Tinker Hawks take third in Sheppard’s MLK tourney
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Once again reiterating why they're a force to reckon with on the road, the Tinker Hawks swooped into Sheppard Air Force Base Jan. 16-17 for some quality hardwood competition.
Pitted against some of the top conference teams and a few wild-card squads thrown in the deck, the Hawks had plenty of work to do before reaching the trophy podium.
Overall Tinker went three of five in tournament play before falling to Fort Sam Houston and Fort Sill in close games to take the third place trophy.
Tinker Hawks 81
Barksdale AFB 59
The first three games of Tinker's five-game run showed the Hawks' prowess, as they first knocked off Barksdale Air Force Base, La., 81-59 without much trouble.
"It was a relatively easy victory," Hawks coach Clarence Griffin said. "We were clicking on all cylinders. They didn't really challenge us that much actually."
However, the signs of foreboding came early for Tinker, when they lost shooting guard Duron Arnold to injury in the first minutes of the game. Also, with standout Kirk Sheppard unable to make the tournament, the Hawks' rotation rhythm would suffer all tournament.
"We lost Duron Arnold in the first five minutes in the first game. He's got a lot of speed and is a good offensive player so we missed him," Griffin said.
Five Tinker players scored in double digits: Phil Hawthorne - 22; Jurail Smith - 19; Brandon Collier - 12; Gerard West - 11; and Laurence Gray - 11.
Tinker Hawks 80
Buckley AFB 69
The team from Buckley Air Force Base proved more of a hurdle, but ultimately fell to the Hawks in similar fashion 80-69. Tinker had faced and beaten the Colorado team in December and came away with a win Jan. 16 despite Buckley taking the lead several times, Griffin said.
"They had seen us before and they put up a real good fight on that game," Griffin said. "They actually took the lead on that one a few times."
Four Hawks scored in the double digits: Jurail Smith - 24; Phil Hawthorne - 21; Brandon Collier - 12; and Laurence Gray - 10 points.
Tinker Hawks 70
Cannon AFB 64
As Tinker reached their third game in one day, the stakes and competition got tougher as their bodies grew more fatigued. And the Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., players were nothing to laugh at.
"It was a tough game and they had seen us so they weren't surprised by anything we did," Griffin said. "We pulled that one out. It was never in doubt to me as far as the outcome, although it was closer to me than I wanted it."
Tinker's stifling defense and consistent offensive play eventually sealed the deal as they bested the Cannon squad 70-64.
Jurail Smith once again led Tinker in scoring with 25 points. Phil Hawthorne added 19 points and Travis Carter had 10.
Fort Sam Houston 66
Tinker Hawks 56
When Tinker finally arrived at the final two games of the tournament Sunday, all that prevented them from victory was solid execution. The tournament was theirs, if they wanted it.
The lead switched back and forth several times throughout the game against Fort Sam Houston -- the first team out of the chutes. But Tinker was clearly a contender throughout, Griffin said, despite losing 66-56.
But the Hawks' defense, usually a stalwart weapon, struggled to contain Fort Sam Houston and limit easy baskets.
"We didn't sit there and defend the way we're capable of defending," Griffin said. "We're a very good defensive team and we just slipped up. Defense is what wins the games. We're capable of scoring points but the defensive level just wasn't at what it normally is."
Phil Hawthorne put 22 points on the board for Tinker as the high scorer and Laurence Gray followed him up with 11 of his own.
Fort Sill 89
Tinker Hawks 83
With only one loss, the Hawks were far from done in the double-elimination tournament. The tall Fort Sill squad registered as a serious threat, but the Hawks were ready to wash their hands of the previous loss. Unfortunately, nobody brought the soap.
In the end it was the defensive holes that sank Tinker's ship. The game was close throughout, but Fort Sill capitalized on scoring opportunities. Tinker's mix of zone and man defense failed to materialize and Fort Sill claimed the win 89-83.
"We didn't guard our side of the court, we allowed too many easy baskets," Griffin said. "We were running our normal defense, people were just not getting in position where they needed to be."
And in both Tinker's losses Sunday, old habits crept back into the players at the free throw line.
"Foul shots were again off," Griffin said. "It looks like we'll be shooting foul shots in practice for a couple hours because it's just a matter of focus."
But more than losing two big games in tournament play on the road, it's the fact that they could've won that represents the real loss.
"I think we could've won the whole thing even though we were down one to injury and had one missing," Griffin said.
Jurail Smith had 26 points against Fort Sill and Phil Hawthorne followed him up with 22 points.
Coming up
The Hawks go on the road this weekend, with their Lady Hawks counterparts, to Amarillo, Texas, to face off against Clarendon College Saturday. Then, the Hawks will travel to Lawton for a double-header rematch against Fort Sill on Sunday.
It will be a tough weekend for the Hawks, but Griffin is particularly excited to meet Fort Sill again.
"Fort Sill has good size, but we just have to go out there and do what we can do," Griffin said. "I'm looking forward to a competitive game."