MXG tops OG 37 - 28 in over-30 championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daryl Knee
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Henry Jones and Paul Lee zoomed past the opposition for a combined 20 points to lead the 90th Maintenance Group to victory over the 90th Operations Group 37-28 in over-30 basketball here Feb. 5.

The 90th OG's defeat rocketed the 90th MXG to be the champions for the entire basketball season.

The game began with a sharp drive by OG's Roy Robinson toward the basket only to be quashed by MXG's defense.

A quick scramble resulted in Jones' frenzied deliver down the court. OG's defense proved to be more than Jones could handle, however. A quick pass to MXG's Jason Marks and a hurried shot gave way to the first score of the game.

OG's reprisal came in the form of Miexia Ahloy's charge catching MXG's Hurey Smith by surprise to come within shooting range of the basket.

Lee rebounded from a failed three pointer from OG's Matt Franchetti and raced down the court with only 10 seconds on the clock. Time slows as the ball rolls through the air. Three, two, one -- the ball slammed into the backboard to jettison out of bounds while the buzzer sounded.

At the half, with MXG leading 19 - 13, MXG's panting Kirk Aytch says, "We're not playing our best. We've got to step it up in the second half." On the other hand, OG's James Hawkins says, "They're playing our game. They haven't scored too many points, and that's good for us."

"One, two, three -- Defense!" rang out in the gym as the game returned to play. Franchetti bounced the ball to teammate Gary Foster for a quick lay up.

A quick back and forth left OG's William Boyd blasting down the court for a pass to Foster. Foster sized up the competition and waited for an opening. An unexpected dash made room for a swish of the net.

Marks returned the ball to play with a pass to Aytch. Boyd snatched the ball from Aytch's hands and dribbled halfway down the court before tripping and hitting the ground.

Hawkins grabbed the ball before MXG could take control. He passed to teammate Robinson who sunk the ball.

The last minutes of the game exploded with energy. The teams chased, stole and scored with extra vigor.

Jones rebounded, and then passed to Marks. Seeing an opening, he skirted around the defense for a quick bounce to Smith, who attempted to score.

As the ball landed on the court, the buzzer announced the end of the game. MXG earned the trophy for the over-30 basketball championship with 37 - 28.