Eight teams vie for Ryan White title

The inaugural Ryan White Memorial junior American Legion baseball wood- bat tournament starts Thursday and continues through Sunday at Lakeside.

Sheridan plays Texarkana at 7 p. m. in Thursday’s only game. The eight- team field also includes the host Rams, Benton Everett GMC, Benton Sports Shop, Bryant and two Cabot squads. Three games are scheduled Thursday and four Saturday and Sunday.

Lakeside plays Cabot No. 2 in the final first- round game at 7: 30 p. m. Friday. Sports Shop faces Cabot No. 1 at 2: 30 p. m. and Everett GMC meets Bryant at 5 p. m.

The first- round losers meet at noon and 2: 30 p. m. Saturday, with the winners playing at 5 p. m. and 7: 30 p. m. Lakeside plays Everett GMC or Bryant in its second game.

Sunday’s games are at the same times, the third- place game at 5 p. m. and the cham-

games of the series, and it turns into something close to a statistical dead heat.

Both teams are shooting 47 percent. Both have made 14 tries from three- point range ( though Miami is shooting a better percentage). The Thunder have grabbed four more rebounds, the Heat whistled for two more fouls. The Thunder outscored Miami by 16 points in the paint during their Game 1 win; the Heat outscored the Thunder by 16 points in the paint during their victory in Game 2.

Of course, the only stat that really matters is the one that’s identical: one win each, headed into today.

And if the young Thunder were supposed to be rattled by losing the home- court edge, no one told them.

“We have all the right pieces, from the best scorer in the league, most athletic point guard in the league to the best shot blocker to the best post defender, best wing defender and our bench is one of the best,” James Harden said. “This is a perfect team. We are young guns. We get it done. It has to start in Game 3.”

Even their young- looking coach doesn’t sound worried about the stakes the Thunder will face.

“I’ve seen all year long a group that’s always committed, that always sticks by one another, that believes in the work that we put in,” Scott Brooks said. “And that’s who they are. It’s not going to change. They’ve always had great ability to bounce back after a tough loss and we expect the guys to come back ( tonight) with better effort, better play and for 48 minutes.” The Heat expect the same. It’s no secret that falling short last year has been a source of inspiration throughout this season for James and the Heat, and that continues even now.

And for James, one trend from last year is gone. In Game 2, he did what he was criticized for not doing against the Mavs — he closed the game, coming through twice in a one- possession situation. His bank shot with 1: 26 left pushed Miami’s lead to five, and his two free throws with 7.1 seconds remaining sealed Miami’s 100- 96 win.

“I’m enjoying it,” James said.