MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Combat Service Support’s intramural basketball team met Combat Instructor Weapons Company Artillery Instructor Battery at the Barber Physical Fitness Center on Jan. 17. CI AIB battered CSS, 56-43.
Both teams came ready to play, and each point was tightly contended. The lead changed with each possession of the ball.
The first half ended with CSS in the lead 22-20, but both teams were hopeful the second half would gain them a higher lead.
“Talk,” said Michael Schlegel, head coach for CSS. “Shout out who you are guarding and hit your free throws.”
In the first five minutes of the second half, CSS gained the first sufficient lead with an eight-point lead.
It didn’t last for long though, CI AIB tied the score using strong, intense defense with 13 minutes and 52 second left in the game. CI AIB forced CSS to turn the ball over and drove to the basket before CSS’s defense could set up.
The coachs for both CI AIB and CSS didn’t allow their short roster to effect their hustle on the court; each coach used all their time outs before the end of the game, allowing the players to catch their breath.
“We have to stop trying to force it,” said Schlegel. “We need to move around on offense and defense.”
The game was tied at 33 points, with 11:40 left in the game. Both teams stepped up their intensity and defense but CI AIB gained the six point lead.
CI AIB didn’t let the lead get away from them again in the second half. With four minutes left in the game CI AIB led 46-36. Although both teams continued to score, the game was won and CI AIB took home their first win of the season, 56-43.
“This win feels really good,” said Teddy Deshazier, head coach CI AIB. “I’m really hopeful for the rest of the season. We have a lot of guys on the team who haven’t played basketball for very long and it just goes to show that the more time they get together on the court, the better they will be.”