49th FSS team A edges 49th OG for base intramural basketball championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Josh Turner
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 49th Force Support Squadron team A took home the Holloman Intramural Basketball Championship March 19 after a 42-36 victory over the 49th Operations Group.
The 49th FSS finished the regular season undefeated giving them the number one seed in the playoffs out of a pool of 8 teams in a double elimination tournament.

"By the time playoffs came around, we were a complete team and ready to make a run at the championship," said Chad Penn, coach of the 49th FSS. "We were undefeated at the end of the season and the number one seed in the playoffs so we knew every team we played would do their best to send us home early."

The 49th FSS remained undefeated, winning their first two games in the playoffs, until the 49th OG broke their streak defeating them by one point, 47-46, sending them to the loser's bracket and one loss away from elimination. The 49th FSS outshined the 49th Security Forces Squadron defeating them 62-43 sending them into the semi-finals.

"We knew as a team we were very talented," said Penn. "We also realized it would take more than talent alone to win a championship. The team worked hard and came together throughout the season to build the necessary cohesion."

That cohesion came through when it counted and helped push them over the hump and through the championship game.

The semi-final game against the 49th OG was a close one, going into overtime with the score tied at 30. With only 10 seconds left in overtime, the score was tied at 48 and the 49th FSS called a timeout to arrange a play for the last shot.

They passed in the ball to the point guard at the top of the three point line and he drove hard to the basket. As the defense fell apart, the point guard spotted their shooting guard wide open in the corner, behind the three point line. It was too late for the defense to recover when he passed the ball to the open man who made the game winning shot, bringing the final score to 51-48.

With the championship on the line in the final game and the 49th OG's top scorer, Matthew Meadows, out for most of the first half with cramps in his calf, the team struggled through the contest. Despite his return and the nine points he scored in the second half, the star player could not carry the team to victory.

The 49th FSS took the last game, 42-36 and won the championship.

"We were fortunate enough to hit the big shots when they needed to be hit and play lockdown defense when it was called for," said Penn. "It's great to be base champions and we're looking forward to defending that title next season."

The Domenici Fitness and Sports Center will kick off the softball pre season with tryouts on May 3. For more Information call (575) 572-2529.