4th CES Airman wins gold in AF hoops

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shane Dunaway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Ever since he attempted his first basket when he was two years old, Airman 1st Class Johnny Hernandez, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness flight, has had an interest in basketball, whether it was playing the sport or watching his beloved Chicago Bulls on television.

For the past month, the Air Force has supported his interest by paying him to play in the game he loves as a member of the Air Force basketball team that took home the gold November 8 in a tournament at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, N.C.

His journey began at Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Va., where he spent two years honing his craft as a power forward. After high school, he decided to do something amazing - join the U.S. Air Force.

Upon arriving here in August 2005, he once again reestablished a connection with basketball as a member of the base basketball team, allowing his talents to shine through in the process.

"He metamorphoses into an intimidating, animated beast on the court," said Senior Airman Evelyn Nicholson, a friend as well as co-worker and self-proclaimed "Number One Fan" of Airman Hernandez. "He's just an overall exciting and entertaining player to watch on the court who will have you clenching the edge of your seat in anticipation of his next move."

After being encouraged by friends to try out for the Air Force basketball team, Airman Hernandez traveled to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Oct. 14 for the two-and-a-half week training camp.

"Their training camp was tough physically," Airman Hernandez said. "When I first got there, I thought I wasn't going to make the team because the coaches put me at point guard and I had never played the position before. The further we got along in training camp, I started thinking I had a pretty good chance of making the team."

When training camp ended Oct. 31, Airman Hernandez survived the cuts as one of 12 Airmen selected to the team. The support from his friends, family and co-workers never wavered.

"They congratulated me and wished me luck in the tournament," Airman Hernandez said. "A lot of them came down to the game since the tournament was close to the base. I had lots of fan support."

The Air Force basketball team dominated the tournament, finishing with a 6-0 record and earning the gold medal in the process.

Although Airman Hernandez said winning the gold was his favorite part of the tournament, he also emphasized the camaraderie and teamwork is just as valuable an experience.

"My favorite part of playing basketball is all the friends I've made through it," Airman Hernandez said. "There have been a lot of good memories, mainly from just hanging out off the court. It's all for fun."

His attention to detail, humility and "team first" attitude does not go unnoticed in the work center and applies to more than just basketball.

"He's a great worker who always gets his work done and helps boost team morale for the office through his humor and encouraging words," Airman Nicholson said. "He's one of the best basketball players I've ever seen who remains humble on- and off-court. He's just plain entertaining!"