European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 28, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday. Match 28, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 23 commentary armed forces meets lacked fans by Rio Rock the Price was right. And yes George Price the Mike  memorial Field House was simply Mach he Ulous far the armed forces basketball championships last we the Gomes were scrappy Well played will coached Well officiated and Well exciting. The Only thing missing for most of the tournaments was fans. They missed a lot. Until the army Navy men s matchup saturday and sunday neither Tilburg s Mike Mark Field House nor Baum older s Hall of Champion could draw a full House for a game. Even the women s final at Baum older saturday featuring air Force trying to break army s five year lock on the armed forces Crown filled less than half the seats. And that was with a player each from Baum older and Pitburg on inc respective squads Al 52 a crack the fans who did show up got their Money s Worth. The Home folks were treated to excellent games from Baum older s Kalherine Middle ton and Tilburg s Vanessa Shaw. San Vila s Sherry grumpier also played Well in the tournament and cd Aviano Star Diane Brown kept air Force in the title fight right 10 the end. The Marine Navy women a game a 105-104 Navy overtime win was As exciting As any game could be. Stull an Vai Hingen s Thomas Burkill and Rhein main s Johnny Gardner coached air Force s women to a second place finish. On the men s Side Hanau s Robert Estes Shook off a twisted ankle to Star for army showcasing the sure shot jump shot he promised before the tournament. Parma sons grand Robinson kept army in the championship game against Navy in the first half before being benched. Middleton Shaw grumpier Brown and Estes Tim Boivin made the All tournament team and will compete for the armed forces teams in National tournaments in the United slates. With All those somebodies you would think at $2 a crack ail cyclic directors Price l Tilburg and Der Roll Manuel Baum older would Havi had to turn people away at the door thai was far from the Case. Many of Baum older s soldiers were in the Field with bit Burghd the Rock out of the mainstream of the ecu sch american Triangle of Kaiser Slatlem Heidelberg and Frankfurt where most of the homies came from the players performed before what would have to be generously called disappointing crowds. That s unfortunate because these were the tint armed forces basketball championships held overseas and it was a Good Chance to show Why More should be held in Europe. Price and Manuel provided everything that could be asked of them Manuel even had a bus going from Rau Holder to Tilburg and Back so fans would thave to drive. There were two problems. One Baum older and Pitburg Are the third right past nowhere for most  stationed in Europe. It s a Long haul logo to the games when they re out in inc Boon docks but Price and Manuel were successful in put Liing on a show worthy of Fth trip. Two the tournaments were held at the same time the Usa eur command level basketball playoffs got underway. In my opinion this was much More of a contributing Factor than the location of the tournaments. V corps Vii corps and 21st support come nil started Posl season play the same week As the armed forces championships. The Only iwo people to get any kind of local fan recognition were Dit Surji s Shaw and Dau Holder s Middle Lon Here s the fan s dilemma do you drive Uva hours to cheer on Estes. Robinson. Hanau s Vicki Lee and Wiki leu a s Antic armstrong1. Or do you stay Home to support your Community team in the playoffs the fans answer was Clear Liy the empty seats in Manuel s Hall of champions and until the men s final in Price s magnificent Mike Mark memorial Field House. Jim Brown of the v corps sports office pointed out that his command already delayed its playoffs a week to schedule exhibitions against the armed forces teams to warm them up for the games in Bilbo Argand Baum older he also said that if usar eur was delayed a week that would result in Many of the officials having to double up to coverall of the games. Still it would have been Nice for Estes and Robinson s teammates and fans to Sec them perform at the highest level of military Ball. 11 might have warranted extra considerations by the people at the lop to rearrange the playoff schedules so More fans could have attended inc armed forces tournament even if that meant doubling upon officials. With so Many americans stationed and living in Germany another Chance at an armed forces sports championship is Likely. I Hope whoever hosts it. Unlike 1 Ricc and Manuel will not have to compete against local military leagues in that sport for fans. Nit from Page a 1 then you Lake two trips Down the floor took up at Ibe scoreboard and you re up by eight he said. Randolph keys joined Fisher with is Points and Kenny Siler. The Golden eagles Only senior added 17. Forward John while had 10 Points including two free throws with six seconds left after la Salt forced a five second violation and turned the Ball Over before getting a Hance to tic the score. Keys with 42 Points and 18 rebounds in the last two games won the most valuable player award. The explorers who trailed by As Many As 11 Points in the first half came Back after Nai Riim logo ahead 44-43 with 17 06 remain ing. Keys started the 16-4 spurt with a Bas Ket before Hamilton scored the Golden eagles a Cal eight Points to make it 55-46 with 11 22 to go. After the spurt gave Southern miss a 59-48 Lead. La Sale fought Back to get within three Points twice at 59-56 and 64-61. Two three pointers by Fisher rebuilt the advantage to 73-65 with 3 11 remain ing but two baskets by Simmons two free throws by Rich fair and a rebound Basket by Craig Conlin Cut the deficit to 82-80 with 21 seconds left. The explorers then forced a five Sec Ond Call on the inbound pass but Ham Ilton forced an off balance pass and a turnover. White limited to 21 minutes because of foul trouble was fouled in desperation and hit lie two free throws clinching the outcome Hamilton Tarr Simmons Derrick Vick of Nebraska and James Dawn of Arkansas Little Rock made the All tournament team. Simmons was following in the foot Steps of i rec time la Salt Alt american Tom Gola the map of the 1952 nit championship team when he also was a. Freshman. Vying for Possession i Sulle s Cru it Conlin left and Derrick Hamilton of Suu Hern miss thursday s championship game at Nen York s Madison Square Garden. A Polo scramble in Philadelphia White sox Swap Redus Cowley Clear water. Fla. A Tulasi season with ii victories i Cluj Nam no hitter against the California an gels. Me had an i la i record with a 3.sb earned run average after starting the sea son in the minors