Ordnance, Quartermaster squads square off in hoops challenge to build team, deter sexual assaults

By T. Anthony BellApril 11, 2013

Getting in the lane
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Quartermaster School's LaToya Noble seizes an opportunity to score in the lane against Ordnance School defenders in the inaugural Quartermaster vs. Ordnance Basketball Showdown April 6 at the MacLaughlin Fitness Center. The Ordnance School team p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Competitiveness
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Runner in the lane
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Quartermaster School's Richie Owens drives the lanes for an attempt during the first half of his team's game against the Ordnance School. The contest, the first ever between the two schools, was part of the first Fort Lee Basketball Showdown held... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Commander cheers his troops
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 59th Ordnance Brigade Commander Col. Thomas Rivard claps and cheers in the final minutes of the Ordnance School's men's game against the Quartermaster School during the inaugural Quartermaster v. Ordnance Basketball Showdown April 6 at the MacLau... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. (April 11, 2013) -- The Ordnance School women's team and Quartermaster School men's team were victorious in the inaugural Quartermaster vs. Ordnance Basketball Showdown at MacLaughlin Fitness Center Saturday.

The QM School men defeated the Ord. School 46-44, and the Ord. School women took down their opponents 22-11.

The games, however, were part of something larger: it brought the troops together in a supportive and cohesive environment, said Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command CSM.

"We wanted to provide our young Soldiers with the opportunity to put their energies into something they like doing," he said. "I think there is a direct tie-in to how you discourage negative behaviors such as sexual harassment and sexual assault."

More than 1,500 boisterous, screaming advanced individual training students were on hand for the event.

The crowd also included most of the installation leadership. Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general was in attendance as well as a slew of senior and junior commanders and noncommissioned officers.

Sims, surveying the crowded bleachers during the game, said he was proud to be a part of such a large and supportive turnout.

"Looking around at all of the commanders, first sergeants, platoon sergeants and our warriors, you can just see the camaraderie and the team-building taking place," he said.

"You can really feel the energy in the gym today."

At the conclusion of the men's game, Wyche presented trophies and plaques to the winners and runners-up.

The Family and MWR Sports Office plans to make the Showdown an annual event