The USAFE women successfully defended their CC-AIR HQ RAMSTEIN Basketball Championship title by soundly defeating the German Air Force, 98-13. The Aviano duo of Nicole Bowman and Victoria Dreff led all scorers with 28 and 20 points, respectively. Ramstein's Lashannon Grant and Sybil Reed added 15 and 13 to the USAFE total. In the playoff game for third place, the Royal Air Force defeated the Royal Netherlands Air Force 39-33.

The German Air Force successfully defended their crown in a controversial finish that put them ahead of USAFE, 91-90. With less than a second on the clock, following a time-out, and a score of 90-88 in favor of USAFE, Germany missed an attempt that apparently sealed the win for USAFE. When it was realized that the clock never started, the officials decided to replay the effort. This time, Germany was able to sink a three-pointer that put them ahead by one point for the win. A USAFE protest followed but the final result stood with the German Air Force awarded the win and championship title. The USAFE men accepted the decision of the protest committee and gave the German team a standing ovation at the award ceremony. USAFE scoring was led by all-tournament MVP CJ Scott, Ramstein, with 31 points. Mildenhall's Felton Scott contributed 26. In the contest for third place, the Belgian Air Component defeated the Royal Air Force, 48-38. Poland beat the Royal Netherlands Air Force to capture fifth place.

Find the Stars & Stripes article on the women's game here.

Find the Stars & Stripes article on the men's game here.

________________________________

Subject: CC-Air Basketball - Day 2 - USAFE Advances to Finals

USAFE women completed a clean sweep with a 3-0 record in the round robin phase of the CC-AIR HQ RAMSTEIN Basketball Championship. Led by Nicole Bowman of Aviano with 24 points and Jennifer Brooks of Ramstein with 13 points, USAFE defeated the Royal Netherlands Air Force (0-3) 80-20. The USAFE (3-0) women face the German Air Force (2-1) at 1400 today for the championship.

In the men's second semi-final, defending champions German Air Force beat the Royal Air Force 59-44. USAFE faces the Germans for the championship today at 1600.

________________________________

USAFE men overcame their toughest challenge of the tournament so far with a narrow 61-56 semi-final victory over the Belgian Air Component. The Belgians led 15-5 early in the game with exceptional outside shooting. They continued their lead with a halftime score of 27-20. In the second half, USAFE dominated the inside and took the lead for the first time, and for good, with nine minutes remaining at 42-41. USAFE led 50-44 with five minutes remaining. In the final minutes, the Belgians cut the USAFE lead to two points. Despite USAFE's free throw difficulties in this game, shooting 21 of 38 from the line, they were able to make critical free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Leading scorers for USAFE were Ramstein pair Larry Fenegal and CJ Scott with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Felton Scott from Mildenhall chipped in 11 points including 8-of-8 from the free throw line. The other semi-final game between defending Champion German Air Force and the Royal Air Force is in progress now.

In the final women's round robin game, the German Air Force (2-1) beat the Royal Air Force (1-2) 39-33 to advance to this afternoon's championship game against USAFE.

________________________________

Subject: CC-Air Basketball - Day 1 Late Games

The USAFE men won their second game of the day by defeating the Royal Air Force 51-39. This finishes the pool play format and with a 2-0 record the USAFE men advance to the semi-finals to take on the Belgian Air Component at 0900 this morning. Ramstein guard CJ Scott led all scorers with 18 points. He was supported by Lakenheath's Moe Corpening with 13 points. The second semi-final matches up the defending champion German Air Force (2-0) against the Royal Air Force (1-1). In other late games Tuesday night the German Air Force defeated the Royal Netherlands Air Force 74-39.

In women's play, the Royal Air Force (1-1) defeated the Royal Netherlands Air Force (0-2) 40-20. The German Air Force will take on the Royal Air Force at 0900 this morning. Both teams are 1-1 and the winner will advance to take on USAFE in the championship game this afternoon. USAFE closes out round robin play with a game at 1030 this morning against the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

________________________________

Subject: RE: CC-Air Basketball Update

The following is an update from previous message:

USAFE women advanced to 2-0 with a 99-22 victory over the German Air Force.

Leading Scorers:
-Victoria Dreffs, Aviano, 22 pts
-Nicole Bowman, Aviano, 17 pts
-Jennifer Brooks, Ramstein, 16 pts
-LaShannon Grant, Ramstein, 13 pts

USAFE women will play their third round robin game against the Royal Netherlands Air Force at 1045, Wednesday 12 Apr 06.

_____________________________________________
Subject: CC-Air Basketball Update

Good Afternoon,

Here are the early results of this years CC-Air HQ Ramstein Basketball Championships in Spa, Belgium. The men have six teams (Belgian Air Component (BAC), German Air Force (GAF), Polish Air Force (PAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and USAFE) competing for this year's championship. The women's championship will be contested by four team representing the GAF, RAF, RNLAF and USAFE. The GAF men and USAFE women are defending champions respectively.

MEN:

Pool A:

USAFE-74 PAF (Polish Air Force)-42

Leading Scorers
-Felton, Scott, Mildenhall, 15 pts
-CJ Scott, Ramstein, 13 pts
-Dylan Goldwire, Mildenhall, 11 pts
-Mo Corpening, Lakenheath, 11 pts

Pool B:

GAF-64 BAC-61

Women:

USAFE-89 RAF-15

Leading Scorers:
-Victoria Dreffs, Aviano, 22 pts
-Nicole Bowman, Aviano, 18 pts
-LaShannon Grant, Ramstein, 13 pts
-Sybil Reed, Lakenheath, 13 pts

RNLAF-15 GAF-48