Kadena's mens varisty basketball team not a fluke

The Kadena Falcons Men’s Varsity Basketball Team stand behind their trophy with Brig Gen. Ken Wilsbach,18th Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. James Davis, 18th Wing command chief at Kadena Air Base, Jan. 6.The Kadena Falcons Men's Varsity Basketball Team were crowned champions of the Pacific as they defeated the home favorite Osan Defenders 92-82 in the 25th Annual PACAF Christmas Tournament last month at Osan Air Base, Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

Kadena varsity basketball team "Best in Pacific"

Published Jan. 10, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR FORCE BASE, Japan -- The Kadena Falcons men's varsity basketball team was crowned champions of the Pacific as they defeated the home favorite Osan Defenders 92-82 in the championship game of the 25th Annual PACAF Christmas Tournament last month at Osan Air Base, Korea. On Jan. 8 they continued their winning streak at the Camp Hansen Basketball Tournament where they won four games in one day against eight teams.

The Falcons have only been together since August but have quickly bonded and developed into one of the better base-level teams in PACAF.

Senior Airman Rodney Martin, a member of the18th Civil Engineer Group, was named to the All-Tournament Team and received the tournament MVP honors while Airman 1st Class Julian Royal, a member of the 18th Force Support Squadron, received an honorable mention and was key to the team's strong defensive effort and inside play throughout the tournament.

The Falcons will be competing again soon at the Annual Martin Luther King Tournament at Camp Foster Jan. 14-17.

Click here to view a photo slideshow of the Falcons in action.