Intramural hoops gains momentum

photo by Caroline Franke

After intramural soccer wrapped up, intramural basketball began its season. This battle, May 12, in the Supertents, was between team Phi Delta Theta and the “Rasta” team. Sergio Rojas of the Phi Delts drives to the basket down the court, defended by Lenny Moore of the Rastas. The Phi Delts won the game, 42-36. Intramural basketball runs through next week.

by Adrian Medrano
Staff Writer

The intramural basketball season has tipped off and is now in single elimination playoffs as teams battle each other for a championship and bragging rights.

The basketball season started later than usual this year due to a late intramural soccer start. The system has been criticized by some of those who participate in the games due to the fact that the playoffs go into the week of final exams.

“Intramural basketball is always fun, but it’s just too bad it had to start so late,” said senior movement and sports science major Sergio Rojas, who is on the Phi Delta Theta team.

Some of the players are sympathetic toward the conduction of the intramural program, while others have no problem criticizing it.

“If they’re going to start it this late, we might as well not have it at all,” said junior communications major B.J. Walker of Roger’s Team.

The reason for the late start of intramural soccer was because there was no one to run it in the fall, but junior Jay Aguila stepped in to take over. Despite the late start and complaints from some of the players, Aguila continues to work hard to make sure the basketball season goes well.

“It’s tough and I’m trying to please everyone,” Aguila said. “Next year will be a lot more organized.”

Next year Aguila will again be intramural coordinator, but he will receive some help this time from senior Steve Wetzel.

“We have a whole lot of plans for next year,” Aguila said.

Some of those plans include adding new sports such as volleyball and inner tube water polo. Aguila is hoping to have five sports next year and plans to start the season the first week of school.

Aguila receives aid from the Associated Student Forum. The basketball season is a little bit easier for him because professional referees are present to officiate the game; he had to assume the role of referee during intramural soccer.

The teams are currently in the playoffs where one loss will eliminate a team from the brackets. The games have two 20-minute halves with a running clock.

Intramural basketball provides a good recreational outlet for those looking to compete and to those looking to just simply goof off.

“Intramural basketball is really fun,” said sophomore Joe Lovallo of Brian’s Team. “I look forward to all of my games.”