JBSA-LACKLAND –
The 264th Medical Battalion Company D is a two-sport team that has a desire to win. To satisfy its appetite for winning, the team plays competitive sports incessantly for nine months beginning with flag football in the fall on through basketball in the spring.
The Medical Battalion fulfilled its desire for success by winning the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston intramural flag football championship in an undefeated season, only to be blemished in a loss to the 59th Dental Squadron for the JBSA flag football championship.
After redeeming itself by winning JBSA-Fort Sam Houston intramural basketball championship, the 264th kept the ball dribbling by defeating the 32nd Medical Brigade, 80-57, to win the Joint Base San Antonio intramural basketball championship March 27 at the JBSA-Lackland Warhawk Fitness Center.
"It was redemption for all of us who play football. We got what we came for (JBSA intramural championship), even though it was in another sport," 264th Medical Battalion Coach John Spaulding said.
The 264th did not show any fatigue after defeating the Air Force Personnel Center, 45-39 in the semifinals earlier in the night. The new base wide champions built a 33-27 first half lead that carried over into in the second half. The Medical Battalion put a full court press on its opposition in the middle of the second half, going on a 25-5 run for a 64-39 lead. The offensive onslaught was led by Joshua Dressler, who scored 12 of his 18 points during the run.
With victory out of its reach, the 32nd tried to battle back by going on a short 6-2 run with three minutes left to narrow its deficit to 71-51 before the champions clinched the title.
"It feels really good to be the champions. It's all about team for us and that's how we win games. We win by fast pace, pressure on the ball, and shooting 3's. Shoot, shoot, shoot," Dressler said.
The press and shoot style is a team philosophy incorporated by Spaulding.
"My philosophy is to play hard and to not care about your opponents. Let the scoring do the talking and that is what we try to do," Spaulding said.