Pitt hoops slams into summer

It wasn’t quite like Madison Square Garden, but it was close. With 9 seconds left and trailing… It wasn’t quite like Madison Square Garden, but it was close. With 9 seconds left and trailing by two points in the fourth night of the Pittsburgh Pro-Am Summer League, Levance Fields, a senior guard at Pitt, took an inbound pass and drove down the court with one intention – to win the game.

With the clock inching toward zero, Fields made a move toward the basket, stepped back and launched a 3-point attempt. But unlike his game-winner against Duke Dec. 20 at Madison Square Garden, his shot bounced off the rim, looking like it would fall helplessly to the ground. Instead, Pitt center DeJuan Blair snagged the rebound then put back a shot to force a tie and send the game into overtime. And although it was only a summer league game, the intensity seemed just as high as in regular season play. Fields and other Pitt basketball players continued play in the Pittsburgh summer league Wednesday night, competing on squads with players from schools all around the Pittsburgh area – the majority coming from teams like Pitt, West Virginia, Duquesne and Robert Morris.

Using a running clock and 22-minute halves, six teams mixed with players from each school will continue to play refereed games each Monday and Wednesday night until July 23.

The league, which began June 25, gives players like Fields a chance to keep a high level of competition and stay in shape during the offseason.

“It’s a lot of fun now,” said Fields. “We’re trying to make it as exciting as possible.”

Each night consists of three games that begin at 7 p.m. at the Greentree SportsPlex, located just outside the city. Each game runs about an hour and is free to the public.

Along with Fields and Blair, Pitt players like Sam Young, Gilbert Brown, Brad Wanamaker, Gary McGhee and Tyrell Biggs compete in the league. Incoming freshmen Travon Woodall, Ashton Gibbs and Dwight Miller also have spots on teams.

Monday night saw the first game, which included Fields and Blair along with ex-Pitt player Keith Benjamin, move into overtime.

Blair had a strong game on the inside, scoring 33 points while displaying a new ability to control the ball and drive to the basket. Early in the first half, Blair shot down the court on a fast break, threw the ball off the backboard to himself and dunked it hard with his right hand.

Fields and Blair’s team eventually won the game, 107-106, after West Virginia guard Joe Mazzulla put on a show facing Fields.

Mazzulla, a junior for the Mountaineers, scored 31 points and dished out 10 assists. He displayed speed and the ability to finish throughout the game, complementing West Virginia freshman Kevin Jones, who also had a solid night.

Mazzulla and Jones acted as a force, consistently knocking down jumpers and connecting on alley-oops. Jones, who was also recruited by Pitt, scored 44 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, showing why he was so heavily touted out of Mount Vernon High School in New York. Fields said playing against guys he and his teammates see so often during Pitt’s regular season keeps things competitive. “It’s not like the real games [during the season], but it’s something good to keep us occupied, and it’s fun getting to know all the other guys,” said Fields.

“Both teams still want to win even though it’s a little more friendly.”