Those words proved to be true as both the Air Force’s men’s and women’s basketball teams demonstrated elite teamwork and cohesion to capture the 2011 Armed Forces Basketball Championship.

In the men’s championship game, Air Force defeated Army 71-65 in a nail-biter. The boys in blue had to come back from a 34-24 halftime deficite.  With their backs against the wall, Air Force quickly gained momentum in the second half on the shooting of 1st Lt Onyenma Nwaelele (Keesler AFB, MC) who pumped in a team high 15 points and SrA Jammar Major (Hurlbert Field, FL) who added 14. Sgt. Jacob Culver from (Ft. Bragg, NC) led the Army team with 13 points. This was the sixth consecutive Armed Forces Basketball Championship for the Air Force men. It was also the second straight year the team defeated Army for the gold.

“To be a part of this is something special,” said Nwaelele. “I like interacting with people from all over the world one week a year. I’m just proud to be a part of something big…something special.” 

The Air Force men posted a perfect championship record – winning all six of their games.  The Army finished second and was followed the Marine Corps and Navy who took third and fourth places respectively.

"We have a very talented team with several players who have returned for their fourth and fifth championships," said Air Force men's coach Tyrone Wright during an interview with Patrick Cubel. "Their leadership against all these teams in the tournament was vital to our success, especially in the championship game."

On the women’s side, the Air Force built a 22 point lead against defending champion Army and never looked back. SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie poured in a game high 26 point and led the Air Force to a 67-51 championship victory.   The Army, who finished with second place silver was paced by Spc. Nikkisha Pritchett  who poured in 13 points. They were followed by third place Navy and fourth place Marine Corps.

Although the Air Force took home the gold this year, the stage was still set for other outstanding athletes of the championship to stand out.

The 2011 Armed Forces Men’s Basketball All Tournament Team included: SrA Jammar Major (Air Force), Hurlbert Field, FL; 2LT Cleveland Richard (Army) Fort Lee, VA; LTJG Greg Sprinks (Navy), duty station not known; SPC Montavious Water (Army), Schofield Barracks, HI; and Cpl Chris Harris (Marine Corps), MCB 8th & I Washington, D.C.

The five women selected to the 2011 Armed Forces Women’s Basketball All Tournament Team include: Cpl Johna Goff (Marine Corps), MCB Camp Lejeune, NC; SSgt Tiffanie Guthrie (Air Force), Elmedorf-Richardson AFB, AR, PFC Kimberly Smith (Army), Fort Lee, VA; SPC Jerri Taylor (Army, Camp Humphreys, Korea; and LTJG Jen Schumacher (Navy), Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Goose Creek, SC.

“It’s been a great tournament; every team is very well-matched and well-coached,” said Thomas Fisher, athletic director of the Semper Fit Division, Marine Corps Community Services. “Throughout the whole world, all the services have intramural teams or varsity teams, and from there they select their best players to go to a camp. From there they select who will move up to higher levels like this and compete against the other services.”

For more information regarding information on the Armed Forces Sports Program and CISM, log onto www.armedforcessports.com