ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul men's and women's basketball teams showcased their 2021-22 rosters last Thursday night at the annual Hoops Madness, sponsored by Green Mill.
 
The two teams had their first chance to put their talents on display to the general public as athletes and fans put their skills to the test in various events and competitions.
 
Following team introductions and quick statements from head coaches Amanda Johnson and Matt Fletcher about their teams, the competition got underway with the Shooting Stars competition. In the first semifinal matchup, a team of Ian Sluice, Keenan Jones and CSP football's Ryan Martin defeated team including Meghan DuBois, Sydney Schultz and soccer's Airi Tanooka. Elijah Ormiston, Jacob Everson and their fan teammate stormed their way past DJ Akpati, Jack Iverson and baseball's Nick Thimsen in the other semifinal, but Sluice sunk the half-court shot in the championship crown to give his squad the victory.
 
Next came a round of lightning as eight fans squared off on one end of the court and eight members of the men's and women's teams squared off on the other. Football's Cyrus McClure took home the crown on the fan's side while Sunday John claimed victory on the player's side. The two squared off in a championship matchup as John came out on top.
 
The emcee on the night, Justin Kohlman, the student body president and a member of the men's golf team, then led a matchup between four students and four players in an entertaining rendition of Name That Tune. In a tight matchup, the fans came out victorious in the event.
 
After a quick pizza break provided by Green Mill, the women took center stage in the skills competition. With Shawna Mell. Lindsey Becher, Caela Tighe and Sarah Kuma all advancing through the quarterfinal round, Becher edged Mell in the first semifinal before Tighe knocked off Kuma in the second. Becher sealed the victory in the championship as she held off Tighe for the win.
 
The top sharpshooters from both squads were put to the test next as Sydney Zgutowicz, Sarah Kuma and Jadyn Hanson from the women's team and Caden Hoffman, Jack Stensgaard and Reid Patterson from men's team squared off. Kuma finished in the top spot for the women while Stensgaard took first for the men. In the final, Kuma picked up the win as she edged Stensgaard for the overall crown.
 
Concluding the festivities on the evening was the dunk contest. Matt Johns and Sunday John shined in the opening round as Johns threw down a vicious reverse dunk on a feed off the side of the backboard while John brought the house down with a between-the-legs slam after jumping over Keenan Jones. The two finished with the exact same scores in the championship round before John closed out the win in a dunk-off.
 
The women's basketball team kicks off exhibition play at home against St. Kate's on Saturday at 2 p.m. while the men travel to the University of Minnesota on Monday for a 7 p.m. exhibition.