The Gagetown Warriors beat the Greenwood Bombers in their second match-up, the game that counted most: the March 21 final of the Canadian Armed Forces Atlantic region men’s basketball championship.
14 Wing Greenwood hosted 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, 12 Wing Shearwater and CFB Halifax for the March 17 to 21 tournament, hoping to defend their 2024 regional – and first-ever national – title on home court. The event featured four nights of evening double-headers, followed by a Friday evening final.
Colonel Luc Vachon welcomed teams to Greenwood, congratulating athletes for making their home bases’ teams and representing at the regional tournament.
“It’s going to be a busy week – get to know each other, play hard and have fun.”
The week started well for the Greenwood Bombers, with an opening night 86-44 win over Shearwater, a 91-51 night two win over Gagetown and a night three 78-77 squeaked out win over Halifax.
In its other round-robin games, Gagetown notched a 71-61 win over Halifax and a 78-42 win over Shearwater. Halifax had its only win over Shearwater, a 77-39 finish.
Greenwood went into the March 21 semi-finals in first place, and knocked out fourth-place Shearwater 78-56. Gagetown, in second, met Halifax and won its way to the final 71-65.
In the Friday final, Gagetown jumped out ahead in the first quarter, and held the lead throughout the game. Greenwood came within one or two baskets of catching Gagetown several times in the game, but just couldn’t get the edge they needed, losing 63-55.
Greenwood Personnel Support Program sports coordinator Alyssa DeAdder – also the 14 Wing men’s team coach, thanked peer PSP staff, tournament officials, scorekeepers, trainers and volunteers; for their contributions during the awards presentation.
Vachon who returned to watch the final, with Wing Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Proulx and a full set of bleachers, called the game “outstanding.
“Congratulations on a big fight – we were standing on the side and couldn’t stop moving. That was an exciting game to watch! A great game, and great support for each other. Well done.”
Greenwood team captain, Captain Jon Wilson, said this was likely his last appearance with the Bombers, posted this coming summer. He’s pleased to know several team members will continue into next season, newcomers who grew into the team this year will be back, and there are a couple players aiming to return from injury.
“They’re all standouts – it’s been nice: an up and down week, a back and forth experience; we lost for years – then we won nationals; we made two regional finals – that’s the takeaway this year.”
Full Facebook event (pics, video, scores, extras…): https://fb.me/e/6eu8n3Ax8
