SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Sheppard Senators men's varsity basketball team defeated the Goodfellow Hawks, 83-62, in basketball action Sunday at the Pitsenbarger Fitness Center. Great teamwork and a "slow and steady" approach helped lead the Senators to a victorious opening weekend. 

It was part of a weekend of games at Sheppard, with five teams from the Southwest Military Basketball League coming out to play. Sheppard's victory against the Hawks was their second versus Goodfellow that weekend and their third overall. 

The Senators came out victorious in all three match-ups. After taking an early lead, the Senators maintained their dominance for the majority of the game, only giving up the lead a handful of times and never for long. 

Tyrone Jordan, the Senators coach, said they have a simple playing system that relies on communication. 

"All it takes is communication," Jordan said. "You have to be willing to listen, and these guys (the Senators) are." 

Coach Jordan went on to say there is no need for them to run up and down the court, but that they want the other team to have to do just that. 

"We put the pressure on them, if we make it frantic they will crack," Jordan said. "I want the game speeded up (on their end) so that they make mistakes." 

Jordan said it's always good to start out a season with a win. 

"It's different when you're teaching and you go out and start losing," Jordan said. "But now, they believe." 

The Senators next game will be at Fort Sill on Saturday.