The Training Command Basketball Team put their skills to the test against the Enlisted Instructor Platoon team at the Barber Physical Activity Center on Feb. 27.

Neither team was going to back down and that made for an even match early in the game. But in the end, one team’s determination and aggression on the court brought them to a clear-cut victory.

Early in the first half of the game, Training Command showed their authority by aggressively getting inside the paint and making layups. EIP took their skills to the outside and were raining 3-point shots consistently. Both teams were scoring back in forth, but by the half, Training Command led, 25-19.

“We knew it was going to be close game,” said Roy Marcquell, head coach, Training Command. “We didn’t play like we normally do because we switched things up a bit in the first half. Fortunately, in the second half, we started to work together a lot better.”

Training Command extended their lead by scoring the first couple of points of the second half. EIP was down but not out. Eventually, EIP worked together, and to improved offensive push toward the basket. Within three minutes, EIP came back and took the lead by three.

Training Command was not happy about EIP’s slow-but-steady gains and turned their frustration into intensity. With Training Command’s defensive pressure higher than ever, what once seemed like an open lane was now congested with players that made EIP’s offense nearly obsolete. With multiple steals and consistently attacking the board, Training Command went on an 11-0 run.

With two minutes on the clock, EIP made a mad dash for points but too much damage had already been done. At the end of the game, Training Command had beaten EIP, 57-38.

The top scorers of the game for Training Command were Cedric Jordan and Anthony Johnson, both with 16 points.

“It was a good game for us,” Johnson said. “We still have room for improvement, but we played as a team and I’m proud of them.”