FORT HOOD, Texas - A 3-on-3 basketball tournament was held March 21 at the Abrams Gym outdoor courts to celebrate March Madness. The annual event represents the strong competitive nature of the soldiers and families of Fort Hood.
Leading up to the tournament, representatives from Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers prepared the courts for more than 300 participants, spectators and support personnel.
The tension and competitive spirit rose as competitors filled the basketball court for last minute warm up drills prior to the start of the annual showdown.
Wearing black with white striped Collegiate College Association jackets, referees such as Taafua Pati, a native of America Samoa, prepared to referee the 3-on-3 basketball team competition. A 3-point shoot-out, dunking, half-court shot, and free throw contests also were held.
One contestant, Sgt. Steven Mueller, assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, competed in multiple contests throughout the all day event. He's a fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves and player, Kevin Garnet, because they are from his home town.
"It's fun-- out of the norm competitive team building," Mueller said as he passed basketballs to his teammates. Unfortunately, he was not able to continue the tournament because he got called back to
work.
One of the shortest competitors on the court, Shelby Fiedler, assigned to 87th Sapper Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, outmaneuvered many of his taller opponents, zigzagging between them to score layups.
"I've been short all my life," said Fiedler. His teammates accredited many of their victories throughout the tournament to his short-statured advantage, which allowed him to steal the ball from his opponents.
Fiedler's team wore matching T-shits to represent their unit pride as they battled their way through the tournament.
At 6-foot 6-inches, Pvt. 1st. Class, Delvon Henderson, assigned to Headquarters Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, towered over many of the other competitors.
"I'm always up for a game of basketball," said Henderson as he expressed a personal desire to play professional basketball, possibly on the All Army Sports basketball team.
"The All Army team is great and second only to the NBA," said Henderson.
Towards the end of the tournament, teams played harder to solidify their position in the final match-ups and ultimately earning the first place tournament trophy.
Fort Hood BOSS President, Sgt. Sonya Legaspi, said they could not have pulled off an event such as this without the help of their sponsors providing celebratory gifts for first, second and third place winners.
Overall, the annual March Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament offered the soldiers and families of Fort Hood a day of fun, relaxation, and of course competition.
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