Spokane Hoopfest:;Marines take on new opponents in the streets of Washington

1 Jul 2003 | Sgt. S. L. Standifird Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Sweat drips from the Marines' brow. He takes a deep breath before setting up for the free throw. Meanwhile, a little farther down the street, his female counterpart hustles for a long rebound. Sharing their love for the game of basketball, four Marines from the female All-Marine Basketball Team and four recruiters from Recruiting Station Seattle came together in downtown Spokane, Wash. to participate in the Nations largest three-on-three street basketball tournament, the Spokane Hoopfest. Representing RS Seattle was Steven Thomaselli, James Turner, Marvin Caulk and Ricardo Moran. Representing the All Marine Team was Carlotta Moore, Cassandra Best, Andrea Smith and Brandi Rodgers. The thoughts of taking home the championship lingered in each players mind, but there were alternative motives to being out in the hot Spokane sun. "We came out here to have fun," said Moran, a first time Hoopfest participant. "It's good to come out and get the wins, but it is all just about having fun and coming out here to play street ball." The male team was outmatched for most of their games and didn't quite get into the groove of playing together until they were almost out of the tournament. When they finally did come together, they picked up a win. "Even though we were evenly matched (in that game), it felt good," said Moran, of their first win. "It felt good because we pulled together as a team. After we came together, we had the potential to win more games." After their first win, however, the recruiters had only one more chance to stay alive. Down the road in the women's division, the All Marine team was struggling to conform to the style of play on the asphalt. "We expected a completely different game," said Moore. "It's a different style of basketball. Hoopfest is more of a one-on-one game rather than a team sport. It was a good learning experience." With their style of play being altered to fit the dynamics of Hoopfest, the All Marine team, the oldest in the competition, struggled to get a win. According to Best, the competition was very physical. Moore agreed and added that the girls are more competitive because they have been playing together longer. "As Marines, the opponent's mindset is that they have to beat you," added Moore.Although the competition in both the female division and elite male division was tough, the players did what they needed to do. "Even though we were in a higher division, we had to do what Marines do," said Moran. "Suck it up and do our best." Neither of the Marine teams progressed in the tournament to the finals, but their impact was felt by the other teams and spectators a like. "It gives the locals a chance to see what Marines are like," said Moran. "You have people looking at you to see if you play well and to just see Marines. They can see that we not only support the mission, but stop for athletics too." Moore also felt it was important to show potential applicants that Marines do more than just fight. "Yeah we have a mission to complete, but we have fun too. It opens up the thought that they can play sports in the Marine Corps," she said. Smith added that the Marine Corps gives high school and college players an option to continue playing after their eligibility is up. "Once these girls finish playing college ball, then what? Some will go on, but they now see the Marine Corps has an option for them to continue to play," she said. "It can help boost female recruiting," added Rodgers. "The girls here can see that there is a female All-Marine team and it can open some eyes to the Corps."Even though the Marine teams didn't walk away from the tournament with a championship trophy, the players all felt they had a fun time and wanted to play again next year.
Marine Corps Recruiting Command