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Going for Gold

Staff Sgt. Rico Bachelor, Hurlburt Air Field, Fla., displays the six gold medals the Air Force men's basketball team has won consecutively during the annual Armed Forces basketball tournament. Sergeant Bachelor and the men's team won this year's tournament by beating the Army 71-65. (Courtesy photo)

Senior Airman Javita Cotton

Senior Airman Javita Cotton, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, zips past a Navy defender during the Armed Forces basketball tournament April 10-18 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The Air Force women won the championship title by defeating the Army's women team 67-51. The women's championship marked the first time both the Air Force men and women's team won a title during the same year. (Courtesy photo)

Airman 1st Class Denasha Mondy

Airman 1st Class Denasha Mondy, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, looks to set up a play during the Armed Forces basketball tournament April 10-18 at Camp Pendleton, Calif. The Air Force women won the championship title by defeating the Army's women team 67-51. The women's championship marked the first time both the Air Force men and women's team won a title during the same year. (Courtesy photo)

Staff Sergeant Tiffanie Guthrie

Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, receives her plaque for being selected to the Armed Forces Women's basketball all-tournament team. Sergeant Guthrie and her team won the women's championship title during the annual Armed Forces basketball tournament April 10-18. Acoording to her coach, she was the team's floor leader who commanded attention. (Courtesy photo)

Senior Airman Jammar Major

Senior Airman Jammar Major, Hurlburt Field, Fla., receives his plaque for being selected to the Armed Forces Men's basketball all-tournament team. Airman Major and his team won the championship title during the annual Armed Forces basketball tournament April 10-18. Acoording to his coach, Airman Major was the most dominant player on the Air Force men's basketball team. (Courtesy photo)

AF men, women capture basketball championships

Published May 24, 2011
By Erin Tindell
Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO -- The Air Force dominated the 2011 Armed Forces Basketball Tournament at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 10-18, with both the men's and women's teams bringing home championship titles for the first time.

The men's team went undefeated, winning all three games in round-robin play and all three games of the double-elimination bracket play. This year's victory was their 6th consecutive championship title.

According to Men's Coach Tyron Wright, of the Air Force Academy, his squad benefited from veteran leadership from players with previous gold medal title experience.

"They set the standard during training camp, and everyone was in agreement," he said. "Six wins equaled a gold medal, and that's what we wanted."

The men's team began their championship run by outlasting the Marines on their home court. They pulled out a close win against the Navy in their next contest before defeating the Marines again, who were on an emotional high after beating the Army. The men's team advanced to the championship game, defeating the Army 71-65.

"The Navy was our closest game, which gave the Army confidence to think they were the favorite after watching our performance," Coach Wright said. "We never led the game until the final two minutes, but we never thought we were going to lose because our veteran leadership and experience held the team together."

The Air Force women's team had a tougher journey to their championship, finishing with one win and two losses in round-robin play and losing their first game of the double-elimination tournament. However, the women's team regrouped to win their final three games, beating the Army in the last two games to claim the title.

Women's Coach Master Sgt. Darryl Carpenter, from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, said he motivated his players by having them focus on what they did best - playing hard-nose defense and never quitting.

"Our ladies never gave up once, no matter how much we were down during the round-robin play," Coach Carpenter said. "We fought to stay in games, keeping every game close. I just tried to keep them focused. I reminded them constantly why we were there and most of all, how we could win together."

The women's team kept their composure, eventually making it to the championship game against the defending champion Army team that Coach Carpenter said was extremely athletic with great three-point shooters and a deep bench. The Air Force women were fearless as they built a 22-point lead against the ladies in black and gold; never trailing and winning 67-51 to capture the championship title.

While both coaches said all their players found ways to individually step up and contribute to their teams' wins, one player from each team was selected to the all-tournament teams. Senior Airman Jammar Major from Hurlburt Field, Florida was named to the men's Armed Forces All-Tournament team, and Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, was named to the women's all-tournament Team.

"Airman Major was tremendous throughout the entire camp and tournament; he was the most dominant player on our team," Coach Wright said.

"Tiffanie was our rally queen," Coach Carpenter said. "She seemed to put us on her shoulders and... was our floor leader that commanded attention."

2011 Men's basketball team: Capt. Tom Bellairs, 1st Lt. Tim Anderson, 1st Lt. John Frye, 1st Lt. Matt McCraw, 1st Lt. Onyenma Nwaelele, 2nd Lt. Grant Parker, Staff Sgt. Rico Bachelor, Staff Sgt. Sedric Whitaker, Senior Airman Andre Harp-Thomas, Senior Airman James Lewis, Senior Airman Jammar Major

2011 Women's basketball team: 1st Lt. Andrea Taylor, Tech. Sgt. Melissa Fletcher, Tech. Sgt. Aridth Gibbons, Staff Sgt. Adonesia Beo, Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie, Staff Sgt. Michelyn O'Donnell, Senior Airman Cathrina Bailey, Senior Airman Javita Cotton, Senior Airman Williamina Folks, Senior Airman Erika Mims, Airman 1st Class Denasha Mondy, Airman Jennifer Outler

For more information about Air Force sports and other quality of life programs, visit www.usafservices.com.