GEM RATZ OUTLAST DEFENDING CHAMPIONS IN A TWO OVERTIME THRILLER (65-61); TEAM ELITE SHINE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AND ASSASINS KICK THE "BUCKETS.”

Intramural basketball kicked off its 5th year of competition at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University last week with a four game schedule. The must-see game in week one was the “Legends” against the “Gem Ratz”, and they did not disappoint a crowd of about 200 students.

This year the Ratz added more help in the paint with the addition of Amadou Fall, a former basketball letterman and recent grad. The Ratz also picked up LaMontric Wayne, a current sophomore student and solid ball handler, as well as Stacey Sorrell, a gifted 5’9’’ shooting guard, to give the Ratz a solid one-two punch in the back court. Throw in former HSSU players and graduates Phillip Stewart and Mack Caldwell to round out the starting five, and the Gem Ratz are pre-season favorites to win their second title.

Melvin Martin is back again this season to lead the Legends to their fourth title in five years. Also returning to the Legends' roster are: Chuck Walls, Aaron Jones, Renaud Lucas, Andrew Griffin, Kwanza Wright, Ed Douglas, and Theo Boykins. This match up should be called the "all-champions" game because the Legends have taken home the title three times (Kings, ’08, returning champions in ’09 and Legends ’11) while the Gem Ratz (Black Mambas) captured the 2010 title. Although the champs fell in the season opener, look for them to bounce back in a big way as they take on the new look “Team Elite” after the Thanksgiving break.

Every year there is one team of students with no intercollegiate experience that has serious intentions of contending for the intramural title. Last year it was the “Hoop Stars” led by current Hornet’s player Wayne Brown, along with Patrick Jones, and Chad Davis. This year Team Elite, who dismantled the Angry Birds (a team of former HSSU women players) by the score of 101- 47, is this season’s team to watch. The game on November 29 will expose “Team E” as pretenders or serious contenders. In other week one action, “Get Money” beat the Underdogs 55-26, and The Assassins knocked off “Got Buckets” by the score of 54 to 34.  

Week Two

Due to Thanksgiving we will reschedule next week games to a later date. Play will resume November 29.

All games are scheduled for 7 p.m., but times and dates may change due to scheduling conflicts with other events or activities.