28th SFS wins base basketball championship, 79-62

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Security Forces Squadron claimed Ellsworth's 2013 Intramural basketball crown in a heated battle in the Bellamy Fitness Center April 24.

During the final game, the culmination of two months of heated competition, the 28th SFS squared off against their rivals, the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and netted a 79-62 hard-fought victory.

"We lost the last time we played the 28th AMXS during the semi-finals," said Staff Sgt. Jamari Floyd, 28th SFS training manager and point guard for the SFS team. "It was hard for our team - considering it was our first loss of the season. It was a gut check and when we pulled together, it felt amazing to win."

Floyd said their team focused on improving their man-to-man defense, noting that their lack of defense during the semi-finals was partially the reason why they lost.

"They're a good team," said Floyd. "They rebound really well and are impressive offensively too. Our key focus was making sure we beat them to the hoop and stopped them from scoring as much as our last game with them."

The championship team began their journey in February, when they decided to try their hand against nine other teams comprised of Airmen, family members and civilians from across the base.

Senior Airman Rawlinson Santaella, 28th Maintenance Squadron crew chief who played for the 28th SFS team, said his team carried the same motivation and drive they had when they started the season up to the final match.

"Just like all the other teams, we had a couple speed bumps here and there, and of course, we lost to the 28th AMXS," Santaella said. "We kept a positive attitude and we wanted to win. All of us worked so hard to get here and now all of that work finally paid off. We're number one and now everyone's going to have to try to beat us next year."

Steve Reffey, 28th Force Support Squadron intramural sports director, said the entire season went well.

"Basketball is one of our biggest sports and we had a long season," said Reffey. "From the feedback I'm getting, everyone enjoyed it. So, we're going to consider everyone's feedback when we set up next year's tournament. Overall it was exciting and all of these guys competing did an excellent job."