2011 Intramural Basketball Championship: B-Squads bring A-game

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Security Forces B-team and Aircraft Maintenance B-team brought their A-game to the court Feb. 16, to fight for victory in the 2011 Intramural Basketball Championship.

The competition brought spectators from around base with fans chanting for their respective teams. Voluminous voices filled the gym, blocking any sign of silence during the game.

Defense was the name of the game for the first quarter. A flurry of blocks, steals and missed opportunities finished the quarter with SFS-B up 8-3.

Fouls were a constant throughout the game, especially for SFS-B. Adrenaline and competition were so high, the referees had to give a warning to the team coaches to get their players under control. The second-quarter ended with SFS-B pushing the lead to 19-10.

AMXS-B took charge in the third-quarter with Seth Evans making crucial 3-point plays. The team effort pulled them within one point of SFS-B, 31-30.

Both teams went back-and-forth on the scoreboard during the fourth-quarter. The quarter ended with a tied score of 44-44, setting up overtime.

Overtime found sweat dripping from not only the players, but the fans' foreheads as well. Eight seconds remained in overtime and AMXS-B was up 45-44, silencing the roaring chants.

Instead, all eyes were on the ball, appearing to zoom onto the point of action. The silence was so strong that heartbeats could be heard if anyone dared pay attention to anything off the court.

A half court pass to Phil Gross, SFS-B member, led to the defining second when all breathing in the room stopped, as he put the ball up and everyone waited to see the outcome.

The ball dropped through the hoop, and before it could fall to the ground, the fans rushed the court celebrating the 2011 champs, the SFS -B team. The champs ended their season 14-1.

"This was a great win for security forces, especially with the year we've had," said Troy Young, SFS-B team captain. "The atmosphere was great and AMXS fought hard."

"We started off great," said Alex Jones, SFS-B coach. "We didn't finish strong, but we snuck one out. AMXS-B is a great team and they played an outstanding game."

AMXS-B members felt a blow from the crushing defeat, but the coach and players remained positive.

"There is no doubt, this was the game of the year," said Mike Dawson, AMXS-B coach. "Our guys came out to play hard and we did just that, but SFS-B was the better team today.

"We were 2 and 10 last year and 13 and 4 this year, so we can't complain," Coach Dawson added.

The teams congratulated each other after the game and received trophies from the 509th Force Support Squadron fitness center.