War Child and Sinagang came out on top in the first week of 5-on-5 Intramural Basketball. War Child defeated You Know 92-69 and the OKC Lightning defeated Sinigang 66-43.

It was evident that it was the first week because you saw a lot of walking and sloppy play due to players being out of shape.

The quality of basketball should improve as the teams gain chemistry and fatigue.

In the first game, Sinigang really struggled on defense.

OKC Lightning was not much better as they only scored 34 points going into the half.

“It was our first time out there playing together,” said OKC Lightning power forward Marsean Longmire.

OKC Lightning team caption Brendan Walker dominated the first half scoring 18 points.

After leading 34-15 at half, OKC Lightning never let up in the second half due to a great combo of Walker and Longmire.

“We just went out there and played really hard,” Longmire said.

Longmire contributed to the cause by adding 12 points.

Sinigang seemed to gain some chemistry scoring 28 points in the second half but it just wasn’t enough as OKC Lightning won 66-43.

In game two, War Child againsts team You Know, the first half was intense as both teams matched each other point for point.

War Child’s Antoine Newson really put on a show as he scored with ease throughout the ball game.

War Child’s guard Jacques Murray got whatever shot he wanted as he scored 15 points in the first half, and ended with 19.

You Know’s guard Marcus Robinson kept it interesting, though, by scoring 12 points in the first half.

You Know’s Saajan Patel chimed in with 12 points also as he hit four consecutive three pointers.

Despite You Know’s great shooting, War Child took a 49-41 lead going into halftime.

The second half could not have been worse for You Know as War Child went on an offensive explosion.

The second half belonged to War Child’s Antoine Newson.

Newson scored 24 of his eventual 48 points in the second half.

“We played as a team and just made runs,” Newson said.

You Know just did not have enough to hang around as they were barraged with three pointers from Newson.

“They were really fast on the break and we just couldn’t keep up,” You Know’s Patel said.

The intramural basketball season, started Feb. 3 and runs through Feb. 24, said Recreation and Sports specialist Eric Watson.

For more information on the OCCC Intramural 5-on-5 Basketball League, call the Wellness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310.

To enroll your team in the OCCC Intramural 5-on-5 Basketball League, visit http://imleagues.com by the end of the day Feb. 10.

To contact Brandon Willis, email sportswriter@occc.edu.