Grissom Madness: SFS shackles FSS for hardwood crown Published April 17, 2013 By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Airmen took to the hardwood during Grissom's own version of March Madness. The 434th Security Forces Squadron handcuffed the 434th Force Support Squadron 32-27 in the championship game of the double-elimination tournament April 13. The 434th FSS opened up with an early lead before the cops called a time out to make some adjustments to their offense. "The adjustments we made changed the tournament," said SFS guard Carl Berry. SFS postman Michael Rivera and Derrick Harper were able to get some easy looks inside, Berry added. Harper led the Cops in scoring with 15 points in the decisive game, while Harper chipped in four points. Leading all scorers was Dustin Pervine with 16 points for FSS. Playing as a team and keeping the communication alive kept the nets swishing for the SFS team. "We played as a solid cohesive unit; our defense is what made us," recalled Rivera. "Defense is what wins championships, and that was proven tonight." This team's cohesiveness wasn't just born overnight, said Adrian West, SFS team member. "We practiced before games, and it strengthened our abilities," added West. Berry pointed out that a wingman mentality was also brought to the court to help earn the title. "We continued to perform as we had throughout the tournament as one unit," he said. "We always had each other's back, and our team made it a priority that we'd never give up, and that helped us come back and win the championship." The title game was set up when FSS emerged from the loser's bracket to stifle the cops 29-20 and force the final showdown. The annual Grissom basketball tournament is just one of many intramural fitness activities sponsored by the Grissom Fitness Center here. Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. Strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
