MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it was an all Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 championship for both the Untouchables and Da FA M. Da FA M pulled off a hard-earned finish after a rough start, beating the Untouchables 35-33 at IronWorks Gym here Monday.
The Untouchables, with a season record of 10-1, entered Monday night’s game knowing they were the number one seed and had the edge on Da FA M after the June 12 win to earn the Untouchables another shot at the title.
Untouchables coach Anthony Alexander said earlier in the season, “We need to play 40 minutes of defensive basketball and focus on fundamentals as a team.”
The Untouchables jumped to a five-point lead early in the first half, leading 9-4 with less than 14 minutes left on the clock. However, the Da FA M bounced back after a few sloppy plays by the Untouchables and quick breaks to even the score just before halftime at 17.
With 1.4 seconds left in the half, Untouchables center Jeremy Press was able to make a shot to take the lead into the half.
By the end of the first half, it was clear that the Untouchables had found their rhythm and were not going down without a fight.
After a much needed break during halftime, both teams got back on the court to finish what was developing into a great championship game.
Both Da FA M and the Untouchables came off the bench with much more intensity than they had in the first half. Da FA M set the tempo, scoring the first points of the second half to tie it up again at 19.
“They came out with a little more intensity. They played a good game. They are a good team,” said Alexander.
The score seesawed back and forth throughout the second half. Neither team could pull away and take a commanding lead, which left the championship up for grabs as the clock ticked down.
With two minutes left in the game and season for the two teams, Da FA M found themselves down by one, trailing the Untouchables 28-29.
After the Untouchables missed a free-throw off a foul, Da FA M rebounded the ball and took it up court to put it in the basket, and take the lead with a score of 31-29 and 1:35 left to play.
The Untouchables took a timeout with 1:03 left after Da FA M scored another basket, making it 34-29, but with the Untouchables having possession and a minute left, both teams knew it wasn’t over yet.
“That’s a very talented team and very mature,” said Da FA M coach Maurice Patterson. “It’s never over with the Untouchables. There is nothing on the court they haven’t seen.”
The Untouchables timeout did manage to help them put another ball in the hoop, but thanks to an improved defensive scheme by Da FA M, they were able to hang onto the lead until the final buzzer and took the championship.
“We did great. I think we deserved it. We came out, shot good and got the job done,” said Da FA M shooting guard Albert Miller.