Championship ends season, winners take home prize

The 435th Services Squadron crowned two intramural basketball champions Feb. 18 at the Vogelweh Fitness Center.
After three months of competition, the 435th Medical and Dental Squadron (Over-30 league) and U.S. Air Forces in Europe Theater Air and Space-operations Center (intramurals) walked away with the titles.
The Over-30 championship game kept spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the game. The 86th Medical Squadron and URSS battled fiercely for the full hour.
“These two teams displayed a lot of skills and motivation,” said Isaac Melendez, 435th Services Squadron intramural sports director. “The game was exciting and explosive – and full of action.”
When the final buzzer sounded, the 86th MDS owned a seven point advantage and fulfilled their season’s goal with a 45 – 38 victory.
Going into the Over-30 tournament, the 435th MDS and URSS were two of the teams in a three-way tie for second place, along with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
The 435th MDS started off the season strong, remaining undefeated until January. URSS, on the other hand, lost early in the season, but won most of the following games to end with good momentum for the tournament.
The intramural championship game Feb. 18 pitted the American League UTASC team with 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron from the National League. This game proved to be another nail biter, and UTASC pulled out a three point victory, 45 – 42.
These two teams entered the tournament in second and fifth place respectively in their leagues. The 435th VRS started the tournament an underdog but held strong in the tournament while higher ranked teams succumbed to the pressures.
Teams play in either the National or American League based on unit size. Units of more than 150 members play in the National League, and teams of less than 150 members play in the American League. Squadrons play in their respective league throughout the season and the leagues join for tournament play.
The 435th Services Squadron invites interested sports enthusiasts to participate in upcoming intramural sports leagues. March is the time to register for soccer and golf intramurals. For details, call 480-5491.