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While most students were on spring break, the Above the Rim basketball team captured the Pepsi 5-on-5 East Coast Regional Intramural Basketball Tournament. The tourney was held at the University of North Carolina Athletic Center. Twenty-eight teams entered the single elimination tournament.
Above the Rim crushed its first opponent, Weslyan College, by 33 points. Neil Christian hit three-pointers while Melvin Dougherty cleaned up with putbacks and finishes. Unfortunately, 6' 9" center/forward Mike Wojtasek went down with an ankle injury in the first half. The team had a solid replacement in Willie Barnett, though, and the team won.
Saturday pitted the Tech team versus the a N. C. State squad. The game started out close, with Neil Christian and Mickey "Kukoc" Miodargoljaca hitting threes. However, Christian was injured as a player undercut him on a shot, leaving the team shorthanded. Freshman Zachary Mitchell stepped in at point guard, handling the ball well and making key baskets. The team pulled out a win and advanced to the semifinals against California University of Pennsylvania.
Above the Rim quickly opened up an 11-point lead behind Chris Shattin. The opponent crept back late in the game, but strong finishes by Barnett and a three by Schattin propelled Above the Rim into the finals, held at the Dean Dome.
Above the Rim's opponent in the finals was Georgia State/College, led by Atlanta native Quentin Richardson. The lefthander opened up the scoring with some deep threes that left the crowd buzzing. However, Above the Rim pulled out the win behind Miodargoljaca (seven threes) and Wojtasek. Wojtasek showed a variety of skills including lefthanded lay-ups, finger rolls, and crossovers. The squad rolled to a 76-49 win with outstanding teamwork and down-low play by the cutting Dougherty. Recovered from his injury, Wojtasek made the All Tournament team and Mickey won MVP. The team will now fly to Hollywood, California to play for the National Championship.
Members of the team are captain Neil Christian, Willie Barnett, Mike Wojtasek, David Williams, Mickey Miodargoljaca, Chris Shattin, Zachary Mitchell, and Melvin Dougherty.