Headquarters hangs on for intramural title

A game that began as a potential rout ended with a hard-fought win for Headquarters Battalion, as the team defeated Pentagon for the intramural basketball Commander's Cup trophy.
"Our team was hungry for the win this year," Headquarters head coach, Sherman Sherin, said after the game. "In fact, this is probably the hungriest group of guys I've ever had."
That hunger kept Headquarters stay focused to close out the game on a high note.
Headquarters maintained a healthy lead in the first half, carrying a 15-point advantage over Pentagon into intermission, 34-19.
Both teams traded baskets in the opening minutes, leaving Pentagon on the wrong end of the scoring battle. Still, Pentagon managed to cut Headquarters' lead to 46-38, by connecting on several shots and capitalizing from the free throw line.
A basket interference call on Headquarters gave Pentagon two more points for a 46-40 deficit.
With just under five minutes to play, Pentagon was down by five points and elected to start fouling to make Headquarters earn its points from the charity stripe. The plan, however, worked to Headquarters' advantage, as the team connected for four points from the foul line.
Headquarters added an additional basket for a 56-45 lead.
Pentagon was undeterred and scored five points in a 40-second stretch to pull within six, 56-50.
The closing minutes were a flurry as Pentagon's Tyrone Legette drained a three-point bucket, followed by a short jumper by John Russell, to close the lead to 56-55 with 1:05 to play.
However, Headquarters had other plans for Pentagon's comeback drive. After another Russell jumper to bring the score to 59-57, Headquarters hit three of its last four free throws to seal the win.
Headquarters Battalion commander Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna offered a warm welcome on behalf of Garrison Commander Col. Jerry Blixt and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Berhane, then thanked the MWR crew for its hard work, as well as the players and fans.
Sherin celebrated his first post-season intramural victory with the team. With a 13-1 record, coupled with Headquarters' strong play, he said he felt good about the work they put in.
The win also avenged Headquarters' sole loss of the season, which, ironically, came at the hands of Pentagon earlier in the season.
"Oh, this was beautiful," Sherin said. "We had a chance to make up for our only loss this year. They tried us, but we stuck with it.
"We couldn't get rattled," he continued. "All you can do is keep your composure. That's why we were good to go at the end of the game."