Med Group wins in opening week intramural basketball

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
The 96th Medical Group’s black team narrowly defeated the 96th Maintenance Squadron, 30-25, in the opening week of intramural basketball league competition here Jan. 12.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive and defensive forms throughout the low-scoring contest.  It took 96th MDG more than a minute into the first half to post their first two points, while 96th MXS was scoreless through the first five minutes.

While court hustle and rebounding physicality was sound throughout, both squads repeatedly missed shot opportunities in the paint and from three-point range.  Both teams also failed to convert on several free throw attempts, or create any solid game-winning strategies.

96th MDG gradually opened a four-point lead on Maintenance at the 6:36 mark, and by halftime they were up by eight, 18-10.

David Nystrom, the Medical Group coach, was happy his team was out in front midway through their season opener.

“I told them to keep the pressure on and keep their focus,” he said.


Dari Jones, the coach, encouraged a simple plan for her Maintainers to make up the eight-point deficit in the second half.

“We have to do a better job of defending our end, and start making shots,” she said.

Maintenance had first possession of the ball to start the half.  Anthony Paro was fouled while driving through the paint, and connected on one of two free throws to close to 18-11.

Next, 96th MDG’s Trelon Anderson sank a three-point jumper at 19:27, and increased 96th MDG’s lead to 21-11.

Both teams stepped up the tempo with improved shooting and took more defensive risks as the game wound down.

Maintenance outscored 96th MDG 15-12 and narrowed the gap to three points, but could not catch them in the final minutes.  The Medical Group held on to clinch the win, 30-25.

Anderson was the game’s high scorer with 10 points.

“It was a good game,” Nystrom said.  “It got close for a few minutes towards the end.  We’ve got some things to work on as a team, but this win brought us closer together.”