Photo By USAG Bavaria | USAG WIESBADEN, Germany -- The basketball team from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria poses...... read more read more
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Lynwood Blackmon III, 320th Combat Engineer Co., 2nd Cavalry Regt.
[Editor’s note: Sgt. 1st Class Lynwood Blackmon III, 320th Combat Engineer Co., 2nd Cavalry Regt., earned the title of 2025 Army Coach of the Year. This story series is Blackmon’s recount of how his team rose in the ranks to victory over several structures.]
TRIAL, ERROR
ROSE BARRACKS, Germany – The Bavaria Wolfpack, originally the Bavaria Hounds, faced a path of adversity, but came through onto the road to glory.
It was retired Command Sgt Maj. Pat Lockett who first had the idea of forming a U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria basketball team. He had been an official referee in the states for basketball and other recreation sports and was serving as a referee for unit-level basketball at USAG Bavaria. During the 2022-2023 USAG Unit Level Basketball season, Pat noticed a high level of skill among the competing teams and aimed to create a new team.
At this time, I had been here for about, and most of the basketball community was operating through me (open gym, drills, skills-set). Pat pulled me aside after one of the games.
“I want to create a Bavaria Post Basketball Team,” he said, “and I want you to be the captain and help me get this going.”
Once the Unit Level Basketball season ended, we held tryouts to fill in the roster. When making this team, Lockett and I realized that we wanted and needed the best of the best.
After going through tryouts and practice, the Bavaria Hounds were set to make their debut in January 2023 in Baumholder, Germany. I could not make this tournament due to school back in the States.
The Hounds went to this tournament and completely sank against the competition. I received several calls from my teammates.
“We suck,” one said.
“These guys are selfish,” said another.
Others swore off the team.
Lockett called too:
“Blackmon, I will not coach these guys. They do not listen to anyone except you. The team is done unless you coach.”
Once I finished school, I came back and started the groundwork to get the team off the ground. At this point, I reached out to the Commissioner of the Varsity Military Basketball League of Europe (VMBL-E), coach Theodore Green. I had known Green since I first came to Germany. Green accepted us into the league; without his acceptance, there would not be a basketball team from Bavaria.
The Installation Management Command – Europe Basketball Community Tournament was in February in Wiesbaden, and the Hounds were scheduled to make their debut.
The team that played and lost in Baumholder, whom Lockett and I had assembled, I dismantled.
With no time for a try-out, I picked those whom I knew could and would compete. Those players included Rasheed Reams, David Stewart, Rajun Blackston, Kenneth Walters Jr., Shaquille Angel, and myself.
There were a few more guys that I had handpicked, but it was too short notice for them to go, so we went with those who could attend. It was time to take care of business and compete.
NEW TEAM, NEW GAME
I have thought that you are not a true athlete or competitor if you are not anxious, nervous or excited before a game. This was not just the debut of the team from Bavaria, but my debut as a head coach and player.
There was no meet-up between myself and the players before the game. It was almost like a silent understanding of what was on the table and what was in front of us.
At the opening ceremony, teams filled the gym. There were teams from Ramstein, Baumholder, Ansbach, Landshut and Hohenfels.
We had only six players, and the other teams are 10 plus.
After the ceremony, we did not huddle or speak, we warmed up and waited together at the half court for the game to start.
Our first game was against Landshut. As soon as the jump ball went up, we were off. We were locked in on all cylinders: offense, defense, communication, emotions, and intensity. We beat Landshut, and next was Ansbach.
We did not huddle or speak. I saw the fire in my teammates’ eyes, and I knew we were locked in. We beat Ansbach as well.
The tone had changed in the gym, and people were asking where we came from, whether we were new.
We get a break in between games, and we've been told our next game is against the Ramstein Rams, led by Coach Roderick Brown.
There were two games going on simultaneously, ours with Ramstein and Ansbach against Landshut. It felt like most eyes were on us. The stands and sidelines are filled, and cameras are out. It felt like the 2013-2014 San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat NBA Finals.
Angel is dunking on the Ramstein players. Walters and Blackston are putting their players through the blender. Reams, Stewart and I are slicing the defense up. Ramstein did not buckle under, however. They came out and hit big shots and played hard from the start of the game until it was 0.0. We ended up losing to Ramstein.
Roderick and the other players approached us after the game. They told us we were a tough team and that they could use some of our energy.
Through all the games we played that day, that game made me feel like we are supposed to be here. As a competitor, this is something that I want to remain a part of. Green shook my hand and said, “Coach, we will be in contact.”
[Editor’s note: Two further installments are forthcoming.]
| Date Taken: | 08.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2026 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 572205 |
| Location: | VILSECK, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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