LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Donald Alexander led the 497th Intelligence Group to victory over 1st Security Forces Squadron with a buzzer-beating shot during the second of two games in overtime, ending the championship, 51 - 50.
In the first game, the SFS proved why they were last year's over-35 basketball champions and defeated the 497th, never allowing the opponent a chance to lead the game.
Before the game started, Jeffery Morgan and Demario Daniels, SFS coaches, told their team, "Do what we have been doing all year; keep your composure and win."
From the tipoff, the SFS maintained a lead throughout the 40-minute game. At halftime, the score was 22 - 19.
The 497th IG coach, Daniel Shealey, who also scored 13 points for the team, told the 497th to take the court as if they own it and work together as a team.
"Win or go home," said Coach Shealey. "We need to play right now like there's no tomorrow."
On the other side of the court, Coach Morgan stressed to the SFS to keep up the lead and to transition from offense to defense better.
His instructions worked, and the SFS defeated the 497th IG 55 - 47 in the first game.
After a game of cat and mouse, both teams took a 30-minute break to re-energize for the championship game.
Before the game, both coaches told their players to focus on rebounding and taking open shots.
Although the SFS snagged the ball from the tipoff, the 497th IG quickly gained a six-point lead. With seven minutes left in the first half, the SFS rocketed back and took a four-point lead. The halftime buzzer halted the back-and-forth defensive power plays and the SFS led 26 - 23.
Coach Morgan said he was pleased with the comeback, but told his players to maintain the lead by strengthening defensive plays and getting the ball back.
Two of the 497th players were in foul trouble early on and in danger of ejection from the game when a shot from the 497th tied the game at 26 points each.
After two strong defensive plays, the 497th stole the lead back, 30 - 26, and a timeout by the SFS gave them a chance to slow down the momentum of the game.
"We need to stop making mistakes we normally would never make," said the SFS coach. "Go out there and take the lead back!"
The SFS stormed the court and nabbed the lead from the 497th IG. The teams traded technical fouls, which led to several free throws and a tie at the end of regulation, 43 - 43.
Cheers and chants echoed from the gymnasium walls when both teams took the court for a three-minute overtime period.
Both teams' defense was stronger than ever, and they kept each other from scoring for most of the three minutes.
With 12 seconds remaining in overtime, SFS' Roy Monroe fired a shot into the basket, taking the lead, 50 - 49, and causing a thunderstorm of cheers and boos from the crowd.
With seven seconds remaining, the charge down court began when a 497th IG player attempted a winning shot.
The shot missed, and with one second remaining, Donald Alexander, 497th IG, rebounded the ball and took a shot before the timer ran out. The shot made it, and the buzzer sounded within a split second.
The 497th defeated the 2005 champions, 51 to 50, and took the title of the 2006 over-35 intramural basketball champions.
The SFS watched as the 497th received their trophies.
"We'll be back next year," Coach Daniels said.