The Luke Air Force Base Women’s Varsity Basketball team poses for a photo after winning the PacWest Championship in Las Vegas, Nev. The team defeated Davis-Monthan in the championship game.
Lady ’Bolts take Vegas by storm
With a new coaching staff leading the way, the Luke Air Force Base Varsity Women’s Basketball team has made a name for themselves on the court starting their season with a 7-1 record.
Ronald Aragon, Elijah Maclaren, and Danielle Ayers, all from the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, are the coaches who have led the lady Thunderbolts to victory this year.
“Having the base basketball team is important because it provides the players a chance to continue playing while serving in the Air Force,” Ayers said. “This also gives players the opportunity to gain a wealth of experience by playing against other Air Force and community college teams.”
During games, the coaches can adjust the team’s strategies because of the skill set of the players.
“We have a lot of players who are naturals at each position,” Aragon said. “This allows us to adjust our style of play to match or take advantage of our opponents.”
The team recently took home the Pacific West championship title. The tournament was in Las Vegas, Nev.
“The tournament helped us become more familiar with what our players can and can’t do in game time situations,” Maclaren said. “We coach to win, but we put everyone in the game to give our players the experience needed to help us become better as a team.”
Playing well on the court has prompted invitations to other tournaments.
“After the last tournament, the players were invited to play at the Air Force Academy,” Maclaren said, but were unable to attend due to mission requirements.
The team will continue to play three to four games a month until the end of the season in March.
The coaches have their goals set high for the rest of the season.
“We hope to continue our reign as No. 1 in the PacWest conference,” Aragon said. “It’s a privilege and honor for us to represent Luke Air Force Base well.”
Red Eye Open tournament
The Red Eye Open golf tournament is 8 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013, at Falcon Dunes Golf Course. The cost is $45 per club member, $50 per nonmember and $55 per guest, and includes breakfast, green fees, range balls, cart rental, lunch and prizes. Deadline to register is Dec. 28. For more information, call (623) 535-9334.
Holiday hours, Dec. 23 through Jan. 1, 2013
Bryant Fitness Center open
4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. holidays and down days
Fitness Center Annex open
5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Closed weekends and holidays
Warrior PT Center open
5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. holidays and down days
Falcon Dunes Golf Course open
7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 25
Thunderbolt Lanes
Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
