Ellsworth fires up basketball tournament

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen, family members and civilians from across the wing battled it out on the hardwood during the first week of Ellsworth's 2013 Intramural Basketball League tournament in the Bellamy Fitness Center from Feb. 4 to 7.

The league, comprised of 10 teams, showcased some of Ellsworth's finest basketball players - some of whom were there to make a statement, while others were just having fun.

One of the key matchups early in the week pitted the 28th Medical Group against the 28th Operations Support Squadron - a game that went into overtime before the 28th MDG hoopsters took the win.

"It was a really close game," explained Staff Sgt. Mitch Harkley, 28th Medical Operations Squadron family health technician. "We pulled out a two-point victory, but had to work for it - stepping up our defense and getting rebounds."

Harkley credits their victory to the time they spent during the weeks leading to the tournament practicing and getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Staff Sgt. Kathryn Braun, 28th Force Support Squadron career development NCO in charge, played alongside her husband Michael in another key matchup. Braun said she doesn't play basketball often, but enjoyed the opportunity to play with her colleagues.

The 28th FSS squared off against a strong 28th Civil Engineer Squadron A team. The CES squad used a stingy defense scheme and strong ball movement to take the win, 67-27.

"I think the game went well," explained Braun. "Our team played with a lot of spirit. The plan now is to work on our offense and defense - maybe even learn a few different plays before our next game."

Braun said that her team has a lot to work on, but that she feels they played better than any of them expected.

"The firefighters have some really good players and it showed when we got out there," Braun said. "Even though we lost, I look forward to our next game."

Steve Reffey, 28th FSS intramural sports director, said this is his first year organizing Ellsworth's intramural basketball league and, so far, he thinks the healthy competition is intense.

"Intramural sports are an integral part of the Air Force," Reffey noted. "They provide fun, exercise and camaraderie to our Airmen. I look forward to seeing how the games this year turn out."

Results from action Feb. 4-7:

28th LRS over 28th CONS, 48-41
28th SFS over 28th MDG, 44-30
28th AMXS over 432nd ATKS, 54-38
28th MDG over 28th OSS in OT, 54-52
28th CES(A) over 28th FSS, 67-27
28th CES(B) over 28th CS, 66-42
28th SFS over 28th LRS, 56-31
28th AMXS over 28th OSS, 56-47

Games are scheduled Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., and will continue until March 16. For more information, or to volunteer as a basketball official, call Reffey at (605) 385-2264.