All-Air Force Women’s Basketball Team places third in Armed Forces Tournament

  • Published
  • By Steve Warns
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Third place in the Armed Forces Tournament wasn’t what the All-Air Force Women’s Basketball Team envisioned.

But, according to All-Air Force Women’s Basketball Team coach Lee McGlown, the Airmen demonstrated significant growth and resiliency during the recent training camp and tournament at JBSA-Lackland.

“It’s growth for what we can build on for the future,” said McGlown, a member of the 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron at JBSA-Lackland. “We just have to find the right pieces that we’re missing.”

The U.S. Air Force defeated the U.S. Marine Corps 97-49 on July 7 to finish 4-3 in the tournament. 

“Overall, I’m satisfied with the effort,” McGlown said. “They came to play.”

A highlight for the U.S. Air Force was when it beat eventual tournament runner-up the U.S. Navy 64-61 on July 2. Staff Sgt. Charmaine Clark (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie (11 points, 16 rebounds) rallied the Airmen from a two-point deficit at halftime.

“I thought that was a point where we could build to get to the championship round,” McGlown said. 

The lowlight was losing Clark to a torn Achilles tendon in the second game against the U.S. Army, the tournament champion.

“Charmaine’s injury was a freak accident, and we send our prayers,” McGlown said. “We’re going to be there to help her with her rehab and stay in touch with her.” 

Clark was to undergo surgery and rehab at San Antonio Military Medical Center before returning to Robins AFB, Georgia, July 31.  

“To have this injury at this point is a little frustrating, but it’s part of the game,” said Clark, a member of the 116th Maintenance Squadron at Robins. “Right now, I’m worried about the recovery process. Hopefully next year, I can make an appearance again.”

Clark was injured two minutes into the game. While the U.S. Air Force lost 78-66, the Airmen’s resiliency and resolve impressed McGlown.

“I was real proud with our effort and our energy, and the fight to win,” McGlown said. “We bounced back and showed signs of resiliency, which I think showed the magnitude of the will to win.”

Afterward, the team visited Clark at the hospital, a gesture she said further strengthened the team’s bond.

“They all showed up to the hospital with like 34 cookies,” Clark said. “Encouragement from my teammates meant a lot, and it really helped me to have a positive attitude through this process. Resiliency is going to be a big thing just to keep my positive mindset.”

That resiliency showed in a big way in the U.S. Air Force’s final game of the tournament against the U.S. Marine Corps. Led by 1st. Lt. Micah Wessinger’s 19 points, the Airmen led 49-30 at halftime and were never threatened. 

“It’s definitely been a great experience getting together with all the different (Airmen),” said Wessinger, of the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. “It’s three weeks, but it seems like we’ve known each other for years. I’m sure we’ll keep in touch, and hopefully we can actually keep building the team.”

That bond, experience, and resiliency is what Guthrie, playing on her sixth team, will take with her as a member of the 673rd Communication Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

“A lot of women who play on base don’t know about Air Force basketball and that this opportunity is available to them,” said Guthrie, who averaged a team-high 14.1 points per game during the tournament. “It’s always good to meet different people from across the Air Force to network and for fellowship.”

While Clark, Guthrie and Wessinger praised the leadership of McGlown and assistant coach Master Sergeant. Tashon Taylor of the Air Force Services Activity at JBSA-Lackland, McGlown said the Airmen taught him more patience and understanding.

“You have to have a strategy with what you have and understand that not everybody comes from major college programs,” McGlown said. “You have to make sure your game plan matches their skill level and that they have a very good winning attitude.” 

Clark and Guthrie were named to the All-Tournament Team. Senior Airman Jessica StCyr of the 78th Medical Operations Squadron at Robins and Airman First Class Charlene Stout of the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas, were named to the Armed Forces Team that competes in the World Military Games July 23-30 at Camp Pendleton, California.

For complete results and box scores from the tournament, click here.