March madness was the theme of the basketball games rocking the Quantico Youth Center gym all morning on March 15, 2014, as 7-12 year-old co-ed teams fought for the tournament titles.

Finishing the nearly two-month basketball season of six games per division, the Bantams, the 7-9-year-old division, whittled down their seven teams and the Juniors, the 10-12-year-old division, found the best of their five teams as they faced off for the championship titles.

“There was a tremendous improvement and competitive spirit with all teams from the beginning to end of this tournament,” said Kanee Booth, youth sports director. “We focus on teaching teamwork and cohesiveness, building skills and improving on them throughout the course of the season.”

As the Blue Devils and Huskies began the Bantam championship game, they were encouraged by cheers from a row of parents on benches along the sideline. 

“The [two teams’] parents created a competitive-but-friendly relationship with other parents during the entire season,” said Booth. “This created camaraderie and motivated the kids to play hard each time they hit the hardwood.”

The children did play hard, the Bantam Huskies triumphing against the Blue Devils 18-16, and the Junior Huskies leading the Spartans 33-21.

Parents excitedly shot from the benches to congratulate their children after a season of hard work.

“I got him into youth sports to keep that competitive edge and to keep pushing him in school,” said Staff Sgt. Montez Young, speaking of his son Montez, 11, a Huskies’ player. “This is a good tool for him and he loves basketball. This is a great atmosphere. Everybody gets into it.”

Montez, 11, said he enjoyed the season.

Our edge today was being cooperative,” he said. “I like to play basketball, so I look forward to coming next year.”

Although the basketball season just ended, children of active duty, foreign military and Marine Corps Base Quantico Department of Defense civilians interested in participating in youth sports, can find registration information at www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org under youth sports or on the Quantico Youth  Sports Facebook page.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil