MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Four teams, the Three Musketeers, Gambino, Big 3 and TEO, battled for bragging rights at Stone Bay Gymnasium in a 3-on-3 double elimination basketball tournament, Aug. 22.
The Three Musketeers, a team of civilian Marine Corps Community Services employees, won the tournament with Gambino, a team comprised of Weapons Training Battalion Marines, taking home second. The champions received engraved medals commemorating the event.
“It was amazing,” said Keith Williams, of the Three Musketeers. “It was a great team effort and the other teams showed great sportsmanship.”
In the championship game, Williams and his team faced an early point boost from Gambino, who attempted to stop the Three Musketeers by maintaining control of the ball.
“They tried to get the clock on their side,” said Williams. “When we got the ball, we kept it.”
The Three Musketeers capitalized when the team gained control of the ball and claimed the tournament victory over their opponent.
Gambino team member, Sgt. Javen Roberson, said no team entered the tournament as a clear-cut favorite.
Basketball players throughout the installation meet frequently to play, affording athletes awareness of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
The knowledge and experience gained from their casual pick-up games led to fast-paced, assertive competition on the court throughout the 3-on-3 tournament.
“The game play was intense,” said Elena Messenger, the outlying commands sports coordinator with Marine Corps Community Services aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Basketball is a popular and competitive sport at Stone Bay and the tournament served as a way to bring recreational programs to personnel stationed outside the main base area, said Messenger.
“There are many Marines and sailors stationed at the outlying commands who do not have the opportunity, transportation or time to get to main side to participate in tournaments or leagues,” said Messenger. “Creating sports programs and events for their ‘home base’ provides more of an opportunity for unit cohesion, positive competition and a fun, healthy, active alternative to sitting in the barracks.”
Along with basketball, Stone Bay offers events for ultimate Frisbee, softball and flag football. A flag football tournament is slated for Sept. 21.
For more information about sports at Stone Bay, call 450-0715 or visit mccslejeune.com/sports/sb.
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