MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The 2009 All-Star Basketball Tournament came to a close here after a tough battle in which the Untouchables beat the All-Stars 56-49 in double-overtime at Iron- Works Gym here Saturday.
The tournament was a doubleelimination play-off that kicked off at 9 a.m. with four teams and lasted well into the afternoon before a champion was crowned.
Coach Anthony Alexander and the Untouchables edged Coach James Allen and the All-Stars after two games and two overtime periods of intense, action-packed basketball.
“We played outstanding, especially going into the losers’ bracket after the first game,” said Alexander.
The Untouchables lost their first game of the tournament to the All-Stars 48-45, which made it an uphill battle from the start.
The All-Stars remained in the winners’ bracket beating Da FA M 43-35 for their second win which allowed them to rest for a game.
The Untouchables didn’t have it as easy, playing two games in a row and then facing off with the All-Stars, whom they would have to beat twice to be crowned the Champions.
The All-Stars were undefeated in the double elimination tournament going into the first of the eventual two games, which meant they had a second chance if they needed it to wear down the Untouchables.
“We were sluggish coming from the losers’ bracket, but we had a strategy to go to the championship.” said Alexander.
Alexander’s team strategy was to leave some of his players on the bench, let them rest, and bring them out in spurts to utilize their energy but not tire them out.
It was a risky strategy, but it paid off for the Untouchables. They had the depth and talent on the bench to pull off such a gutsy move.
The Untouchables suited up enough players to nearly make three teams.
On the other end, the All-Stars only had six players which made it almost impossible to get any rest.
“We ran out of men. It took a battalion to beat six men on the court,” said Allen.
Without fresh legs on the court and no rest, it was only a matter of time before the All-Stars would crumble.
“I knew I had 12. It was just a matter of time before they played sloppy,” said Alexander.
The All-Stars’ fatigue began to show after tying the second game and going into overtime.
With 51.9 seconds left to play and tied at 44-44 in the first overtime, Allen was fouled attempting to shoot a three-pointer.
The result of the play was Allen missing all three free-throws which could have put the All-Stars on top for the win.
Overtime ended with both teams even more exhausted and with additional fouls, which would play a huge role in the following overtime.
After a much needed break, both teams got back on the court for the final five minutes of what had become a daylong battle between these two teams.
The Untouchables jumped to an early lead making four baskets to the All-Stars two.
With two minutes left All-Stars‘ Allen fouled out and had to sit out the final minutes of the game.
With Allen out, the Untouchables took advantage of the ball and clock, extending their lead 56-49.
The Untouchables didn’t allow the All-Stars to gain possession for the final minute of play, passing the ball from player to player faster than the All-Stars’ weary legs could keep up.
After the game Untouchables small forward Nathaniel Rozzelle was named tournaments Most Valuable Player.
“Our team came back from four games; it was a good competition,” said Rozzelle.