Tinker takes third in conference tourney Published April 8, 2010 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- In the end it was just two points that finished the season for the Tinker Hawks basketball team. Out of the hundreds they'd scored throughout the season, a meager two brought it all to a close April 4 at the Southwest Conference Championship Tournament at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. But those two points will always leave a question mark of sorts for the faithful Tinker hoopsters. It was in the first half of the semi-final game Sunday that the two point question came into play. Facing the ever-formidable Fort Sill squad that had shut out Tinker the whole season, the Hawks were playing a close game. But then came the squirrely play. Tinker had taken a shot and made it, earning two points that showed on the scoreboard to tie the score. Then, Tinker immediately stole the inbound pass from Fort Sill and drew a foul. Tinker made both foul shots, putting them up by two. But it wasn't meant to be, according to coach Clarence Griffin. Referees and the official scorekeeper hadn't seen the two-point shot before the stolen inbound pass, Griffin said. To the dismay of all Tinker brethren, the two points were removed from Tinker's slate in keeping with the records of the scorekeeper -- who was from Fort Sill, Griffin said. "Those two points came back to haunt us," Griffin said. And he was right. With Tinker leading marginally 37-35 at the half it was close the whole way. But Tinker's man coverage and consistent offensive play had built a second half lead as high as 10 points. Tournament recap Hawks tourney record: 3-2 April 3 Hawks 88 Fort Sam Houston 75 High scorers: Jerail Smith 35 pts, Phil Hawthorne 20 pts, Kirk Sheppard 10 pts April 3 Hawks 79 Sheppard AFB 74 High scorers: Phil Hawthorne 18 pts, Brandon Collier 15 pts, Travis Carter 13 pts, Kirk Sheppard 13 pts April 2 Lackland AFB 97 Hawks 90 High scorers: Phil Hawthorne 26 pts, Jerail Smith 23 pts, Kirk Sheppard 14 pts April 2 Hawks 78 Goodman AFB 76 High scorers: Phil Hawthorne 24 pts, Jerail Smith 24 pts, Travis Carter 12 pts