Best of the West

Members of teams Terror Squad and D & D Basketball square off at the net during the 22nd Annual Best in the West Basketball Tournament held Jan. 18-21 at the Fitness and Sports Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Team Terror Squad took the first place winner's slot after defeating team D & D Basketball Jan. 21. The D-M Mustangs placed third in the overall competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/A1C Melissa Copeland) (Released)

Thousands attend 22nd annual Best of the West Basketball Tournament

Published Jan. 23, 2008
By Airman First Class Jamie L. Coggan
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The D-M Fitness and Sports Center hosted The 22nd Annual Best of the West Basketball Tournament here Jan.17 to 21 where teams from across the west vied for the championship.

The competition was invitational only, with players from Michigan, Arkansas, Nevada, California, Texas, Arizona, Mississippi, New York and New Jersey.

"This event was to provide some of the best basketball talent found in the Western United States", said Staff Sgt. Scott LaPointe, Sports Programs NCOIC here. "We had a mix of civilian and military teams that participated."

Three-thousand people came to watch the teams compete over the four days, and prizes including a 42-inch television were given out during raffle drawings.

"It was a successful weekend", said Sergeant LaPointe. "The fitness staff put on a great show for everyone."

This year there were nine teams in three divisions round robin tournament.

A total of 18 games were played, 10 divisional and eight playoffs. The top six teams advanced to the playoffs and each team played two games in their respective division.

Davis-Monthan's team took the third place trophy.

The two final teams were "D&D" from Tucson, Ariz., and "Terror Squad" from Phoenix.

Terror Squad defeated D&D 107-87, taking home the first place trophy.

"It was a great game and my team was fortunate to come out on top. We look forward to taking part in future Best of the West tournaments," said Mike Brown, coach of the championship team. "Scott LaPointe and the Fitness staff did a great job."