552nd MXS captures second consecutive title Published March 12, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The deciding game of the 2008-09 large squadron intramural basketball playoffs came down to a one-game playoff between the 552nd Maintenance Squadron and the 72nd Medical Group March 9. The 552nd MXS captured its second consecutive large squadron title with a 37-24 win. Kirk Sheppard, 552nd MXS forward predicted a close game. "Our last game versus the Med Group was a tight one and I expect the same tonight," he said. The first half was a nip and tuck affair. Each team struggled to get their offense in gear as the defenses took center stage. Point guard Marquis Mitchell, 72nd MDG, and 552nd MXS forward and captain Mike Webb traded baskets at the 2 minute mark, putting both teams on the board. The scoring picked up as the 72nd Med Group raced to a 9-5 advantage, led by Mitchell and forward Cameron Graves. The 552nd MXS rallied as Webb and Sheppard scored two baskets apiece during a two-minute stretch to cut the 72nd Med Group lead to 15-11. After the teams traded a couple more baskets, the score was 17-13 in favor of the 72nd Med Group at the half. The second half saw the 552nd MXS squad turn up the heat on both ends of the court. They went on a 5-0 run over the first four minutes of half. A three-pointer by Webb and a put back rebound basket by forward Charles McCray gave them a 16-15 lead at 4:16. The 552nd MXS defense caused three consecutive turnovers, resulting in baskets by Webb, McCray and Terry. This increased the lead to 22-15. The onslaught continued as the 552nd MXS scored basket after basket while the Med Group struggled to score. Mitchell and Graves tried their best to cut into the 552nd MXS lead as minutes ticked off in the second half. They scored consecutive three-point field goals to get the Med Group within nine with 5:23 remaining. That was the closest they came for the rest of the game. As the 552nd MXS pulled away, Sheppard made the highlight play of the game. His 180-degree reverse slam dunk put an exclamation point on the victory. "We knew going into the game we would have to play smart on both ends of the floor," said Reggie Felton, 552nd MXS head coach. Sheppard, who tallied 13 points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds, was the player of the game for the 552nd MXS, while Mitchell led the Med Group with 14 points. "This win was great, but we want to win it all and that includes the overall base title versus SCW-1," said Felton.