TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Navy VQ-7s topped the 72nd Security Forces Squadron 46-3 to kick off week five of base hoops.
The first of two sixteen-minute halves was sparse in terms of points on the board, but intensity was in full force. After a missed three-pointer from the Navy’s Thatch (11 points) less than two minutes in, SFS all-star Joseph Currie (7 points) picked up an aggressive rebound and drove down the court to put two points up. After Navy regained possession, leading scorer Hanks (14 points) sunk a three before the game saw its first timeout with twelve minutes remaining.
Following a brief strategizing session, Hanks intercepted the ball from an SFS inbound pass and took it down for a three-pointer outside the key. Security Forces responded with a four-point break before they swapped their bench legs in for some fresh energy. To no avail, VQ-7 responded forcefully with another eight points, topped off with Hanks draining a three before calling a timeout with five minutes left in the first half. The board read 16-6, and VQ-7 continued to amp up their attack mode. SFS struggled to connect passes in spite of their impressive ability to snag most of the rebounds. Consistent pressure in the baseline from the Navy kept SFS from connecting pass to player or ball to basket.
Throwing the ball away their first possession after the second timeout of the half, the Navy seemed to hit a wall for a few minutes. Security Forces did another four-person substitution hoping their rested starters would be able to get their tallies up. Currie sank a three and shortly thereafter, VQ-7 responded with five more points. A game light on personal fouls, the first free throws of the game came with 2:39 left to play before halftime. SFS’ leading scorer with 14 points, Q went to the line, missed both shots, but his team’s rebound ability still allowed a two-point boost.
The Navy’s Reinhardt was fouled in the next possession, closing in on both free throws before the half ended, 25-11 in his team’s favor.
The second half allowed for some regrouping and organizing from both squads. Thatch put a quick five points on the board and teammates Reinhardt and Lefear added a layup and free throws into that mix before SFS was able to respond. After six minutes of play it was 34-13.
Security Forces gained some momentum as the clock wound down. Q managed to sneak in a layup, bypassing aggressive defense and VQ coverage in the paint. After a basket from the Navy in the next possession, Q made another trip down the court for two and Currie put up another couple after intercepting a lob down court intended for Thatch. SFS called its second timeout of the game with just under three minutes remaining. The score was 42-23.
The final stretch was looking more promising for SFS as they continued to put points on the board and upped their defense to allow only four points in the remaining two and a half minutes. VQ-7 tried to get a little fancy, once shooting a through-the-legs pass that Currie caught hold of and took it to the hoop for two. Six more points came from Security Forces before the final buzzer. Hopeful for a comeback, SFS was not able to fend off VQ-7 and the game ended 46-31.
The military league is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday nights, hosting 5:15, 6:15, 7:15 games at the Gerrity Fitness Center.