SMAC basketball team selected

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
The Sheppard Senators Southwest Military Athletic Conference basketball team was selected Oct. 2nd with a roster of 13. 

The team began practicing Oct. 6 and will continue to perfect their game twice a week until their first game Nov. 1 against Western Oklahoma State at Altus Air Force Base.
Shawn Peterman, a network administrator, said he is optimistic about the upcoming season. 

"This year is probably going to be the best year in recent past for the Senators. We've been together as a team for three years now and we have the advantage of team chemistry that some of the other teams can't bring to the table," Peterman, said. 

When tournament season arrives it draws out teams and spectators as far out as New Mexico, Louisiana and Oklahoma, Peterman said. 

"People come to watch the games and they get to see all we do here. Not only do they see the training side but they get to see the side of the base that makes that training work," he said. 

Henry Allen, 782nd Training Group personnel journeyman, said the team brings a lot of excitement to the base especially during home games. 

Allen said being with the team is a great opportunity to keep playing after joining the military and is excited about what the season holds. 

"We have our first game soon and we are playing a college team, so it will be interesting to see how we stack up. But win or lose, we are there to have fun," he said. 

The team roster consists of: 

Shawn Peterman, 82nd Training Wing
Michael Brown, 982nd Training Group
Henry Allen, 782nd TRG
Johnny Cohnes, 82nd Force Support Squadron
Kenneth Edwards, 80th Operations Support Squadron
Aaron Franklin, 82nd Security Forces Squadron
Riley Halliday, 82nd FSS
Anthony Harris, 882nd Training Support Squadron
Jovanni Owens, 82nd SFS
Ovidio Gonzales, 362nd Training Squadron
Stephen McCurdy, Lodging
George Brooks, Lodging
Evans Nydrle, Lodging