Undefeated season and multiple deployments define 2019 Knox basketball playoffs

By Eric PilgrimFebruary 8, 2019

Undefeated season and multiple deployments define 2019 Knox basketball playoffs
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Undefeated season and multiple deployments define 2019 Knox basketball playoffs
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Undefeated season and multiple deployments define 2019 Knox basketball playoffs
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Near the end of the game against Headquarters HRC Feb. 7, 2019, 1st TSC closed what at one point was a 12-point deficit and eventually turned it in their favor, finishing the game on top 62-52. According to Adrian Bogle, the intramural athletics dire... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Only five basketball players from 1st TSC showed up on time to Natcher Physical Fitness Center at 6 p.m. Feb. 7.

The only team to roll into the playoffs undefeated this season as well as being the reigning champions from 2018, 1st TSC was in danger of forfeiting their game due to confusion about when the game was to start. Many thought game time was 7 p.m.

Despite missing their starting lineup, the five held their own against Headquarters HRC heading into halftime, keeping the game within a four-point spread until the rest of the team could arrive. As starters rotated into the game against USAREC, the game slowly shifted in favor of 1st TSC. Though it remained close, 1st TSC took charge in the last few minutes of the game, seizing the win 62-52.

According to Adrian Bogle, the intramural athletics director at Fort Knox, this is an example of how unique the season has been.

"We have an undefeated team going into the playoffs," said Bogle. "We've had a lot of teams deployed, too, like 42nd; 502nd just got back - well, actually half of them are gone still, so they didn't have a strong enough team. They would've been one of the ones in the championships."

Bogle admitted that 1st TSC is the team to watch for, but said both USEAREC teams will be major contenders heading toward the championships.

"I can see one of them in the championships," said Bogle.

The season began the last week in November and, after taking a break for the Christmas-New Year holiday, picked up the season back up in January. The playoffs began Feb. 4 and should conclude with the championship game Feb. 19.

Bogle said one of the factors at play during this year's basketball season, in his opinion, is the average age of the teams.

"1st TSC has a lot of younger Soldiers so they're a lot more energetic," said Bogle. "Many of the younger Soldiers are gone from this post, so this is more of a mid-age league this year."

Bogle has been the director for the last nine years and said during that time, he has only witnessed one other undefeated season.

"When 3-1 was here, they had a perfect season," said Bogle, "and they had a lot of younger players."

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