'Fire Teams' burn CES/LRS in charity basketball tournament

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont., --  "Fire Teams" edged-out 'CE/LRS' 53-49 to win the first Hoops for the Hungry basketball tournament at the base fitness center Dec. 7. 

Six teams comprised of 43 Airmen participated in the event to support the Great Falls Food Bank by donating five canned goods per team member as entrance fees to the tournament. 

"I had this idea last year, but it did not happen," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Chapman, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron NCOIC, Visual Imagery and Intrusion Detection Systems and event founder. "I told myself it would go this year." 

The tournament participants and spectators donated about 300 canned goods said Sergeant Chapman. 

"I love helping in any way I can, and second of all, I love basketball," said Airman 1st Class Brian Toney, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron strategic communication maintenance technician, and tournament coordinator. "When the two came together, I couldn't pass it up." 

Airman Toney took all the entries for the tournament and set up the brackets. 

"It is for a great cause and nobody is out playing for anything other than raising food for the less fortunate," Airman Toney said. "We had a great time." 

Teams included the Strategic Automated Command and Control Systems Maintenance or "SACCS" team from the 341st Maintenance Group, the "Fire Teams" comprised of Malmstrom security forces members, 341st "Civil Engineer/Logistic Readiness Squadron" team, the "Too Hot for TV" base women's team, the "Cable Dogs" from 341st MXG and "Missile Comm" from the 341st MXG. 

"I would like to do this again next year and maybe expand it a little more," Sergeant Chapman said. "I would like to thank everyone for their support and I would like to congratulate the 'Fire Teams' on winning the first Hoops for the Hungry."