Ball Fever Takes Home the Title, Pt. 1

The intramural basketball playoffs, postponed until after Spring break due to space constraints, finally took place this week.  On Monday, DJQ's Homies and Death both advanced to the semifinals.  Tuesday saw two more quarterfinals games, as Ball Fever defeated North Ballers by forfeit and Voodoo and the Jews dispatched Count It with relative ease.  That matched up Voodoo and the Jews with Ball Fever in one semifinal, and Death and DJQ's Homies in another.

Voodoo and the Jews, undefeated on the season, presented a tough matchup for Ball Fever.  They were at a disadvantage, however, in that they had just played a full game and had only five players.  It would prove to be quite a game.  Playing their patented 2-3 zone, Ball Fever frustrated their opponent and managed to contain their explosive offense.  The two teams traded baskets for the first half before a Voodoo player hit a jumper over two defenders as the buzzer sounded.

The second half continued much in the same manner, with neither team getting a lead of more than a couple points.  With 30 seconds remaining, Voodoo hit a field goal to take a one-point lead.  Ball Fever took the ball up the court and proceeded to run the Oklahoma State end-of-game offense for 20 seconds, before they finally called a timeout.  They drew up a play, but it proved entirely unsuccessful, as Twin #1 ended up double-teamed and trapped in a corner.  Controversy ensued as a foul was called against Voodoo and the Jews with 6 seconds left in the game, putting Twin #1 on the line for a one-and-one.  After Twin #1 knocked down both free throws, Voodoo had one final chance, but they missed a jumpshot, sending Ball Fever to the championship.

At the same time, Death defeated DJQ's Homies, meaning the final would be a rematch of a great regular season game that Ball Fever won in overtime 32-30.  The two teams would return to the court the next day for the game.

TO BE CONTINUED...