it all,” Adams said.
Team Faculty regrouped for an opportunity at redemption as it played again, this time against the Trojans in the third game of the day.
Casey Holder/The Collegian
They found redemption and more, winning 46-28.
Team Faculty is made up of a combination of instructors and students. Lead scorer and student Eldridge Richardson was proud of his team and loves the age differences.
“It’s awesome. I learn so much from these guys. It’s fun,” he said.
The final game of the day proved to be most exciting. Tensions flared when Team Finnell added a player from a previously eliminated team to the roster. Team Hernandez’s T.J. Hernandez wasn’t happy about the pre-game changes, and words were exchanged among teams before tip-off.
The aggression showed throughout regulation with both teams staying physical and answering every basket with another.
Just as Team Finnell gained potential game-winning momentum, Team Hernandez’s Cesar Martinez dropped two back-to-back three-pointers, leading his team to a 44-42 victory.
Hernandez was happy for his team but wasn’t over the pre-game clash.
“We’re the only undefeated team left. We had our real team. We didn’t have to pick up nobody to try and win,” he said. “If we see them [Team Finnell] again, they might have to bring in more people.”
