Intramural game brings out competitive side
Brokeback Mountainers take the victory by three points
Zontallica took the lead in the first half, but the Brokeback Mountainers came back strong in the second half and won 44-41.
By Whitney Hamilton (Contact)
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
The basketball courts that used to have a few fun pick-up games last week at the Student Recreation Fitness Center now have competitive teams playing on all four courts. It might be intramural, but it’s definitely not just a game.
Last night’s game was no exception for the Brokeback Mountainers (sic) and Zontallica.
Photo by Weston White
Robert Reynolds, Lee's Summit freshman, cuts through the lane to block the shot of Andrew Randall, Stillwell freshman. Randall and the rest of the Brokeback Mountaineers went on to win 44 to 41.
It would have seemed to be a rivalry between two college or professional basketball teams vying for a national championship, rather than a friendly intramural game.
Both teams started out having fun and making small fouls or turnovers, such as stepping out of bounds or traveling, but they soon realized that in the end there could only be one winner.
As soon as the game started, Matthew Mulligan, Overland Park freshman, made the first two points for the Brokeback Mountainers. His team high-fived and cheered him on, hoping that it wasn’t just beginner’s luck.
The game quickly turned into a game of fouls, mostly on Zontallica. It didn’t stop Zontallica from scoring, though. Still even the Mountainers had their fair share of fouls and sent Zontallica to the free-throw line many times during the game.
With many turnovers in the first half, the victory seemed to be up for grabs for either team. With just more than 10 minutes on the clock, it was a close game with Zontallica leading by only three points.
A high scorer for Zontallica, Simon Mance, Milwaukee, Wisc., senior, worked under the pressure and made tough shots in the paint.
Ending the first half, Zontallica took the lead 26-22.
Coming into the second half, the battle got even more heated.
Frank Lasley, Overland Park freshman, said the Brokeback Mountainers had reason to get back into the game.
“We were all motivated to start playing harder because the other team were poor sports,” Lasley said.
As the game wound down, a steal and assist from Andrew Randall, Stilwell freshman, helped Mason Haggerty, Overland Park freshman, score two for the Brokeback Mountainers.
Zontallica responded with Robert Reynolds, Lee’s Summit, Mo., freshman, making a three-point shot at the top of the arc.
With time ticking down and only seven minutes left in the game, the Brokeback Mountainers were in the lead.
We were all motivated to start playing harder because the other team were poor sports.
-Frank Lasley, Overland Park freshman
A technical foul was called when a player on Zontallica kicked the ball after a foul had already been called on the team. Randall stepped to the free-throw line to take the foul shots.
The fake-outs and tough defense weren’t enough to tear the Brokeback Mountainers down, which resulted in a final score of 44-41. They celebrated their first victory and didn’t seem the least bit surprised at the feat.
“I expected to win by watching the other guys warm up,” Haggerty said.
—Edited by Mandy Earles
Discussion
All comments are moderated by Kansan.com staff. For our full user policy, click here.
Share your 2¢
Requires free registration.