325th Air Control Squadron takes trophy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Air Control Squadron captured the 2009-2010 Intramural Basketball Championship Feb. 11 at the base fitness center, with a score of 59-56.

The feat was far from easy, playing the undefeated team made up of players from the 325th Contracting Squadron, 325th Comptroller Squadron and 325th Fighter Wing, and coming back from the loser's bracket.

The 325 ACS coach, Roger Thornton, knew what the team would be up against.

"We had already lost to the 325 CONS/CPTS/FW team two days prior," said Thornton. "They are a very strong team with the ability to score from both inside the paint and outside in three point land. We took advantage of the lessons learned from our previous loss and tailored our game plan accordingly. Our focus was feeding the post, controlling the rebounds and rock solid team defense."

The championship was set up as a double-elimination tournament and the 325 ACS had to win two games, back-to-back, against the 325 CONS/CPTS/FW, in order to take home the trophy.

"We were motivated by the chance to be the champions," said Thornton. "We concentrated on winning one game at a time and we believed all along that we were good enough to take it all. We played as a team all year. No team could focus on just one ACS player to stop."

Star player, Tysen Pina, was more than enthusiastic to bring home the title.

"Winning the tournament is awesome because of who we're representing and because we have a great squadron with great Airmen that are all working towards the same goal, graduating the best possible product and sending them into the Combat Air Force," said Pina. "The fact that we're able to show excellence outside of the work shows the well roundedness of the members of our squadron. Having to win two games back to back against a strong team was tough but the team stepped up to the challenge. "

For Thornton, it was his last year coaching at Tyndall, but he knows his team has a bright future.