Week 4 League Rankings

Week 3 Power Rankins

The Week 3 Power Rankings are as follows:





MEN'S COMP










MEN'S REC










CO-REC







WOMEN'S

Flores Leads Marshall Law Past ΠΚΦ

Todd Thomas

Staff Writer

MACON – Marshall Law finished a combined 14 of 21 (67%) from the line, led by Cody Flores’ 7 of 8 (88%), in order to hold off ΠΚΦ in a defensive struggle Wednesday night on Court One.  Flores’ final free throw of the night with half a second remaining pushed the final margin to 39-36, and a last second prayer from ΠΚΦ’s T.C Dinkins fell short.  Flores led Marshall Law with 12 points, and ΠΚΦ’s Rich Pipe led all scorers with 13 in a losing effort.

            Both teams hope that their defenses will carry them through the rest of the young season, as this game was a showcase of two of the best defenses in the Men’s Competitive League.  The teams sporadically traded baskets for the first 15 minutes of the game, with ΠΚΦ pulling ahead 12-10.  A short burst to close the half, finished with Flores’ jump shot with his toes on the line gave Marshall Law the 14-12 lead they would take into the locker room.  

            The second half began much as the first, with the teams playing hard defense that never led to much separation in the score.  After a Justin Julian sky hook pushed the Marshall Law lead to 21-16 at the 13 minute mark, Dinkins cut the lead to two with a steal and lay-up.  In the subsequent possession, Flores would not be denied as his 3-point basket filled the net to give Marshall Law their biggest lead at 24-18 with ten minutes left to play.

            From that point forward, ΠΚΦ continued to fight in order to cut the lead but Marshall Law had one too many answers.  After the lead had been cut back down to two, Matthew Swanson pushed the lead back to four.  After ΠΚΦ answered back with a three point score from Drew Wilson, free throws from Swanson rebuilt the lead to three.

            After Flores’ drained two free throws to push the lead to five, Pipe drained the second of his three 3-point shots to cut the lead to two with 20 seconds on the clock.  A quick foul by ΠΚΦ put Wilson on the line.  After missing the front end, Wilson drained the second free throw to push the lead to 36-33 with 19 seconds remaining.  Another Marshall Law free throw pushed the lead to 37-33, but the lead was cut to one after Pipe’s third 3-point field goal with 1.4 seconds remaining.  Flores was fouled once again, and completed his strong day at the line by finishing the scoring with two free throws to build the final margin to 39-36.

 

BOX SCORE (UNOFFICIAL)

 

MARSHALL LAW

 

15 Beecher, Christopher…. 2 points, 4 rebounds

2 Bowen, Opie…………………. 4 points, 3 rebounds

21 Evans, Terry…………………. 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

33 Julian, Justin………………… 8 points, 2 rebounds, 4 for 5 FG

12 Swanson, Matthew……… 10 points, 2 rebounds, 6 for 10 FT      

10 Huffman, Blake…………… 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 for 3 3FG

7 Flores, Cody………………….. 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 for 4 3FG, 7 for 8 FT

0 Peoples, Adam……………… 2 points, 1 rebound, 0 for 1 3FG

 

ΠΚΦ

15 Billings, Dan………………… 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 for 7 FG

6 Dinkins, TC…………………….. 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 0 for 4 FT

25 Elliott, Leighton…………… 6 points, 1 rebound, 4 for 7 FT

10 Espy, Edward……………….. 0 points, 0 for 1 3FG

83 Pipe, Rich……………………… 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 for 9 3FG, 2 for 2 FT

21 Wilson, Drew……………….. 3 points, 1 steal, 1 for 1 3FG

18 Belyeu, Lex…………………… 2 points, 1 rebounds, 0 for 2 3FG

 

Attendance: 11

Start of Game – 9:30.  Total Elapsed Time – 54 minutes

Technicals: Espy

Officials: Wilson, Amirault, Deppen

Basketball Week 2: Updated Polls & Games of the Week

After Week 1, our Intramural Basketball Experts have changed their opinions about which teams deserve the top seeds in each division. There was movement in the top 3 seeds of the Men's Recreational, Co-Recreational, and Men's Competitive Divisions. Check the charts below to see where your favorite teams stand.

Here are the big games worth coming out to watch this week:

Women: Triple Threat vs. Med Girls -- Tuesday, Feb 3 @ 8:30, Court 3

Co-Rec: Triple Threat (CR) vs. Pi Kapp Phi D1 -- Thursday, Feb 5 @ 7:30, Court 1

Men's Rec: The Med Students vs. Pi Kappa Phi 2 -- Wednesday, Feb 4 @ 7:30, Court 1

Men's Comp: Marshall Law vs. Pi Kappa Phi 1 -- Wednesday, Feb 4 @ 9:30, Court 1

Rankings:

The Fall of a Champion

- Sean Amirault -
Staff Writer / Intramural Sports Program Assistant
seanamirault@gmail.com

The year long wait is over.  Tha O Gs can put the anguish of Larney Abdush-Shakur’s three point dagger behind them. I speak of course about the buzzer beater Shakur buried in last years semifinals victory for the Plunketteers.   Despite leading for almost the entire game Tha O Gs couldn’t hit the big shots (or free throws) to get bye the team full of diaper dandies.  The Plunketteers would go on to win the IM Championship; Tha O Gs would go home.

Tha O Gs new edition Craig Lott (23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists) proved to be a force that the ’07 Plunketteers could not cope with.  Tha O Gs jumped out to a 16-6 lead and never looked back.  In what was considered one of the marquee matchups of the year turned into a blowout before the half. The ’07 Plunketteers, missing Abdush-Shakur and Henderson “D-Saw” Darrisaw, proved to not only be too small to deal with Tha O Gs size, but lacked the go to scoring punch of last year. Without the key players from last years run; the Plunketteers never seemed to get their offense going (29% FG%, 4-22 from 3).

            This game was not only about the fall of a past champion, but also about the rise of a potential favorite. Tha O Gs have everything a big time team needs. With size and length (Johnta’ Tigner, Brooklyn Wilks) and a number of talented guards (Lott, Matt Middleton, Sam Ali, Antoine Mincy) this seems to be a team with few flaws. Of course the same was said last year until it came to crunch time and this talented team fell. Don’t get me wrong there are several gifted teams out there (Pi Kappa Phi, Mercer’s Finest), but right now it seems clear which team is ready to take that next step: Tha O Gs.

Top Performers:

Craig Lott – Shot 8-13, 4-7 from 3, 7 rebounds, 5 assist
Johnta’ Tigner – 8 points 14 rebounds
Antoine Mincy – 8 points 5 rebounds 3 assist off the bench

Co-Rec Divisional Previews

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor / Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

                         Let’s be honest here, the Co-Rec is a weird league.  The women’s points count one more than the men’s and games that seem to be blowouts are usually much closer than you’d think.  On any given night, any team could beat any other team.  At least most of the teams could anyway.  Some aim to just have a lot of fun on the floor.  Others are uber-competitive.   Due to the fact that almost no team in C0-Rec history has assembled the same roster for two consecutive season, this league is a fun one to keep track of.  Enjoy the previews.                              

 

Team	2008 Record	Outlook
AΔΠ & The Wood	(0-0, 0-0)	This is a middle of the road team that could win big games during the season.  Cassie Sanders, Rachel Hartman, Sean Amirault and Joey Wilson anchor this squad of Lion-Axmen.  If they eventually play ADPi’s other squad, ‘Jungle Royalty,’ that may be the best rivalry game in Co-Rec this season.
XΩ & ΛXA	(0-0, 0-0)	Leah Stowers, Lee Wilford, and Peter Moraitakis are the three players to watch.  They still may be a season or two away though in terms of competition.
Jungle Royalty	(0-0, 0-0)	The Lions Squared are playing under the name Jungle Royalty.  We’ll see if they’re really kings of the jungle after they face a tough slate of competitors.  Danielle Pelton would be a WNBA prospect if she were only a foot and a half taller.
ΠΚΦ & ΦΜ	(0-0, 0-0)	Lauren Whatley and Ali Rieger don’t mess around, but the Pi Kapp ballers are on the other Co-Rec team.  Still, this team could be considered a ‘sleeper.’
ΠΚΦ – D1	(0-0, 0-0)	They’re good…so good they just may win the championship.  Dan Billings, Rich Pipe, Courtney Hall, and Megan de la Rosa led a very talented squad.  They have the athleticism to easily win a championship.
RUF Ruffians	(0-0, 0-0)	Venturing into the Co-Rec league this year, Lindsey Hazzard’s team sports a plethora of players.  Big man Chris Wyble, Kevin Roberts, and Keith Young are all effective players and add in Tionna Crawford and Jaquaye Okai and you’ve got a pretty good basketball team.
Spackle	(0-0, 0-0)	The league favorite before Andrew Brown and Cristen Roper were declared ineligible, Spackle still boasts a scrappy roster of grad students led by swingman Andy Stabell.  Jeremiah Wells is a large body for the team in the paint.
Triple Threat	(0-0, 0-0)	An elite team, Emily McNeil and Merritt Goodman can’t be contained.  They’ll be tested and primed for the championship run this season.
VolleyBase	(0-0, 0-0)	Baseball and volleyball players team up for what should be a strike out…check that, a kill (er) team.  Excuse the pun, but Mike Armstrong is a beast and with other D1 athletes John Daugherty, Claire Tucker, and Allison Davis, this will also be a tough team to handle.
Wesley Foundation	(0-0, 0-0)	They’re in a rebuilding stage for the next for years.  They also sport the league’s largest roster with 48 players (okay, that’s a bit exaggerated, but you get the point).  Hustler Charles Greenberg makes things happen on the floor.

   

Clash of the Titanettes

- Noah Calar -
Staff Writer / Intramural Sports Program Assistant
ncalar@gmail.com

Slow, boring, monotonous, and lacking intensity.  These are words I would NOT use to describe the Women’s Division Game of the Week.  Defending Women’s Competitive Division champions, Med Girls (formerly known as The Flatliners), extended their rolling winning streak by taking down top competitors, Lil Mamas.  Last year’s Finals MVP, Stephanie Pannell, scored 17 points (shooting 4-5 from the free throw line) and pulled down seven rebounds. 

Even though the future doctors had the lead for the majority of their 52-49 win, the game was by no means one-sided.  With Whitney Lang’s 24 point effort (12 from beyond the arc) and 10-rebound performance, the Mamas stayed in close contention throughout the contest.  At the half the Med Girls had a 7-point lead, but Mamas’ Sam Lewis sparked a 9-2 run to knot it up early in the second half. 

A last-second 3-pt attempt by Leora Juster narrowly rimmed out, capping a frustrating night for this above average player.  Perhaps better coaching at the end of regulation would have given the team a chance at a few more offensive possessions, but it just didn’t seem to be in the works for the Lil Mamas.  Keep an eye on both of these teams for the rest of the season.  We could see Round Two of Lil Mamas-Med Girls if they happen to meet again in the playoffs.

The New and the Old (School)

- Joey Wilson-
Staff Writer / Intramural Analyst
jeffery.j.wilson@student.mercer.edu

Defending men’s rec champions, Old School, successfully began defending their title run on Tuesday night.  They won their first game of the season against the RUF Riders on the heels of a combined 46-point effort by new additions to the team.  Big man Clayton Ware signed-in late but dominated down low with a 15-point performance while limiting the RUF post game.  Dr. Dwight McIntyre also contributed with 15 from the guard position, but the youngest member of the team, Brandon Ingersoll, lead Old School with 16 points.

RUF had the lead for most of the game off the effort of Kevin Roberts, Andrew Lockwood, and Stafford McCoy but could not stop Old School in overtime.  With about ten minutes left in the second half, RUF had a comfortable lead, but Old School went on a short run to cut the lead to single digits.  But RUF would not back down with Kevin Roberts answering back with a few big shots to contribute to his 17-point performance.  This answer could not stop Old School though with Old School going on another scoring run to force overtime. 

In overtime Old School showed its discipline and pulled away with the win.  Andrew Lockwood fouled out after an 11-point effort, and RUF did not have any subs so the game became a 4 on 5 contest.  Even with another double-digit effort from Stafford McCoy with 12-points, RUF could not hold the lead for the full 40-minutes.  In the end, Old School relied on the new members of their team to lead them to victory and begin the defense of their 2008 championship.

Men’s Rec Divisional Previews

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor / Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

                         In the 21-team league, the champion may be the team that peaks late in the season and survives the playoffs.  ‘Survival’ after all, is the nature of the game in the rec league.  Last year’s champion Old School would know best, taking a 2-2-1 record into the post season and winning four straight games to become the crowned champion.  This year’s league has a cornucopia of first year franchises, from Dirty Briefs to  the Humuhumunukunukuapua’s to the White Men Can’t Jump squad.  It’s a league in which sometimes the team nicknames are more appreciated than the actual play of the team.  But this isn’t a name game, it’s basketball, so here’s a quick look at each team.

 

Team	2008 Record	Outlook
Acrosomal Attack	(3-3, 3-2)	Looking for a turn-around season after a first round exit last year.  They’re a Med-School team with lots of athleticism and size.  Watch out for the Attack.
ATΩ 2	(0-0, 0-0)	This frat expansion team has a good core group of players.  Matt Stark, Clint Strefling, and Kevin Burran are all ballers that can make it happen for the Taus
Brick Throwers	(3-2-1, 3-1-1)	They tossed up a brick in last year’s first round, losing to ΣN.  Expect this staff/professor squad to take a few to school though.  Adrian Collier, Kevin Bucholtz, and Paul Fithian are all players to keep an eye on.
Byrd Gang	(0-0, 0-0)	A first year team led by Andrew Swinford and Will Stone, little is known about the misspelled fowl gang.
Dirty Briefs	(0-0, 0-0)	Another expansion team, unlike their nickname, they don’t stink.  Mike Armstrong could be the rec league MVP by the end of the year and swingman Garon Muller isn’t bad either.
ΦΔΘ	N/A	Known more for rugby than basketball, the Delters move down a division in hopes of a more competitive year.  Alan Franks and Len DeBoever are their go-to guys.
Grizzles	(0-0, 0-0)	Think of the Grizz as The Wood’s minor league team.  Jason Beard and Matt Hipol aren’t too bad, and this organization is on the rise.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’s	(0-0, 0-0)	With the league’s longest name, let’s just hope they’re good.  They’re a law school team named after the Hawaiian fish, led by Ben Coppage and Chris Featherstun.
JuiceBox	(0-0, 0-0)	Right out of high school, this freshman team hopes to make a splash in it’s first year in the league.  Captained by Chris Snider and Andrew Karas, JuiceBox may be lacking a bit in experience.
KA 2	(2-3-1, 2-2-1)	Known for the cannon outside their frat house, this team isn’t half bad.  Zack Mericle can move up and down the floor pretty well for this team formerly known as the ‘Karate Assassins.’
Los Lobos	(3-2, 3-3)	Last year’s ‘Underdogs’ come back under a different name in the Ed Udvadia organization.  Adel Mustafa, Kolby Knight, and Michael Yergin can all score for the Spanish named squad.
Med 2	(0-0, 0-0)	A med school program, Roy Takei and JD Patel captain the expansionary franchise.
Old School	(6-2-1, 2-2-1)	Last year’s Rec Champs go back to work with Arthur Coleman, Dr. Pearson, Brandon Ingersoll, and Dr. Butler on the roster.  Their game is still there, but if the arthritis kicks in…watch out.
ΠΚΦ 2	(6-1, 5-0)	This year’s favorite to win the league features ‘Twin Vision version 3.’  Robert and Brett Richstone mean business and won’t settle for anything less than a championship.
Public Enema	(0-0, 0-0)	Another new team in the league.  The med school franchise is captained by James Davis and Will Crosland.
Rampage	(0-0, 0-0)	Known more for the fun they have on the court than the score on the scoreboard, Rampage hopes to conquer a few foes with Luke Cox and Gagan Chahal calling the shots.
RUF Riders	(3-4, 2-3)	A middle-of-the-road team that can win on any given night must be more consistent this year.  Marlin Harris, Jonathan Wisdom, Kevin Roberts, and Andrew Lockwood can all put the rock in the hoop when need be.
The Big Subpoenas	(5-4, 2-3)	Voted team with the best nickname for the third consecutive year, the law school franchise has a shot at being moved up to the comp league.  They’re for real, with Michael Mayo, Arthur York, and Berry DeBrow as they’re top players.
The Med Students	(0-0, 0-0)	Fresh from surgery, they hope to pick apart their opponents with big man Benjamin Mishra and Zachary Cohen.
The Wood	(6-2, 4-1)	After a serious 2008 run, the team is back with Sean Amirault, Noah Calar, Joey Wilson, and Doug Doud.  Despite the coniferous nickname, this team isn’t a softy.  They’ll be a contender in the playoffs.
White Men Can’t Jump	(0-0, 0-0)	The nickname says it all.  They may be a year or two away, but since they’re a Law School team, you may want to watch out for their cross….examination.

Last Second Heroics Propel Spackle to Victory

- J. Andrew Lockwood -
Senior Editor / Sports Columnist
james.andrew.lockwood@student.mercer.edu

What a difference one player can make in a game.  In the Intramurals Co-Rec Game of the Week, it was a tale of two halves as #1 Spackle eeked by a talented #2 Pi Kapp-D1 squad.  Early on in the game, Pi Kapp-D1 established themselves in the paint, with 9 points coming from the hands of Dan Billings.  Pi Kapp-D1’s guard play was also tremendous, with Courtney Hall adding a pair of 4 pointers and Rich Pipe adding 7 more points to his team’s total before the first 20 minutes expired. 

            In fact, it had the makings of a blowout.  Leading by 9 points at halftime, Pi Kapp-D1 dominated the opening few minutes, out hustling Spackle and hitting their shots.  Basketball is a game of two halves though.

            Spackle’s Andy Stabell hit two big shots in the first half to help his team stay within a reasonable range going into the intermission, but little did anyone know that one player’s presence in the second half would completely change the dynamics of the game.  Ex-Mercer basketball player Andrew Brown showed up just as the second half began, entered the game, and helped his team slowly chip away at Pi Kapp-D1’s lead. 

            During the first 12 minutes of the second half, Spackle went on a 18-8 run to gain the lead with 8:34 left.  An electrifying three-pointer by Brown capped a tremendous comeback by Spackle and lifted the crowd to their feet.  The next few minutes were tense, with several lead changes, but Pi Kapp-D1 was able to pull even with a huge 4-pointer from Courtney Hall with 3.2 seconds left on the clock.

            With the score knotted at 55-55, everyone in the gym thought the game would be decided in overtime.  However, a controversial foul called on Pi Kapp-D1 as the ball was being brought down the court sent Andrew Brown to the charity stripe with a chance to win the game.  Brown hit the first and intentionally missed the second to give Spackle their first victory of the 2009 Co-Rec season. 

            “We came in with a game plan and executed,” said a jubilant Whitney Lang after the game.  The guard added, “We got pumped and held strong in the end.  Certainly give Pi Kapp-D1 credit, they brought out the best in us.”

            Lang would finish with 12 points while center Cristen Roper would tally 6 points for the night.  Billings would lead the way for Pi Kapp-D1, finishing with 13 points.  Courtney Hall also finished in double digits with 10 points in a losing effort.

            With the big win, Spackle will most likely retain their #1 ranking in the JAL Sports Net / Intramurals poll that comes out next week.  Pi Kapp-D1 may drop a spot or two, but even with an early season loss, they’re still one of the most talented Co-Rec teams this season.