CAMP PENDELTON, California –
The 2026 Armed Forces Basketball Championship event begins May 12th, with a beautiful opening ceremony as athletes from all branches come together to pour their hearts out onto the court, giving their absolute best with every play.
After several months of practice, it is time for game day. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Sherri Cook, the senior enlisted leader of Camp Pendleton, kicks things off expressing her excitement, stating “I want you to think about building and endeavoring to keep that bond of unity and camaraderie that we hold across the armed forces.” She turns her attention to the players and goes on to say, “I challenge you to leave it all on the court, put everything into it, make each other play hard to compete against each other.” Cook finishes her speech saying this, “Please be safe, leave it all on the court, I applaud you all for being here today, and may the best team win, Semper Fidelis and oorah!”
The Armed Forces Sports (AFS) championship kicked off with an exciting first game, as the Army women’s team faced off against the Marine women’s team in a fiercely contested match. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Malaysia McHenry, scored 25 points and played a key role in securing the Army’s 75-66 victory, setting a strong tone for the tournament.
Following their women’s victory, the Army men’s team also secured their first win against the Marine men, narrowly winning 75-67. U.S. Army Spc. Travis Baker, highlighted the nerve-wrecking atmosphere, noting how staying composed under pressure was crucial to their success. Both Army teams remain undefeated, establishing themselves as formidable contenders and daring others to challenge their streaks in the days ahead.
Day one also saw the Air Force women’s team rally for a thrilling 60-56 win over the Navy women, coming from behind in the final moments. Conversely, the Navy men’s team demonstrated their strength with an 86-93 victory over the Air Force men, showcasing the high level of competition across all branches.
As day two began, the Women’s Army team stays undefeated with a 57-56 win against the Navy. The Army men’s team also secured a narrow 73-72 victory over the Navy, thanks to their composure under pressure.
The Air Force women’s team dominated with strong defense, led by Lt. Cierra Winters’ five impressive steals, winning 72-47. The Marines men's team showed skill and teamwork but narrowly lost 74-70 to the Air Force.
As the tournament heats up, fans eagerly anticipate Day 3 matchups. The Army teams dare opponents to end their undefeated streak, fueling fierce rivalries. A highly anticipated showdown is set as the undefeated Air Force women’s team prepares to face the Army women, promising a thrilling contest that could determine who stays on top and who claims the top spot in the tournament.
The Navy women’s team secured an impressive 86-62 victory over the Marine women’s team. Following the game, a thrilling nail-biter came to the court as the Marine men’s team faced the Navy in a close contest, with only 20 seconds remaining and the score at 55-57. U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Chambers, a team member, hit a crucial three-point shot, leaving the score at 58-57 with just 4 seconds on the clock. The Marines’ defense held strong in the final seconds, preventing the Navy from scoring again and securing the narrow win.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Brandon Mitchell, head coach for the men's Marine team, shares, “ In those moments it’s nerve-wrecking, two big moments and it tilted in our favor.”
With the last games remaining, Air force leaves the crowds in shock as the Air Force women's team soars in to steal the crown from the undefeated army team, leaving the ending score at 62-57. The Air Force women team has established themselves as the strongest competitors, remaining unbeaten by the branches. Following the women’s lead, the Air Force men’s team claimed victory against the Army men’s team, after the Army rallied back from a 21 point deficit to send the game into a tense 5 minute overtime. Air Force was able to regain momentum to win with a final score of 85-82. As the first three days drew to an end, the Air Force teams soared to new heights, seizing the Army’s undefeated titles and delivering a stunning conclusion to an already electrifying competition.