MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station residents watched as three basketball teams from the station youth sports program competed in a friendly tournament against four teams from surrounding cities at the IronWorks Gym sports court here Feb. 11.
The Yanai Junior High School basketball team proved itself to be the best team by reigning victorious over the Teddy Bears with a championship game score of 30-12.
Tournaments such as this provide a good cultural experience for station children and Japanese students.
“I think games like this are great,” said Lt. Col. Michael R. Coletta, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron commanding officer.“These goodwill games give American kids an opportunity to experience athletes from another country.”
The double-elimination tournament consisted of two brackets with the winner of each bracket facing off for the championship.
Yanai worked its way through the competition, taking on the Tsunamis and the Rockets for its championship game spot.
In the other bracket, the Hirata Junior High School team took on Otake Junior High School in the first round while the Teddy Bears had a bye round.
“When you watch one of these tournaments, you can’t think of it as an ‘us vs. them’ situation, but as an ‘us with them,” said Coletta. “You have to look at this as being a good cultural opportunity for the kids.”
By bringing in Japanese teams, the basketball teams aboard station are treated to a varied experience.
“In our 13-to-15 year old bracket, there are only three teams,” said Thomas F. Durning, MCCS Iwakuni SemperFit Athletics Director. “With a two month season for basketball, they would be playing each other over and over again. For the American kids, it’s great to diversify the competition, but it’s also a real privilege for the Japanese kids to come on station and play against the American teams. It’s a really nice opportunity for both the Americans and Japanese to have intercultural competitions.”
Along with the tournament, players and coaches were given an opportunity to play in a three-point shot and free throw competition.
Even after some of the teams were eliminated, Japanese and American players could be seen playing games for fun.
“It’s a really good opportunity for our kids to have this kind of cultural exchange,” said Keisuke Ishida, Yanai teacher and basketball coach.“I think it will provide great memories for the players.”
After the tournament was over, the players sat down in a circle in the center court while trophies and prizes were awarded.
“It has been a great opportunity to come to the station,” said Ishida.“I look forward to being able to come back.”
Eighty one pins, showing the American and Japanese flags crossed together, were handed out to every Japanese player, and boxes of cheese popcorn were given to each Japanese team.