Pictured: In Fowler, Sewanee students challenge each other in energetic basketball games.
Graci Vlattas, Junior Editor
As the semester ends and finals week rapidly approaches, the time on the clock is running out; not just for academics and last minute grade saves, but for the fun activities that happen around campus. As Phi Slamma Jamma closes for the weekend, it has us at The Sewanee Purple thinking about what other events could be occurring. That is when we found the Sewanee 3BL, a recreational league determined to bring you legendary 3v3 basketball tournaments.
Fueled by teams of different fraternities and personalities on campus, the games are three on three by nature, and played on a half-court for approximately 12-minute halves. Although this seems to be at a small scale, the teams and heads of the league make every moment count. Connor Young (C ’27) is the founder and creator of the league.
A member of Fiji, the football team and the swim team, Young brought the idea up to his friends and became the games’ commissioner. Young helps schedule all the games playoffs with each team’s captain, along with keeping stats and game information clear and available on the league’s Instagram, @sewanee_3bl. Results of games, upcoming schedules, and even players of the week are posted. Check it out to keep up with the league’s games and events!
Young is not the only one part of the game time decisions. The league is composed of players, captains and cosigners that keep the organization afloat. Vance Matthews (C ’27), cosigner and helper of the league, told The Purple, “Connor was the person who had the idea, then he asked me if I could help out with insights and scorekeeping and such. My job was making sure Connor wasn’t overwhelmed, meaning scorekeeping games where he wasn’t available, taking pictures, stuff like that.”
According to Matthews, the games were originally supposed to be played on a full court, but due to the current renovations and constant capacity of the weight room at Fowler, that was not possible. However, the smaller court makes the game quick and able to change at any moment, which is undeniably much more exciting.
Player Joey Mongogna (C ’27) explained the basic process of the games, not including playoffs: “Every team plays differently so it’s hard to say what an average game is like. For us, we get to the gym 15 minutes before to warm up, then both teams meet up with Connor to start. He has a stat tracker on his phone and a timer on his iPad to keep track. Fouls are self called and 50/50 out of bounds calls are made by Young.” Both Mongogna and Matthews commented on the “excellent” energy within the games, close friends and fellow teammates cheering on those on the court.
As a community, we should consider bringing a crowd to these games. Not only to appreciate the work put into the organization from Young and all participants, but also to witness the incredible feats that can only occur when people are just having fun. “The best moment in a game I went to,” said Matthews, “was likely watching one team score 100 on another. Keep in mind that these games are two by 12 minute halves, therefore scoring 100 points would be the equivalent of scoring 200 in an NBA game.”
The championship game, as of Apr. 22, is yet to be finalized, according to Mongogna. But, keep an eye out! A game of greatness is just what the student body needs to wind down from exams, and we have it in our own backyard.
We wish you luck, Sewanee 3BL! And stay safe, Sewanee!