.da_story_info span
{
color: #333333;
}
Hawks ready for weekend's basketball matches
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Vandenberg Hawks, the base's varsity (men's) basketball team, are scheduled to faceoff against the varsity team from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., during three matches beginning at noon and 2 p.m. Dec.3 and 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at the Duane G. Wolfe Fitness and Sports Center here.
"This game is going to be a great match of high-flying talent from both the Vandenberg Hawks and our nemesis, the Nellis Air Force Base varsity team," said Phillip Gellentien, a 30th Force Support Squadron graphic designer and Vandenberg Hawk team member. "Both teams are strong, but I know we can beat them with our strong defense."
The Vandenberg Hawks compete in the Pacific West Military Basketball League made up of military bases in the western region from all branches of military service. Prior to entering the team's December schedule, the Vandenberg Hawks' record was three wins and three losses.
The Vandenberg Hawks opened their season in the PWMBL South Division at Camp Pendleton Nov. 4 - 5 playing in three games; finishing 2 - 1. One of Vandenberg's victories was against last year's champion, Camp Pendleton's varsity team, in a double overtime battle. The team finished the weekend in first place in the South Division.
"I feel that we are a strong force to be reckoned with when we take our time and run our game," said Gellentien. "We have worked out the kinks and are finally gelling together as a team. I like being on the team because, on a regular basis, we play 110 percent with heart and will. We are shooting for being league champs."
Below is the 2011 Vandenberg Hawks team roster:
(Military)
Capt. Ryan Teets, 30th Medical Operations Squadron
1st Lt. Matt Holland, 614th Air and Space Operations Center
2nd Lt. Tom Fow, 533rd Training Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ty Johnson, Air Force Element Launch Comm Office
Senior Airman Trevor Wiggins, 30th Mission Support Group
Senior Airman Timothy Prieto, 30th Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Jacari Miller, 30th Security Forces Squadron
Airman 1st Class Antoine Marshall, 30th Force Support Squadron
Airman 1st Class Darian Tannis, 30th Staff Judge Advocate Office
(Civilians)
Malik Salim
Anthony English
Rod Denson
Armand Palmer
Anthony Billups
Jeremy Moreno
Phil Gellentien
(Coaches)
Daniel Castillo, head coach
Tech. Sgt. James White, assistant coach, 30th Security Forces Squadron
"This season we have one of the strongest teams I have seen in years, and we play with a lot of heart and intensity,'' said Daniel Castillo, Vandenberg Hawks' head coach. "We represent Vandenberg with pride everywhere we go and we're looking to bring home a league championship this season."
Admission to the games is free for spectators; however, seating may be limited.