JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
An already perfect season for the 628th Medical Group intramural basketball team came to a climactic ending April 16 at the Fitness and Sports Center here after a 38-32 trump over the 437th Maintenance Squadron.
Going into the game the 437 MXS touted a 12-1 record, which was only to be outdone by the undefeated 628 MDG who had more at stake than breaking their winning streak, said the team's coach. For him, a championship win was the culmination of years of aching defeats, he said.
"We've been a good team for the last five years ... always the bridesmaid and never the bride," said Ernest Walters. "Finally, we came through."
For several seasons, the team had watched the title sail by after "coming up short" in the playoffs of years past, the coach said. This year, he said the team benefited from several key additions to the team, which proved a winning combination of skill and ambition. The only question is, will the team's winning magic be around next season?
As for 437 MXS team coach, Airman 1st Class Kyle Barlow, things are still up in air. He said his return as coach in the 2011 season is a possibility, making a reference to Brett Favre of, "We'll see when we get to training camp."
The coach said he felt it was a "great season" overall with a record of 12-2, but said he was only "partially satisfied." Ultimately, he said he is in it to win it, not to watch his team slip from a heavy lead in the championship game.
"We had a 16-point lead and blew it," he said. "In the last eight minutes of the first half, we only gave up two points."
Indeed, the 437 MXS pushed hard in the first half with heavy action in the three-point range, but things began to shift in favor of their opponent after the 628 MDG switched to playing man-to-man.
The game ended with a stream of foul shots and defensive plays which shut down the 437 MXS scoring ability, eventually paving the way for the 628 MDG to hoist the 2010 championship trophy.