LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 1st Medical Group held on to their undefeated season, winning the intramural basketball championship, 45-43, at the Shellbank Fitness Center Feb. 23.
With a game-high of 19 points, Gregory Ford led the 1st MDG in the championship match-up against the 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron.
The MDG took control of the game from the tip-off, and EMS struggled to set a pace during the first half, trailing by more than 14 points. Coach Jarid Gibson, EMS coach, called a timeout with six minutes remaining to allow his players to gain their composure.
"The fouls are coming from both sides of the court, said Coach Gibson. "But they're winning and we're not. Let's get out there and make something happen."
The MDG maintained the lead and kept the difference at 14 points after an additional timeout by Coach Gibson, with one minute remaining in the first half.
"Let's finish this half strong," said Coach LaTasha Compton of the MDG. "Keep up the good work and keep your heads in the game," added assistant Coach Carlos Claudio.
The MDG and the EMS both had players near foul trouble and in danger of ejection from the game. At halftime, the score was MDG 28, EMS 14.
"Stop missing free throws, pass the ball better and stay aggressive," said Coach Compton told the MDG players.
Coming into the game as underdogs, EMS would get a second chance to prove why they were in the playoffs, with a record of 12 wins and four losses.
"Defense wins ballgames fellas," said Coach Gibson. "We need to slow the game down and take charge of the court; we're still in this."
With 14 minutes remaining in the second half, EMS came within a nine-point deficit, resulting in the score of 35-26. A timeout from MDG gave both sides of the court an opportunity to catch their breath and rethink strategies.
"I told you we could come back," Coach Gibson shouted. "All we need to do is keep our heads up and play like we have been playing."
On the other side of the court, players from MDG weren't pleased with the recent change of pace in the game.
"Believe in yourselves," said Coach Claudio. "Get back out there and own them."
With eight minutes remaining, the score gap shortened with good defensive plays from EMS. After a momentum-halting foul from MDG with three minutes remaining, EMS' Cory Hunter landed both free throws bringing, the score within four points. With one minute and 34 seconds remaining, Hunter stepped to three-point territory and made the basket, bringing the score 42-40.
At thirty seconds, EMS had a chance to win or tie the game. Traveling calls against EMS gave the MDG control of the ball, but they were unable to make any progress.
"We got this," said Coach Claudio.
With eight seconds remaining, EMS had one more chance to score. A misjudged pass from the backcourt landed in the hands of MDG and the buzzer sounded.
"Both teams played hard today," said Coach Claudio. "But someone had to win and someone had to lose, and the MDG won today."