Holloman Undefeated

  • Published
  • By 49th Force Support Squadron
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE,N.M. --  The Holloman AFB Varsity basketball team recently went 6-0 in the "For the Love of the Game" basketball tournament which was hosted by the Boys and Girls club of Alamogordo, N.M. 

The Raptors started the tournament with tenacious defense and unselfish play. The constant deep threat scoring from Eric Nickerson and Chris Napier coupled with the unstoppable inside presence of Staff Sgt. Kevin Bullock, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron and Staff Sgt. Nate Jackson, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron, kept most teams on their heels. 

Leading the team at point guard was Staff Sgt. Richard Pantoja, 49th Maintenance Squadron, whose knowledge and leadership kept all games at a speed that most teams found hard to keep pace with. The Raptors had total contribution from the eight players in attendance. Airman 1st Class Tyren Ball, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, was an invaluable asset coming from the bench; he led the second unit to include backup center Airman 1st Class Antwan Short, 49 MXS, and backup guard OJ Martin, who kept control of the pace, scoring, and rebounding on an insurmountable level. 

"The teams strength, conditioning and technical abilities allowed them to overpower quality competition in the tournament," said Coach Clarence Mitchell of the 49th Aeromedical Dental Squadron. 

Mr. Mitchell also said he was impressed with the "the quality and sportsmanship of athletes that participated in the tournament. 

"They left everything on the court and that's the way you win tournaments!" he said. 

The championship game between the Raptors and Team Extreme sponsored by Back in Action was the hardest game of all. 

Team Extreme was the best outside shooting team of the tournament. 75 percent of their scoring came from beyond the arc. The Raptors turned to the inside game, by utilizing guard penetration and solid post moves from the big men. Extreme could not matchup correctly and fouled the Raptors putting them on the free throw line. The speed and gamesmanship was fully displayed in the contest. In the final two minutes, Holloman locked down on defense and forced five turnovers, sealing the victory 74-68. 

The Raptors are confidently looking forward to their next tournament which is tentatively scheduled for the Halloween Classic at Ft Bliss, Texas.