Oldtimer's Basketball League Heads to Playoffs

The first season of the FSPY Oldtimer's Basketball League is in the books with the X-men winning the regular season title on the strength of an 8 and 1 record, followed by the Jersey Jammers (7 and 2), Razorbacks (3 and 6) and the Clippers (0 for 9).

Following a break for Mother's Day next week, one-game playoffs will held Sunday May 16, time and location still to be determined, but the format will the top seeded X-men versus the Clippers and the 2-3 game will pit the Jammers versus the R'Backs. The championship and consolation game will be played the following week.

This week's recap:

Game No. 1:  X-men squeak it out over the R'backs, 44-43

The R'backs held the lead from the opening tip until about 10 seconds left, but could not close the deal, turning the ball over, gunning from long-range on poor shooting percentage with a lead and committing costly fouls. 

Down five with less than two minutes remaining, the X-men just kept playing and making free throws, six of nine, with Jamal "MVP" Berry pouring in 21 points (three of five from the line) and Sid "the kid" Jackson added nine points, along with Dan "Guiness" Murphy chipping in six.

The R'backs two Jasons, Holley and Shann, tossed up 20 and 10 points each, accounting for 70 percent of their team's offense, but sloppy play down the stretch cost them the win.

Game No. 2: Jersey Jammers took on all comers, clipping the Clippers (and an all star team), 66-54

The Clippers only had four roster players so they "borrowed" players from the league leading X-men, yet it wasn't enough.

The Jammers jumped out to a 34-18 halftime lead and cruised through the second stanza, sewing up the second seed in the tournament.

All eight Jammers inked the scoring column with Eric "point center" Halpin leading (14 points), Nias "my Mom's here" Battle posted 13 tough points and Adam "mega" Mertz ran the floor for 10. Marlon "James" Brown felt good to the tune of eight points, six assists and no fouls.

The Clippers were led again by Dave "shooter" Berger (22 points) and Jamal "I play for another team" Berry (10 points). Gene "Mr. T" Tavera added nin and Kevin "headband man" Adams offered six.