FORT MOORE, Ga. -- The 2023 Armed Forces Basketball featured a changing of the guard of champions, as Marine Corps men and Air Force women took gold for the first time in years Sunday at the Smith Fitness Center at Fort Moore, Georgia.
The number one seed Navy men faced the Marine Corps in the championship game. After lots of excitement, the game moved into overtime with the Marines defeating Navy 73-71 to take gold.
It is the first time in 20 years the Marine Corps have won the Armed Forces Basketball Championship making it a historic win for them.
Marine 1st Sgt. Christopher Harris of Camp Pendleton, Calif. scored 22 points in the Marine Corps’ win and led the championship with 141.
After a 5-1 run in pool-play, Army women looked like they would take the gold for the women after leading 25-10 into halftime.
Air Force came back and went on a 14-point run to close the gap and take gold, 50-46.
Senior Airman Tiaera Phillips of Bolling AFB, DC scored 22 points giving the Air Force their first gold since 2011, making this year’s win even sweeter.
Philips led the Armed Forces Women’s Championship scoring 105 points from the floor.
In the consolation games to determine third and fourth places, all eyes were on the men’s 2022 defending champs Sunday afternoon as they took on the Air Force to battle it out for third place.
After securing just one win in the double round robin the Army showed up with something to prove. After two very close halves the Army was able to edge out the Air Force and take the win for third.
On the women’s side, the Marine Corps women couldn’t quite finish off a comeback against Navy women and lost 62-55.
The Marines led at halftime 17-11 but were unable to keep up their pace and the Navy went on a 9-point run to take the lead to overtake the Marines.
During the awards ceremony, the U.S. Armed Forces Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams were announced. The U.S. teams will compete in the SHAPE International Basketball Tournament held in Mons, Belgium scheduled 26 November to 3 December.
The top players of the tournament who are available to move forward were selected by a panel to represent the U.S.
Team Selections are:
2023 Armed Forces Men’s All-Tournament Team:
2d lt. Anthony Walker, Air Force - Hanscom AFB, Mass.
2d lt. John Carter, Marine Corps - MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan McGhee-Coleman, Navy - NIOC Georgia
1st Sgt. Christopher Harris, Marine Corps - MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Ensign Daniel Deaver, Navy - NAS Pensacola, Florida
2023 U.S. Armed Forces Men’s Basketball Team:
Lt. Shawn Anderson, Navy - NAB Coronado, Calif.
Lt. j.g. Cameron Davis, Navy - Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan McGhee-Coleman, Navy - NIOC Georgia
2d lt. Nikc Jackson, Air Force - USAFA Prep School, Colo.
Capt. Matt Dougherty, Air Force - Cannon AFB, N.M.
2d lt. Anthony Walker, Air Force - Hanscom AFB, Mass.
Senior Airman Brandon Parker, Air Force - JB Langley-Eustis, Va.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Barrett, Navy - Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Ensign Daniel Deaver, Navy - NAS Pensacola, Florida
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ramel Bethea, Navy - Newport News Shipyard, Va.
1st Lt. Alex King, Army - Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
2d lt. Abraham Kinrade, Air Force - Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Head Coach: Mr. Micah Bonner, Navy - Lynwood, Calif.
Assistant Coach: Mr. Rodnic Ward, Navy - Rocky Mount, N.C.
Medical: Capt. Jacqueline Smith, Air Force - Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB, Texas
Team Captain: Mr. Mike Richardson, Air Force - Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB, Texas
2023 Armed Forces Women’s All-Tournament Team:
Senior Airman Tiaera Phillips, Air Force - Bolling AFB, DC
1st Lt. Tatiana Wayne, Army - Fort Moore, Ga.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jameika Hoskins, Navy - Souda Bay, Greece
Capt. Briana Allen, Marine Corps - Twentynine Palms, Calif.
2d lt. Cierra Winters, Space Force - Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
2023 U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Team:
1st Lt. Tatiana Wayne, Army - Fort Moore, Ga.
2d lt. Cierra Winters, Space Force - Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
Capt. Briana Allen, Marine Corps - Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Senior Airman Tiaera Phillips, Air Force - Bolling AFB, DC
Petty Officer 1st Class Christie Ayers, Navy - MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
1st Lt. Kassady Huffman, Air Force - Offutt AFB, Neb.
Spc. Rayjon Harris, Army - Fort Bliss, Texas
Sgt. Malaysia McHenry, Army - Fort Cavazos, Texas
Ensign Danielle Reinwald, Navy - Yokosuka, Japan
Airman 1st Class Makeyla Robinson, Air Force - Kirtland AFB, N.M.
Capt. Cara Adams, Army - USAG Camp Humphreys, Korea
Capt. Kiana Dolivera, Army - Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
Head Coach: Tech Sgt. Marcus Hollins, Air Force - Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB, Texas
Assistant Coach: Chief Petty Officer Syretta Bromfield, Coast Guard - USCG Recruiting CMD, Calif.
Medical: Lt. Col. John Mason , Army - Joint Base San Antiono, Texas
Team Captain: Ms. Sarah Galon, Army – Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas