MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The fight for the Commander’s Cup again came to center stage as units aboard station competed in the Commander’s Cup Basketball Tournament March 23, 2013, at the outdoor basketball court near IronWorks Gym.
The tournament was a doubleelimination event where even Marine Attack Squadron 513, a unit currently in the unit deployment program, took part.
“The Commander’s Cup is designed to raise competition between different units on base,” said Jason Knight, Marine Corps Community Services intramural sports specialist. “The different units already compete against each other in a joking manner, we just give them the chance to actually prove who is the best. We also have trophies for the winners.”
With points toward the Commander’s Cup on the line, MCCS wanted maximum participation from the units.
“We have seven teams, which make this the biggest turnout we have had this year, but this is only the third event, but we are still happy with the participation,” said Knight. “There is no max as to the number of players a team can have, but there are only three players on the court per team at a time.”
The tournament came to a close with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 taking home the win against Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Air Traffic Control during overtime.
“We came out here to get a win,” said Cpl. Otarius Napoleon, MWSS-171 supply administration chief. “I am new to Iwakuni and this is the first tournament I have played in here. So, I really wanted to get this first trophy and start an undefeated streak for MWSS-171 during my three-year tour.”
Going into the final round, MWSS-171 required strategy to help break down the tough ATC team.
“The strategy for the final game was to stick with number 18, because he was wreaking havoc in their last game,” said Napoleon. “The main goal was to try our best at defense and figure it out from there.”
With the basketball tournament win going to MWSS-171, the next event is Earth Ball Soccer. Units who want to participate can call IronWorks intramural sports and sign up for a shot at the Commander’s Cup.