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Flight Controllers defeat Gym Rats for b-ball title

  • Published
  • By Mike W. Ray
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  In a title game marred by 30 fouls, including five technicals, the Flight Controllers #1 slipped past the Gym Rats, 43-39, Wednesday to capture their second base basketball championship in three years.

The Rats led for the first 8½ minutes but trailed throughout the rest of the game. The Rats pulled within one at 6:35 and again at the 4:10 mark of the first half; however, a free throw by Willie Curry and a layup by Elbert Craig Jr. with 2 seconds on the clock widened the Controllers' lead at the half to four, 18-14. The widest gap was when the Gym Rats trailed by 11 five minutes into the second half, 27-16.

Altogether, the trio of referees whistled 19 fouls against the Gym Rats and 11 against the Flight Controllers. The flurry of technical fouls erupted in the second half; Gym Rats Jake Shumway, Laurence Gray and Steve Alexander were singled out, as were Controllers Curry and Craig. Seven infractions, including three technicals, were called in the last minute and a half of the contest.

The T's against the Rats provided the winning margin for the Controllers. The Controllers missed most of their charity shots but hit five of their six technical-foul shots.

Laurence Gray scored 13 for the Gym Rats; D.J. Lemons and Jake Shumway had 10 apiece; Steve Alexander, Marty Graham and Marcus Modey had 2 each. Also playing for the Rats were Matt Hau, Tracey Walker and Marcus Hines. The Gym Rats, winners of this year's Small Squadron Division, were coached by Drey Ramsey.

For the Flight Controllers, Willie Curry tallied 16; Cedric Street, 10; Cedric Franklin, 8; Robert Lawrence, 7; and Elbert Craig, 2. Also suiting up for the Controllers was Anthony Smitty.

Coach Kelvin Lee Kearney said the Flight Controllers, the victors in this year's Large Squadron Division, were the base basketball champs in 2010 and were runners-up last year. He also was effusive with praise for Assistant Coach Dennis Lewis.