How can a team lose in a single elimination tournament and still play in the championship game? Simple.

Just minutes after the Lake Kennedy Clippers moved to the title game of the 13-16 division of the 19th Annual Canned Food Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament by defeating the Wolverines Monday night, they fell to the much taller and older Warriors 79-41 in the quarterfinals of the adults tournament. A balanced attack carried the team to victory, as Mario Scott led them with 14 points, while George Porter (perhaps spurred on by wearing Michael Jordan’s number of 23) added 13.

&uot;We just wanted to have some fun and show the kids in the stands a good time,&uot; said Porter, a member of the Nansemond River High School squad that won the 1992 state title. &uot;When I watched games when I was little, the players there showed me a good path to follow. We’ll win it all this year – no doubt.&uot; They played at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday night (score unavailable at press time).

Keith Sessoms led the Clippers with 14 points, and Calvin Halway (also wearing 23) added 13. The Clippers also played early Tuesday evening in a game uncompleted at press time.