CyberPlainsman Staff

As the second semester brings new teachers and classmates, so does it bring the hype of intramural basketball. And although the season is still two months away, it’s never too early to see what’s in store for the new season.

_ The Shockers have more problems than just losing varsity guards Armando Casas and Noce Nayigihugu to graduation. They now have the problem of returning four players on this year’s varsity basketball squad in Dane Jones, Kyle Baldwin, Andy Pokorny, and Parfait Nayigihugu. They’ll have to let one go to stay at the three varsity player limit, and the odd man out may be Nayigihugu. They’re hoping junior varsity guards Carlos Casas and Jeff Nelson will join, giving them an overload of backcourt talent.

_ The team that lost the most this year is the #1 Stunnas. Although they still return Steve Tempte, Bryan Van Buren, and Tobey Morgan, the loss of Tommy Talley, Ike Ukaegbu, Dylan Yentes, Shawn Dalton and Will Robbins will hurt their quest for the title. Van Buren believes they are still in the running for big man Kylan Burgess, and hopes to reload on junior varsity talent.

_ Speaking of Burgess, he said he's leaning towards playing for the Mad Cows, the former Fighting Emus, but he doesn’t count out returning to the Sea Pigs. If the former Emus were to snag the 6’6’’ center, it would give them the best frontcourt in the league, including Nate Jones and Matt Manore, and perhaps the team to beat with guards Jack Robbins and Bryce Cushman returning. The Mad Cows are trying desperately to also grab Nayigihugu, who would give them a starting line up of all 6'0'' plus, which will cause teams headaches when it comes to match-ups.

_ If Burgess does go to the Mad Cows, more than likely his former team the Sea Pigs will have to separate, which leaves senior Tyler Beauchamp without a team. He’ll likely end up playing for Uncle Bob’s Backyard Ballerz, which has made major upgrades this year. Along with Beauchamp, guard Andrew Wesche has joined the team, giving them a three-point threat, and former Emus guard Bryce Bishop provides a proven scorer.

_ The loss of Wesche will hurt the Sunshine Generation, but senior Chris Woods says Chad Avery and Dan Eakin should make up for the rebounding lost from Wesche. He also said that with the Shocker’s situation, he hopes to add Nayigihugu if he didn't play for the Shockers. As for their yearly changing name, the Sunshine Generation will once again change their name, but Woods didn't comment on any suggestions.

_ With another intramural championship last year, the Faculty will once again return all their players, plus a student teacher, according to Mr. Daniels. With three to four practices a week this preseason, the Faculty should be ready to go, even though Mr.Street has a bad knee, Mr. Kilbride has been bothered with a bad back, and Daniels has an ankle that still is bothering him.