436th AMXS: still undefeated

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron intramural basketball team entered Thursday night's game with the 436th Airlift Wing/Comptroller Squadron team with an undefeated record.

Raul Rodgriguez, 436th AMXS player-coach, scored a game-high 17 points as the 436th AMXS remained unbeaten with a 66-42 rout of the 436th AW/CPTS Jan. 30, 2014, at the fitness center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Rodgriguez said his team's continued improvement is the reason for its success.

"We have been playing tough games and have been getting better every day," said Rodriguez. "I am proud of the team; our chemistry is coming together, getting better every game."

The 436th AMXS came out of the gates hot with an early 8-0 lead as they shut down the offensive game of the 436th AW/CPTS. The 436th AW/CPTS struggled to get anything going on offense and scored their first points of the game from the free-throw line.

Stephon Nelson, 436th AMXS forward, tossed in six points, including a huge alley-oop during the second half. Nelson also added three key blocks.

"We did a good job capitalizing on our transition points," said Nelson. "We also got good points on our fast breaks and we had good ball movement, overall."

In the first half, AMXS was able to score with little resistance from the 436th AW/CPTS, but player-coach, Jeremy Larlee, made a defensive zone adjustment to prevent the 436th AMXS from putting up easy jumpers. The change in defense worked for a while as the 436th AW/CPTS was able to cut the deficit to 12 points at halftime. However, that would be as close as the 436th AW/CPTS would get.

"We have not played together very often, so we are still trying to feel each other out and learn our roles in the team," said Larlee. "But for a good 10-minute stretch in the first half we started playing good and cut the deficient down."

The second half was dominated by the 436th AMXS and they look primed for a game against the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, the other undefeated team in the intramural standings. Rodriguez said his team is ready for that game and the rest of the season.

"I am excited for next week," said Rodriguez. "We are going to practice and work on our transition buckets. Stopping the other team is first, scoring buckets is second."