Photo By Maj. Vanessa Bowman | 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Corsair, 82nd Airborne Division team...... read more read more
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By Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The sound of referee whistles cracked through the night air accompanied by shouts, laughter and clapping from spectators watching two surprise teams compete for the Kandahar Airfield basketball tournament championship July 9.
During the regular season, which began May 11 and consisted of two games a week for each team, the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Kellogg, Brown and Root teams dominated the court. But, both the 1-508th PIR and KBR teams faltered during the playoffs.
"KBR started 9-0 but then lost five of the last six games," said Greg McCall, the KBR team shooting guard. "KBR had been number one all season and should have been in the top two, but we lost some key players to job relocation two weeks ago."
"Lost every game since," added Benjamin Davis, 205th Regional Security Assistance Command first sergeant from St. Louis, who served as the scorekeeper for the final playoff games.
While they didn't make it to the top, both teams played well to determine third and fourth place.
"It was a hard fought game," said Chad Beasley, from Twin City, Ga. who played forward for the 1-508th PIR team. "We came on strong for the defense and set the tone."
"The team played good defense," said Richard C. Robinson, from Summerton, S.C. coach for the 1-508th PIR team. "They are a good team who never gave up whether they were winning or losing. They gave it their all to the end of the clock."
1-508th eventually prevailed, taking third place while KBR finished in fourth position.
"1-508th wanted it more than KBR," said Angel Acevedo, 205th RSAC, who was a referee. "KBR gave up when they were down by 20 points."
"It was a hard battle," said Kofi Weeks, 1-508th PIR ammunition non-commissioned officer in charge. "KBR were our rivals all year. We beat them two out of three. They were good competitors."
With 1-508th PIR and KBR out of the top two positions the championship game was played by teams from Task Force Corsair 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and Task Force 71.
"There is a surprise here tonight about who is playing in the final game," said Davis. "1-508th surprised us by not getting into the championship game and KBR too. It just shows the regular season is just that. These two teams have stepped it up, especially TF-71, they are playing very well."
"TF Corsair is missing their point Capt. Robles, who was injured in a pick-up game," Davis continued. "She makes the team and controls the pace out there. It is a different team without her."
Despite the roster changes 2-82 AVN brought a steady and patient game against TF-71 as teammates cheered and coached from the sidelines.
"The strongest part of our team is that we all play together, it isn't just one person who carries the team," said Gema Robles, point guard of the 2-82 AVN team. "We are very patient too. I'm not surprised we are in the finals. The playoffs are a different story from the regular season."
Twenty seconds before the half time buzzer, tempers flared and the play became frenzied as the teams scrambled to add another point to the score board. At the half, TF-71 led the game 31 to 29.
"Both sides are playing pretty good," said Willie Williams Jr., U.S. National Command Element (South) command sergeant major.
"After KBR and 1-508th were out, I figured 2-82 would win because they are patient," said Davis. "This is a very competitive game, teams have been highly competitive during all the games."
In the second half, the 2-82 AVN controlled the pace demonstrating the patience they had shown throughout the regular season. Ultimately, that patience paid off as 2-82 AVN came away with a close 57 to 51 victory over TF71.
The top three teams received gold, silver and bronze medals provided by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation. 2-82 AVN team members also received certificates for a complimentary beverage from Green Beans. The awards were presented by Williams and Chief Master Sgt. Ben Caro, the Garrison Sergeant Major.
The final presentation of the evening was for Most Valuable Player, which went to Eduardo Serrano, 2-82 AVN. Serrano received $50 and a gift certificate for a well-earned massage.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2007 07:05 |
| Story ID: | 11207 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 454 |
| Downloads: | 369 |
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