MPs 'Strike Hard,' knockout 41st Trans Co 44-37

Photo By Chuck Cannon | A 519th MP Bn player launches a shot over the outstretched hand of a 41st Trans Co defender during the MPs 44-37 win in intramural basketball play at Fort Polk's Warrior Gym Feb. 26.  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

03.01.2019

Story by Chuck Cannon 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

FORT POLK, La. — Jack Harmon poured in 15 points and Kenny White chipped in with nine to lead a balanced Strike Hard MPs squad to a 44-37 win over 41st Transportation Company Feb. 26 in intramural basketball at Fort Polk’s Warrior Gym.
The 41st Trans (4-5) jumped out to an early 10-4 lead and appeared poised to move their record north of .500, but the MPs (2-7) fought back grabbed its first lead at 14-13 behind a couple of 3-pointers from Harmon. But a break away dunk by Michael Levels followed by a long trey put the 41st back on top 18-14 with 5:00 left in the first half.
A layup and long jumper from Harmon sandwiched around a Levels 3-pointer made the score 22-21 in favor of Strike Hard with two minutes left in the half. The MPs scored the last two points on a Harmon layup to take a 24-21 lead at the half.
The teams traded baskets for the first 10 minutes of the second half with the MPs holding on to a slim 31-30 lead with five minutes left in the game.
From that point it was all Strike Hard as they ran off nine points in a row to boost their lead to 40-30 with 3:30 left.
The 41st Trans was able to whittle the lead to five points at 42-37 with 22 seconds left, but that was as close as they could get. Harmon added a layup for the MPs as time expired to make the final score 44-37.
Harmon said he was pleased with his team’s effort the entire game.
“It felt great to play a complete game,” he said. “We played a good team and played hard the whole game. We didn’t fade in the second half like we have in some of our games. We ‘Struck Hard.’”
Smart decisions played a major role in the win, Harmon said.
“We played smart,” he said. “We outhustled them and made sure to make two or three passes before attacking the basket. In the second half we upped that to three or four passed before taking a shot.”
Defense was also a key to the MPs win, Harmon said.
“I think we identified their shooters, stayed in their face and they fell apart,” Harmon said. “Good communication and playing smart is key for us. Whether we win or lose, we’re going to ‘Strike Hard.’”
Levels led the 41st Trans with 16 points and Jeremy McGee added 13. Levels said poor defense was his team’s downfall.
“Our defense hurt us,” he said. “Their little guys were hitting the boards and getting all the rebounds.”
After the 9-0 second half fun put the 41st Trans down by 10 with 5:00 left in the game, Levels said his team panicked.
“Everything fell apart for us in the second half,” he said. “We’ve got to get back to focusing on defense and not so much offense. In this league, if you have a strong defense you’ll win; tonight we didn’t have a strong defense.”
In other action FSC defeated MEDDAC 50-35 and Team Slim won by forfeit against MEDDAC.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2019
• Date Posted: 03.01.2019 14:04
• Story ID: 312533
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US