The bleachers were packed in the Steilacoom High School gym, with all the usual activity one would see at a basketball game.  Outside the gym were the boosters, fundraising; concessions were served.  And inside the gym the SHS cheerleaders tried to incite the crowd to chant all the regular chants, "S, I, N, K! Sink That Ball, HEY!" But in general, the crowd was more focused on the action on the court than all the other stuff going on.

The players were not your average high school teams facing off: this was an on-court battle that pitted first responders in blue against troops from the National Guard and Joint Base Lewis-McChord in red.  Hoops for Heroes was a fun event that turned into a surprisingly close, nail-biting game that benefitted AUSA's DuPont Sub-chapter's Single Soldier Project and Community Connector units.

Master Sergeant William “Jerry” Clardy, (A CO 1-19thSFG (A)) challenges a first responder with the ball. Photo credit: Jessica Corey-Butler
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What started off as domination at the hands of Blue became a 10 point lead, with each basket made by Red answered by Blue.  And then in the decisive fourth period, with five minutes, 33 seconds to go the troops came creeping back, closing the gap to five points (47-42).  With 1:28 left, Red tied the game, 51-51; one bystander remarked, "Usually intramural games don't have nailbiting like this, or a crowd this big."

With one minute left, Red took the lead, 53-51, and for all the balls they sank with accuracy in the first half, the first responders seemed unable to respond to the Red wave that was the troops' second wind.  In the end, the troops pulled out a 60-53 come-from-behind win over the first responders.  Coach (and Fircrest Chief of Police) John Cheesman speculated, "We just ran out of steam."  He added, "It was a great game for a great cause.  We had a lot of fun."

One of the coaches for the troops, Master Sergeant William "Jerry" Clardy, (who is the operations NCO for A CO 1-19thSFG (A) when he's not playing basketball) remarked, "I think they underestimated us ... but hats off to them - they did a great job."

Denise Dhane, Vice President of the DuPont AUSA sub-chapter that organized the event, credited a "Dream Team planning committee" and the support of the community.  She commented, "the success of the event exceeded every possible expectation."  She added, "We will be able to support our soldiers with all the wonderful donations."