Saturday, October 16, 2010

Valparaiso fans got their first look at the Crusader men's and women's basketball teams on Saturday evening at Valpo Hoops Mania in the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The night began with performances by both the cheerleaders and the Crusaderettes before the players were introduced one-by-one.

The women then performed a dance routine as a team before the men took the stage with a slam dunk competition.  Erik Buggs and Brandon Wood advanced to the final, with Wood earning the championship.

The men's and women's teams took on groups from the student body in a game of knockout, with the players prevailing on both sides.  Betsy Adams won the women's title while Ryan Broekhoff took the men's honor, with the two battling it out for team supremacy.  Broekhoff won the battle from the three-point line to take home the crown.

The night was capped with scrimmages from both sides.  The men open exhibition play against Olivet Nazarene on October 30 at 7:30 p.m. with Homer Drew Court being dedicated prior to the contest.  The women begin exhibition play on November 2 at 7:05 p.m., hosting Grace.