HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. -- The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade held its annual Marne Air March Madness basketball tournament at the Tominac Fitness Center on Hunter Army Airfield March 21-24.
For the champion team to take home the trophy, the team would have to defeat 12 teams from across the brigade in a double elimination tournament.
The championship game paired the Talons from Headquarters and Headquarters Company with one loss against the undefeated Workhorses from 603rd Aviation Support Battalion.
For the Workhorses it would only take one victory to win it, but the Talons had to win twice after playing another game just minutes prior.
The Talons' team captain Sgt. Charles Clark, supply sergeant, HHC, 3rd CAB played in the tournament the previous year when his team lost in the championship game.
"We lost one game because of some mistakes and missed free throws, but we already played one game and made it back to the championship," Clark said. "This is our second year in the championship and we are going to get the win this time."
The games tested each team's endurance, but for the Talons it would truly test as they won the first game 50 to 42 sending both teams back onto the court to play again.
The Workhorses led the first half with the Talons close behind with a score 23-22. Talons pushed forward with a five point lead only to be tied at 51 with 20 seconds on the clock. Neither of the two could break the tie sending it into overtime.
The Workhorses could not catch the Talons as they took to the skies winning the championship game with a final score of 62 to 59.
"I am exhausted. I have never been this tired. I felt like I have been hit by a semi-truck, but the team stuck it out. We went into overtime," Clark said. "Shout out to 603rd because they only had five players and they stuck with us for two whole games. HHC is on the map and it feels good to be a champion."
Capt. James Erkes, commander, HHC, 3rd CAB took command of HHC just the week prior.
"They fought back. They lost one game and had to come back and win twice," Erkes said. "It is fun to step in and be part of this. It is just awesome to see their hard work that they put in to it."
Pfc. Thomas Gallomore, Co. C, 603rd ASB congratulated the Talons on their victory.
"It was great. A lot of fun building unit cohesion. We should do this every year and keep it going. Everyone was involved and I loved it," Gallomore said.
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