509th OSS defeats 23rd FG

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bryan Crane
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The sound of basketballs bouncing off of the hardwood floor echoed throughout the Whiteman Fitness Center as the 2012 intramural basketball season tipped off Nov. 26. The season continued Nov. 27 as the 509th Operations Support Squadron took on the 23rd Fighter Group.

In a back-and-forth contest, the 509th OSS opened their season with a victory, defeating the 23rd FG, 60-49.

The 23rd FG, playing in their first-ever Whiteman intramural basketball season, opened the game by hitting two quick three-pointers, taking an early 6-0 lead.

However, turnovers by both teams kept the score stagnant.

"We didn't play our best game out there," said Kenneth Scott, 509th OSS point guard. "We played sloppy but were still able to pull out the win."

An early timeout seemed to help OSS as they began playing tighter defense and executing a high-tempo, fast-break offense, attacking the basket and hitting high-percentage shots. Their strategy worked, and at the end of the first quarter, the 23rd FG held a 15-13 lead.

Both teams went on shooting sprees as the second quarter began, launching shots from all over the court. Despite missing several shots, OSS managed to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

The halftime break seemed to rejuvenate OSS, as they started the third quarter with gusto.

Going back to their high-tempo game plan, the team hit layup after layup, and took a 31-21 third-quarter lead.

After taking a timeout, the 23rd FG succeeded in slowing the down the pace of the game, consistently moving the ball and finding open three-point shots.

Their plan worked - at the end of the third quarter, OSS held a slim 38-33 lead.

The 23rd FG started the fourth quarter on fire. Led by their leading scorer, Austin Lee, the squad went on a six-point run, taking a 39-38 lead and forcing OSS to call a quick timeout.

However, the timeout would prove to stymie the 23rd FG's momentum, allowing OSS to reclaim a commanding 52-39 lead. The 23rd FG kept fighting, and Lee continued his good shooting, but it was not enough, as OSS earned the 60-49 victory.

Scott said he and the OSS team are ready to take on the league and make a championship run.

"We have a really good team," Scott said. "We have things we need to improve but I think we can make it all the way with the talent this team has."

All intramural basketball games will be played at the Fitness Center in the back basketball court Monday through Thursday.