TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Basketball intramurals season kicked off Dec. 5 in a newly formatted league; civilians will play in their own leagues Monday and Wednesday nights, and military teams will play Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The top two teams from the previous season faced off in the first game of the 2016-2017 season. Showtime edged Flight Controllers 40-34, a low-scoring game for the fierce rivals.
Showtime struck first, as captain and coach Jarail Smith took the ball down the court for an easy layup.
The last meeting between the two teams during the previous regular season ended up with Flight Controllers on top, but this matchup proved to be a different test. The energy and intensity, however, still very much the same.
“We’ve got some new bodies, and it’s only the first game, but I think we’re gelling pretty well. I think our first turnout was positive and I definitely think we’ll make another run for the championship this year,” Smith said.
Smith led the stats with 15 points for Showtime, and Mike McCray was Flight Controllers’ MVP, scoring 12 of their 34 points.
Neither team was able to sink the threes they posted up for, and also did not see as much success from the line when hit with personal and team fouls. Most points were acquired through drives down the court for layups.
Flight Controllers never really got into a solid rhythm, and struggled to get points on the board, but with new players for both teams, they anticipate getting better as the season progresses.