MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines duked it out March 19 at the IronWorks Gym for the Madness H2O Unit PT 5-on-5 Water Basketball Challenge here.
This was the first water basketball game to take place here, according to Joshua Roman, IronWorks Gym lifeguard.
"Any member of a unit or organization, whether civilian or in the armed forces is an eligible player," said Kari Hemund, IronWorks Gym aquatic director. "There must be five players to a team plus one substitute and one player in the water must be of the opposite sex."
There are many rules that apply to the sport; the same rules from the National College Athletics Association Basketball league apply to the marine sport.
Other rules include that each game be played for seven minutes each. No goaltending is allowed and teams shall shoot the ball within 25 seconds of possession.
A player will be called a foul on if he holds, kicks, dunks or tackles a player that has or does not have possession of the ball. Players will also be called foul upon if they use unnecessary roughness or intentionally splash water at the opponent with the intent to hinder the opponent's vision, said Hemund.
The most points scored in the game determine the winning team. If a tie were to occur, the two teams will play a 5-minute game to determine the winner.
Four teams, comprised of different units aboard the Station, took to the immense pool at Ironworks Gym to be part of the basketball challenge.
The first bout was between Marine Air Control Squadron 4 versus Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron S-6. MACS-4 defeated the S-6 shop, advancing them to the championship.
The second game was the Provost Marshal's Office versus Detachment B. PMO came out as the victors making them go head-to-head against MACS-4 in the championship game.
After a grueling seven minutes, MACS-4 was the champions of the Madness H2O Unit PT 5-on-5 Water Basketball Challenge, 28-26.
"This is a lot of fun. It's also positive and healthy sport. It's a good cardiovascular workout all while enjoying unit cohesion," said Quan Smith, PMO criminal investigator.
Bringing the sport here was the conception of Hemund. The aquatics director is eager to start a tournament if more residents of the Station show an interest.