MEDIA CONTEST: 497th IG targets, misses win against CMS, 35-28

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ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  No amount of intelligence data could have predicted the outcome of the intramural basketball game Monday night in the Shellbank Fitness Center. Who would have thought that the underdog in the first half, 1st Component Maintenance Squadron,
would dominate the 497th Intelligence Group in the second half to win, 35-28?

CMS seemed outplayed by 497th IG at the end of the fi rst half, as they trailed 16-8, but the tables turned in the second half, as CMS players took control of their game.

At first glimpse, the teams appeared unevenly matched, as the 497th IG dominated the court. With towering forwards, William Beasley and Robert Leppla standing guard under the basket, grabbing rebounds seemed to be an impossible feat for CMS.

Also, bad passing and laying up bricks hindered CMS from scoring double digits early on. On the fl ipside, 497th IG players flowed smoothly down the court with their meticulously executed plays, quick feet in the lane and skilled ball control.

In particular, 497th IG guard Justin Calvaruzo intercepted several bad passes and drove to the basket for the lay-ups; however, he became too aggressive in the second half, racking up fi ve personal fouls and an invitation to leave the game. In all, the 497th IG had 13 team fouls and CMS committed nine.

With little help from his teammates in the fi rst half, CMS guard Cory Peck did what he could to grab 50/50 balls, throw up shots and fend off 497th IG guard Christopher Thompson, who seemed to be driving the lane every chance he could get.

At the end of the fi rst half, CMS acknowledged their weaknesses and committed to make changes in the second half.

"We're not taking shots," said center Ricky Godette.

"We need to drive the lane and box out," said forward Adam Avery.

On the other bench, the 497th IG decided only one thing would keep them in the lead - teamwork.

"They're trying to discombobulate us, so keep your heads in the game," said Beasley.

The second half would bring big numbers for CMS and a breakdown in 497th IG defense. Within a few minutes, CMS scored a basket. Then, guard Victor Gage scored three unanswered points when he caught a rebound from the 497th IG basket and drove down the court. As the ball dropped into the basket, Gage was fouled by Calvaruzo and was given one foul shot. CMS narrows the score gap, 19-11.

A few minutes later, Peck shot and scored two points right outside the three-point line. With a foul by Leppla, Godette shot and scored one of two foul shots. Finally, with 10 minutes left in the game, Michael Keye shot a three-pointer to bring CMS within two points of the 497th IG, 19-17.

Remaining scoreless eight of the fi rst 10 minutes of the second half was not the biggest upset for the 497th IG. After a shot that bounced off the rim, the 497th IG defense attempted to tap the ball in; however, CMS fi nally rebounded, and a long pass was thrown to Keye, who went up for the shot. In the midst of the shot, Keye was fouled. Keye's shot was good, and his foul shot was good.