Damien Mitchem, 1-43 ADA guard, shoots over the head of Robert Hardnett of 11th ADA. Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery.
HHB, 11th Bde. extends undefeated streak, edges out D Btry., 1-43 ADA
Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery, 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs
What seemed like a definite blowout turned out to be anything but, as the only undefeated team in the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade basketball league faced off Thursday against a struggling opponent who had yet to win a game.
But that looked to change in the final moments of the second half after Damien Mitchem of D Battery, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, sunk a three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left in regulation to close his team’s deficit to within two.
With the unexpectedly close contest still up for grabs, 1-43 looked to capitalize on a foul attempt and regain possession.
Intent not to let that happen – or worse, commit a big turnover – their opponents from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 11th ADA, instead decided to use their final possession to eat up the clock and boost their standing to a 7-0 record.
By relying on teamwork and discipline, the team cemented a 56-54 win against D 1-43 at Milam Gym.
Robert Bell goes up for the shot against a 1-43 ADA opponent Thursday at Milam Gym. Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery.
“They can’t handle the (full court) press,” said James Huntington, HHB 11th ADA forward. “When we bring it, they buckle.”
Throughout the night, both teams suffered from penalties. But for 1-43, being down by 13 at the half against a team noted for possessing a strong defense changed the Cobra Strike playbook.
“The turnovers are killing us,” said Vincent Johnson, 1-43 guard, at the half. “Alleviate those (errors), and we can turn (this game) around. Just like football, basketball is a game of halves. We need to focus on getting down low, slowing down the tempo and playing under control.”
Toby Mason, 11th ADA guard and coach, steals the ball from a 1-43 ADA opponent. Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery.
Much of the credit for 11th ADA pumping on all cylinders went to the unit’s access to many offensive weapons capable of doing damage in the paint and on the perimeter.
“(Coach Toby Mason) puts the right group of people in at the right time,” said Juan Abreu, 11th ADA guard. “Whereas other teams keep the same people in, with our team, everybody rotates (playing time) and gets a piece of the pie.”
Huntington agreed.
“It’s chemistry,” he said of his team’s cohesiveness. “We gel as a team no matter who’s on the court. Everybody has a role. We take great pride in our unit.”