MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron’s Hand Selected proved it is the team to beat, cruising by the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 Bats, 52-38, during the 2009 Intramural Spring Basketball season playoffs held at IronWorks Gym here June 3.
Guard Clarence Lampkin was Hand Selected’s leading scorer with 14 points and no fouls.
The final score of the game does not tell the real story of what took place on the court June 3.
It was tough defense and quick breaks that led Hand Selected to victory.
The Bats got out to an early lead in the first half but fell behind just as fast once Hand Selected got in its groove.
“It took a little while to find our tempo, but once we found our rhythm, we played solid basketball,” said Hand Selected coach Jason Scott.
The Bats did manage to close to within four points at two minutes with a score of 21-17, but Hand Selected extended its lead just before the half with a shot at the buzzer by forward Charles Williams to end the half, 23-17.
The second half started off slow for Hand Selected, just like the first, as the Bats came off the bench fired up and ready to play.
With a pumped up defense and reenergized offense, the Bats managed a couple of steals and quick breaks to tie it up at 23-23.
“They came out with a push at the half, but we didn’t have to call a timeout or anything,” said Scott.
The Bats’ hopes of taking the lead early on was short lived thanks to Hand Selected’s Williams once again putting up needed points with a finger roll lay up to make it 25-23.
“We started off good but came out short. The other team was really hyped up,” said Bats point guard Tyson Bare.
Ronrico McGee, another guard for Hand Selected, followed Williams’ points with three of his own to extend the lead some more.
With 16:15 left in the game, the Bats were trailing 30-23 and knew they had to step up their defense to stay in the game.
After a few missed opportunities by Hand Selected, the Bats rebounded and took it up court for some easy baskets bringing the score to within one with less than 14 minutes left to play.
Hand Selected regained its composure after Scott made a lay-up and stole the ball for another quick basket to once again further the lead to 34-29 with 13:08 left on the clock.
It was a close game during the final 10 minutes of play as the Bats kept Hand Selected on the heels, scoring point for point, steal for steal, never really letting Hand Selected take full control of the game.
“They had us outsized, but our big guys controlled rebounds and blocked shots,” said Scott.
In the final two minutes, the Bats franticly tried to put up points, but due to sloppy play and poor decisions, Hand Selected was able to make easy steals and capitalize on them.
Hand Selected never let up until the final buzzer. It held its defense and took advantage of every mistake the Bats made.
The Bats fell into the lower bracket but still have a chance while Hand Selected moves on to face Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 in the quarter finals.