Intramural hoopers tip off
On Monday night Ryan Woodbury, Jared Hess, Brett Evanson and Andrew “Showtime” Wood, took the court for their first 3-on-3 basketball game.
Their team bore the name “Honky Pride,” because that’s what they said the team was about – pride.
Knowing how they played Monday would set the tone for the rest of the season, Evanson said they had one simple strategy for the night: To score more points than the other team.
And that’s exactly what they did, winning 31-10.
Honky Pride came out of the gate on fire, scoring 15 unanswered points.
Hess started off his night going three-for-four from 3-point land. He finished with 11 points in the first game.
“We wanted to come out and set the tone early,” Wood said.
Defensively, the team crashed the boards the entire game. Rebound after rebound went to Honky Pride. They out-muscled and out-played the opposition inside the paint. The opposing team was not able to score a point until six minutes had passed.
Woodbury dominated inside for the Pride. He ended the first game with seven points. Late in the game he found himself wide open underneath the hoop, his teammates saw this and dished him the ball. Woodbury then delivered with the dunk.
Evanson came off the bench and, though he didn’t contribute to the score, was able to make key defensive plays throughout the game and set his teammates up for their shots.
Wood was able to live up to his nickname, leading his team with 13 points and the game-winning shot.
With the fast start in the first game, one could have wondered if the team would have enough gas three games.
“We knew we wouldn’t have enough energy for three games,” Woodbury said. “We decided to go for it early.”
Knowing this, the team turned it on for a second time with Wood leading the cause with 16 points and another game winner.
“Showtime came to play,” Hess said about Wood’s performance.
“I just want to thank my teammates,” Wood said. “I am just one man. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”
Hess had two three-pointers in the game and Woodbury has able to manhandle those who dared challenge him in the paint.
Evanson had four points in the second game. His second lay-up of the night set the stage for Showtime to hit the game winner. The score was 30 to 21.
In a league where the competition will be tough all season, Wood said the win felt great.
“You can’t beat getting off to a start like that,” he said.
The intramural season consists of six regular season games, before entering tournament play to crown a champion.
With their performance Monday, Honky Pride may have set the bar as the team to beat.
“We’re sending a message to the rest of the teams in this league,” Wood said.
Games are played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
-mlglade@cc.usu.edu