Automatic Goes 8-0 for the Season
In the final seconds of an intense battle, undefeated Automatic, (7-0), beat the DP Ballers, (6-1), 59-58, in the final game of the Des Plaines Park District's Competitive Men's Basketball League regular season. Tip off was at 8:30pm on the north court of the Prairie Lakes Community Center gym, 515 E. Thacker St. The fierce action was back and forth, with the spread never exceeding six. At the half, it was DP Ballers 32, Automatic 27. High scorers for DP Ballers were Cory Wilks with eleven, including three three-pointers, and Greg Bell and Phillipe French, each with six. For Automatic, Luka Kindernay hit ten, including two free throws, and Chris Oates sank two threes.
The second half saw more full court pressure as the two evenly matched teams traded buckets. At the 2:00 mark, the DP Ballers were up by six, 53-47, and with plenty of time left to play, they engaged in a game of keep away, running down the clock. At the 1:00 mark the game was tied at 56 all. Then, with 18 seconds to go the DP Ballers took a time out. They were at a disadvantage, with six team fouls to the Automatic's two. Less than nine seconds later, a Technical Foul was called on the DP Ballers for having six men on the court, sending Oates to the line for two. He made one and was immediately fouled by Mike Herzog with 8.6 seconds left, and with two from the line, at the buzzer, it was 59-58, Automatic.
Oates hit an impressive eleven in the second half, and team mate, Mike Griffin, eight. For DP Ballers, Tim Anderson was the second half high scorer, with twelve, and French added another eight. Both Automatic and the DP Ballers are now just one game away from being crowned the Des Plaines Park District's best.
Elsewhere in the League, Shake N Bake earned their first win of the season over Crapachino, 62-52, and it was D Punchers over the Snakes by one, 65-64, earning them a third place seed with a final record of five and three. The DP Trains held off Old School, 63-60, securing their sixth place spot in the playoffs.
Tuesday, June 14, League Playoff action begins at 6:30pm with third place D Punchers taking on DP Trains on the north court, and fourth place Str8 Ballin against Guerrero on the south court. The north court winner will go on to play the DP Ballers, the south to play Automatic. The Championship game will be played at 8:45pm on the south court.
For more information about Men's Basketball, summer softball, and youth sports call 847-391-5711. For a complete list of standings, visit http://www.desplainesparks.org/standings.asp