MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- After a week's worth of bone-grinding competition, the MCB Hawaii Men's Regional Basketball Team defeated 3rd Marine Division and won the Commander, Marine Forces Pacific Regional Basketball Tournament July 18 aboard Camp Kinser, Okinawa.
To prepare for the tournament, MCB Hawaii began practice the day after it landed in Okinawa. The team practiced twice a day for four days, not only to hone its skills but also to accelerate its acclimatization to the hot Okinawan climate.
The tournament was played in round robin format. The first team that MCB Hawaii faced was 3rd Force Service Support Group, who had defeated MCB Hawaii last year during the semifinals. But this year, MCB Hawaii reclaimed its dignity and beat 3rd FSSG 104 to 66. Once Hawaii won that battle, its winning streak kept rolling the tournament.
"We wanted to win this tournament and we stuck to our game plan," said Master Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, coach of the MCB Hawaii Men's Regional Basketball Team. "The game plan was to bring extra point and penetrating guards instead of shooting guards, and we executed it. The other teams just couldn't handle that. It was devastating."
When MCB Hawaii faced the Navy, the team hardly had to break a sweat, as it crushed the Navy 131 to 41.
"It was the guards who pushed the ball up the court. They set the pace of the game," said Mitchell. "At some points during the games, our team would be running up the courts and the other team was completely behind them."
But MCB Hawaii knew it had met its match when it faced 3rd Marine Division - the two-time defending champions - during the final championship game July 18.
"That was a good game. Our momentum was going so well, we didn't think they could keep up, but they did," said Mitchell. "It was back and forth for a while in the second half, but when the buzzer sounded, we realized we were ahead 85 to 75. We had dethroned 3rd Marine Division."
During the awards ceremony July 19, MCB Hawaii players received Marine Corps Regional Championship medals and a championship jacket. The team also received the ComMarForPac Regional Basketball Tournament trophy that will be presented to Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general, MCB Hawaii, sometime next week.
Three of the MCB Hawaii players received a Marine Corps All-Tournament Medal, and Russ Johnson, of Bravo Co., 1/12, was chosen as the tournament Most Valuable Player.
Johnson was also chosen for the All-Marine team camp, along with returning hopeful Nathan McQuirter.
"This year was the last time the team had to play together. Next year the team will break up after three years due to permanent change of station and retirement," said Mitchell.
"But, that is what makes this championship so special. This was the last chance to win together as a team," Mitchell explained.