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By JEFF LEWIS; Times Leader Sports Correspondent
Tuesday, April 12, 1994     Page:

WILKES-BARRE — Spring is finally here, and with it, comes the Rogers
Basketball Tournament.
   
The event, in its 64th year, is named for the late Bill Rogers, who
originated it while he was the Physical Director for the YMCA in the 1930s.
The competition started Monday with the largest turnout of teams in the past
few years.
    The teams were able to enter the tournament by completing registration
forms during the past few weeks.
   
The finals will be held on Monday May 2, at the YMCA, with members of the
winning teams receiving awards. A team trophy will be given to all finalists
in each division. A Most Valuable Player will also be selected from each
division.
   
“We have a pretty good turnout this year,” said Jim Thomas, YMCA program
director. “The numbers have been down the last couple of years, so we’re
happy.”
   
The competiton showcases the talents of 27 teams split up into three
divisions: open, 6-foot-1 and under, and corporate. The open and 6-1 and under
divisions both contain eight teams while the corporate division has 11 teams.
   
“The corporate division was very popular this year,” Thomas said. “Those
teams have a lot of players to choose from within their company.”
   
The teams follow a double-elimination format, guaranteeing each team at
least two games.
   
“The double-elimination format gives those teams with tough draws in the
early rounds a chance to fight back,” Thomas said. “It’s kind of a second
chance.”
   
In Monday’s 6-1 and under division action, the Footstompers routed the
Assassins, 128-56, on the strength of 23 points by Karim Tyman. Shawn Morse
added 21 points for the winners. The Assassins were paced by Tony George’s 14
points.
   
In the night’s second game, Beer Gut Lenny’s came away with a 79-70 victory
over Goodfellas. Jerry Mulery and Jake Biehl were tops for the winners with 18
points apiece.
   
Goodfellas’ Joe Smikulak scored a game-high 27 points in a losing effort.
   
In the night’s final game, Precision Tool came away with a 95-61 victory
over the Bomb Squad.
   
For Precision Tool, Marty Biasi was tops with a game-high 26 points. George
Merrick poured in 21 points for the Bomb Squad while Ron Tribendis added 18.
   
Today’s open division schedule has the Tar Heels vs. Pugs Gym at 6:15 p.m.,
Sunday Dispatch vs. Blue Cross at 7:15, and U.S Air vs. Matheson Warehouse at
8:15.