Shreveport defeats Tacoma four games to three!

Shreveport's David Robinson was named MVP.  The Admiral averaged 17.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg, and blocked 37 shots in the series.  He also shot 55% from the field.  The home crowd was disappointed each game as the visitors won all seven.  A key to the Shuffle's championship was the job Wayman Tisdale and company did on Charles Barkley, holding the regular season scoring champ to only 22.1 ppg for the series.  Tisdale led the Shuffle in scoring with a 26.4 average, while Rolando Blackman's 23.9 topped the Sounders.  The Shuffle shot 48.3% as a team compared to 48.4% for the Shuffle.  Another big factor in the series was Shreveport's huge rebounding advantage by a margin of 51.4 to 44.4.  I'd like to thank everyone for making the post-season go smoothly.  It's almost as much work as the regular season and just as important.  A special thanks to Dave, Geno, Jeff, and Darrell for playing extra series.

Game # 1 APBA Finals

Shreveport	32	30	28	20	110
Tacoma	25	28	26	25	104

Player of the Game: Walter Davis (Shreveport)- 26 points on 12 of 17 from the field.


Sundvold's three-pointer broke a 97-all deadlock as the Shuffle take the first two on the road.  Tisdale contributed 16 second half points to rally his boys from a 51-46 half-time deficit.  Tacoma's Blackman led all scorers with 25 points.  Poor shooting from the line (15-24) came back to haunt the Sounders.

Game # 2 APBA Finals

Shreveport	22	24	30	26	102
Tacoma	25	26	24	24	99

Player of the Game: Wayman Tisdale (Shreveport)- 24 points on 11 of 15 from the field.


The pressure of battling for a Championship finally erupted.  At the two minute mark of the third quarter, Barkley gave Shreveport's pesky Mark Alarie a forearm to the back of the head resulting in a mild brawl.  After order was restored, both Barkley and Alarie were ejected.  However, Barkley left the Sounders with a comfortable lead, thanks in part to his 15 second quarter points and Tacoma held on.

Game # 3 APBA Finals

Tacoma	26	39	29	32	126
Shreveport	27	26	29	33	115

Player of the Game: Charles Barkley (Tacoma)- 27 points on 11 of 16 from the field, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals.


The Sounders go on an 11 point run in the second quarter to take a 35-29 lead, which they never relinquished.  Blackman scored 8 of his game high 36 points to lead Tacoma.  Rolando also tossed in 16 in the final quarter to hold off the Shuffle's late run.  Tisdale's 33 point effort was not enough to overcome the poor shooting of Walter Davis, 3 of 11 from the floor.

Game # 4 APBA Finals

Tacoma	19	30	21	38	108
Shreveport	23	17	26	36	102

Player of the Game: Rolando Blackman (Tacoma)- 36 points on 14 of 26 from the field and 5 assists.


Tacoma blows open a close game with a 40 point explosion in the third period.  Barkley was unstoppable, scoring 10 of his game high 34 points during the quarter.  Seven Sounders reach double figures in scoring.  Tisdale led the Shuffle with 30 points.

Game # 5 APBA Finals

Tacoma	22	35	40	26	123
Shreveport	30	25	26	27	108

Player of the Game: Charles Barkley (Tacoma)- 34 points on 14 of 19 from the field, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists.


Facing no tomorrow, the Shuffle rallied in what could have been their final quarter to overtake Tacoma.  Trailing by 3 at the end of the third quarter, Shreveport, led by Ehlo's 17 points, took the lead for good at 84-83.  Mr. Robinson had a couple of key blocks in the final quarter.  Both Robinson and Walker collected triple-doubles.  Barkley's fine effort, 25 points and 17 rebounds, went for naught for the Sounders.

Game # 6 APBA Finals

Shreveport	27	24	23	38	112
Tacoma	20	25	32	30	107

Player of the Game: David Robinson (Shreveport)- 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks.


Tacoma jumped out to the early first quarter lead, 28-26, behind Barkley's 14 points.  Shreveport adjusted in the second quarter, causing the Sounders to hit only 7 of 21 from the floor.  This allowed the Shuffle to take a two point lead at the half.  The third quarter saw five ties before Tacoma took a two point lead to end the period.  The final quarter saw Robinson score 13 of his 24 points as the Shuffle took the lead for good, 93-92, and held on for the win.

Game # 7 APBA Finals

Shreveport	26	23	16	32	97
Tacoma	28	19	20	26	93

Player of the Game: David Robinson (Shreveport)- 24 points on 9 of 13 from the field, 18 rebounds, and 7 blocks.

Series played by Jeromy Beaver and John Storer