ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md - Intramural basketball is still in the early stages but some teams are already claiming their spot at the top of the standings.
Team Wolf Gang remained undefeated five games into the season after escaping a late rally from CERDEC to win 44-32 at the APG North Athletic Center Jan. 28.
Led by player-coach Jay Graham, Wolf Gang, a squad of mostly CECOM civilians, held a close lead most of the game before pulling away in the final three minutes to seal the win. Graham said the team, which was eliminated prior to the semi-finals last season, plans to do more this year.
"We're working better together and we're an overall better team," he said.
Wolf Gang wrestled its way to a 23-20 lead at the break after both teams went into a shooting slump that left them tied 20-20 for more than three minutes. Both team's defense was working, Graham said, adding that he told his players to keep it up in the second half.
"We've got to put defense on them and hustle."
On the other side of the court, CERDEC played without a head coach but that was no problem according to player-spokesperson Bill Pettus who said they put the team together late.
With two wins and three losses, that's good enough to be competitive, he said.
"Everyone's good natured and in good spirits. We know you can't expect to win every time until you get serious about it."
He added that though the defense played well in the first half, players would have to pass more in the second half to get the win.
After the break Wolf Gang poured it on, pulling away to a 10-point lead, 36-26, with just over seven minutes to play. CERDEC knuckled down at that point, stepping up its defense while its shooters went to work, nearly evening the score at 36-32 with 2:45left in the game. That was all the scoring on the CERDEC side of the ball, however as Wolf Gang stifled the rally and soared to a commanding 44-32 finish.
Pettus said the team had something to build on after a strong outing against a tough opponent.
"We had a lot of fun against the team that may be the best in the league," he said.
Graham said the team "dug a little deeper," in the second half."
"We knew it was ours to lose. This team is coming together and doing what we have to do to get the win."
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