The ‘Kaps’ win inaugural 3-on-3 tourney

While most students were traveling the highways heading home Friday, the Brokebacks won the first ever 3 on 3 tournament hosted by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
The tournament came about as a result of an earlier Greek fundraiser called Turtle Tug and an idea to raise money for PUSH America, the national philanthropy for the fraternity, and Santa’s Miracle Fund.
“Honestly we were just thinking of a way to raise some money for ourselves, for our philanthropy and for the Santa Miracle’s Fund,” said Brandon Talbird, head of fraternity’s tournament. “Basketball is something you don’t have to be good at to have fun.”
PUSH America is an organization that specializes in service to those who are disabled.
“Half of what we made is going to the Santa’s Miracle Fund and the other half is going to PUSH America,” Talbird said.
Alden Williams, Pi Kappa Phi member and senior exercise science major, commented on working with PUSH America.
“It’s great,” Williams said. “Whether it’s by a car accident or whether it’s by birth, people that have disabilities share the same likes or dislikes and it’s just a chance to get to know them a whole lot better.”
About the finals, Williams gave his prediction.
“I got a feeling Whiteout is going to make it to the final,” he said.
Eight teams entered the tournament, ranging from new teams and members to best friends who have played for all summer. Teams included were the Utensils, Team Mohawks, Brokebacks and Whiteout. Among the best would be the Brokebacks and Whiteout, who would play in the championship later in the night.
Whiteout dominated the court all night, up until the championship round. “Whiteout’s looking pretty good. That’s my prediction,” said Justin Haight, a sophomore marketing, management and history major.
The Brokebacks lost to Whiteout the first game but fought to play them again in the championship.
Whiteout had relative ease going into the championship round. The Brokebacks lost to Whiteout and had to win through the loser’s bracket to advance to the championship round.
“I predicted Whiteout to win. We’ll see if that happens. They tend to bring their A-game when they play,” Martin said.
Whiteout seemed to follow the expectations of the crowd heading into the championship round, but Brokebacks had revenge on their mind.
Led by Nate Platto, the Brokebacks jumped out to a 4-2 lead and continued to a 21-18 victory.
“(It was a) great win, we lost the first game but we came back and won (this) second game, ” said Daniel Post, a freshman business management major.
After getting a rest, the Brokebacks came into the second game and dominated the dynasty Whiteout by going on an initial 14-2 run. Points from star player Kweku Pobee, a sophomore business major, helped Whiteout climb back into the game at 19-15, but the Brokebacks finished the game on a two-pointer by Daniel Post to clinch the win and the championship.
“It feels good man. I’m tired of people talking about Whiteout… intramural Whiteout has some really athletic guys. This was just a little sample,”  Platto said.
The tournament brought in about $400. 
“Honestly we didn’t have a target amount. Our main goal was to become positive somehow,” said Loman Martin, a senior political science and public administration major. 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 1 2006. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry