Clark’s spring basketball intramurals concluded April 30 after nearly a month of qualification and elimination matches, with juniors Ashot Voskanyan, Armen Ter-Ghukasyan and Erik Abramyan taking first place with a final game score of 13–11.

Scores were fairly even throughout the first five minutes, and the game went into halftime at 5–4, Voskanyan’s team leading. However, a flurry of two-point shots from Abrahamyan throughout the second half all but secured the game for the winning team.

The intramurals, based loosely off NCAA’s March Madness, give students not involved on a high school sports team an opportunity to play basketball in a semi-competitive environment. Games took place during enrichment in the gym, with PE teacher Judy Thomsen, English teacher Conrad Pruitt and math teacher Fred Blattner serving as match referees. Each game consisted of two five-minute halves separated by a two-minute halftime. Regular shots earned one point, shots behind the three-point line earned two points, and fouls earned one point for the offended team.

To participate in the games, students formed teams of four, consisting of three main players and one alternate. These teams were then sorted into two divisions, with Division 1 teams mainly consisting of upperclassmen and Division 2 teams mainly consisting of underclassmen. Eight D1 teams and 16 D2 teams then competed in qualification matches beginning early April to determine their rankings and opponents for the elimination rounds. Elimination matches began last Thursday and led up to the final result of yesterday’s game.

Thomsen, who runs school intramurals every year, said she is glad to be a part of the games. “It gives Clark a sport atmosphere, which we normally don’t have,” Thomsen said. “I think it’s part of the high school experience.”

Intramurals also play a large part in establishing grace and camaraderie. “I like the attitude of the kids, the sportsmanship and the teamwork,” Thomsen said. “Especially the sportsmanship. They respect each other when they’re playing.” Said Division 1 finalist David Karapetyan, “We can all be together, near each other. It’s just us guys. I like that.”