42nd SFS 'pulls over' 4th consecutive basketball title

  • Published
  • By Carl Poteat
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  The 42nd Security Forces Squadron finished an undefeated season March 31 by winning the Maxwell-Gunter intramural basketball championship tournament at the Maxwell Fitness Center.

Beating the 42nd Medical Group, 55-42, SFS celebrated its fourth base championship in a row. Coach Senior Master Sgt. (ret.) David Pressley attributed his team's success to dedication and hard work.

"We lost only one game the past four years," he said. Practice sessions at 7 a.m. three days a week were well attended despite demanding work schedules for all players.

SFS reached the final game in the double-elimination tournament by first defeating the 908th Airlift Group, 71-49. Then SFS had their closest game of the tournament by beating the 42nd Mission Support Squadron, 55-49. SFS subsequently knocked MDG into the loser's bracket 61-41 before meeting them again in the title game.

MDG got to the title game by first beating the 754th Electronic Systems Group 1, 51-29. MDG then beat Air Command and Staff 2, 63-41, before eliminating 754th Electronic Systems Group 2, 38-33, to gain their first shot against SFS.

In a valiant effort for MDG, center Jeffery Black, spouse of a deployed member, led all scorers of the championship game with 32 points.

Leading the scoring for SFS were power forward Senior Airman Ollie Bradley with 15 and strong guard Cordareus Gilmore with 13.

Four-year team veteran Staff Sgt. Ryan Schrader directed the SFS attack as team members Airman 1st Class Charles Gandy, Airman 1st Class Donnie Jones and Airman 1st Class Derius Jackson displayed near flawless fast break and passing skills.

Coach Pressley said many of his team had considerable experience playing on the high school level.