Basketball Intramural Champs; Fall 1997

The 1997-1998 basketball intramural season, consisting of talented players and extremely competitive full court basketball games, was at its best this past fall semester. Before the season began, the West Coast Lakers, led by Captain Mark Hecht, were favored to win it all, and it certainly looked like they would after defeating the heavily talented East Coast Globetrotters in the first game for both teams. The west coast team, however, did not live up to their expectations the rest of the way leaving room for the Globetrotters, who got off to a slow 0-2 start, to amaze everyone with a spectacular comeback. The team agreed that the turning point for them was the midseason pickup of high-flying center Russel Kimyagnov. As the Lak ers’ chances for the fall championship title began to dwindle, the Globetrotters regrouped when Russel was included in the starting five. Other starters included sophomores Micha Porat, Akiva Sausen, Uri Yudowitz, and Ami Robinson. Despite th e youth of the team, no other team in the league could match the chemistry and intensity of the Globetrotters allowing them to go undefeated the rest of the season.

By continuing the same pattern into the playoffs, the Globetrotters easily advanced into the semifinals where they faced the Liberty. Led by Abe Butel’s 13 points, the Liberty put up a good fight, but they were still no match for t he powerhouse Globetrotters. Uri Yudowitz led the Trotters with a game high 24 points including an incredible six three pointers; Akiva Sausen added a strong twelve points. In the end, the Trotters came up on top 53-41.

In a best of three series, the finals were pretty much the same story except, this time, the Canes were the victim. The first game was a blowout as the Trotters demolished the Canes by the score of 45-29. This time, Yudowitz put up 25 on the board, and Sausen, 14. The second game was a bit more competitive, but, unfortunately for the Canes, the Globetrotters were too tough too beat. Uri Yudowitz delivered in the clutch with 23 complimented by Ami Robinson’s 14 poi nts, most of which came down the stretch. After sweeping the series, the Trotters were pronounced Fall 1997 Basketball Intramural Champions. Captain Pinky Mikhli discovered this the hard way when he was doused with Gatorade during the celebration c eremony.

Just like any championship team, the Globetrotters were characterized by an extreme variety of players each having his own specific and distinct talent that contributed to the same goal, a championship. For example, Center Russel Kimyagnov disp layed his incredible shot-blocking abilities. Forward Akiva Sausen provided an outstanding power game and unforgettable finishes. Power Forward Micha Porat added his Rodman-like rebounding abilities while Uri Yudowitz demostrated his incredible shooting from anywhere on the court. As point guard, Ami Robinson served as the court general leading the team in assists-to-turnover ratio. Strong bench players Andrew Harary, Aharon Weinstein, and Jeremy Goldberg showed their agility and quickness and hence th e depth of the team.

The Globetrotters are not done yet though. In order to be declared the overall 1997-1998 Champs, they must repeat their championship title for the Spring 1998 season or defeat the victor of that season in a showdown between the two championship teams at the end of the year. The second semester intramurals have just begun. The question on everyone’s mind is, "Can anyone beat the Globetrotters?…." We’ll just have to wait and see.