Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Size had been a major factor in Phi Delt 1’s winning streak and the championship game against Phi Psi 1 on Tuesday night was no exception. Phi Delt 1 players were always waiting underneath the basket ready to rebound and used their size to charge through Phi Psi 1. Both teams kept teammates and fans at the edge of their seats the last two minutes of the close game, but Phi Psi 1 came up short and Phi Delt 1 won the game 38-35.
Before the game even started, the tension filled the room as members of each team’s fraternity grouped together on either side of the gym to show their loyalty. The teams practiced shooting layups and Phi Psi 1 players went on a continuous run making three-pointers after three-pointers.
A technical foul was called on J.D. Christie, Shawnee Mission sophomore and Phi Delt 1 player because he had worn a wristband during the game. The crowd booed and shouted at the call and watched as Roger Struble, Salina junior made two free throws. As play resumed again, Jack Swab, Tulsa, Okla., senior hit a three-point basket at the top of the arc.
The fans added to the heated atmosphere and got more rowdy as the game continued. After an air ball from a Phi Psi 1 player, Phi Delt 1’s fans screamed “air ball” to shake up the player. Shortly after, Phi Delt 1 got the same fate and the Phi Psi 1 fans were sure to remind the player of his mishap.
Stephen Blumhardt, Leawood sophomore and Phi Psi 1 player faked out his opponent and scored two points close to the baseline. With only 4:33 minutes left of the first half, the score was low and Phi Delt 1 was winning by two points. By the end of the first half, both teams had gained two more points, but Phi Delt 1 was still winning. Phi Delt 1 players emerged off the court satisfied with the first half as they glanced at the scoreboard highlighting the two-point lead.
The high energy of the second half began as soon as the clock started play and players from the Phi Psi 1 sidelines reminded teammates to “D-up” on the defense. The referees watched closely during the game and called many fouls during the second half. Swab was fouled for pushing a Phi Psi 1 player, which gave Phi Psi 1 possession of the ball. Thirty seconds later, Swab received his second foul. This fed Phi Delt 1’s anger as players scrambled for the ball and stayed close to the basket for a rebound. Phi Psi 1 lost the ball causing a turnover and players hurried to return to the other side of the court. Once Brian Tagg, Prairie Village sophomore and Phi Psi 1 player, blocked a shot from Christie Phi Psi 1 got back into the swing of the game. It tied up the score to 16 and gave Phi Delt 1 a reason to fight harder and be more defensive.
It was hard for Phi Psi 1 to rebound the ball in the second half and even when reaching for the ball, Phi Delt 1 players grabbed the ball faster. Phi Psi 1 fell victim to turnovers during the half which made it easy for Phi Delt 1 players to take their time with the ball and have more chances to make baskets.
“We tried to rotate more substitutes and make shots,” Tagg said.
Still, Phi Psi 1 helped each other out and assisted with low passes to other players for easy points in the paint. A Phi Psi 1 player helped assist the ball to Bryan Van Horn, Overland Park sophomore for a two point bucket.
With three minutes left in the game, Phi Psi 1 was trailing behind by thirteen points. The team started turning up the heat and shot a few three pointers after another, just like in practice before the game. The points started to rack up for Phi Psi 1 and the championship looked hopeful. With 50.5 seconds left of the game, the score was 38-33. Van Horn found an opening in the right wing and shot a three-pointer in the last three seconds, but missed leaving Phi Delt 1 with the three-point victory.
“We tried to beat them down low,” Blumhardt said.
Phi Delt 1 said that the “hard work and transitions” led the team up to the championship game.
— Edited by Daniel Reyes
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