MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The Expendables moved to 2-1, overcoming David versus Goliath odds and defeating the Spartans 58-50, in the newly-renovated Marine Dome, Oct. 29.
The Expendables earned the win with only six players on their roster. The Spartans bench was 15 players deep, but was unable to translate superior numbers into success on the court.
Team captain Jermond Griffin attributed The Expendables’ victory to chemistry created by persistence and teamwork.
"The key to victory in this sport is chemistry," said Griffin. "The longer a team works together, the more they build chemistry."
This year's intramural basketball season was played on newly finished courts, which Griffin said was a real treat.
Griffin, who finished the game with 11 points, said the new finish on the courts not only adds a bit more grip to help athletes change directions quickly, but makes the court look great.
The renovations took place because the facility needed repairs to the floors of the gymnasium and work done inside the locker rooms, said Zachary J. Leingang, the sports coordinator with Semper Fit's athletics division.
Leingang said he already considered this season successful because of the large number of participants in the basketball league.
"We are working on raising our participation," said Leingang.
The athletics department, working with lower funding, will continue to offer one sport per season. But Leingang said the department is looking for other options.
"If a Marine would like to do something more than what we are offering, we would look into it and attempt to accommodate their request," said Leingang. "Our mission is to get Marines out here participating."
But the intramural sports program lacks the type of high profile events it once had, a fact that Griffin attributed to lower participation.
"I think sports in general are a good alternative to other situations, like Marines in their rooms playing video games," said Griffin. Intramural sports helps build camaraderie and could bring units closer together."
Games this season are Monday through Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information about intramural sports, contact the Marine Dome at 466-2566.