The 2006 HBS intramural basketball season has gotten off to a fast start, with both EC and RC teams knocking off rust (and any extra pounds accumulated during winter break) to battle it out on the hardwoods. With each section fielding two (co-ed) teams of five to 15 players, basketball is the most inclusive of all HBS intramural sports.
Unanimous opinion holds that the overall level of talent on campus has definitely improved from last year. Throughout January, teams held organized practices in Shad to get a feel for the competition. In EC sections, early scouting reports in the A league highlight OD’s run to defend its title as the best of the best against strong returning teams from OA, OJ, OC, OI and OG.
As Brian Laibow (OA) put it, “I live for this type of competition, and as I see it, the field is wide open this year. I’ve rescheduled my transcontinental flights to ensure we make a run for the title.”
Among RC teams, NE, NJ, NB and NA have made impressive starts as they battle to establish themselves as top contenders for the glory of a championship. A modest Seth Blackley (NE) articulated, “We think we could have all the tools to make a run for it, especially with the sharp shooting of guys like Frederik Rasmussen (NE), who brings an international flavor to our team.”
Similarly, competition promises to be intense in the B league. It has been rumored that you will find Shad filled with teams from the league running wind sprints and discussing strategy on Saturday mornings. One EC section even attempted to adopt a “no drinking during the season” alcohol policy, which lasted exactly the amount of time it takes to walk from Shad to John Harvard’s for a post-practice brew.
Commenting on his team’s hopes for a championship season, Kevin Palma (OD) said, “This year we are not messing around. We are all 100 percent invested in Coach Wagner’s vision of giving opponents 40 minutes of pain.” Undoubtedly there also promises to be plenty of fun for all teams over the course of the eight-game season.
To catch some of the action, stop by Shad on Mondays (A league) and Tuesdays (B league) between 3:30 and 9:30 p.m. You will not be disappointed!
