U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hughes Airmen from the 799th Air Base Squadron and 57th Maintenance Squadron jump for the ball during the opening jump ball during an intramural basketball game, Jan. 7, 2013, in the Warrior Fitness Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The league has 27 teams which are broken down into three divisions with nine teams in each division.
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The 2013 intramural basketball season started Jan. 7, at the Warrior Fitness Center.
According to fitness center staff members Intramural sports allow Airmen and spouses to engage in friendly athletic competition against other squadrons.
This will be the first season intramural basketball will be held at the Warrior Fitness Center.
“Playing at the Warrior Fitness Center is 10 times better than seasons past with the new floors, scoreboards and even a new officiating crew,” said Senior Airman Troy Lee, 99th Force Support Squadron intramural sports director. “I truly feel the players and spectators will enjoy this season.”
With the indoor track circling the basketball court and the court being at the front of the gym it will be easier to see the court.
“I also anticipate more spectators watching the games with the upstairs track and the bleachers,” Lee said. “We have more teams this season due to the exposure that the Warrior Fitness Center gives to the basketball court.”
This will be the largest intramural basketball season at Nellis with three divisions.
“We have 27 teams, which is 10 more than we had last season,” said Larry Bridges, 99th FSS sports director. “There is a lot of talent spread throughout Nellis and Creech, which should make for a competitive season.”
The games during the week won’t be the only ones planned for the season.
“Mid-way through the season, we will hold an All-Star Game with a possible Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest, which will be held on a weekend,” Lee said. “Through stats and coaches’ votes, the [All-Star] teams will be assembled”
Only the top four teams from each division will make the playoffs, which are planned for March.
“With Airmen changing bases and deployments there is never a true favorite coming into the season,” Lee said. “That should make for some upsets leading into the playoffs.”
With participation at an all-time high and being in a new facility, the 2013 Intramural basketball season starts with high anticipation.
“Should be exciting and very competitive,” Bridges said. “I truly believe this will be one of Nellis’ best intramural basketball seasons.”
Games will be played Monday throughThursday with the first game starting at 5:30pm and the last at 8:30pm.
