By Hayden Ashby, Sports Editor
On Tuesday, April 29, the Pellissippi State Intramural Basketball League delivered an unforgettable night of playoff basketball, featuring two intense semifinal matchups and a dramatic championship game that saw the Futballers emerge victorious.
The first game pitted Promise Land, the #2 ranked team in the West Division against Team BTA, which was ranked #1 in the East Division. Both teams had played a fantastic season and fought their way to this playoff game, hoping to earn their spot in the championship game. Team BTA brought the intensity and led early in the game, up by 13 points by the half. Promise Land did their best to keep up, but couldn’t get their defense together, ultimately losing to Team BTA 52-39.
In the second semifinal, the Futballers—#2 in the East Division—faced off against the West Division’s #1 seed, Splash Squad. The Futballers had an impressive roster, with a team of young, tall, athletic players, while Splash Squad looked like the underdog squad despite being ranked #1. Unfortunately, Splash Squad could not capitalize on their offensive game and trailed 24-15 at the half. The second half was almost identical to the first, and the game ended with the Futballers winning 37-27.
The championship game featured a clash between two battle-tested teams: the Futballers and Team BTA. With the title on the line, both squads started cautiously, trading missed opportunities and relying on defense. The low-scoring first half ended in a 12–12 deadlock. In the second half, the pace picked up as both teams found their rhythm. Neither side could pull away, and the game ended tied 31–31, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, the Futballers dug deep and delivered their best stretch of the season. With clutch plays and unwavering composure, they edged out Team BTA in a thrilling 40–37 finish, earning the championship crown and capping off a remarkable playoff run.
