News

Basketball: Lack of key players, fatigue give Warriors first loss

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Fatigue, poor player rotation, and the absence of key players were crucial factors in the 446th Airlift Wing Weekend Warriors' 49-65 loss against the 62nd Maintenance Squadron Maintainers in a 30-and-over intramural basketball playoff game at the JBLM Fitness Center March 9.

The Warriors came into the game with a 12-0 regular season record and one playoff win. But they also came into the game short-handed, according Warrior forward Derek Bryant.

"Today's loss was directly attributed to the absence of two key players," said Bryant. "One is a big man and the other is our leading scorer, but they're also pilots. Mission requirements come first so having aircrew members on the squad is just the risk we take."

Although both teams were aggressive, the Warriors kept the lead for the first five minutes of the game until the Maintainers got a layup, making the score 10-11.

The Warriors regained the lead, forcing the Maintainers to take a time out. But it didn't seem to help as the Warriors extended the lead 19-11.

However, Warrior turnovers caused the Maintainers to keep it tight, coming back 19-18, with eight minutes left in the half.

Both teams played tenaciously, trading baskets and scores until the Maintainers defense was too much for the Warriors to handle, ending the half 24-31.

"Maintenance is a very good all-around team, both inside and on the outside scoring" said Warrior guard Robert Jimenez. "Fatigue seemed to turn the game around for us."

The Maintainers started the second half picking up where they left off with a lot of fast breaks, putting the Warriors into foul trouble.

With the score 30-46 and less than 13 minutes left in the game, the Warriors were forced to take a time out. It seemed to make a difference as they came back to within three, making the score 43-46 with eight minutes left in the game.

"When the Warriors made their push, I was thinking that we just needed to withstand the initial blow and we would be okay," said Maintainer center, Jerome Aubert.

The Maintainers increased their defense as the Warriors caught more turnovers and slowed their pace, allowing the Maintainers roll ahead in the last five minutes, before the final 49-65 score.

Bryant gives kudos the Maintainers' intense play.

"The MXS team played well," said Bryant. "They have a big presence in the middle with one of their players. We just lacked the offensive power to sustain any lead we had."

Despite the loss of key players, Jimenez admits a better player rotation might have given the Warriors minimal fatigue and kept them in the game.

"We can't really prevent the loss of key players because, obviously the mission comes before basketball," he said. "But I think a better subbing in and out would have helped with the fatigue problem."

Despite the scoreboard display, the Warriors remain confident going into the next round of the playoffs, according to Jimenez.

"We will be fine going into the next game," he said. "After this loss, we know the things we need to work on to pull out the win."

The Warriors' stellar season isn't over. The tournament is a double-elimination set up. This loss moves the Warriors into the losers' bracket and gives them a second chance to reach the championship.

The Warriors' next game is scheduled for today at 11:30 a.m. at the JBLM Fitness Center.