Playoffs finalize for basketball summer league Published Sept. 2, 2008 By Senior Airman Clay Murray 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Labor Day has come to pass, and the summer basketball league is finalizing much like the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign before it. The teams remaining in each division for the playoffs from the Spangdahlem summer league took to the court Aug. 20 and 27 in a standoff for a position among the Final Four. The final night of playoffs kicked off with an unforeseen upset. The Pistons defeated the Magic 102-98. It was a tight game all around that dragged into overtime. Both teams gave it their all and then exhausted what was left. The Magic had control of the ball for most of the game, but the Pistons kept their heads above water and managed an upset. The Pistons were led by well-known Kris Davis with 38 points, and Arthur Patterson added 16 points including a series of three-pointers. The Magic were led by Ternae "LeBron" Riley with 24 points, and Artis "I can do everything" Gandy added 23 to the Magic's scoreboard. That same night, the Hornets led a tough and unrelenting attack against the Lakers in their third meet this season. The Hornets took the win over the Lakers 125-123. The Hornets battled from behind to win as they struggled with a 25 point deficit toward the end of the game. Many may have thought this impossible considering their short roster of only four players in overtime. The Hornets were led by J. Murrell with 49 points, a summer league single game scoring record, and Brian Brown complemented with 34 points of his own. The Lakers were led by late addition Tyrone "Ty" Bullocks who scored 30 points and David Hampl added 23 pts. The Final Four matchup from Aug. 29 resulted in the Celtics win over the Pistons and the Warriors defeating the Hornets. Master Sgt. and coach Benjamin Wynn, 726th Air Mobility Squadron aircraft and fleet services superintendent, has been very pleased with the conclusion of the summer league so far. "This has been such a great regular season," said Sergeant Wynn. "I really hope everyone has enjoyed and maybe learned a little something about basketball and taking responsibility for what's yours. I really enjoyed the games and you guys gave your base community some really good basketball," he said. "Now with the playoffs behind us, I expect some good clean competitive basketball. We will also be voting on a most valuable player from each league." Interested individuals should begin preparations for the base team tryouts that begin Sept. 15, 6 p.m., only a week after the close of the summer league, and last until Sept. 28. Those selected will compete as part of the Spangdahlem Air Base team in the United States Air Forces in Europe and Army Community League championships at the end of the season.