514 SFS wins wing 2015 basketball tournament, earns bragging rights

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan E. White
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST --  
The second annual 514th Air Mobility Wing basketball tournament began with eight promising teams and ended with one undisputed champion. The 514th Security Forces Squadron dominated the 514th Air Mobility Wing 15-5 in the championship game at the Fitness and Sports Center here Mar. 21.

Created in 2014, the 514 AMW basketball tournament is a co-ed, squadron-based, single-elimination tournament that uses competition as a platform for camaraderie and team-building.

"The tournament is all about esprit de corps and meeting other wing members. We found it amazing that month after month, hundreds of wing members come down to the base and never get an opportunity to meet other wing members from different units," said Maj. James L. Besmer, one of the tournaments founders. "We wanted to provide opportunities to our wing members to meet other citizen Airmen." 

This year's contest took place over three rounds and consisted of eight teams

Senior Airman Jeffrey Morrissey, 514 SFS, said his team's intensity and commitment were the main factors to their success.

"Our key objective was to play fast, fierce and hold nothing back!" he said. "We had the game by the end of the first half. We were locked in!"

Morrissey was joined by fellow 514 SFS teammates Maj. Michael Gibbs, Tech. Sgt. Rebekah Spedaliere, Staff Sgt. Stephanie Blango, Senior Airman Brent Welton, Senior Airman Thomas Reilly and Senior Airman Taltjuwaw Crawford.

Morrissey, an AAU boys' basketball high school coach in Queens, N.Y., led the team in rebounds averaging eight per game while Welton led the team in scoring.

Master Sgt. Mitchell Richardson was originally scheduled to play, but had to be replaced at the last minute.

"Master Sgt. Richardson was our team leader but the day of the tournament he had to bow out due to work and meetings," said Spedaliere "Senior Airman Reilly stepped up and took his spot."

This was special forces first time participating in the tournament. Deployments and UTA scheduling prevented the squadron from competing last year. Their first round game was an early indication they had what it took to win it all. In that game, 514 SFS upset the defending champions, 514 CES fire department (Team Fire), in a classic battle of 'police vs. firefighters'.

"The most challenging game was our first game against Team Fire. Fire was very physical so we knew we had to step up and be physical back," said Spedaliere. "We were setting picks, boxing out, double teaming when needed, communicating and having fun. "

Also in the first round, 88th Aerial Port Squadron upset 514 CES, who placed second last year after losing to Team Fire in a triple-overtime shootout. 514 AMW defeated 514th Force Support Squadron (Team 2), and 514 FSS (Team 1) was victorious against 514th Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

The second round featured 514 AMW eliminating 514 FSS (Team 1) and 514 SFS beating 88 APS. In addition to the championship game, the third round also consisted of a new bronze medal game in which 88 APS defeated 514 FSS (Team 1).

Besmer had inquired about creating the tournament for years, prior to it starting. The likelihood of it happening seemed doubtful until Master Sgt. Jorge W. Garcia, 514 FSS, joined the cause. At that point, a dream would become a reality.  Once approved, the two worked together in promoting and organizing the first event.

Besmer and Garcia originally met when Garcia was a senior airman

"When I first met him (Garcia), I challenged him to meet his potential.  Over the past decade, he has far surpassed any expectations I had for him," said Besmer. "He is a pivotal member of the Sustainment Flight team and a true leader." 

Despite stepping away after last year's tournament, Besmer knew, moving forward, the tournament would be in good hands with Garcia.

"It meant a lot to me last year, when it finally all came together, but this year made me even more proud," said Besmer. "Even though I have moved on, the true nature of the tournament will live on year after year."

Garcia thanked all of the squadrons who participated in this year's tournament. He said that the real heroes behind making the tournament a success were 514 FSS members who began setting up as early as 5:00 A.M. Garcia acknowledged volunteer referees Capt. Aria Jones, 514 FSS, Senior Master Sgt. Michael A. Edwards, Westover Recruiter, Senior Master Sgt. Donna A. Saunders, 514 AMW and Master Sgt. Charles N. Butts Jr. 514 FSS/CCF for their hard work in keeping the games under control.  In addition, he recognized Staff Sgt. Brian Evans, 514 CES, Staff Sgt. Wesley Kliwinski, 514 FSS and Senior Airman Mamadu Keita, 514 FSS, for their role in the tournament and for going far and beyond.