Pressure during the playoffs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 19th Medical Group defeated the 19th Logistic Readiness Squadron Tuesday 61- 45 becoming one of the teams to advance to the championship Monday. The 19th LRS defeated the 489th Engineer Battalion 63- 53 in the game prior.

Though a little beat from just playing in a 40-minute game, the 19th LRS coach, Andre Westmoreland, was assured that his team had it in them to continue with another victory.

"I told my team to step up, and stop being lazy," he said. "I told them to play as a team. Being tired will affect our game a little, but we have to dig deep and push through it."

For the first few minutes of the game, it seemed like the LRS team was fired up with motivation, not letting fatigue get to them. Defense was strong on both teams at the beginning of the game. And even though the first successful shot was made by the MDG, the LRS was right behind them with shots of their own and a dunk by their center.

As Westmorland commanded his team, on and off the court through the first half, so did Daveon Allen, coach of the MDG.

Allen got his team to add heavy-pressure defense, realizing the fire of the LRS team was slowly dimming. That pressure defense resulted in the MDG taking the lead due to missed shots from the LRS team. It also caused the MDG to begin fouling the LRS. The fouls however, were not enough to catch the LRS up. At the end of the first half, the MDG led 23 - 14.

"Our big men are more skilled," said Allen. "We are making them play harder. As long as we keep pressure defense and keep playing an up-tempo game, we will win".

Going in to the final 20 minutes of the game, both teams were once again reenergized and ready to play hard.

Allen said the motivation going into the second half came from him holding everyone accountable. "From rebounds to rotating to another man when we're out of position defensively, everyone has a role to play, and we as a team do it best".

Within the first 15 minutes of the second half, the LRS team struggled to keep up with the MDG.

The MDG continued to keep the lead 48 - 36 with five minutes remaining in the game.

Feeling the heat and trying to come back defensively, the LRS fouled Allen, which gave him two free-throw shots that he made, leaving only two minutes on the clock. With one minute to spare, the LRS fouled the MDG again giving them one shot at the free-throw line, which was made. Catching the rebound and holding the ball, the MDG let the remaining time run out.

Ultimately, the LRS could not keep up or come back. The MDG won the game 61 - 45 and will move on to compete in the championship Monday.

"We are excited," said Allen. "I would do nothing differently. We worked on things as far as full-court pressure and we made their point guards dribble under pressure. For the championship, we are going to work on communication more than anything. Off the court we are a family, and it shows when we play on the court. So communication on the court will be the main key to a successful victory Monday".