Teamwork fellowship, home: the bond of brothers

  • Published
  • By A1C Jackson N Haddon
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The crowd roared in anticipation. A basketball flew through the air and bounced off the rim. The 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron team quickly took control, but lost it to the 97th Wing Staff Agency. WSA shot again, but missed. Both teams crowded the net and WSA recovered. With one more shot, they scored and tied the game.

The score was now 50-50 with less than five minutes left in the championship game.

“It was a close game,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Boyles, 97th LRS fuels journeyman. “I was on my toes all night. At times we were tied; 33-33, 40-40, 50-50. It was an inching battle and we just barely came out on top.”

With less than a minute left in the game, LRS assured their victory with several free throws. This win made them the 2017 Altus Air Force Base basketball champions.

“In the playoffs, we were completely undefeated,” said Boyles. “We ended the regular season 5-2, but we bounced back from our losses. Our last loss was when we were four or five games into the season.”

The morning after the semi-finals, Boyles checked his email and saw the playoffs bracket.

“We had no losses listed,” said Boyles. “Opening up that email and seeing that we were listed all the way across the winner’s bracket, it was a great feeling.”

While being undefeated took a special part in their memories, the friendship and comradery between players stuck out even more.

“We get together on Sundays and play pick-up-ball, spades and hang out,” said Boyles. “It’s not just us either; it’s players from other teams, other squadrons and other sections on base. We have a good little fellowship. We talk about basketball, our life in general, ways to uplift each other and ways to keep each other balanced.”

Throughout the Air Force, Airmen hail from different cities, states and countries and sports is a way to build a better connection between Airmen.

“Many people here are far from home,” said Boyles. “If we didn’t have that bond, we wouldn’t be as good of a team. It’s not about who can shoot 3-pointers, who can shoot from half court; it’s about how well you work together as a team.”

With the champions over, this year’s basketball seasons has come to a close. However, this doesn’t mean there is nothing to look forward to.

“We offer volleyball, flag football, basketball, softball and soccer,” said Krystopher Clarke, 97th Force Support Squadron fitness sports manager. “The good thing about offering sports here is that it provides Airmen the opportunity to get to know each other better and become better friends with their squadrons.”

The Fitness Center offers several sports all year long, providing ample opportunity for Airmen to get involved.

“Even if it’s a sport you don’t play, try them all,” said Clarke. “You may get better at it, you may like it, you might not, but at least you’ll know.”

Sports help to increase morale, maintain and increase fitness level, improve teamwork, build comradery, make new memories and develop new skills. For more information or to sign up for a sport, contact your squadron’s sports representatives or the Fitness Center at 481-7440.