thedrifter
03-21-08, 12:32 PM
Warriors Undefeated
Team of Marines, sailors edges Kadena in Foster open basketball tournament
Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Flynn
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (March 21, 2008) -- The Warriors held off Kadena to win a close championship game 52-50 in the Camp Foster Open Basketball Tournament March 15.
The Warriors, a team of Marines and sailors, finished the tournament undefeated, beating three teams and winning four games on their way to the tournament title.
"The Air Force wanted to come here and show up the Marines," said Warriors forward Floyd Spears. "We couldn't let that happen, so we had to put together a Marine/Navy team and show them what we're about."
Kadena and the Warriors came at each other hard, playing a fast-paced style of basketball. They traded the lead several times in the first half with the Warriors leading at the half 26-23.
The second half was the same as the first. Neither team let the other get more than a five-point lead, and with four minutes left, the score was tied at 41.
The teams traded baskets until the last two minutes. With 1:30 left on the clock, a Kadena player fouled Spears, who made both free throws to give the Warriors a 47-45 lead.
Kadena failed to answer, and Warriors guard Jeff Wilson grabbed the rebound on the missed shot. Kadena fouled him immediately.
With Kadena over the foul limit, Wilson went to the line and made both free throws to put the Warriors out in front by 1.
With 40 seconds left, Kadena scored to bring them within two. The Warriors tried running out the clock, but Kadena fouled Spears and sent him to the line again. He made both shots to put the Warriors up 51-47.
Kadena guard Sean Parker kept his team alive with a three-pointer to bring the Warriors lead to 1.
The Warriors tried to run out the clock again, but Kadena fouled Spears with six seconds left. He made one and missed the second.
Down by two with five seconds left, Kadena quickly pushed the ball up the court but failed to score.
"We gave it our all, but we were tired and committed too many fouls, giving them easy shots," said Parker.
The Warriors came out on top but remained humble about their win.
"Kadena is a great team, and my hat is off to them," Spears said. "They played tough and with a lot of heart."
Ellie
Team of Marines, sailors edges Kadena in Foster open basketball tournament
Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Flynn
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (March 21, 2008) -- The Warriors held off Kadena to win a close championship game 52-50 in the Camp Foster Open Basketball Tournament March 15.
The Warriors, a team of Marines and sailors, finished the tournament undefeated, beating three teams and winning four games on their way to the tournament title.
"The Air Force wanted to come here and show up the Marines," said Warriors forward Floyd Spears. "We couldn't let that happen, so we had to put together a Marine/Navy team and show them what we're about."
Kadena and the Warriors came at each other hard, playing a fast-paced style of basketball. They traded the lead several times in the first half with the Warriors leading at the half 26-23.
The second half was the same as the first. Neither team let the other get more than a five-point lead, and with four minutes left, the score was tied at 41.
The teams traded baskets until the last two minutes. With 1:30 left on the clock, a Kadena player fouled Spears, who made both free throws to give the Warriors a 47-45 lead.
Kadena failed to answer, and Warriors guard Jeff Wilson grabbed the rebound on the missed shot. Kadena fouled him immediately.
With Kadena over the foul limit, Wilson went to the line and made both free throws to put the Warriors out in front by 1.
With 40 seconds left, Kadena scored to bring them within two. The Warriors tried running out the clock, but Kadena fouled Spears and sent him to the line again. He made both shots to put the Warriors up 51-47.
Kadena guard Sean Parker kept his team alive with a three-pointer to bring the Warriors lead to 1.
The Warriors tried to run out the clock again, but Kadena fouled Spears with six seconds left. He made one and missed the second.
Down by two with five seconds left, Kadena quickly pushed the ball up the court but failed to score.
"We gave it our all, but we were tired and committed too many fouls, giving them easy shots," said Parker.
The Warriors came out on top but remained humble about their win.
"Kadena is a great team, and my hat is off to them," Spears said. "They played tough and with a lot of heart."
Ellie