Hurlburt, Eglin combine to sink Sailors

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The Hurlburt Field men's varsity basketball team combined with Eglin's team to participate in a March Madness Tournament at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville March 17-19.

The combined team finished third in the tournament.

The team played against Sailors from Mayport Naval Station, Atlanta Naval Air Station and U.S.S. JFK.

A little more than a month ago, the teams from Hurlburt and Eglin competed against each other for number one ranking in the Southeastern Military Athletic Conference at the post-season tournament at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

"There was no animosity or hard feelings towards those guys (Eglin players)," said Willie Lee, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron. "As a basketball player, you respect guys who work and play hard on the court, so we had no issues playing on the same side."

The newly formed team also had other hurdles cross. The Hurlburt/Eglin team was the only all Air Force team in the tournament.

"It was definitely an uphill battle being the only Air Force team there," said Briane Rock, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Squadron. "Anytime you have a chance for an 'inter-service battle' you have to take that opportunity."

"We had to go in there and earn our respect and we wouldn't want it any other way," Lee said. "I recall hearing one of the players from the opposing team say, 'Those Air Force guys must train all the time', that in itself is the ultimate compliment."

Even though they didn't bring home first place this time, the team is hopeful for future tournaments as a combined team.

"This team is very smart on the court and it makes it a lot easier for us to play together," said team coach "K.B." Bowers, 46th Test Wing, Eglin Air Force Base. "I've been notified of a couple of tournaments coming up and if the fellas are available we're going to try to go to a few because I think we will have a lot of success."