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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jan 5, 2009 - 8:19:38 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Capt. Kurtis Darden, 440th Airlift Wing, is captain for the All Air Force basketball team. The Reservist from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., is shooting for a "three-peat" in the Armed Forces Basketball Tournament March 23-28, and is hoping the Air Force team wins its third gold. Photos by Tech. Sgt. Steve Staedler |
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- "Hoop dreams" come true for some people.
For the fourth year in a row, Capt. Kurtis Darden, 440th Services Flight, has been tapped to play on the All Air Force basketball team. The only Reservist on the team, the services operations officer is making his fourth appearance in the Armed Forces Basketball Tournament March 23-28.
"This year I'm shooting for a 'three-peat,'" said Captain Darden. "The past two years we (the Air Force team) won the gold in the tournament."
Unlike the stars of the NBA, Captain Darden works a full-time "day-job" as a district manager for a North Carolina company. One weekend a month he drills with the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. The other three weekends a month he hits the local gym, shooting hoops to keep sharp.
"It's not a complex practice session," he said. "I simply play pick-up ball on Saturday mornings for three hours, and I try to practice early in the mornings during the week before work."
Growing up, Captain Darden spent a lot of time with his father at the gym shooting hoops. In college, he played "guard" at Pfeiffer University, Misenhiener. N.C. In addition to playing on the All Air Force team four years in a row, he's served as team captain the last two years, and both times the Air Force won a gold.
Captain Darden's said his years of basketball practice and games has paid off, and he hopes the pre-tournament training camp will lead to another gold and a spot on the All Armed Forces Basketball team that competes internationally.
"This year (2008) we're having training camp early," he said. "The CISM (Conseil International Du Sport Militaire) is being held in the U.S. at Lackland Air Force base and is hosted by the Air Force."
With his eye on a three-peat, the Reservist credits his father for inspiring him. Silas Darden is a retired Army command sergeant major who still plays basketball and goes to the gym.
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