Apr 3 - Fort Jackson - U.S. Army

Sports/Fitness
SSI caps comeback season with playoff win
Chris Rasmussen
Leader Staff
The Soldier Support Institute’s basketball team is having
a Cinderella season with no pumpkin in sight.
Starting the season 0-8, the team captured the thirdseed
in the playoffs, and now has won its first postseason
game, a 53-46 victory over the 245th Air Traffic Control
Squadron Monday at Coleman Gym.
“People had counted us out. Even our own unit
counted us out,” forward Rosella Scott said. “Our defense
has taken us further than we expected.”
SSI jumped to an early 15-10 lead in the first half, running
the court and posting up for quick shots. The team
increased its lead to 21-12, thanks to solid rebounding and
some cold shooting by the 245th.
The 245th Swampfoxes appeared to regroup following
a timeout late in the first half, trailing, 25-24, at the intermission.
After the break, the Swampfoxes took its first lead, 28-
27, with 19:40 left to play. SSI refused to relent and
traded baskets with the 245th for most of the second half.
With time running out, SSI put up three, 3-point shots
and pulled ahead, 46-40, with 1:49 left, and forcing the
245th to foul.
“They have some really good shooters on that team and
we just couldn’t cover them,” coach Thomas Arthur said.
“Our biggest challenge is we don’t have a deep bench. We
usually have one or two extra guys, if we are lucky.”
Scott led SSI in scoring with 29 points, followed by
Johnny Woods with 11 points and Arthur Mohead added
six points.
Chris Spotts led the 245th with 20 points, Mike Irick
had 15 points and Brandon Hudson added 12 points to the
effort.
“I like the direction of our team right now going into
the playoff,” Scott said. “After a poor start we are starting
to gel and get a good feeling for how we play together.”
The season-ending game for the Swampfoxes is hopefully
just a road to a new beginning, Arthur said.
“We have a pretty good group of guys, but we just
haven’t played together very much,” he said. “Next year
Sports Briefs
Softball
Letters of intent for intramural and recreation softball are due to the
Sports Office by Monday. For more information, call 751-3096.
Ultimate Frisbee
An ultimate frisbee tournament will be held April 12-13 at Hilton
Field Softball Complex. Each team may have up to 12 members. For
more information, call 751-3096/0892.
Triathlon
The Triathlon scheduled for April 10 and 17 will be postponed until
late summer or fall. For more information, call 751-3096.
Need Volunteer Coaches
Volunteer coaches for youth sports are needed. Experience is desired,
but not mandatory. Volunteers get the “coaches discount,” when their own
children also play sports –– 100 percent for the first child; 50 percent for
each additional child. For more information or to volunteer, call 751-
5040.
Mike Irick, a guard with the 245th Air Traffic Control
Squadron, drives past a Soldier Support Institute
player, during their 53-46 playoff loss Monday night at
Coleman Gym.
we will be back.”
Twelve company-level teams began tournament play
on Monday, in which 1-13 beat the MPs, 98-47; VSB defeated
187th, 43-40; and 120th beat 3-13, 47-42. On Tuesday,
SSI beat 1-13, 52-37 and 120th defeated VSB, 45-40.
SSI was slated to play 120th 7 p.m., Wednesday at Vanguard
Gym.
The winner of that game will play the winner from the
loser’s bracket during the championship game 7 p.m.,
Monday at Coleman Gym.
Chris.Rasmussen@us.army.mil
2008 Intramural and Recreation Darts Standings
Results of March 20 event
Sharp Shooters –– 31 points
MEDDAC –– 18 points
3-13 –– 21 points
1st CivDiv –– 18 points
2-13 –– 16 points
No Mercy –– 15 points
1-34 –– 13 points
SSI’s Rosella Scott, who scored a game high 29 points,
puts up a shot against two 245th defenders Monday at
Coleman Gym. SSI won the match, 53-46.
187th –– 13 points (BYE March 20)
TSB –– 15 points
Forfeits to date
TSB –– Jan. 31
No Mercy –– Feb. 7
2-13 –– Feb. 14
1-34 –– March 20
Photos by Chris Rasmussen