Hyperflight 76, Air Force 1 79

In the battle of the big-men, Niko Klansek of Hyperflight and AF1’s Jason Burke didn’t disappoint. Klansek came out with a three to start the game off and the Hype-men ran the high-low offense to start the half. AF1’s backcourt trio of Bang Lee (seven points, four assists), Ryan Fisher and Brandon Smith pushed the pace and may have solidified themselves as a true threat in the league this game. Fisher and Smith couldn’t stop believing in their three point shot and led AF1 on a journey to a 32-28 lead. The last two minutes of the half picked up as Burke went to the rack and the glass (seven first half rebounds). An un-impressed Klansek answered back with his own spin in the lane.

Hyperflight came out in a 3-2 zone in the second half and Smith shot them out of it with a deep three and a 45-40 lead. Jamaree Pinkard (20 points) had played big these last two weeks, and drove the pill for nearly the entire second half. But for every time he drove, Smith (20 points, five 3-pointers in the second half) answered back in the first six minute stretch of the second half (61-56, AF1). At the 3:48 mark Burke (21 points) hit two free throws and on the ensuing possession grabbed one of his 13 rebounds and scored (75-71). Klansek (25 points, seven rebounds) battled Burke back for an and-one in the lane and hit the free throw, to cut the lead to one. But with 34.6 left on the clock, Fisher (20 points, five assists, five steals) sealed the win from the line for AF1.

In the post-game interview, Burke and  AF1 captain Ben Detrick shared their dismay for Hyperflights absent players. "Aron Phillips is a cancer to the game of basketball and this league," Detrick said. "The cowardly exhibit of not showing up by both AP and Will Perkins is shameful," added Burke. "It was certaqinly a contributing factor to Hyperflight's loss, tonight."

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