By
PTE John Wellfare
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OFFCDT
Daniel Healey throws the ball while Navy’s James Lee defends.
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Photos
by PTE John Wellfare
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Coach
John Spooner watches from the bench.
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LAC
Cameron Angus tries to get the ball past WO Andrew Parker.
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AIR
Force basketballers stood up to the challenge of their coach and
won the ACT interservice basketball tournament 71- 64 against
Navy this month.
For most of the first half it seemed as though the game would
play out as expected, with favourites Air Force dominating play
and staying in front by a comfortable margin.
But good shooting from Navy near the end of the second quarter
kept the sailors within striking distance, though the halftime
score still favoured Air Force 44-31.
Air Force coach John Spooner used the break in play to spur his
men into action against the danger that Navy posed. “It’s time
to stand up and be counted; to play in the real traditions of
basketball and give everything for the team,” Mr Spooner told
them.
The encouragement worked – in the early stages of the second half,
Air Force shot one goal after another. Navy caught on and tightened
its defence to meet the onslaught.
For a few minutes, the game was played in the centre of the court,
with neither team able to push all the way to the goals.
Nearing the end of the third quarter, Navy went on the offensive
until the scores evened 64-all. After a standoff in the first
few minutes of the final quarter, Air Force pushed ahead by a
few points.
Navy, inspired by their performance in the previous quarter, refused
to give up their shot at the title and fought. The final score
of 71-64 reflected the Air Force’s strong defence against an
improved Navy, who had lost to Air Force 76-38 the day before.
On the first day of competition, Air Force had won over Army,
72-64. Third place went to Combined Services Wagga, who was coached
by Corporal Ken Robertson. Their place was decided by two matches
against Army, who were defeated in both games.
The competition was held August 13-15.
| OUR
BEST |
| ACT
Air Force team: |
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LAC
Dean Hill
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| LAC
Willian Kennedy |
| PLTOFF
Daniel Gill |
| Wagga
Combined Services team: |
| AC
Brett Nairn |
| AC
Brendan Adam |
| AC
Peter Goff |
