Commandos back, better than ever

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • 16th SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Hurlburt Field's men's varsity basketball team is back for another season.
The team of six finished fourth in the South Eastern Military Athletic Conference post-season tournament in February at Warner-Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

This year the team plans to go all the way.

I don't know any teams in the SEMAC that can stop us," said Mario Webb, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, head coach and returning player. "We will be our own toughest opponents this year."

"We can win SEMAC this year," said Davon Martin, Air Force Special Operations Command Regional Supply Squadron. Martin is a returning player from last year and was named an all-SEMAC player. "We had a decent season last year, but this year we are expecting to have a great season."

Last season the team faced many adversities including a change in coaches and a loss of players due to deployments and injuries. The Hurlburt Commandos finished the season with seven players.

This year the roster has more than doubled with a roster of 15 players.
Despite difficulties last season, the team is confident and optimistic about the up-coming season.

"We're better this year because the core we had last year is surrounded by very good players," Webb said. "This year, not only do we have more than six players, but the guys coming off the bench can score and play defense."

"I think we're going to do well," said DeAngelo Gilliam, a shooting guard and newcomer to the team from the 505th Command and Control Wing Training Squadron. "We have a good chemistry and a lot of players with really good qualities."

The team played their first game Saturday at Fort Benning, Ga., and beat the Army team 75-61.

The Hurlburt Commandos will play their first home games tomorrow and Sunday against Moody AFB at the Aderholt Fitness Center. For more information about game times and schedules, call 884-6884.