Hawks return to Gerrity this weekend/Sports Shorts Published March 10, 2016 By John Parker Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The base's varsity basketball team will take on two Air Force squads this weekend in the Tinker Hawks' last home stands of the season. The Hawks play Saturday and Sunday against the McConnell AFB, Kan., Tornadoes and the Whiteman AFB, Mo., team. Three games, which are free for spectators, will be played each day. The 10-6 Hawks are part of the Central U.S. Military Basketball Conference, which consists of seven Air Force and two Army teams from six states. Coach Jonathan Morgan said Whiteman is a "very good young team" that usually plays a fast tempo with full-court man-to-man. "They get up and down the floor," he said. The McConnell Tornadoes have a good mix of veteran and younger players, Morgan said. "The young guys can jump out of the gym," he said. "They're pretty athletic. Their point guard is a very good shooter and really distributes the ball well. He's their team leader." The coach predicted good matchups and high-quality play this weekend for Tinker fans. "We look forward to it," he said. "We'll have to mix up what we do, but we expect to win all four games." The conference's regular season, which began in October, is winding down. The CUSMBC final tournament is scheduled for April 16-17 at Sheppard AFB, Texas. Gerrity game times Saturday · Tinker vs. McConnell 11 a.m. · McConnell vs. Whiteman 1 p.m. · Whiteman vs. Tinker 3 p.m. Sunday · Whiteman vs. Tinker 11:30 a.m. · McConnell vs. Whiteman 1:30 p.m. · Tinker vs. McConnell 3:30 p.m. Sports Shorts SFFL launches football The base Spring Flag Football League recently kicked off its 10th season. Spectators are invited to watch the gridiron action every Tuesday at the sports complex north of the dorms. Four games a night start at 5:15, 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 p.m. The season ends May 17. Gerrity expands hours There's more time to exercise at the Gerrity Fitness Center. The base's main gym and sports center recently expanded its weekday hours to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is also open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on holidays. Spring bowling league set The Tinker Bowling Center is signing up teams now for the Spring Intramural Bowling League that starts March 24. Active duty personnel, Reservists, retirees, DOD civilians and contractors are eligible to play. Teams must identify with a base organization, but can have a separate team name. The sign-up deadline is noon March 24. Four-person teams are scheduled to bowl two games starting at noon Thursdays through May 26. Pre- and post-bowling times are allowed. Players don't have to be from the same organization and the squad can include substitutes. The fees are $7 each week, with $5 going for lineage and shoes and $2 to a prize fund. For more details, call General Manager Brett Moler at 734-3484. Softball signup deadline soon The Spring Softball League officially begins April 4. The league is open to all authorized personnel who are 18 years and older. Deadline to register is 6 p.m. on March 18. To sign up for the league, call Andre Lancaster at 734-5607 or Pat Griffin at 734-4664.