PHILIPS ARENA, Atlanta, Ga., March 13, 2010 – Tonight’s grudge match between the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard ended on an upbeat note for the Army with a come-from-behind, 55-42 victory.

This, the second annual Army vs. Air Guard match-up, was played in Philips Arena following the NBA game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Detroit Pistons. Georgia Guardsmen and their families were able to purchase tickets to the Hawks game half-price, and then the proceeds went to the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation.

Immediately after the Hawks/Pistons game, Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia’s Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, Commanding General of the Georgia Army National Guard and Col. Jay Peno, executive director of the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, joined Scott Wilkinson, Hawks Assistant General Manager and Chief Legal Officer, at center-court for the presentation of a $4,000 check to the Foundation from the Atlanta Hawks. This is the second year the Hawks have made a contribution to the Foundation.

The annual rivalry between the Georgia Army Guard, under the stewardship of Coach Sgt. 1 Class Benjamin Thomas, and the Georgia Air Guard, under the leadership of Coach Lt. Col. Mike Rumsey, tipped-off immediately after the check exchange. Volunteers from both services, some with impressive basketball credentials - but most with only a desire to represent their service, played with an enthusiasm no less intense than that of their Hawks counterparts, who just moments before had defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-99.

The Air Guard came out strong, with a dominant 31-25 lead after the first half. However, the Airmen were unable to stave off the Army resurgence in the second half. In the final moments of the competition, with the Air urgently seeking to avenge last year's defeat, the Army team rallied behind the gamesmanship of their MVP, Staff Sgt. Michael Godbolt, to keep the coveted trophy safely in the Army Guard corner for the second year in a row.

Despite the outstanding efforts of SrA James Reece of the 165^th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron, the Air Guard MVP for the second year, and an all-around solid game from the whole Air squad, the blue team will have to wait yet another year for retribution on the hardwood.

Nonetheless, the real winner of the night was the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, which now has additional funding to provide emergency relief assistance during times of financial crisis to the members and families of the Georgia National Guard, our State's reservists and qualified active duty service members in the State of Georgia.

For additional photos from the game, click here.

Story and photos by Seth G. Stuck

Public Affairs Office

Georgia Department of Defense