TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Showtime and Flight Controllers battled it out for the fourth time this intramural season. Each team had one half of dominant play – Flight Controllers dictated the first half and Showtime took over right before intermission. Showtime ended up on top 58-42.
The Controllers maintained possession from the first tip-off through the better part of the first half. They put a quick eight points up on the board to Showtime’s five in the first minutes. Controllers Elbert Craig and Michael McCray demonstrated fluidity and rhythm in passing down the court for layup after layup. Ryan Rutledge added some more to the blow with a steal down the court, resulting in an easy two points, followed by the sinking of a three-pointer in the next play.
Showtime fought to hold on in the first half, but had a hard time getting into a solid groove. Superstar Jarail Smith eventually put three more points on the board for Showtime after getting four rebounds and making zero buckets.
A bit of tension started to arise between the two rivals, as arguments and discrepancies on fair and unfair calls were exhausted. A timeout was called with 9:12 remaining in the first half to cool the jets. Controllers were up 15-10.
Play resumed and the Controllers continued to have the upper hand, gelling well and connecting passes. Unlike Showtime, the Controllers were able to provide better opportunities for baskets as they made themselves more available – taking advantage where defense was lacking.
However, that would be the last bit of lead the Controllers would see as Showtime got their act together with just less than two minutes left to play before the half. Smith scored three from outside the key, giving Showtime their first lead of the game, and Controllers’ Rutledge added two at the buzzer, ending the half 25-22 favoring the former.
Flight Controllers didn’t see the lead again. Showtime’s first possession of the second half resulted in nine unanswered points – three threes from three different players. Controllers put a lot of shots up, but nothing was making it in the hoop. The first half team disappeared.
A few sets of careless fouls put each team to the line, making their two shots respectively. The score was 36-26, Showtime. From that point on, Showtime essentially maintained a 10-point lead for the better part of the second half. The rhythm they lacked in the first half was made up for, and then some. With three minutes remaining, Controllers Rutledge and Chris Johnson added some buckets, but were not able to fully recover from the deficit.
Showtime displayed a bit of arrogance, almost, when they sealed the deal. There was time for dance moves and grooves in between passes and points, shoving the 16-point lead in the faces of the Controllers.
For the final matchup between the rivals in regular season, Showtime prevailed 58-42.