Undefeated basketball team wins again

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Security Forces Squadron Team-B rallied in the final 45 seconds of intramural basketball competition to gain a 4-point lead over 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Team-A for a 58-54 win and continue their undefeated streak Jan. 6, at the Whiteman Air Force Base Fitness Center.

AMXS-A lead in the first quarter 13-12, but SFS-B took over the lead early in the second quarter. AMXS-A had a tight zone defense, forcing SFS-B to shoot from the outside. SFS-B had a 14 point lead before the end of the first half of competition, forcing AMXS-A, to rethink their strategy.

"The competition was intense," said Alex Jones, B-Team member. "We were ahead most of the game but it was a close one."

Shane Truman, B-Team guard, stole the ball from James Mendrop, a key player for AMXS-A several times, finishing the play with a lay-up each time, changing the game's momentum.

Mendrop tried to lead the AMXS-A team to victory by scoring 16 points throughout the game, but in the end, it was SFS-B's team effort that gained the lead.

"We have a lot of individual talent on this team," said SFS-B guard, Antonio Fleet. "The challenge is to combine that into team effort. Sometimes it's hard with our schedules to practice and come together, but we try our best."

With 10 seconds left on the clock and the score 56-54, Fleet intercepted a pass from an AMXS team member and scored two points, securing the win.

"This was a great win for SFS-B," said Troy Young, SFS-B team captain. "We hope to bring the trophy back to our squadron and by being undefeated; we might actually get that chance this year."