Intramural basketball champions crowned

March and college basketball is a great combination, even if it is the beginning of March and it is intramural college basketball.

Recreational sports organized a successful winter season as basketball reigned supreme in the Sturgis Physical Education Center on the weeknights.

Considered by many as the highlight of the spring semester’s intramural endeavors, the basketball playoffs provided quality entertainment.

The five divisions crowned their champions after exciting tournaments last week as fans came out in droves to support the athletes they call their roommates, girlfriends, boyfriends, pledge sisters and pledge brothers.

Becky Horne, a team whose namesake is inspired by Ouachita’s First Lady, took the women’s upper division. Comprised of all freshmen, the team had a dynamic backcourt including Melissa Elliott and Shannon Bennings.

“We really played as a team,” Bennings said. “We didn’t have to rely on just one player because everybody had talent. I had so much fun.”

The Pink Ladies won the women’s lower division. Freshman Mallory Turner and Elizabeth Burke led the way with superior shooting and relentless defense.

Sophomore Bryan Church and the Red Shirts were a force to be reckoned with in the men’s lower division. Despite some stiff competition from Team Fear and Beta Blue, the Red Shirts came out victorious with the help of junior Cody Matthews. “[Cody] was definitely our best player,” Church said.

As the quadruple threat, Matthews posed match-up problems for all opponents with his ability to pass, shoot, rebound and dribble.

 “I just put the team on my shoulders,” Matthews said.

Da-nuh-nuh defeated the Kappas in dominating fashion, mercy-ruling them in the championship. Junior Neal Ozmun saved his best game for last as the goaltender for the Ouachita men’s soccer team went for a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Superbad, a contingent of football players, dominated the men’s upper division. Led by all seniors, Superbad powered its way to the summit of intramural glory.

 “Our ability to out-hustle people on defense was our major advantage,” team member Ryan Armstrong said.

Maybe the unbeaten Superbad should be considered for an at-large bid in the upcoming March Madness tournament.

“I guess it’s true what they say — defense wins championships,” Armstrong said.