An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Celebrities give ‘slam-dunk’ performance

  • Published
  • By Airman Stacy Garcia
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The 95th Air Base Wing Striker team defeated the 412th Test Wing Fighter team, 88-77, in a National Basketball Association Entertainment League game June 17.

Col. H. Brent Baker Sr., 95th ABW commander, along with Terry Crew, Drew Lachey, Joel McHale, Bobby Ender, Jon Huertas, Corey Hardrict and Tech. Sgt. Darryll Mason, 95th Medical Support Squadron laboratory technician, made up Team Striker. The L.A. Lakers’ Andrew Bynum led team Striker.

Team Fighter consisted of coach Devin Green, Col. Arnold Bunch, 412 TW commander alongside Donald Faison, Dion and Dante Basco, Josh Bratten, Marcus Paulk, Sal Masakala and Airman Nick Booker, 412th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice.

During the first half of the game Faison led Team Fighter as he hustled across the court scoring 14 points. Just behind him, Colonel Bunch, with energy and speed, held 11 points. Bratten scored 5 points, Masakala and Booker with 2 points each. Lead scorer for Team Striker was Hardrict with five, three-pointers and 12, two-pointers. Huertas scored 8 points. Ender grabbed 6, while McHale and Crew ended the half with 4 points a piece. Team Striker took the lead of 43-38 by the end of the first half.

Throughout the game Team Fighter and Team Striker held a good match up with the score being so close to one another. In the end, Team Striker came out with the win with Hardrict as the top scorer of the game with 39 points.

With his third visit to Edwards, Drew Lachey from boy-band 98 Degrees explained why he enjoys visiting the base. “I love it here; I always have a great time every year,” he said. “Everyone was hospitable and enjoyed the event. I just want to help make the situation a little bit easier for the people in the Armed Forces and their families because we know the sacrifices they have to make.”

Terry Crew, from the movie “The Longest Yard,” said he wants to give thanks to the military’s contribution and the security the Armed Forces provides. “I have a family and I appreciate being protected by the Armed Forces, I just want to do whatever I can to give something back,”

On his second appearance at Edwards, actor Donald Faison of TV’s “Scrubs” expressed his feelings about Edwards, “It’s all love here. Thank you for doing what you do. Keep your heads up.”

At the end of the game Colonel Bunch expressed how he felt about the outcome of the event. “I had a blast, and we all had fun. It’s great to see all the celebrities come out to show their appreciation for what we do.”

“I am still in shock, I had an absolute blast today,” said Colonel Baker after the game. “I heard about it, and this is the first time I get to be a part of it. It was even bigger and better than I thought.”

Before Crew headed out he had one last thing to say to the troops: “Everyone at Edwards keep your heads up, stay strong. I’m with you, be a fighter, be a warrior. That’s what it’s all about.”

The celebrities were excited about the game and have showed an interest in coming out again next year, Colonel Baker said.

“If you missed this game, you really missed a great event,” Colonel Baker said. “The entertainment was absolutely fabulous, we are definitely going to do this again next year and hopefully try and get an even greater turn out.”