9th AS defeats AFMAO in intramural basketball

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In any sport, winning streaks are welcome. Intramural basketball is no exception.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, the 9th Airlift Squadron defeated the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations 42-37 in an American League game at the fitness center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The win was the third-in-a row for the 9th AS as they improved their record to 3-3 on the season as the season winds down toward playoff time.

Kevin Mack, 9th AS assistant coach, said his team is peaking at the right time.

"We're building our momentum," Mack said. "With our different schedules and deployment rotations we have new personnel almost every game. Taking care of the ball is essential for us. We just want to keep our momentum and finish strong."

The 9th AS jumped out early starting the game on an 11-2 run and taking a nine-point lead at halftime 26-17.

In the second half, AFMAO attempted a comeback, but could never get closer than four points as AFMAO's record fell to 1-5 on the season.

Alan McManus and Joel Loftus each led the 9th AS scoring 12 points each in the victory. Jermaine Smith scored a game-high 20 points to lead AFMAO in defeat.

McManus, who scored nine of the 9th AS's first 11 points, all on three-point shots, said his team took advantage of AFMAO's defense.

"They came out in a zone defense and we knocked down a lot of open shots," McManus said. "That helped us build to a big lead, which was important because we had only six players and one got hurt which left us with only five players to finish the game. Getting out to the big lead really helped us to hang on and win."

AFMAO player-coach Brian Denny said that despite the loss he was proud of his team's effort.

"They kind of killed us on three-pointers early," Denny said. "After they built the lead we decided to go man-to-man and we were able to trim their lead. Each time we got close, we just couldn't hit the shots that would've got us closer. It was a good game, everyone hustled."

Mack said the 9th AS would try to keep their momentum going the rest of the season.

"We're trying to get together and work together as a unit," Mack said. "We're finding out what we're capable of and taking shots that we're comfortable with. We know the games are going to get tougher as the season moves along. We just want to keep our momentum and finish strong."