95th MDG grabs championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Close. Barely. Almost. 

Those were the words attributed to the championship showdown between the top two intramural basketball teams. 

It was a close fight Feb. 9 as the 95th Medical Group and Marine Aircraft Group 46 Detachment Bravo were neck-in-neck to clinch the championship title. The 95th MDG barely escaped the MAG's claws, defeating the MAG, 65-60. The 95th MDG is now a back-to-back champion. 

"The (MAG 46 DET) gave a great effort," said Darryl Mason, a 95th MDG player. "Playing back to back games is very hard, and they proved they were a worthy opponent. However, they were playing a team that was in their shoes last year, and we did not want to have to play a second game." 

During the 10 minutes of the first half, both teams were almost even, answering each others' shots. The 95th MDG gained momentum though as they scored three-pointers after three-pointers and blocked most of MAG's attempts for goals. The MAG also failed to make points even though they were stronger on rebounds than the 95th MDG's. 

Jeremiah Jones lead the 95th MDG scoring four three-pointers, two free throws and a field goal totaling to 16 points. Brent Baker followed suit with his six points. Richard Soto shot five points while Thomas Jones had four and James Cotton scored two bring the team's score to 33. 

Buster Evans scored four field goals leading the MAG. Robert Kendall scored four while Anthony Perkins made a three-pointer. Rich Esguerra scored two while Erik Dortch and Nicholas Kelsey have one point each to bring the MAG score to 22. 

The second half saw the MAG with a stronger defense and offense. Evans led the MAG again as he scored 12 points including three two-pointers and two three-pointers. Esguerra and Dortch helped close the gap with 11 and 10 points respectively. Perkins scored five while Kendall made two to bring the MAG score to 60. 

The 95th MDG scored 32 points but enough to keep the MAG from taking the lead. Thomas Jones led the second half with his 11 points. Cotton upped his performance with three three-pointers while Baker scored six. First half leader Jeremiah Jones scored only two points, the same with Soto and Mason. 

"The reasons we won are simple teamwork and knowing our strengths and weaknesses," Mason said. "We have been a team for the last five years and we get along great. Our teamwork was probably better understood by observation than I can explain in words. There is no ego, we all have each back, and we care about our goal."