Fuddy Duddy Elite, a 3rd year intramural basketball team coached by PLHS varsity basketball player Trey Theis, has proven they can hang with the best. With a stifling defense led by team captain Tanay Tondapu, Fuddy Duddy could be the real deal. 

Back in the 2023-2024 intramural basketball season, Fuddy Duddy went 1-8.

“We got better,” Coach Theis said. “The guys started putting in work outside of games.”

This season, Fuddy Duddy started 2-2, with their only defeats being a 41-49 loss vs. the #1 ranked Crooks and a 37-38 loss vs. the #3 ranked Mursikk. Rankings are from @priorlakeintramural on Instagram. 

This team has already made history, recording the first and only six-point play in recent IMBB history. They also possess an expansive highlight reel, with Power Forward Hunter Sorensen hitting a game winning 40-foot three-point shot to steal a 28-27 win vs. Royal Giants and captain Tondapu recording a game-sealing block to close out a 36-29 win vs. Bad Birdie Elite. 

As a team of all juniors, Fuddy Duddy lacks the experience of senior teams like The Crooks, Buzzer Beaters, and 20 Dollaz. Fuddy Duddy has also dealt with injuries and illnesses, taking out several starters on their roster. 

Even without their starting Power Forward Finn Ross against Royal Giants, they were still able to come out with a win. After losing their starting Point Guard Liam McCabe to illness and Shooting Guard Wesley Kuhn to a knee injury, Fuddy Duddy still picked up a win and a close loss over the two-game absence of these key players.

Despite clear disadvantages, they have shown flashes of being a contender in this league. Their defense held all opposing teams to under their average points per game, and a variety of individual players logged 10+ point performances. 

Defensively, Tondapu has proven to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

“I model my game after Ben Wallace because even when he wasn’t having a good offensive night, he still showed up on defense,” Tondapu said.

Tondapu recorded 11 rebounds and 7 blocks against Royal Giants.

“That’s the kind of captain I want to be, someone who will always show up in whatever way I can,” Tondapu said.

Critics have compared this team to the 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons, led by Chauncey Billups and the aforementioned Wallace. The Pistons went 54-28 that year, winning the NBA title in dominating fashion.

They say defense wins championships, so why not Fuddy Duddy?