GAME FORUM

August 16th - August 17th

Playoffs: R2K 103, DDN/Sean Bell All-Stars 99

Playoffs: Bingo's All-Stars 99, SCAN NY 96

Championship: BIngo's All-Stars 104, R2K 95

BINGO'S ALL-STARS DEFEAT R2K, WINS 2008 HITS TITLE
Once everyone saw that the 2008 Hoops in the Sun Championship was going to be between Bingo's All-Stars and R2K, they knew it was going to be one for the ages. Tremendous talent across the board from both teams, and it all boiled down to one game on a hot and sunny day at Sun Stadium to find out who will be taking over Hoops in the Sun's top supremacy.

Crowd was buzzing moments before the opening tip, seeing the talent that was being displayed on the court, from Dwight Hardy to " The Cab Driver " to Kemba Walker to Mike Glover to Anthony Glover to Brian Williams to Curtis Stinson and to the newly acquired Houston Rocket, Ron Artest. When they stepped onto the court, the championship engines were running at full steam.

Feeling each other out in the first, both teams traded baskets for the most part of the first quarter. Rasheen Jenkins of R2K led the charge by hitting three three-point shots in the opening quarter, to then be followed by Ron Artest, aka " The New World Order " who hit two three-point shots of his own, bringing Bringo's All-Stars to within five points at the end of the first, 31-26.  

The second quarter belonged to former St. John's standout Anthony Glover, who poured in 14 points for the Bingo squad, which led to them outscoring R2K in the quarter 32-20, going into the midway mark up by seven, 58-51.

The third quarter, both teams wanted to get an edge. Going to the basket or running the fast break was the norm in the third. Bingo's All-Stars, trying to maintain their lead, had problems containing Jenkins with his ability to get to the basket and if it wasn't that, knocking down open three-pointers at will. The spurt by Jenkins sparked R2K, including big man Brian Williams out of Tennessee, scoring 8 points in the quarter. Bingo held their own, not relinquishing the lead until late in the third. R2K led 81-78 heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Fourth quarter dictated why both teams got to this point. All season both teams grinded it out to get to this position and that's being on the main stage in the final quarter, looking to go home with the championship. And when I say the intensity picked up, the intensity picked up. Artest picked up the defense, not letting Jenkins get off a three-point shot. Two straight steals by Artest led to fast break points for Anthony Glover. 2008 HITS MVP Mike Glover was silent, but that only meant his big brother would carry the load. Glover stepped up when Bingo and company needed him to and boy did he. While R2K's focus was stopping Artest, Anthony Glover continued to score key baskets at key points in the ball game. The game was fading away from R2K but a big three-point shot by Jenkins kept them afloat. But this is where the infamous " Cab Driver " heated up and sealed the deal for Bingo. C-Driver scored 11 of his 21 points in the 4th, including a big three-point shot to put Bingo up 100-92. R2K would try one last effort to make a run but ultimately it was too late. " The Cab Driver's " crucial points sealed the win for Bingo's All-Stars, which had announcer Bobby Cey screaming through the microphone "PAY YOUR FARE!"

Bingo's All-Stars defeated R2K 104-96 to become 2008 Hoops in the Sun Champions. Championship Game MVP was Anthony Glover with 31 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Mr. Glover will receive a K1X sneaker contract, as well as a spread in DIME Magazine, courtesy of K1X. Artest finished with 20 points, Brian Williams finished with 17 points for R2K and Rasheen Jenkins finished with a team high 29 points