Intramural basketball is a staple of GHS athletics; every year dozens of casual hoopers sign up to prove themselves on GHS’s biggest stage.
For some students, intramurals are the most anticipated events of the school year with new teams drafted, thrilling games played, and a champion crowned.
“For some people, intramural basketball is the highlight of their athletic participation at GHS, so it can be very competitive at times, especially when we get guys who have played competitive, organized basketball before. There are nights when the tension in the gym is pretty high,” Mr. Blaine Williams, sponsor, said. “We play one night a week, typically on Wednesdays. Sometimes, the SAC is unavailable, so we have to adjust, but that has been our night for about as long as I’ve been running the league.”
Teams are decided via draft. Every player who signs up will be drafted onto a team by team captains.
“I’ve been playing for three years so I’ll be a captain this year. I’m not sure on who is all going to sign up, but I’m looking to draft Steele Swain as one of my top prospects,” senior Anthony Scaramazzo said.
The captains draft their teams from the pool of all players that sign up, the way a captain drafts his team is the most important part of building a championship team.
“I choose the captains from the seniors who sign up to play. I give first priority to seniors who have played all four years, then the three-year players. Captains will draft their own teams from all the kids who signed up. Usually, we have eight teams, but it depends on how many people sign up every year,” Mr. Williams said. “We will draft after school sometime in December, on a day when all the captains are available. Usually it’s right around Finals Week. Games will start in January after we come back from break.”
The dynamic of intramurals shifts come playoff time. Every game is an elimination game, and every team wants to pave their way to the championship.
“My sophomore year was awesome, I got to play with my brother alongside a talented group of players. We dominated every game and went undefeated, it was a great experience to win the championship that year,” senior Nic Grimes said.
The competitive aspect is what makes intramurals special; every team will get to compete in the playoffs for the title.
“There’s a playoff at the end of the season. All the teams are seeded into a single elimination bracket, and we play the tournament over a couple of nights, eventually crowning the champion,” Mr. Williams said.
The winner takes all, and seniors especially are gunning for a win in their last dance in intramural basketball.
“I’ve always had fun with intramurals. They’re competitive and have a fun atmosphere to play with your friends. My team has never won the championship, but this year will be my year,” Scaramazzo said.
