21st FSS wins second consecutive over-30 title

Published March 5, 2010
By Walt Johnson
Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Force Support Squadron over-30 basketball team defeated the Air Force Operation, Test and Evaluation Center, 69-53 to win the 2010 championship Feb. 18 at the Peterson Sports and Fitness Center.

The victory gave the 21st FSS its second consecutive championship in the Peterson intramural league action. Last year, the 21st FSS team defeated the favored Air Force Space Command team.

In the first half it did not appear a repeat would be in the cards for the defending champions as AFOTEC earned a 28-27 advantage with clutch shooting and good defense. The table was set up well for AFOTEC to win the contest and complete a comeback from the loser's bracket to win the championship.

The second half however would show why FSS was the defending champion, as it turned up offensive and defensive pressure on the AFOTEC team. When the smoke cleared AFOTEC had been outscored by FSS 42-25 in the second half to claim its second consecutive title.

"The whole year we felt we were the team to beat," said Chris Gunn, 21st FSS coach. "Just like we felt that way last year but we had to prove we could do it last year. Even when we fell into the losers' bracket they knew we were the team to beat.

"We felt we had a great chance to win the league again because we had most of our players back from last year and every other team in the league lost some key players. We were motivated because we knew AFOTEC and AFSPC were coming after us this year and we wanted to defend this title at all cost."
Mr. Gunn said the difference between winning the title last year and this year is that last year they were the hunters and this year they were the hunted. He said it gave the team an extra bit of motivation knowing AFSPC and AFOTEC were waiting to knock them off and at their age they know championship runs are not going to be as easy as when the players were younger.

"It's better the second time around," Mr. Gunn said. "This is a grown man's game. We had to hear all year that we got lucky to win the title last year, but we know that you have to play when you come out here. As we get older the knees start to shut down and those injuries catch up to you. I don't know about next year because I don't know what kind of team we will have so we will just wait and see what happens."

Hoopin' it up!