Automatic takes basketball league title
Undefeated Automatic beat the Donkey Punchers, 83-48, on Tuesday, June 14, winning the 2011 Men's Competitive Basketball Summer League Championship Title, at Prairie Lakes Community Center in Des Plaines.
Dominating the offensive glass for the entire game, Automatic finished the regular season 8-0, and won the semi-final and final match-ups in back to back action. Coming into the second half, it was evident that Automatic's up-tempo attack and their ability to score at will would lead them to victory.
The battle for the championship title began at 6:30 p.m. on the north court, where the third place Donkey Punchers rolled over the DP Trains, 77-72. On the south court, fourth place Str8 Ballin beat Guerrero, 69-59, which set them up to play the undefeated Automatic.
In the semi-finals, at 7:30 p.m. on the north court, Donkey Punchers battled second place DP Ballers, for a spot in the semis. With only eight seconds left in the game, the D Punchers edged by the DP Ballers, winning 63-62. Donkey Punchers, Thomas Streety grabbed 31 buckets in the game; Greg Bell led the Ballers with 21.
On the south court, Str8 Ballin's guts and grit were not enough to overcome Automatic's tough-nosed defense and ability to finish, and Automatic triumphed 79-53.
Dewayne Robinson chipped in 21 points, and the team was eight for 10 at the line. Str8 Ballin's Greg Koutelidakis grabbed 23, but the team was only .30 at the line, hitting only four of their 13 free throws.
Less than 15 minutes later, Donkey Punchers went on to play their third game in a row against Automatic for the title.
Eligible players for the Donkey Punchers included: Paul Nawrot, Thomas Streety, Ozzie Calhoun, Mark Sameuls, Quinn Hayes, Nick Cordero, and Brian Lee. Automatic played: Matt Przybilski, Luka Kinderman, Paul Rozanski, Chris Oates, Rob Straus, Dewayne Robinson, Paul Johnson, and Joshua Cantres.
Even though D Punchers put up the first two, it was Automatic all the way. They were certainly in the zone, denying the underdogs every time they tried to put up two. At the half, Automatic was up by 24, 57-33. Kinderman and Johnson were Automatic's go-to guys, with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Lee and Streety led Donkey Punchers with 12 and 9.
Nine minutes and 27 seconds into the second half, Automatic had increased their lead to 35, and Str8 Ballin conceded the match, with a final score of 83-48. Robinson hit a game high 17, Johnson and Kinderman, 15 each, and Cantres 12. They were five for five at the line. Streety scored 15 in the game for Str8 Ballin, followed by Cadero, who hit 14 and the team was six for nine at the line.
Men's summer competitive and semi-competitive leagues begin play on Tuesday, June 28, with the finals played on Aug. 23. The registration for fall teams is Friday, June 24. For more information about men's basketball and youth sports, call (847) 391-5711 or visit www.DPParks.org.