Freshman Intramural Basketball Races Show Five Teams Without a Setback

With just over half of the Freshman Intramural Basketball season over, there are still tight races in all three divisions.

Wigglesworth West and Grays are tied for first place in the American League. Both teams have 3-0 records, and with only two games remaining, the league title will go to one of these teams. They will meet on January 9.

After a forfeit win over Weld, Wigglesworth West has had two one-sided victories. They beat Thayer, 45-33, and Strauss ABC, by a 56-43 score. Their other wins have come via a forfeit from Weld, and a 46-40 decision over Hurlbut-Prescott.

Sewed Up

There is a three-way race in the National League. Matthews North leads the pack with a 3-0 mark. Pennypacker and Holworthy each possess 2-1 records. Pennypacker's only loss has been to Matthews North, while Holworthy dropped their contest with Pennypacker. If Matthews North wins their upcoming game against Holworthy on January 4, they should have first place sewed up.

Lionel-Hollis and Mower-Stoughton are both undefeated in the Continental League. They play only four games, and Lionel-Hollis has a 3-0 record. Their contest against 2-0 Mower-Stoughton will probably decide the league title.

Lionel-Hollis has beaten Mass-Strauss. 48-22, and Matthews South, 29-25. They also won by forfeit against Radcliffe. Mower-Stoughton has also beaten Matthews South and Radcliffe, by scores, of 43-29 and 38-28, respectively.

The regular season will end in mid-January. The top two teams in each division will then enter into the playoffs. There are six teams in the American and National Leagues, and five in the Continental League.

Interest Strong

Jeff Ayers, assistant director of referees for the intramural program, said that "student interest in the freshman program is much greater than it was last year."

"We're having even fewer forfeits than before, and the situation could get better after vacation, because a lot of people try to do their work before them," he said.

Ayers said that the level of play started slowly because the players weren't used to working together.

"It's getting better now, and there are some teams that are probably better than some House A teams," he said.