Photo By Staff Sgt. Melissa Parrish | Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Alvelo, Multinational Battle Group-East, coaches the Soldiers at...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Dressed in red, white and blue basketball jerseys, the Soldiers filed onto the basketball court one by one, as the announcer gave each player a loud thunderous introduction.
Multinational Battle Group-East Soldiers faced off against Kosovo’s semi-pro basketball team, Kastrioti, on Dec. 8 at the Bill Clinton Gym in Ferizaj, Kosovo.
Kosovo Forces play the friendly game on Camp Bondsteel frequently, but it was their first time playing the local Kosovo team.
The game began with the MNBG-E Soldiers starting out strong, which made the Kastrioti team doubt their anticipated victory.
“At first I thought we were going to lose,” said Stephen Coles, a forward and one of four Americans on the Kastrioti team.
Coles has been with the team for only a month, and this is his first time playing against Soldiers.
“It was a great experience,” said Coles. “It was nice to come out and play a fun game against the troops. I think we all had a great time.“
Coles said the talent on the MNBG-E team surprised him.
“They definitely gave us a game in the beginning,” said Coles. “Chief [Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan Newlon] didn’t miss [a shot] at one point and we got a little scared so we had to start pressing.”
By the 3rd quarter, Kastrioti grabbed the reigns and began to dominate on the court.
All of the Soldiers had the opportunity to play and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan Newlon, a network technician for MNBG-E, led the team in points.
“I think we put up a pretty good fight,” said Newlon. “We aren’t used to playing in such a long gym since the court we play on [at Camp Bondsteel] is so short, but we gave it our all.”
The MNBG-E Soldiers are hoping to make this game an ongoing event through out this rotation.
“We definitely want to establish a long relationship with their team,” said Newlon.
“This [the basketball game] gives the Soldiers something to look forward to and helps take their mind off of work. It gives them an opportunity to get off Camp Bondsteel and get out in the community,” said Newlon. “I think it boosted both the Soldiers’ morale and the basketball team’s morale. It’s a really positive thing and I think it will only continue to expand.”
Kastrioti beat the MNBG-E Soldiers with a final score of 90-63.
The teams shook hands at the end of the game and shared laughs as they rehashed the different plays.
MNBG-E Soldiers hope to face Kastrioti again in January but said next time they will come out on top.
“We will work together as a team to win the next one,” said Newlon. “It was definitely a battle tonight and we fought hard but next time we will come harder."
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2014 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 149831 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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