Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s West Side Hustlas edged the Bremerton Tropics, 57-50, at the annual Independence
Day basketball tournament at the Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), Bremerton, Fitness and Aquatic Center, June 29. The tournament
started June 28 with round robin games followed by a single elimination style bracket with each of the six teams who
entered the tournament for a total of 11 games.
“My boys played like champs,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Jermond Griffin, Marine Air Task Support Group and West Side Hustlas
team captain. “Everybody did what they had to. If it wasn’t for all of our players, we wouldn’t have made it this far.
Everybody brought something to the table exactly when it needed to be brought and that’s how we came away with the victory today.”
Before tip-off, participants held a moment of silence for Darrell Monroe, a former official for the Naval Base Kitsap basketball
games before the final day of the tournament.
“I’ve known Darrell for a good 20 years,” said Pam Ferraro, NBK sports coordinator. “He has been out here officiating basketball
and flag football for years. He was a great man and he will be missed.”
The final game started off fast with both teams scoring point for point during the entire 16 minute half ending the half with West
Side Hustlas up one point with a score of 28-27.
“The game went good,” said Courtney Foster of the Hustlas. “We usually schedule about 30 players for this tournament and end
up with five or six. Every other time we didn’t do to hot, but this time we came up with the win. I keep coming back because I
like to play against new people and new talent. It makes us better.”
The second half started off the same way during the next 11 minutes with both teams, going point for point with several lead
changes. The West Side Hustlas kicked it up a notch during the last 5 minutes of the game, out scoring the Tropics by 10 points
making the final score 57-50 winning tournament .
Although fun was had for all at the tournament, there was a somber moment when “The tournament went really well,” said Teon
Jones, Bremerton Tropics. “It’s not as big as it used to be, but it went well. The Hustlas did well for having such a small team and
they pushed us to our limit. Our team would like to dedicate our game to Darrell, who was very special to us.”