CBA and USBL [Archive]

Durbansandshark

30-06-2006, 05:02 AM

I gave you the wacky ABA and the developments going in the NBDL. Now it's time that I gave you both the CBA and USBL minor basketball leagues that I seemingly neglected until now. So get ready, kiddies! :)

The only mention I gave to the CBA was of the transfer of four CBA franchises--the Dakota Wizards, Idaho Stampede, Sioux Falls Skyforce, and the expansion Colorado 14ERS, the current whereabouts of David Bliss and Matt Frieje, and the moving of the ABA's San Jose SkyRockets to the Continental Basketball Association. Since then, the CBA has expanded to replenish in the Upper Midwest/Great Plains/Rocky Mountain/Pacific Northwest area with teams already in the Great Lakes and New York State.All refernces to the defected teams are eliminated from the CBA site except for records.

The incoming teams are for next season:

Northern Nevada Blackjacks (to play in Reno, where the city formerly had the Reno Bighorns in the early 1980s)
Butte (MT) Daredevils
Great Falls (MT) Explorers (first CBA team based there in the state of Montana since the Montana Golden Nuggets, where George Karl got his professional coaching start)
Spokane (WA, team name TBD)
San Jose SkyRockets

These teams will join the Michigan Mayhem, Gary (IN) Steelheads, Rockford Lightning, Yakima Sun Kings, and Albany Patroons next season in a league that just completed its 60th season.

The Daredevils are owned by the same people behind the SkyRockets. www.sjskyrockets.com (http://www.sjskyrockets.com)

Speaking of the Rockford Lightning, which started out in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as the Red Roses before becoming the Lightning and moving to Baltimore and then to Rockford, Illinois, they may not play in the 2006-07 season. Lightning head coach Rob Daleo convinced the CBA to extend the deadline for whether the team will have new owners from July 1 to July 16. No one has come forward about dates at the Rockford MetroCentre available for basketball or to buy the team. In CBA history no team that has been dormat for at least a season ever returned.
www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AI ... /106280048 (http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060628/SPORTS19/106280048)

The Albany Patroons, one of the league's most notable franchises of alltime, has been resurrected this past season and finished with a 28-28 record, third place in the East Division. Now the Patroons want to play in the USBL too, which isn't a problem since their seasons don't conflict with each other. Actually this incarnation of the Patroons in the USBL is the former Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs (too many damn basketball minor pro teams with dogs or dawgs in them!) that fell on hard economic times this year.

Oh yeah, the Yakima Sun Kings won the CBA title over the Gary Steelheads 2 games to 1.

The Patroons gave us a nice segue into the USBL. Teams play 30 game regular season games there. The Nebraska Cranes swooped into Dodge City, Kansas and defeated the heavily favo(u)red hometown Legend 100-92. Cranes' Alex Sanders was named MVP.

Eastern Division
Brooklyn Kings 18-12
Long Island Gulls (now Primetime) 16-14
Northeast Pennsylvannia Breakers 10-19
Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs 2-27

Western Division
Oklahoma Storm 22-8
Dodge City Legend 19-11
Nebraska Cranes 17-13
Kansas Cagerz 15-15

www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp)
www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)
www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp)
www.usbl.com (http://www.usbl.com)

This will do for now...

Durbansandshark

25-07-2006, 08:23 AM

Your favo(u)rite Uncle Durban has some more CBA and USBL news for you!

More defections from the ABA has occured. Turns out that the ABA teams that were mentioned as dead by me really aren't. Following the San Jose SkyRockets lead to the CBA are the Tim Hardaway-manned Florida Pit Bulls, the Gary Grant-owned and operated Southern California Legends--the runnersup to the Rochester RazorSharks, and the Indianapolis Alley Cats. Those three and the SkyRockets were among the strongest and best run teams in the ABA last season. With the CBA moving into the upper Great Plains/Rocky Mountain regions following the defection of several to the NBDL, the league needed to expand to other areas across the nation. All three teams are owned by the Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group. Two more teams will be announced soon.

No word yet on whether Tim Hardaway will return as Pit Bulls coach, but owner Demetrius Ford also announced he will stay on as GM as they will no longer call the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida home.

And speaking of the San Jose SkyRockets, they announced they are now moving to Minot, South Dakota for next season. Ironically, Minot was supposed to field an ABA team in 2004, which was to be named the Minot City Freeze then it became known as the Snowbears before moving to Salt Lake City becoming the Utah Snowbears that were owned, GMed, and coached by Issac Austin. Minot lost out due to a lack of a proper facility in time. The Minot SkyRockets will be the only team in the CBA based in North Dakota with the Fargo-Moorhead Beez folding in 2001 and the Dakota Wizards now in the NBDL. Minot once had the IBA's Magic City Snowbears in 1998-2001 that went into the CBA after the merger with the IBA prior folding. Looks like all of the teams mentioned had enough of the ABA fill and crazy goings on. With SoCal coming in, it already replaces a Cali presence with San Jose gone.

The Gary (IN) Steelheads will not take part for the 2006-07 CBA season as it looks for new owners in time for the 2007-08 season. There was a reoprted rumour that the Steelheads were going to move into the NBDL, but that might not happen. Jaren Jackson, its coach, was named CBA Coach of the Year

The expansionist Butte Daredevils and the Butte Civic Center were selected as the hosts for the 2007 CBA All-Star Classic that will feature events you would expect from the NBA version. Before the game, the long distance shootout and the slam dunk competition will act as entertainment. This is Montana's first time ever hosting the event.

Anthony Goldwire was named CBA Player of the Year.

www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp)
www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp)
www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)

Durbansandshark

18-08-2006, 06:20 AM

Just last week, a new ABA team was officially announced as one the future two. This one is going to based in Atlanta. And it marks the first time since the longstanding and perrenial power the Savannah Spirit in 1988 with its standout Tico Cooper that a CBA team will be based in the state of Georgia. It will be known as...

...the Atlanta Krunk.

:?

I more than realize that Atlanta is a very significant player in the hip hop world in many ways for many years with very good reason, bringing us Kriss Kross, Ludacris, and Lil' Jon. But Krunk? Yes, there was an ABA team in Charlotte that had the name. I need to see what the logo will look like.

Continuing the hip hop theme, you won't believe who is involved in this. Do any of you mates remember the C+C Music Factory around 15 years back ("Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" and "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...")? Aside from the late Robert Cole and Dave Cliviles as producers, rapper Freedom Williams, who was part of the crew and later released an ill-fated solo album while performing a guest rap for New Kids On The Block's "Call It What You Want"as dance-oriented rapping fell out of favo(u)r, is part of the Krunk ownership group along with another rap artist and producer, Duane "Spyder" Hughes.

Atlanta already has two minor league basketball teams--the ABA's Atlanta Vision (with Dennis Scott) and the Gwinnett Gwizzlies in the SEBL to go along with the NBA Hawks. So now, there's a team that will compete for the hard-earned dollars in the Atlanta area. To be sure, the presentation for the Krunk will be hip hop-oriented by nature.

www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=788 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=788)

Durbansandshark

24-08-2006, 08:33 AM

The Atlanta Krunk will play their home games at Morris Brown College's John H. Brown Gymnasium, which seats 7000. Actually, they are another defectee of the ABA like the San Jose SkyRockets and like them, moved from their original home. In this case Charlotte. A coach and GM will be named in the coming days with the CBA Draft looming on September 25 with training camps for Nov. 17.

The Michigan Mayhem and Rockford Lightning all joined the Gary Steelheads in not fielding teams for the upcoming 2006-07 sesason starting December 1. So for now, there's no Great Lakes area representation in the CBA. This also leaves the Yakima Sun Kings and Albany Patroons the only teams returning

Two more CBA expansion teams will be announced soon.

UPDATE 8-24-2006: The Atlanta Krunk has just announced a name change. From now on, they will be known as the Atlanta Krunk Wolverines in reference to and hono(u)r the fact and affiliation they are playing at Morris Brown College, a historically black college in Atlanta. Their athletic teams were known as the Wolverines before its athletic department was shut down due to a college financial crisis in 2003 (its basketball programs were Division I Independents promoted from Division II). The team will use the school's colo(u)rs of purple and white with the team housed in the dorms and its offices located in the John H. Brown Gymnasium. www.atlantakrunk.com (http://www.atlantakrunk.com) (very little to see right now)

www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)

Durbansandshark

06-09-2006, 10:09 AM

Can you imagine Lil' Jon at the Krunk Wolverine home games? May look a little weird and crazy, but...

A top pro basketball scout told USBasket.com that the top minor basketball leagues in North America are the NBDL and the CBA tied at the top with a Triple A farm team rating. The CBA was hurt by the defections of teams moving to the NBDL and was the best until then. But the NBA needs an outlet for the older players to get a look-in.

The USBL is Class AA, "but still the best spring/summer pro basketball league" to offer.

The ABA, WBL, and IBL are all Class A. The ABA "started off strong in its first season but went downhill since". The WBL has a couple of good teams that can challenge in the USBL. The IBL, though very young, has made great strides.

There are rumours that Lethbridge, Alberta; Calgary; Halifax; and Saskatchewan (likely Saskatoon) may be added for the CBA's Canadian expansion in 2007-08. The province of Alberta in the early 80s had the Alberta Dusters that was based in Lethbridge before moving to Las Vegas in 1982 to become the Las Vegas Silvers.

www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp)

BlowJoggs

06-09-2006, 10:58 AM

West

06-09-2006, 11:30 AM

Lil Jon MC'ing their home games would be fully tabouli siK I reckons.

"Aight, ATL, lemme see you do the A-town star, do the A-town star, now do the hustle, do the hustle, rock away, rock away, and cut."

Thats if he mc's with his radio edit... skeet skeet skeet skeet skeet. Grind that ass on a dick make it get thinner

glockers

06-09-2006, 11:18 PM

I appreciate the updates Durban, I don't know much about the USA minor leagues and it is great to get an idea of what is happening.

hurley509

06-09-2006, 11:25 PM

How good are these leagues in comparisson to say europe or NBL

Durbansandshark

08-09-2006, 05:11 AM

I need to make a correction: The Montana Golden Nuggets wasn't the most recent CBA franchise the state of Montana had before the Great Falls Explorers (after Lewis and Clark) and Butte Daredevils (named for Evel Knievel). It was actually the Billings Volcanoes, a team that started out in Honolulu as the Hawaii Volcanoes in their only season there in 1979-80 before moving into the continental US to Billings for three seasons--1980-1983.

Rumours continue that Kansas City and Rochester could join the CBA in 2006-2007. It could very well be the ABA teams, respectively, the doormat Knights and the ABA champs RazorSharks. Both cities had CBA teams previously with Kansas City having the Sizzlers in 1985 (before moving to Topeka, Kansas in 1986) and Rochester with the Zeniths (1978-1983). For a time, the Knights was among the all-around stronger ABA teams and then came the RazorSharks. Rochester would make a great CBA fit. Even Buffalo may be looked into.

The Rockford Lightning could very well move to the USBL, over arena and financing issues.

The Northern Nevada Blackjacks announced former Nevada-Reno Wolfpack head coach Len Stevens co-coach. The other co-coach has yet to be named. No venue or colo(u)rs were announced yet. But there's no progress, so this Reno team may be dead.

The Gary Steelheads, for the sake of perspective, actually lasted longer in the CBA in its existence than any of the NBDL teams not just the then-current CBA roster (save for the defected Sioux Falls Skyforce and Yakima Sun Kings).

I read somewhere online that the Bozeman, MT franchise was out of CBA's consideration because the arena there turned into a cold-storage warehouse.

2006-2007 CBA Divisional alignment
East Division
Albany Patroons
Atlanta Krunk Wolverines
Florida Pit Bulls
Indiana Alley Cats
Rockford Lightning

West Division
Butte Daredevils
Great Falls Explorers
Milnot Skyrockets
SoCal Legends
Yakima Sun Kings

How does the CBA (and the NBDL for that matter) compare to the talent levels in the NBL and the top European basketball leagues, you ask hurley509? I'd certainly say it is rather comparable to them, almost about even with the slight edge to the CBA because of the more-prevalent athleticism there.

Here's a nice CBA history website entitled CBA Museum (not complete with its teams' histories but you can get interesting stories on the likes of the Anchorage Northern Knights, Puerto Rico Coquis (coached by Larry Brown's older brother Herb), and Hawaii Volcanoes: www.cbamuseum.com (http://www.cbamuseum.com)

Speaking of the USBL, the USBL has a committee that has an eye towards expansion with 15 prospective cities, particularly in the US Southeast, an area left behind by the NBDL. Costs of operation are cheaper in it than in the NBDL, so among the cities looking into joining is Roanoke, Virginia, a city that has just lost the NBDL's Dazzle thanks to low sponsorship and attendance. Gary's Steelheads could also possibly join as could another (this one proposed) team in the Chicagoland area--one that could play its home games at the new Sears Centre (primary tenants there are the NLL's Chicago Shamroxx, MISL's Chicago Storm, UHL's Chicago Hounds, and a Chicago UIF team) in Hoffmann Estates. Here's Roanoke: www.roanoke.com/sports/etc/wb/80257 (http://www.roanoke.com/sports/etc/wb/80257)

Check out the USBL's press release regarding its expansion committee staff being added: www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3364369 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3364369)

The Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers may have apparently ceased operations-- www.nepabreakers.com (http://www.nepabreakers.com) . Across the Keystone State, a proposed Erie USBL will not play. The owner, Sam Borgia, decided not to go forward with that, after doing the math, which was supposed to called the Erie Bay Dawgs in a 7/26/06 goerie.com article.

In spite of its financial issues, the Kansas Cagerz, based in Salinas, Kansas, will return to the USBL next season.

Durbansandshark

28-09-2006, 05:26 AM

Some more and very interesting defections from the ABA to the CBA have happened. But before I begin, I must report on a couple former ABA teams that were accepted into the CBA.

The Florida Pit Bulls and the Southern California Legends WILL NOT play in the CBA this coming season due to issues stemming from venue availability. The Pit Bulls played in the ABA with the BankAtlantic Center serving as its home, and had to leave due to not to renew its contract with it. Plans were supposed to play at the BankUnited Arena on the University of Miami (FL) campus, but that was overturned at the last minute by a BankUnited Arena official last night. What's more it got a new name and logo. They are now the Miami Majesty. Really cool logo to check out!

The Southern California Legends were set to play at Cal-Lutheran University's Gilbert Sports Arena, but were informed that the arena will not be completed in time.

Both the Majesty and the Legends will play in the CBA 2007-08 season.

So in their places comes the Pittsburgh Xplosion, one of the more successful ABA teams, making it the first time since the Eastern Division Champs and CBA Finals runners-up Pittsburgh Piranhas in 1994-95 that the CBA will have a Pittsburgh representative. The Xplosion will still play at the Mellon Arena. Trinity Sports and Entertainment is seeking to own the team. Freddie Lewis, a legend in the original ABA, is the majority owner and general manager. I always thought Pittsburgh is a little too good for the ABA circus.

The newer teams:

Well, we now know what has become of the proposed Vancouver ABA team that was in the making for almost three years. It apparently moved to the CBA! Puget Sound Sports, it was announced today, has acquired three basketball franchises (the other two I'll get to later). Veteran coach Rick Turner will helm the first Vancouver pro basketball team while also being the Director of Basketball Operations since the departure of the Grizzlies in 2001. This is Canada's fourth team in the CBA's history following the Saskatchewan Hawks (2001-02), Toronto Tornados (1983-85), and the Alberta Dusters (1980-83). They are the Vancouver Dragons, which was the initial name fior the ABA team that was supposed to feature nothing but Chinese players to tap into the large Chinese population there, and will play in the 2006-07 season. I think they'll play either at the Pacific Coliseum or the nearby Agridome. The Dragons can provide a natural rivalry with the Sun Kings and the other teams coming in the Pacific Northwest. Given Vancouver's spotty and dismal history with pro basketball, I can hope this will eventually succeed and pave the way for NBA re-entry. www.vancouverdragons.com (http://www.vancouverdragons.com)

Could this team replace the ABA's Salt Lake City Dream? Quite likely. It was also announced today that the Utah Eagles will play next season too with home games at the Salt Lake City Community College. Scott Fields, who made a career out of globetrotting head coaching clubs in various clubs, will be its first head coach.

The CBA also welcomes the two other Puget Sound Sports-owned teams. A team based in Bend, Oregon will play in 2007-08 season while Seattle (is this a fail-safe option if both the Supersonics and Storm leave Seattle for OKC?) will be welcomed in the 2008-09 season.

Chris Daleo gets named head coach of the Minot SkyRockets. The SkyRockets also selected with the first pick of the 2006 CBA Draft Dayshawn Wright out of Syracuse University.

Revised CBA divisional alignment
American (East) Division
Albany Patroons
Atlanta Krunk Wolverines
Indiana Alley Cats
Pittsburgh Xplosion
Rockford Lightning

National (West) Division
Butte Daredevils
Great Falls Explorers
Minot SkyRockets
Utah Eagles
Vancouver Dragons
Yakima Sun Kings

www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)

UPDATE: The Vancouver Dragons will play at the 4500-seat Agridome.

Durbansandshark

05-10-2006, 07:21 AM

The CBA 2006-2007 season schedule can be found here. I need to alert two corrections that was since made. The Pittsburgh Xplosion will stay in Albany on December 2 instead of the Patroons playing in Pittsburgh then. February 9 is the date the Patroons will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Xplosion. www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=803 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=803)

Spokane is expected to be among the exapnsion CBA teams in 2007 along with Bend, Miami, and Southern California.

I think the Pittsburgh Xplosion will get greater exposure in a much higher league of talent than they would in the ABA.

It doesn't look like that Roanoke will get another minor pro basketball franchise for now after USBL reps were met with indifference there by local businessmen. www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp)

Durbansandshark

17-10-2006, 08:01 AM

Well, we're going to get MORE CBA expansion in the coming years. According to the Our Sports Central and Wikipedia websites, to go along with the Miami Majesty, Southern California Legends, Seattle, Bend, and Spokane, the Los Angeles Aftershock will act as the latest ABA defectee to the CBA--so now we know where the Aftershock are going to play in. It will take a season off before joining in 2007. Not only that but Honolulu and Lethbridge, Alberta (as previously rumoured), two cities that formerly fielded CBA teams back in the early 80s will return to the league next season as the Hawaii Volcanoes (the original Volcanoes moved to Billings) and the Lethbridge Canadians, respectively.

The CBA website has a new look for the new season. On the top, you'll spot notable NBA coaches who cut their eye teeth in the league before being the NBA successes like Phil Jackson, George Karl, Flip Saunders, Paul Silas, Eric Musselman, Rick Carlisle, and Mo Cheeks. www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)

Here the teams' websites (save for the Vancouver Dragons and Atlanta Krunk):
Utah Eagles: www.utaheagles.com (http://www.utaheagles.com)
Albany Patroons: www.albanypats.com (http://www.albanypats.com)
Indianapolis Alley Cats: www.indyalleycats.com (http://www.indyalleycats.com)
Minot SkyRockets: www.minotskyrockets.com (http://www.minotskyrockets.com)
Pittsburgh Xplosion: www.pittsburghxplosion.com (http://www.pittsburghxplosion.com)
Butte Daredevils: www.buttedaredevils.com (http://www.buttedaredevils.com)
Great Falls Explorers: www.greatfallsexplorers.com (http://www.greatfallsexplorers.com)
Yakima Sun Kings: www.sunkings.com (http://www.sunkings.com)

Michael Tuckman's original plan was to have the Dragons play in the ABA, but apparently, the league wasn't much to his liking with finances and all of the other crazy shenanigans beleaguring the league. So he may dragged his feet with this. When the CBA came a-calling, Tuckerman strongly believed it was a much better league and could grant far better exposure for his club(s) than he would in the ABA, and I would very much agree with him. Not to mentionuse the CBA as a bargaining chip for access to use the PNE Agridome as its home. Don't be surprised he call out for those who formerly worked as part of the Vancouver Grizzlies staff to work for him. If that happens, great. Their experience will clearly come in handy in running and marketing a pro team coming from the NBA. Again, the Vancouver Dragons are part of his master plan to own three CBA teams all in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Bend, Oregon).

San Jose SkyRockets' ABA website is still up and running as I write this: www.sjskyrockets.com (http://www.sjskyrockets.com)

Durbansandshark

24-10-2006, 04:08 AM

The Vancouver Dragons and the Atlanta Krunk Wolverines both asked and were granted permission to actually delay their admission into the CBA until next season by the league's Board of Directors, thus moving them to B status from A status. The Dragons wanted to sit out due to arena lease issues with the PNE Agridome, while Atlanta wants more time to deal with the organization of the franchise. Now the CBA season will consist of eight teams.
www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/316072189632078 (http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/316072189632078)

Consequently, the CBA 2006-2007 schedule had to revised.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/10-19-06.php (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/10-19-06.php)
www.cbahoopsonline.com/schedule.php (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/schedule.php)

The Utah Eagles announced former Utah Jazz (and briefly Starzz) coach Frank Layden as hono(u)rary Eagles coach. The Eagles also named former Jazz dancer Amy Toponce Moore as Eagles Dance Team Director. www.utaheagles.com (http://www.utaheagles.com) www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?=3388703 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?=3388703)

Durbansandshark

26-10-2006, 12:01 PM

It's just as well that the Vancouver Dragons and the Atlanta Krunk Wolverines aren't playing this season--their websites never really got significant developments as of yet leading up to the season. The Dragons have yet to hire a lot of people.

Over to the USBL, it looks as though (but not yet official) the Gary Steelheads will make the jump from the CBA to the USBL with a new logo and will continue to play at the Genesis Center. Details will be forthcoming.

Incase you haven't noticed, but David Bliss, that disgraced coach of the Baylor Bears, had already resigned as Dakota Wizards coach after a dismal last season.

Durbansandshark

03-11-2006, 05:42 AM

The Dodge City Daily Globe reports that the Midwestern-based teams in the USBL will stay with the USBL. The Dodge City Legend, Oklahoma Strom, and the Kansas Cagerz will play in the USBL next season, thus staving off rumours of a defection to the WBA.

The Rockford Lightning from the CBA and a team set to play at Hoffman Estates, Illinois' Sears Centre may join them eventually.

Durbansandshark

09-11-2006, 12:20 PM

73 players with CBA ties made NBA Opening Day rosters including Matt Freije, Brian Chase, and Ronny Turiaf

www.cbahoopsonline.com/10-31-06.php (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/10-31-06.php)

Durbansandshark

17-11-2006, 06:40 AM

West Virginia star Kevin Pittsnogle signs with, aptly enough, the Pittsburgh Xplosion
www.pittsburghxplosion.com/pr/pr110806.htm (http://www.pittsburghxplosion.com/pr/pr110806.htm)
Speaking of the Xplosion, they are looking at open tryouts for the dance teams, cheerleaders, and street teams. They are also optimistic about the prospect of a new arena in Pittsburgh that will serve as their future home with the Pittburgh Penguins.

Durbansandshark

21-11-2006, 12:19 PM

Tomorrow (US time) the Gary Steelheads will announce in their press conference at the Genesis Convention Center their move to the USBL for next season as they announce their new ownership and coach. Operation costs are a third of what it will be if it stayed in the CBA, but it could spend more in marketing and promotions thanks to an infusion of new investors and cash.

In other USBL news Dodge City Legend coach and GM Dale Osbourne joins the NBDL's Austin Toros as an assistant coach under Dennis Johnson.
www.usbasket.com/USB/USB.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/USB/USB.asp)

Durbansandshark

22-11-2006, 12:32 PM

The Gary Steelheads made it official in their defection to the USBL...and with a new, better-looking logo with Cliff Levingston as their new coach in the process. www.steelheadshoops.com (http://www.steelheadshoops.com)

Durbansandshark

30-11-2006, 11:06 AM

Things didn't truly work out basketball-wise for Dominican Republic-born Felipe Lopez since his 1994 Sports Illustrated college basketball preview cover donning a St. John's Red Storm jersey as a freshman following a stellar high school career, considering what was projected of him. Sure, he went to the NBA and played for Vancouver (RIP), Minnesota, Dallas, Orlando, and Washington, but he got squeezed out or may have been a not-really good NBA player. Now he's another CBA signee with the Albany Patroons. www.albanypats.com (http://www.albanypats.com) www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3399030 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3399030)

Daniel Artest, yes, Ron's little brother, is trying out for the Yakima Sun Kings.
www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=5723536&nav=menu484_4_1 (http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=5723536&nav=menu484_4_1)

Again, the CBA season starts December 1

Durbansandshark

06-12-2006, 05:14 AM

The CBA scores

Friday, December 1
Albany Patroons 126 Pittsburgh Xplosion 101
Butte Daredevils 109 Indiana Alley Cats 108
Utah Eagles 135 Minot SkyRockets 120
Yakima Sun Kings 105 Great Falls Explorers 92

Saturday, December 2
Albany Patroons 129 Pittsburgh Xplosion 117
Yakima Sun Kings 93 Great Falls Explorers 89

Sunday, December 3
Minot SkyRockets 128 Indiana Alley Cats 110

Monday, December 4
Minot SkyRockets 97 Indiana Alley Cats 102

Now that Utah has gotten itself an expansion NBDL team, I can't help but wonder how is this going to affect the CBA's fledging Utah Eagles franchise. Orem is 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, but I feel that the Utah basketball scene is getting saturated with not just pro but college. Orem is home for Utah Valley St. Wolverines, and it's highly likely that the Utah NBDL team will use their facility (the minor league baseball team, the Orem Owlz, use its baseball facility)--all competing for those precious dollars. As it stands right now, Salt Lake City alone has the Jazz, the Eagles, and the upcoming Salt Lake City Dream in the ABA next season on the pro side with the University of Utah in college. SLC had the WNBA Starzz (since moved to San Antonio), the Utah Stars from the original ABA (Moses Malone's first pro team and Utah 's first big-time pro basketball franchise), and the ABA's Utah Snowbears (owned, GMed, and coached by Ike Austin were successful oncourt but dismal off it). This is not mentioning Weber St., Utah St., and Brigham Young along with the aforementioned Utah schools in DI basketball and the community colleges where the Eagles play. I know the overwhelmingly Mormon state of Utah loves basketball very much, and it fits very nicely with the Mormon huge emphasis of physical fitness--sound mind, sound body, sound spirit--and of the Protestant ethic of "muscular Christianity" from the 19th Century. So what's going to happen when the Dream hit the scene? Will the Eagles co-exist with the Dream and Utah NBDL? My guess is that one of the three will have to go at least--and I don't think it will be the NBDL team. There will be a cheaper alternative to the Jazz in the city, but either the Eagles merge with the Dream or buy them out. Or both Eagles and Dream bleed themselves to death and cease operations (and may have the NBDL team buy both and absorb them). Or one of the two, if not both, will move out of the state. We'll see.

Pittsburgh and the Xplosion will host the 2008 CBA All-Star Weekend at the Mellon Arena. Since the Xplosion moved up to the CBA, it has rightly garnered more attention from the NBA and in the Pittsburgh sports scene, and Pittsburgh pro basketball is booming despite the city's historical reluctance to it. GM Freddy Lewis certainly is excited.
www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsi ... 856=7rfi=6 (http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17548234&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id47856=7rfi=6)
www.post-gazette.com/pg/06339/743642-275.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06339/743642-275.stm)

The Indiana Alley Cats return to Anderson High with all of their home games scheduled there. Gonna cause scheduling conflicts with the ABA's Anderson Champions for dates. www.indyalleycats.com (http://www.indyalleycats.com)

The dormat Adirondack Wildcats in the USBL will re-emerge in Jackson, Mississippi next year with its new owner Carlos Moore. The inactive (since 2004) franchise was based in Glen Falls, NY, and briefly had Terrell Owens on the teams a few years ago. www.usbl.com (http://www.usbl.com)

Durbansandshark

13-12-2006, 05:42 AM

I gave you the dead ABA teams list, now I'm going do the same for the CBA and the USBL. Here's the first batch--USBL will come in a later post. Note that I will not include teams that Here in the CBA's forerunner, the Eastern Basketball Association, which I will get to next year. These are the defunct teams dating from the CBA's start in 1978:

Anchorage Northern Knights
Puerto Rico Coquis
Maine Lumberjacks
Wyoming Wildcatters
Rochester Zeniths
Las Vegas/Albuquerque Silvers
Kansas City/Topeka Sizzlers
Toronto/Pensecola Tornados
Montana Golden Nuggets
Ohio Mixers
Atlantic City Hi Rollers
Sarasota/Florida Stingers
Cincinnati Slammers
Mexico Aztecas
Pittsburgh Piranhas
Hawaii/Billings Volcanoes (will be ressurected next season)
Flint Fuze
Flint Stones (never played)
Grand Rapids Mackers
Detroit/Savannah Spirits
Oklahoma City Cavalry
Tulsa Zone
Alberta Dusters
Wichita Falls Texans
Louisville/LaCrosse Catbirds
Bay St. Bombadiers
Wisconsin Flyers
Columbus Horizon
Santa Barbera Islanders
Birmingham Bandits
Reno Bighorns
San Jose/Bakersfield Jammers
San Diego Wildcards
Mississppi Jets
Charleston Gunners
Rapid City Thrillers
Omaha Racers
Tulsa Fast Breakers
Evansville Thunder

Tuesday, December 5

Great Falls Explorers 94 Albany Patroons 84
Butte Daredevils 113 Utah Eagles 103

Wednesday, December 6

Albany Patroons 106 Great Falls Explorers 99
Indiana Alley Cats 115 Pittsburgh Xplosion 114 (renewing the ABA rivalry)

Thursday, December 7

Minot SkyRockets 114 Utah Eagles 102
Yakima Sun Kings 98 Butte Daredevils 94

Friday, December 8

Albany Patroons 101 Yakima Sun Kings 96

Saturday, December 9

Minot SkyRockets 122 Pittsburgh Xplosion 97

Sunday, December 10

Yakima Sun Kings 110 Albany Patroons 107
Minot SkyRockets 124 Indiana Alley Cats 118

Monday, December 11

Indiana Alley Cats 110 Pittsburgh Xplosion 106

Durbansandshark

20-12-2006, 05:42 AM

Uh, due to the poor support from fans, the Nebraska Cranes will not return to the USBL to defend their 2006 title. They never averaged up to 1000 fans per home game as they had 800 for the first season but 500 the next.
www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp)
www.kearneyhub.com/site/news.cfm?newsid ... 7565&rfi=6 (http://www.kearneyhub.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17591654&BRD=268&PAG=4617dept_id=577565&rfi=6)

Durbansandshark

21-12-2006, 03:43 AM

Tuesday, December 12
Yakima Sun Kings 107 Minot SkyRockets 98
Great Falls Exploeres 122 Utah Eagles 98

Wednesday, December 13
Albany Patroons 102 Butte Daredevils 85
Great Falls Explorers 113 Utah Eagles 90

Thursday, December 14
Butte Daredevils 104 Minot SkyRockets 108

Friday, December 15
Great Falls Explorers 131 Utah Eagles 121
Yakima Sun Kings 96 Indiana Alley Cats 94

Saturday, December 16
Utah Eagles 101 Great Falls Explorers 112

Sunday, December 17
Yakima Sun Kings 133 Indiana Alley Cats 104

Monday, December 18
Minot SkyRockets 100 Pittsburgh Xplosion 89
Utah Eagles 98 Yakima Sun Kings 90

Tuesday, December 19
Albany Patroons 141 Minot SkyRockets 107
Utah Eagles 106 Yakima Sun Kings 96

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports columnist Gene Collier humourously suggests that the Xplosion should Bao Xishun, the world's tallest living human at 7-9 and is actually taller than Yao Ming, to help boost their winless fortunes.
www.post-gazette.com/pg/06351/746781-150.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06351/746781-150.stm)
Still looking for their first victory www.post-gazette.com/pg/06353/747243-275.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06353/747243-275.stm)

More on the four straight wins the Great Falls Explorers had over the Utah Eagles. www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /612170333 (http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/SPORTS/612170333)

Yakima has some really bad woes. www.yakima-herald.com/page/dls/300482278985911 (http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dls/300482278985911)

Felipe Lopez's return to basketball with the Albany Patroons (you can also read more Patroons articles to its left)
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story. ... 12/19/2006 (http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=546013&category=SPORTS&newsdate=12/19/2006)

Yakima Sun King's Galen Young was named CBA Player of the Week for December 1-10 for averaging nearly a triple double during the week. This and other info can be found at www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp)

Durbansandshark

10-01-2007, 04:32 AM

Just to fill up the post in the interim when I get back into this soon. I'll provide a list of the dead USBL teams. Believe me, there's a whole lot more of them than even in the ABA (but that league is rapidly catching up)

The Dead USBL Teams (Part 1):

Adironack Wildcats
Tampa Bay Windjammers
Miami Tropics
Rhode Island Gulls (best known for having Manute Bol and Spud Webb as teammates in 1985)
Maryland Blue Ducks (Robert Parrish coached them)
Atlanta Trojans
Atlantic City Seagulls
New Jersey Shore Cats (Rick Barry coached them)
Florida Sea Dragons
Tulsa Tough-Necks
St. Louis Skyhawks
New York Whitecaps
Jackson Jackals
Long Island Surf
Long Island Knights
Raleigh Cougars
New Hampshire Thunder Loons
Philadelphia Spirit
Westchester Knights
Memphis Fire
Maryland Mustangs
St. Joseph Express
Portland Wave
Portland Thunder Cats
Springfield Fame (Nancy Lieberman famously played for them)
Florence/New Jersey Flyers
New Jersey Jammers
Texas Rim Rockers
Staten Island Stallions
Brevard Blue Ducks
Suncoast Sunblasters
Tampa Bay Flash
Jersey Turnpikes
Empire State Stallions
Connecticut Colonials
Florida Sharks
Cedar Rapids River Raiders
Westchester Golden Apples
Camden/Philadelphia Power
Westchester Wildfire
Mississippi Coast Gamblers

As evidenced on the list Jackson, Mississippi had prior USBL experience now that the Wildcats left Glen Falls, New York (the Adirondack region) with the Jackals. That team only played in 1995.

Speaking of the Jackson Wildcats, go over to www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/usb/usb.asp) for a brief interview with its owner Carlos Moore by John Gary. The Wildcats will hold open tryouts on January 13 at Houston's M.B. Smiley High School.

Some possible USBL expansion: Indianapolis, Roanoke, Dallas, Evansville, and possibly the Rockford Lightning from the CBA.

The Gary Steelheads will launch a brand new website in mid-January.

It's a very unusual development in any sports league that the defending champion (in this case the Nebraska Cranes in the USBL) will not return to defend the crown. It underminds the league's credible perception in the eyes of the public.

Former Kansas Cagerz Devin Brown, already a four-year NBA vet, joins the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

Durbansandshark

18-01-2007, 08:21 AM

Back on the CBA after a month's absence. Here we go, starting with the scores:

Wednesday, December 20
Indiana Alley Cats 133 Pittsburgh Xplosion 107

Thursday, December 21
Utah Eagles 104 Great Falls Explorers 98

Friday, December 22
Yakima Sun Kings 99 Butte Daredevils 92
Albany Patroons 103 Indiana Alley Cats 96
Great Falls Explorers 105 Utah Eagles 103
Butte Daredevils 91 Yakima Sun Kings 80

Monday, December 25
Albany Patroons 116 Indiana Alley Cats 112

Tuesday, December 26
Minot SkyRockets 117 Albany Patroons 96

Wednesday, December 27
Great Falls Exploreres 101 Butte Daredevils 95
Indiana Alley Cats 125 Utah Eagles 112
Yakima Sun Kings 130 Pittsburgh Xplosion 96

Friday, December 29
Albany Patroons 110 Minot SkyRockets 95
Butte Daredevils 110 Indiana Alley Cats 107 OT
Great Falls Explorers 104 Yakima Sun Kings 98
Utah Eagles 124 Pittsburgh Xplosion 112

Saturday, December 30
Pittsburgh Xplosion 119 Butte Daredevils 118
Yakima Sun Kings 105 Great Falls Explorers 102

Sunday, December 31
Indiana Alley Cats 102 Minot SkyRockets 101

Monday, January 1
Albany Patroons 132 Pittsburgh Xplosion 130 OT

Tuesday, January 2
Indiana Alley Cats 117 Minot SkyRockets 105
Yakima Sun Kings 101 Utah Eagles 83

Wednesday, January 3
Yakima Sun Kings 82 Great Falls Explorers 88
Albany Patroons 136 Pittsburgh Xplosion 129

Thursday, January 4
Utah Eagles 103 Butte Daredevils 124
Minot SkyRockets 80 Great Falls Explorers 113
Indiana Alley Cats 110 Pittsburgh Xplosion 105

Friday, January 5
Minot SkyRockets 117 Butte Daredevils 111

Saturday, January 6
Great Falls Explorers 111 Pittsburgh Xplosion 106

Well, as evidenced by the scores, the Pittsburgh Xplosion finally got their first win as a CBA franchise with a win over Great Falls. But they quickly went back to their losing and futile ways after that still holding the CBA's worst record. As consequence of the Xplosion's futility as it tries to impress the city of Pittsburgh, known for its coolness towards pro basketball, coach Larry Anderson was given his walking papers as did assistant Pat Blue. Former San Antonio Spur Jaren Jackson, winner of the 1999 NBA championship, steps in to right the course. This is not Jackson's first foray into head coaching. Part of me presumes the Xplosion is watching carefully the developments of the arena situation going on with their Pittsburgh Civic Arena co-tenant the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and its saga of getting a new arena, which the Xplosion will like to be a part of. On the court, the Xplosion are glad to have Kevin Pittsnoggle, who is enjoying a starting role and was CBA Player of the Week December 26-January 1. www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib ... 88686.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/today/s_488686.html)
www.post-gazette.com/pg/07017/754287-275.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07017/754287-275.stm)
As if that wasn't enough, a copyright infringment lawsuit has been slapped upon the Xplosion by a women's (gridiron) football named the IWFL's Atlanta Xplosion for they view as appropriating the seemingly hip name. Team lawyers are quietly warding it off.

Jamario Moon was named CBA Player of the Week, the first player from the American Conference, in this case the Albany Patroons, to have this distinction December 18-December 25. He earned this while coming off the bench. Indiana Alley Cat Shaun Fountain was named CBA Player of the Week for January 2-January 9.

Evric Grey joins the Utah Eagles' coaching staff. The Eagles also donated 4000lbs of food to families and food banks during the Christmas holiday. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3409111 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3409111)

Speaking of CBA assistant coaches, Albany Patroons head coach Michael Ray Richardson--yes, that New York Knicks one immortalized by the Chris Rock-narrated What Ever Happened To Michael Ray Richardson on TNT and had coke problems with the Knicks and Nets and then finished playing by playing in France, pines for an assistant to travel with him. But he, assistant Derek Rowland, the only Patroons assistant, travels on a limited basis to cut league travel costs by team team owner Ben Fernandez. http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story. ... =1/14/2007 (http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=553659&category=SPORTS&newsdate=1/14/2007)

Another story involving Michael Ray Richardson with Albany: he was named CBA Coach of the Month for January. In addition, he gives former UAlbany Great Dane, Luscious Jordan another chance with the Patroons as they fill up roster space after being cut the first time.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story. ... =1/11/2007 (http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=552636&category=SPORTS&newsdate=1/11/2007)

More bizarre stuff: the Great Falls Explorers' mascot, or at least the 18-year old man who portrays him, was arrested for stealing tap beer from a keg at the Four Seasons Arena with help from another man. Another reason why the US minimum drinking age should be lowered back to 18. :roll:
www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 09011/1002 (http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070109/NEWS01/70109011/1002)

Erick Barkley has unquestionable basketball talent, but his journey to the NBA has not been a good one. He, if you recall, beat out CJ Bruton to nab one of the final Portland Trail Blazers roster spots in 2000. But his time was short lived. His immaturity prompted him to fall to 28th in the First Round out of St. John's. His talent is there and he now stars for the Indiana Alley Cats and still wants to play in the NBA. Since Portland, he played professionally in the NBDL, Greece, and Israel and acknowledges his character issues got in the way. Now he says he's more more of a team player for the Alley Cats improving his game and looking for his teammates. Indded more than a few NBA teams are looking at him.

More at www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/cba/cba.asp)

More stuff to come very soon from the CBA.

Durbansandshark

19-01-2007, 08:49 AM

Wilmington, Delaware will fill up the USBL ranks and of the unfortunate departure of the champs Nebraska Cranes, the USBL announced today. The Wilmington-based franchise, named the Delaware Stars, will have involvement with a non-profit coumminity and youth outreach organization. They will play in the Eastern Division and the Delaware Community and Technical College, Stanton/Wilmington campus will be called home. Wonder they will invite Elena DellaDonne as a special guest for their home opener.

There already are plans for an ABA franchise in Wilmington, but it won't conflict with the scheduling since they play in opposite ends of the basketball season.
www.usbl.com (http://www.usbl.com)

Durbansandshark

25-01-2007, 11:10 AM

The Utah Eagles have bit the dust because the owners have lost an "ungodly amount of money" in its operation during the course of this season. Effective tommorow. Last game is tonight against the Butte Daredevils on the road. Something tells me that the prospect of the incoming NBDL team in Orem, Utah had a lot to do with its demise. More on the end of the Utah Eagles tomorrow. RIP 6-14 Utah Eagles, we hardly knew ye.

Durbansandshark

26-01-2007, 05:57 AM

January 7
Indiana Alley Cats 112 Minot SkyRockets 111

January 8
Great Falls Explorers 112 Pittsburgh Xplosion 103
Yakima Sun Kings 109 Butte Daredevils 106 (OT)

January 9
Indiana Alley Cats 118 Albany Patroons 108

January 10
Great Falls Explorers 107 Butte Daredevils 97
Pittsburgh Xplosion 129 Minot SkyRockets 105
Yakima Sun Kings 99 Utah Eagles 92

January 11
Indiana Alley Cats 111 Albany Patroons 109
Minot SkyRockets 100 Pittsburgh Xplosion 83

January 12
Yakima Sun Kings 107 Utah Eagles 85

January 13
Yakima Sun Kings 110 Butte Daredevils 86

January 14
Indiana Alley Cats 129 Pittsburgh Xplosion 119
Albany Patroons 120 Minot SkyRockets 98

January 16
Minot SkyRockets 104 Butte Daredevils 100
Yakima Sun Kings 114 Utah Eagles 89

January 17
Albany Patroons 117 Great Falls Explorers 114
Indiana Alley Cats 120 Pittsburgh Xplosion 113

January 18
Great Falls Explorers 108 Albany Patroons 100

January 19
Yakima Sun Kings 103 Indiana Alley Cats 98
Minot SkyRockets 98 Pittsburgh Xplosion 86

January 20
Butte Daredevils 101 Utah Eagles 86

January 21
Utah Eagles 104 Butte Daredevils 96
Indiana Alley Cats 111 Yakima Sun Kings 100
Minot SkyRockets 123 Albany Patroons 106

January 23
Butte Daredevils 113 Utah Eagles 96
Yakima Sun Kings 107 Pittsburgh Xplosion 72

January 24
Butte Daredevils 101 Utah Eagles 91
Yakima Sun Kings 108 Pittsburgh Xplosion 98

As just mentioned the Utah Eagles played their final (and meaningless to them) game last night (US time) in Butte, Montana with not expectedly a loss. If you thought the Pittsburgh Xplosion was bad in the CBA with its record so far and talent assembled--and they just changed its coach and upgraded from the ABA, the Utah Eagles were an expansion for the CBA but that team just couldn't get it together with its constant losing; it finished with a five game losing streak--despite having former Weber St. star Harold Arcenaux and All-Star John Millsap. This is the first time since the San Diego Wildcards in 1996 that a CBA franchise ceased operations during a season. Team has struggled from the outset as it gained entry into the CBA; its local principal owner left before the start of the season for financial reasons. Utah is no stranger to having pro basketball teams fold. Its first big pro basketball team, the ABA Utah Stars, folded after 16 games despite massive fan support and impressive franchise record only because its late owner, Bill Daniels, went flat broke following a failed bid for Colorado's governorship and other failed business ventures. The WNBA's Utah Starzz were one of the most unsuccessful franchises in the league's history despite having great talent, making the playoffs in their last two years in SLC) and still are unsuccessful after moving to San Antonio. Remember my thoughts on how crowded the Utah pro basketball scene is, despite its love for the sport? It gets a little easier now that the Eagles are out of the way. Since the CBA has expansion teams coming in the next two seasons, don't feel too regretable for it. Dispersal draft is coming very soon. Only three teams are left in the Northern Division.
More on the Utah Eagles' demise and their last game:
www.yakimaherald.com/page/dis/317336633922143 (http://www.yakimaherald.com/page/dis/317336633922143)
www.mtstandard.com/articles/2007/01/25/ ... jjegga.txt (http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2007/01/25/sports_semipro/hjjcjihejjegga.txt)
www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /701240328 (http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070124/SPORTS/701240328)
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=862 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=862)

Onto the upcoming CBA All-Star Classic in early February. The ten players who will make up the National Conference roster this year in Butte, Montana (home of the Daredevils) are:
Galen Young G-F Yakima Sun Kings
Chris Alexander G Yakima Sun Kings
Rocky Walls F Yakima Sun Kings
Robert Griffin G Yakima Sun Kings
Ralph Holmes G Yakima Sun Kings
Odell Bradley G Butte Daredevils
Nick VanderLaan C Butte Daredevils
John Millsap F Utah Eagles
Jamal Howard G Great Falls Explorers
Malik Moore G Great Falls Explorers

Robert Smith and John Douglas were the last players in a Great Falls-based CBA franchise to play in an All-Star Classic in 1983 with the Montana Golden Nuggets.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=861 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=861)

The American Conference All-Stars are:
Kevin Pittsnoggle F Pittsburgh Xplosion
Erick Barkley G Indiana Alley Cats
Shaun Fountain G Indiana Alley Cats
Carl Edwards G Indiana Alley Cats
J.J. Sullinger G Indiana Alley Cats
T.J. Thompson G Albany Patroons
Jamario Moon F Albany Patroons
Desmond Ferguson F Minot SkyRockets
Ray Cunnigham F Minot SkyRockets
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=863 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=863)

Albany coach Michael Ray Richardson will helm the American Conference and his counterpart on the National side is Yakima's Paul Woolpert.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=859 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=859)

VanderLaan was named CBA Player of the Week for January 16-22.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=860 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=860)
www.buttedaredevils.com (http://www.buttedaredevils.com)

The CBA announced a joint venture with the British Basketball Association in the aim of developing and raising the quality and profile of British professional basketball leading up to the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=865 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=865)

Minot SkyRockets welcome back Ronnie Fields from wrist surgery.
www.minotskyrockets.com (http://www.minotskyrockets.com)

There's still very little to see out of the Vancouver Dragons and Atlanta Krunk Wolverines' websites right now. Though Atlanta has a new look.

Durbansandshark

30-01-2007, 07:27 AM

Utah Eagles Dispersal Draft results conducted by the CBA:

First Round
1.Minot SkyRockets--traded first dispersal draft pick to Butte for second round 2007 CBA College Draft pick
(With that Butte takes John Millsap 6'6" F Texas-San Antonio)
2.Yakima Sun Kings--pass
3.Great Falls Explorers--Harold Arcenaux (6'6" F Weber St.)
4.Indiana Alley Cats--pass
5.Butte Daredevils--pass
6.Albany Patroons--pass
7.Pittsburgh Xplosion--pass

Second Round
1.Minot SkyRockets--pass
2.Yakima Sun Kings--pass
3.Great Falls Explorers--pass
4.Indiana Alley Cats--pass
5.Butte Daredevils--pass
6.Albany Patroons--pass
7.Pittsburgh Xplosion--pass

With only two players selected from the Utah Eagles, the rest of the roster automatically are now free agents.
Evric Gray F 6'7" UNLV
Mike Hall G 6'3" BYU
Darnell Jones G 6'4" Mesa St. rookie
Josh Nigut C 6'10" Northern Colorado
Julius Nwoso C 6'10" Liberty
Bernard Rock G 5'10" Utah St.
Matt Vaughn 6'0" G California Christian

I'm a bit surprised that Julius Nwoso was passed over in the dispersal draft. He's well known in the basketball world and can provide size for a lot of frontcourts. He's played in Russia for CSKA Moscow, for example.

Durbansandshark

08-02-2007, 07:35 AM

This CBA post is dedicated in loving memory to the 6-18 Utah Eagles. RIP Eagles. :(

January 25
Minot SkyRockets 100 Great Falls Explorers 99

January 26
Albany Patroons 88 Pittsburgh Xplosion 87
Minot SkyRockets 115 Great Falls Explorers 108

January 27
Indiana Alley Cats 111 Minot SkyRockets 89

January 28
Albany Patroons 114 Pittsburgh Xplosion 102
Butte Daredevils 129 Indiana Alley Cats 120

January 30
Butte Daredevils 113 Albany Patroons 108
Indiana Alley Cats 102 Great Falls Explorers 101
Minot SkyRockets 101 Yakima Sun Kings 97

January 31
Butte Daredevils 100 Pittsburgh Xplosion 93
Great Falls Explorers 105 Indiana Alley Cats 100

February 2
Yakima Sun Kings 114 Butte Daredevils 104
Great Falls Explorers 116 Pittsburgh Xplosion 93
Minot SkyRockets 94 Indiana Alley Cats 91

February 3
Great Falls Explorers 121 Pittsburgh Xplosion 97
Minot SkyRockets 117 Indiana Alley Cats 103

(why did the Eagles sign Matheu Vaughn shortly before ceasing operations?)

Even with the installation of former Spur Jaren Jackson as its new head coach, the Pittsburgh Xplosion, despite the talents of Kevin Pittsnoggle, still can't catch a break to turn the tide. The Xplosion are still mired in their losing ways.

There are a couple of sizzling teams in the CBA right now. The Yakima Sun Kings, who have the league's best record at All-Star break that ends tonight, the Indiana Alley Cats, who had a terrific January, and the Minot SkyRockets, who have won eight straight ( http://minotdailynews.com/sports/articl ... cleID=8615 (http://minotdailynews.com/sports/article.asp?articleID=8615) ) .

The league just had their CBA All-Star Classic Weekend this past weekend in Butte, Montana--home of the Daredevils. Things started with the 2007 CBA Slam Dunk Contest and the Long Distance Shootout. Surely there were some NBA scouts in attendance in Butte; CBAers getting callups to the NBA doesn't occur often these days like it did in the past when the CBA was the official development league for the NBA and especially now with the creation of the NBDL.

The slam-dunk participants:
Jamario Moon--Albany Patroons (last year's runner-up)
Ray Cunningham--Minot SkyRockets
Carl Edwards--Indiana Alley Cats
Anthony Richardson--Butte Daredevils

long distance participants:
David Bell--Butte Daredevils
Desmond Ferguson--Minot SkyRockets
Shaun Fountain--Indiana Alley Cats
Kevin Pittsnoggle--Pittsburgh Xplosion
Robert Griffin--Yakima Sun Kings
Jamario Moon--Albany Patroons
Ronald Ross--Butte Daredevils
T.J. Thompson--Albany Patroons
Keith Salscheider--Great Falls Explorers

Butte's Anthony Richardson won the slam dunk championship over Carl Edwards, and teammate David Bell also gave the hometown fans in Butte something to cheer about by winning the long distance shootout before the game. This happens to be the third consecutive time hometown teams swept the All-Star skills comps in the CBA.

The 23rd All Star Classic itself was a competitive and thrilling affair. The National Conference won 134-131 over the American Conference at the Butte Civic Center in front of 3200 fans. Yakima's Ralphy Holmes scored a National team-high 25 points with 13 rebounds, five rebounds, and two assists. Indiana's Erick Barkley netted 25 points, including a three pointer to send the game into OT. Needless to say, Holmes was the game's MVP.
www.yakima-herald.com/page/dls/323886990279688 (http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dls/323886990279688)
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3423728 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3423728)
You can watch the CBA All-Star Classic and skills competition webcast over at the Web Television Network. This company already partnered with the Xplosion. www.webtelevisionnetwork.com (http://www.webtelevisionnetwork.com) www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3423337 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3423337)

Albany's T.J. Thompson was named CBA Player of the Week, and he was looking forward to being in this year's All Star Classic unlike last year's ( http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story. ... e=2/6/2007 (http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=560602&category=SPORTS&newsdate=2/6/2007) ). Yakima coach Paul Woolpert is January's Coach of the Month.

Durbansandshark

27-02-2007, 12:01 PM

Pittsburgh Xplosion still are trying to stop their losing ways. They just signed current Quad Cities RiverHawk Lonnie Randolph on Valentine's Day.
www.pittsburghxplosion.com (http://www.pittsburghxplosion.com)

The aftermath of Tim Hardaway's nakedly homophobic bigotry has affected to CBA so much that, partly concerned for its share of its fan base that is gay and its reaction, the company he works Trinity Sports & Entertainment which owns the Miami Majesty and Indiana Alley Cats, released a statement regarding those insensitive comments along with the league. www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=878 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=878)
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=879 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=879)

Six teams will compete in the 2007 CBA playoffs as consequence of the Utah Eagles ceasing operations with three teams from the American Conference and three in the National each with the most quarter points. Those at the top of each conference gets a first-round bye.

Albany Patroons' Kwan Johnson and Minot SkyRockets' Desmond Ferguson were named CBA Players of the Week for the last two weeks. Fergie won for the latter week.

The CBA is not only saddened by the death of former LaCrosse Catbirds coach Dennis Johnson but of former Gary Steelheads coach Barry Stevens (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=882)

Scores and more will come tomorrow.

Over in the USBL, the Delaware Stars unvieled their new logo www.delawarestars.net (http://www.delawarestars.net) and will conduct tryouts on March 10.

Gary Steelheads name Rob Spoon to assist Cliff Levingston.

Durbansandshark

15-03-2007, 06:57 AM

7'9" Sun Ming Ming has joined theGrand Rapids Flight as its starting center (centre) to boost its size obviously.
www.usbasket.com/ibl/ibl.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/ibl/ibl.asp)

Santa Barbara apparently isn't joining the IBL this year. But teams in East Los Angeles, Buffalo, Medford, and St. George are.

Durbansandshark

30-03-2007, 06:14 AM

Gary Steelheads announced the first USBL Midwestern combine for March 24 and 25 with coaching staffs from Gary, Kansas, and Jackson.

Former NBA player Roy Rogers is excited about his first opportunity as a head coach for the Oklahoma Storm.

Peter Sambu will serve under Cliff Levingston as a Gary Steelheads assistant. He previously worked at Vermillon College in Alberta as an Associate Coach.

Durbansandshark

07-04-2007, 07:18 AM

That Vancouver Dragons website still hasn't been updated!! :x Why???!!!! Atlanta has.

I'll come back to the CBA next week after a lengthy layover. The league has a champions and more will come on this subject.

Durbansandshark

21-04-2007, 02:07 AM

I lied about the CBA this week largely due to other pressing interests. I WILL catch up on the CBA, including the bizarre saga involving the recently-deposed Albany Patroons coach Michael Ray Richardson, maybe next week.

Over in the USBL, two teams are out of the league: the New Jersey Meteors (originally started out as the Boston Freedom before moving to NJ) and the Long Island Primetime. Both played only one game this season before cancelling and subsequently getting dropped.
www.usbl.com (http://www.usbl.com)

Durbansandshark

02-05-2007, 05:48 AM

Quick USBL update: The Jackson Wildcats, a team that moved from the Adirondack region in New York after being doormat, has folded after four games. Can't blame Cliff Levingston for being infuriated all dressed up with no game to play. Does this start to act like the ABA to you?
www.clarionleger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... /sports02/ (http://www.clarionleger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070501/SPORTS02/705010381/1063/sports02/)

Durbansandshark

18-05-2007, 04:46 AM

Another old CBA team returns: yesterday it was announced the Oklahoma City Calvary will join the CBA next season. When it originally started back in the late 80s, Wayman Tisdale was a part owner in connection with his University of Oklahoma roots. An announcement for this team will come May 22 at a news conference. Incidently this was supposed to be an ABA franchise but that changed, so that ABA hope has dissolved. It also comes at the 10th anniversary of their 1997 title but its dissolution too.

Seems good to have some pro basketball in Oklahoma City, albeit in a smaller scale, with the Hornets returning to New Orleans full time next season. They showed they go bonkers for the NBA, but that's elite level basketball. But I would advise them to go small with this until OKC gets another NBA franchise to claim. Set up a small budget, seek a smaller facility than the Ford Center (or the old Myriad/Cox Center next door), and smaller expectations but promote effectively. It would be good diversion until the NBA returns permanently. State Fair Arena, OCU's Abe Lemmons Center, or SNU's Sawyer Arena are suitable.

Next week scores and more will be here.
http://newsok.com/articles/3053924

Durbansandshark

25-05-2007, 08:36 AM

Scores are coming soon after a lengthy delay...

Great! Another USBL team has ceased operations. The expansion Delaware Stars has announced they will no longer play the remainder of this 2007 season. :evil: The USBL, after years of longevity, is acting more and more like a joke ABA. When the USBL loses defending champs Nebraska, Long Island, Jackson (after a couple of years away), and New Jersey during the course of this season, it takes more of a hit because there aren't many like the ABA has. It's never good to lose teams like that; it severely damages your credibility which can be immensely hard to regain. :evil:

Durbansandshark

02-06-2007, 06:39 AM

Quick update on the aftermath of the Delaware Stars not completing the rest of the 2007 USBL season. The Long Island Primetime are back in the field led by coach James Ryans. Already they have competed in the two games the Stars were supposed to play. An interesting thing about them is that they have a 6'0" G from Osaka University (yes, from Osaka, Japan) named Zem Testsu Kanai. He hasn't started but has averaged 16 minutes pg, 4 points per game, and 3 assists per game in his 2 games with them.

The Primetime records will merge with that of the Stars for standing purposes. But the Primetime will not be eligible for the postseason or have any home games to play.

Durbansandshark

14-06-2007, 08:58 AM

Back at the CBA after a lengthy hiatus:

Former NBA star Scott Wedman is the odds-on favo(u)rite to coach the Great Falls Explorers next season.

Another former NBA star from the early 80s returns to being behind the scenes, Otis Bridsong will GM the Oklahoma City Calvary. And Michael Ray Richardson will act as head coach playing their home games at the Abe Lemmons Center on the Oklahoma City University campus.

(I will get into what happened with Michael Ray in Albany later)

Durbansandshark

28-06-2007, 07:39 AM

More CBA developments:

Apparently the CBA is getting more expansion teams coming for the upcoming season and beyond. Right now, there's little in the way of development toward the Trinity Sports and Entertainment-owned Miami Majesty, particularly in finding a home venue for them. If you remember the Majesty left the BankAtlantic Arena (as the Florida Pit Bulls in the ABA) and tried to move to the BankAmerica Center at the University of Miami (FL) campus when it moved to the CBA. Everything was seemingly agreed upon until a Miami board of trustee member thwarted the move fearing the Majesty will overtake the Hurricanes. Come on now! The Hurricanes have much greater currency in the eyes of many Miami residents than the Majesty do. Anyway, Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group (headed by free agent QB Jay Fiedler) decided to create a new team to supposedly replace them in the eastern Kentucky city of Pikesville. Kentucky, like Indiana and North Carolina, loves basketball.

This team, the East Kentucky Miners, has yet to be officially announced, is already so in the local media and in the TSEG's website. Though it may be seen as a continuation to the Florida Pit Bulls/Miami Majesty, the company views the Miners as an expansion team. Home games will be at the new 7000-seat Eastern Kentucky Expo Center. www.triseg.com/sports.html (http://www.triseg.com/sports.html)

Speaking of the Majesty, another reason for the name change from Pit Bulls is of the fact that it's illegal to own a pit bull in the Miami-Dade County (but not in nearby Broward County where Ft. Lauderdale and Sunrise are located)

Going through all of the various travails in the USBL this season, the Gary Steelheads could eye a comeback to the CBA.

Another USBL team could also make the jump to the CBA with the Steelheads: the Kansas Cagerz.

The USBL started out this season with two divisions of five teams but with Delaware, Jackson, New Jersey, and Long Island dropping out (with Long Island later reinstated to fill up the schedule). The USBL became a single division league from the midseason.

Former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson (New Jersey, Portland, Indiana, Seattle, Charlotte/New Orleans, Boston) will be the head coach of the Atlant Krunk. He returns to Atlanta, where he made his mark at Georgia Tech.

Over in Great Falls, Montana, Scott Wedman will coach the Great Falls Explorers next season. Also the Explorers announced promoting assistant coach Justin Wetzel to director of player development.

For the first time in over its 30 year relationship with the NBA, not one CBA player was called up to the NBA last season.

basketoz74

19-07-2007, 12:06 AM

Durbansandshark

03-08-2007, 05:23 AM

The CBA has dropped another bombshell (actually poached another ABA team)--the Rio Grande Valley Silverados, a team that has one of the better looking logos in the league. Wanting to go to "one of the oldest basketball leagues" that has better viability and talnet level, the Silverados become the first CBA team based in Texas since the Wichita Falls Texans in 1994. The Silverados also paves the way for a gateway to Mexico and plans for a CBA Mexico league. Add the Oklahoma Calvary (more on them next post), and the CBA is making a nice return engagement to the Southwest.

Vincent Askew was just announced the new head coach of the Albany Patroons.

Here's your 2007-08 CBA schedule: www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3517939 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3517939)

Durbansandshark

10-08-2007, 05:13 AM

The Kansas Cagerz won the 2007 USBL title over the Brooklyn Kings in what could well be the final USBL championship in what has been a joke season in a barn-burner 95-92.

Gary's Jamario Moon has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Several USBL teams are coming together with the objective perhaps of forming a new league, the UBL

Durbansandshark

06-09-2007, 05:17 PM

A two year research project from basketball historian and Albany Patroons season ticket holder Chuck Miller is now publicly available through a painstaking restoration and recovery of CBA player and team records when it was known as the Eastern Professional Basketball League from the post-WWII era. It's really fascinating! I'll make more details about it later.

Don Sellers is the new assistant coach for the Minot SkyRockets. Sellers was in the same capacity with the now-defunct Utah Eagles and the Yakima Sun Kings

Durbansandshark

25-09-2007, 05:20 AM

The USBL names Al Mayles as Executive League Director in attempt to restore much-needed cred in the North American minor sports league scene.
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3537503 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3537503)

Durbansandshark

25-10-2007, 05:23 AM

The CBA's new Rio Grande Valley Silverados signed their first players lately with G Mike Dean from Middle Tennessee St. and F Cedric Smith out of the Southland champs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Silverados also named Mo Molina as assistant coach.

www.rgvsilverados.com (http://www.rgvsilverados.com)

Durbansandshark

31-10-2007, 10:26 AM

Is the Rio Grande Valley big enough to field two MINOR league basketball teams? Very interesting developments with the Silverados and Vipers competing for the dollars.
www.themonitor.com/news/league_5802_art ... ipers.html (http://www.themonitor.com/news/league_5802_article.html/silverados_vipers.html)

Pittsburgh, following a disastrous debut season in the CBA, have acquired former Pitt standout Antonio Graves, Lawrence Baker, Kevin Manifee, Rashi Johnson, Lincoln Glass, and Philip Watson.
www.pittsburghxplosion.com (http://www.pittsburghxplosion.com)
The Xplosion has hopes to hold practices at the Duquense's old high school gym: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07298/828200-55 ... lstate.xml (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07298/828200-55.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml)

Minot SkyRockets sign two ex-Harlem Globetrotters Maurice Shaw and Derek Wabbington www.minotskyrockets.com (http://www.minotskyrockets.com)

Durbansandshark

10-11-2007, 04:21 AM

Oklahoma Calvary owner/GM Ben Hopgood announced the Calvary will have their games on KMGZ (Magic) 95.3.

Rio Grande Valley Silverados sign 7'2" center Jeff Daisey from the ABA's Buffalo Silverbacks and a WBA team based in Dallas called the Summer of the Mayas, Mexico. 18 players will make their way into the Silverados training camp. So will the Great Falls Explorers with 15 players.

Josh Pace, a G/F formerly with Syracuse University, was the first player signed by the Eastern Kentucky Miners.

Durbansandshark

14-11-2007, 08:19 AM

According to a USBL spokesperson, plans are going forward toward the 2008 season with the potential of interested new franchises and owners as expansion. He also didn't mention anything about the status of the teams already in the USBL.

Durbansandshark

22-11-2007, 12:48 PM

CBA season has just started. I'll get to it in a matter of days....

Durbansandshark

28-11-2007, 06:49 AM

Yakima Sun Kings are atop of the CBA standings winning all of their first six games. Pittsburgh Xplosion is much better this time than they were a season ago at 4-2, second place in the CBA standings. ABA defectee the Rio Grande Valley Silverados are the only CBA team currently winless. Eastern Kentucky Miners are 2-3, and the Oklahoma Calvary are 2-0 but have just now started playing.

Durbansandshark

07-12-2007, 11:19 AM

A much better CBA website design than what was offered last two season is up and running. www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com)

Kyle Macy stays put in Kentucky following his dismissal from his coaching post at Morehead St. with a post as Eastern Kentucky Miners' GM.

Durbansandshark

19-12-2007, 07:39 AM

Oklahoma Calvary made a coaching change: out goes Michael Ray Richardson in comes Gary Steelheads coach Cliff Levingston for the remainder for the season.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1018 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1018)

Also another coach axing comes from the expansion (and ABA defectee) Rio Grande Valley Silverados with an attempt to jump start their fortunes after going a dismal 0-13 so far (reminds me of the Pittsburgh Xplosion at this time last season) as their cross-valley rivals the NBDL's Rio Grande Valley Vipers meanwhile are second in the Southwest Division at 7-3. RGV dumps inaugural coach Steve Tucker on December 7 for former Oklahoma assistant Derrick Rowland, who actually got them their first win in his debut as coach.
www.rgvsilverados.com (http://www.rgvsilverados.com)

Durbansandshark

21-12-2007, 06:12 AM

Yakima Sun Kings are 12-0 after beating the Minot SkyRockets 99-91.

Pittsburgh Xploison signs Cory Underwood.

Durbansandshark

29-12-2007, 08:16 AM

The USBL has suspended operations for the 2008 season. Based on what I've been writing to you here, why should we be surprised over this?

Durbansandshark

01-01-2008, 05:42 AM

More on the USBL's suspending 2008 play from Salina, Kansas.
www.saljournal.com/rdsports/story/USBL_quits (http://www.saljournal.com/rdsports/story/USBL_quits)

Durbansandshark

04-01-2008, 07:15 AM

I have a modest suggestion: why don't the USBL teams that may be ready to play next year but couldn't along with the Brooklyn Kings and the Oklahoma Storm and those prospective franchises for 2009 comtemplate merging (or absorbing) with the IBL? This helps find a place in basketball at that time since their seasons run concurrently. Plus it limits the alphabet soup of basketball leagues going on.

The Oklahoma Storm was part of a group of four Midwestern-based USBL teams thinking about forming its own league last summer, but Oklahoma officials wanted to set out on its own and see if they had anything viable to add. It's seemingly too late to join the IBL at this point...

Speaking of Oklahoma and the CBA/USBL, the Calvary signed Greg Plummer following an impressive stint with Mexico's Halcones UV Xalapa. At 33-9 the Halcones reside atop the Mexican Southern Division and tied overall with the Lobos Grises. Plummer played with finalists Brooklyn Kings last season and the now-defunct ABA's Strong Island Sound.

Albany Patroons sign Gordon Malone. Will Bowers was placed on IR with Tom Sadler waived.

Great Falls Explorers sign C Joe Prinicipe, 28-years old in his first foray into pro basketball from Old Dominion...and waived 4 players: Omar Guinea, Mike Harmon, Vinson Smith, and Mike Chavez--all forwards though Chavez is a G/F.
www.greatfallsexplorers.com (http://www.greatfallsexplorers.com)

Eastern Kentucky Miners signs Anthony Slater and lets go Bryant Northern.

Rio Grande Valley Silverados bring in former Austin Toros swingman Patrick Fields and waived Colin Lien to make way in another attempt to jump start things.

Durbansandshark

09-01-2008, 07:58 AM

Disturbing news emerging out of Great Falls, Montana: The Great Falls Explorers, one of Montana's few pro sports teams, could be on the way out after this season due to the fact that several of their players aren't paid and refused to play last Saturday's game against their in-state rivals the Butte Daredevils. Coach Scott Wedman and his coaching staff were already been fired earlier in the day due to "poor coaching" (I doubt that to a point). And the team is behind $10,000 in rent to the Four Seasons Arena and its management company SMG.
www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... /801060303 (http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/NEWS06/801060303)

(No wonder why Great Falls waived four players...)

Durbansandshark

16-01-2008, 05:48 AM

http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/st ... 1200286800 (http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/01/14/story5.html?f=et183&b=1200286800)^1573981&ana=e_vert
Albany is not joining for USBL play, even taking legal action against the league. Here's why.

This action may spell the end of the USBL, and it poses questions about what marketers here in America think about summer pro basketball, even if it was about developing players to be NBA-ready: do we, it is assumed, actually need it?

Durbansandshark

18-01-2008, 10:34 AM

The CBA announces the players for the National and American rosters in the CBA All-Star Classic in Yakima

AMERICAN:
Amal McCaskill--Albany Patroons
Nat Burton--Albany Patroons
Ronnie Fields--Minot SkyRockets
James "Boo" Jackson--Eastern Kentucky Miners
Josh Pace--Eastern Kentucky Miners
Mike Dean--Rio Grande Valley Silverados/Eastern Kentucky Miners
Kevin Rice--Minot SkyRockets
Shaun Fountain--Pittsburgh Xplosion
John Strickland--Pittsburgh Xplosion
Steve Thomas--Atlanta Krunk
Zack Marbury--Atlanta Krunk

Coach--Chris Daleo (Minot SkyRockets)

NATIONAL:
Jason Sasser--Yakima Sun Kings
Desmond Ferguson--Yakima Sun Kings
Jermaine Blackburne--Yakima Sun Kings
Moochie Norris--Yakima Sun Kings
Odell Bradley--Butte Daredevils
Aaron Cook--Butte Daredevils
Daryan Selvy--Oklahoma Calvary
Melvin Phillips--Oklahoma Calvary
Nate Green--Great Falls Explorers
Demorris "Toby" Smith--Rio Grande Valley Silverados

Coach--Paul Woolpert (Yakima Sun Kings)

Durbansandshark

24-01-2008, 07:12 AM

Some players who picked to participate in the now-completed CBA All-Star Classic in Yakima, Washington couldn't due to callups to the NBA's 10-day contract.

Before I go forth with the game itself, here's the CBA All-Star Classic preview from SLAM's Chuck Miller (you get a nice education on it too).
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1042 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1042)

The National Conference squeaks by the American with a 109-107 win with 4000 people, many of them Yakima Sun Kings fans, in attendance. The press release additionaly reveals details on the winners of the 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1043 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1043)

HunterPirates

24-01-2008, 08:42 AM

and the expansion Colorado 14ERS,

That's the worst name I've ever heard.

Durbansandshark

24-01-2008, 11:04 AM

and the expansion Colorado 14ERS,

That's the worst name I've ever heard.

Why Colorado 14ERS so bad? It's of course no different from Sixers, both 76ERS and 36ERS. Name is a reference to many of the high 14,000-feet mountain peaks Colorado is justly famous for.

Durbansandshark

16-02-2008, 07:36 AM

Four Seasons kicked out the Explorers out of their home court last week for failing to pay $8000 in its rent. Now the Explorers since found a new (temporary) home court 25 miles south of the city--a high school gym at Cascade when no other local gymnasium could accomodate them.

Durbansandshark

07-03-2008, 06:07 AM

Eastern Kentucky Miners shattered the CBA record for most points scored by a team in a game this past weekend. This one even puts the 184 points the Detroit Pistons scored back in 1984 against the Denver Nuggets to shame. The Miners scored an unbelievable 194 points over the Atlanta Krunk, shattering the 183 points record set by the Anchorage Northern Knights back in 1979. The Miners drained 58 points scored in the third quarter. Where was the Krunk's D that night? Nonexistant! :P

Durbansandshark

15-03-2008, 06:13 AM

Regular season already ended in the CBA and now it's playoff mode. The Pittsburgh Xplosion, who when they entered the league from the ABA were a sad sack team, constantly losing, are now in the American Conference Final to face the Minot SkyRockets in Pittsburgh for Game 1 before going to Minot. The Xplosion knocked the visiting East Kentucky Miners 129-121, an exciting that kept you on the edge of your seat until the dying moments.

Meanwhile the Oklahoma Calvary opened the National Conference title series against the Yakima Sun Kings in a narrow 101-99 victory. The Calvary lead with 22 points in the first half only to see that deteriorate and appeared trailling late in the second half with the Sun Kings holding on to a 3 point cushion at the :10 mark. It wasn't until Curtis Haywood shot a jumper and then another jumper to regain the lead. Calvary guard Brandon Dean stole the ball and got fouled and subsequently sank both free throws to seal it for Oklahoma. Both teams now head to Yakima for the next two games.

Both conference finals are best of three series.

Durbansandshark

26-03-2008, 10:16 AM

The Minot SkyRockets knocked off the Pittsburgh Xplosion in the American Conference Finals to head into the CBA Finals. Minot won both games in Pittsburgh and Minot to sweep the series. The SkyRockets two wins were confident ones, 105-87 and 103-89. Now they are facing the National Conference champs Oklahoma Calvary and have just evened the CBA Finals series.

The Calvary have just announced a rebranding to the Lawton-Fort Still Calvary for next season before Game 1. The Calvary won Game 1 despite letting Minot get aggressive early and never letting up--stretching the lead up to 17 at one point--until the Calvary gradually got back in it and trimmed the deficit. Things tensed with the score near the end until Oklahoma came out on top 112-108. Minot used this as a way to get back into focus for Game 2 and won that one in Lawton as it now moves to Minot. Like with the first game Minot started out in the lead and finished with a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, then a 3-point lead at halftime. Daryan Selvy, CBA Player of the Year, and Marvin Philipps had the Calvary leading in the final minutes but Minot refused to lose, squaring it at 89 in the dying seconds. Ronnie Fields scored Minot's only three of the game that gave them the lead for good at 1.5 seconds to give him 30 points for the game. Selvy had a double of 19 and 10 and Curtis Haywood had 14+19 in a losing cuase. Tomorrow Game 3 commences at the Minot Auditorium.

Durbansandshark

05-04-2008, 05:39 AM

The Oklahoma (soon to be Lawton-Ft. Still) Calvary are the 2007-08 CBA champs after defeating the Minot SkyRockets 86-76 in the 3-2 Calvary Finals series win. The important thing was that the Calvary are in their first season of existence AND had a midseason coaching change.

More will arrive next week.

Durbansandshark

19-04-2008, 05:24 AM

With Vancouver coming into the IBL as the Titans next year, I honestly doubt there will be a CBA's Vancouver Dragons will make their way to play for 2008-09. I'd be shocked if that happened since the pro basketball culture in Van-City is still unfertile that it can't support two minor league teams, even when they play opposite ends of the season.

Durbansandshark

22-04-2008, 11:12 AM

The Yakima Sun Kings are one of the successful and long-standing CBA franchises, but the team's future is bleak. Last week the Yakima Nation Tribal Council, owners of the Sun Kings, voted 10-1 to cease its operations for losing millions during their three-year ownership, but it won't take effect until mid-May at the earliest as they noted in a letter to the CBA regarding its status.

Another problem lies in the fact the SunDome still holds their Sun Kings lease for another season. Meanwhile the league is looking for fresh options to keep the Sun Kings alive, as the Yakima Sun-Herald reports (http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/3269).

Durbansandshark

23-04-2008, 10:57 AM

Vancouver Dragons will attempt to wait until the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics before starting play in the CBA for 2010-11. They deferred participation this season citing arena issues.

Apparently Seattle and Bend, OR won't be playing after all.

Durbansandshark

10-05-2008, 05:32 AM

The beleagured Atlanta Krunk is seriouly looking into going south after its year in the CBA (notbaly not getting fans at the Morris Brown Gym and that giving up 195 points to East Kentucky)in a city that so divided with sports both pro and college to the home of The Masters and of James Brown. Yes, I'm talking about August, Georgia, friends, and becoming the Augusta Groove at the James Brown Arena. But will it work there in this minor league sports city each minor-team all scratching for a niche?
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/05 ... 8190.shtml (http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/050808/mic_198190.shtml)

Does Albany really care about its minor pro sports teams, not just the Patroons?
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/st ... TextPage=2 (http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=60837&category=SPORTS&newsdate=04/13/2008&TextPage=2)

Looks as though the Yakima Sun Kings might live on after all with potential new owners
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/3898

Durbansandshark

14-05-2008, 05:31 AM

CBA Final Standings 2007-08

American Conference
Minot SkyRockets 38-10
Pittsburgh Xplosion 29-19
E. Kentucky Miners 26-22
Albany Patroons 22-26
Atlanta Krunk 9-35

National Conference
Yakima Sun Kings 43-5
Oklahoma Calvary 30-18
Butte DareDevils 17-31
Great Falls Explorers 13-23x
Rio Grande Valley Silverados 13-35

x-team ceased operations

Durbansandshark

04-06-2008, 09:16 AM

Lots of former USBL players cut their eye teeth in overseas pro leagues that aren't exactly higher-tiered like Portugal, Iceland, and Argentina and doing very well.

The Kansas Cagerz cannot find a league to play in this year after nine loyal years in the USBL. Consequently, they won't play this year. One thing is certain: the Salinas, Kansas-based franchise will have new owners if and when they return.

Back in the CBA, Atlanta Krunk officially moved cross-state and are now the Augusta Groove.

Durbansandshark

12-06-2008, 09:13 AM

The Augusta Groove (formerly the Charlotte/Atlanta Krunk) have moved to the PBL after examining the potential of both pro leagues and decided on the PBL with its more solid ownerships. The Groove since added more area businessmen that includes two who played in the NBA and overseas.

In case you haven't noticed, the Great Falls Explorers ceased operations after a tumultous season.

Durbansandshark

13-06-2008, 06:08 AM

So, what has happened to the Lethbridge Canadians, Hawaii Volcanoes, Spokane, and Bend proposed franchises in the CBA? Don't look for any of them to play next season with the 2008-09 CBA schedule coming up soon. Augusta moved to the PBL, so the teams are all even with Great Butte gone. I can see why Northern Nevada Blackjacks aren't going to play: Reno, where the Blackjacks are going to play, is instead going into the NBDL with New York and Sacramento as its parent clubs.

Bad news for the Rio Grande Valley Silverados. After a woefull debut season that saw first coach Steve Tucker get fired after starting 0-10 and playing in front of underwhelming crowds, the 13-35 Silverados didn't pay their debt to the city of McAllen, Texas. But the owners will very soon pay with a check of $70,000 and hope to return for next season with the schedule unvieling next month.
http://www.themonitor.com/sports/silver ... eason.html (http://www.themonitor.com/sports/silverados_12893_article.html/team_season.html)

Michael Tuckman ran that Great Falls Explorers franchise down to the ground in his time as owner this past season. Four pro sports franchises have folded under his leadership, and Tuckman still holds the Vancouver Dragons CBA expansion ownership. As the President of West Coast Sports LLC and former president/GM of Seattle's KONG-TV, he failed to live up to his obligations he promised with the Explorers about building a CBA contender that prompted GM Ryan Acra's resignation with a quality team ready to report to camp. When the money wasn't there, only the players who payed their way to training camp showed up. In came former Kansas City King and Boston Celtic Scott Wedman as head coach and he too grew frustrated and resigned on January 8. Several players refused to suit up to play against their in-state rival the Butte Daredevils unless they were paid following bounced checks. Only Marlyn Bryant, Nate Green, and Mike Peeples and new coach Rick Turner remained. Then came the lease arrangement disagreement between $12-16,000 that was owed to the Four Seasons Arena and were banned from the Arena by GM Bill Ogg until all the debt was settled. Tuckman alleges this was negotiated under the previous ownership making it unfair to Tuckman. Because of this, the Explorers wound playing subsequent home games at area high school gymnasiums such as Cascade High and Fairfield High, where alcohol, an important source of revenue for any sports team, is prohibited from being brought in or sold on its grounds. Now he's being sued by Cascade County for the remaining rent at the Four Seasons Arena. He hasn't been heard from in Great Falls in some time and left the city amid great scrunity afterwards with numerous profanity-laced mass emails to former Explorer sponsors and community leaders.

Now he plans to have AF2 and CBA teams (the latter possibly called the Admirals) in Everett, Washington at the Comcast Arena at Everett Center.

Durbansandshark

09-07-2008, 04:27 AM

Could we see the end of the second incarnation of the Albany Patroons? If they don't sell 600 season tickets for next season, they'll go bye-bye. CBA acting commissioner Jim Coyne has given the Patroons franchise the end of July to correct that. At least 50 season tickets were sold as of last Thursday. With Vincent Askew working as coach, the Albany Patroons finished 21-27 last season, missing the playoffs for only the third ion its franchise history. Twenty years ago, Albany was the big time basketball for the city, even setting a pro basketball for highest winning percentage in a season then under the late Bill Musselman as coach before he became the first ever coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Consequently, the Albany basketball landscape has since changed dramatically with only so much of the pie left. Siena Saints were a tiny afterthought and weren't consistently playing at a high level--men's and women's. Albany Great Danes were still in Division III. High school basketball has improved with Bishop Maginn High one of the best teams in New York State. Did I mention the Capital District economy is going down? Plus, Coyne is not happy with the Patroons; they weren't good, not bad like Great Falls bad but the coaching should've been better, he says. It's a long way from the glory days of the 80s and 90s when they later became the Capital Region Pontiacs, Phil Jackson became known as a very good coach there, and the team had notable names come through over the years like Michael Ray Richardson, Derrick Rowland, Lowes Moore, Tony Cambell, Scott Roth, and Scott Brooks. Of the last three later went on to reunite with and play for Musselman for the Timberwolves. There's a 1990 dealing with Albany detailing their successful 1987-88 season. I'll mention it on the next post.

Only six teams have apparently returned for the CBA 2008-09 season: Rio Grande Valley Silverados, Eastern Kentucky Miners, Albany, Pittsburgh Xplosion, Minot SkyRockets, and the Oklahoma Calvary. The CBA also announced reducing its game schedule from 48 to 36 games next season.

Speaking of the Calvary, I'd be very interested to see how that franchise will cope with the "Oklahoma City Supersonics (name preliminary until it gets an official name)" coming into their neck of the woods. Something tells me they'll go under because of it; once you have a nice recent and regular taste of the NBA like OKC had when the Hornets were in town for two seasons, you crave for that even more.

Durbansandshark

01-08-2008, 04:24 AM

Josh Pace of the Eastern Kentucky Miners, the first signee in the franchise's young history, signs with Tallin, Estonia-based top basketball club BC Kalev.

Oklahoma Calvary pulled a stunner when the defending CBA champs name Stacey Johnson-Klein as their new GM in a press conference succeeding Otis Birdsong. She just reached a 9 million dollar settlement with Fresno St. over a sexual discrimination suit resulting from being removed from Lady Bulldogs job. But she has a tough task ahead with a couple of Cavs not expected to return.

Durbansandshark

20-08-2008, 05:04 AM

USBL plans to return from a year's absence to re-evaluate the financial situation and implement stability with 10-12 teams (but no lower than 6) ready to play all season long in April 2009. Expansion is anticipated. Price of franchises in the league is lowered to $100K to make it more appealing for new ownership groups. According to Jacob Gordon, USBL Director of Media and Public Relations, says discussions of letters of credit are ongoing and may be a requirement for future expansion teams.

Yakima Sun Kings may be in trouble again. Rio Grande Valley Silverados are in $50,000 in debt from their home arena and may move to Beamount, Texas. More later.

Durbansandshark

28-08-2008, 05:06 AM

Jordan B. Masoweswe, a 20-year senior pharmacist from Beaumount, Texas has managed to buy the struggling McAllen-based Rio Grande Valley Silverdoes and move them not just to Beaumount but to also the ABA as an expansion team. Ironically, the Silveradoes were supposed to start in the ABA before the previous ownership felt very under impresseed of that league. Not sure the Beaumont team will keep the Silveradoes name, but it is certain they'll play at the new Ford Arena in Beaumont.

Another Montana CBA team has bit the dust: Joe Clark, owner and CEO of the Butte Daredevils, "sadly" announced the team's ceasing of operations, citing a lack of funds, which is typical of minor league sports, after trying in vain to lure new investors and money from across the country and even Japan. But Clark says in his termination address that the Albany Patroons might their way to Butte this upcoming season if they get the local support.

Durbansandshark

04-09-2008, 09:00 AM

CBA announced the 2008 CBA Draft will take place on Tuesday, September 23 with a live webcast on the Web Television Network. Fans can log onto www.cbahoopsonline.com (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com) for the latest with every selection updated as it happens. Six rounds make up this year's draft and is open to players who exhausted their college eligibility and entered the NBA draft.

Durbansandshark

12-09-2008, 08:01 AM

Albany will indeed return to play in the CBA's 2008-09 season thanks to a recent ticket drive to boost interest in the team from fans and sponsors. Plus, the league announced Jim Coyne has resigned from his acting CBA commissioner post to accept his new Patroons President and GM gig. He's actually back where he belongs since he helped bring the Pats to the CBA in 1982 and was very prosperous in that decade.

Durbansandshark

17-09-2008, 07:31 AM

Is there a possibility that we may have another CBA franchise biting the dust? As of last month, the Pittsburgh Xplosion may not be returning to the CBA in time for the 2008-09 season. This underscores the instability even more so for minor pro basketball in the United States and Canada.I think Pittsburgh, as the biggest market in the league, is more suited for something like the PBL alligned with cities that are of comparable size than Albany, Minot, Ft. Lawton-Still, and Yakima (like Montreal, Halifax, Rochester, Quebec City). That's where Pittsburgh should go assuming they don't go under.

Durbansandshark

02-10-2008, 10:20 AM

Michael Jenkins from Winthrop Eagles was selected as the first pick in the 2008 CBA Draft by the Albany Patroons as reward for leading the Eagles to their fourth straight Big South title by leading them with 33 points in the championship game leading them to the NCAA tournament. But...

Jenkins ultimately told the Pats no thanks to playing for them; he just signed a pro contract to play in Bosnia-Herzegovina and left for there Wednesday. Derrick Rowland, a former notable Patroons player brought in to coach them this upcoming season, was at first gushing over Jenkins after selecting him. Jenkins did notify Rowland he wanted to play in Albany, but his announcement to go for Bosnia could be another blow to the Pats' fortunes. Albany's local paper, Times Union, told Rowland of the news. So now its second round pick, UC-Irvine's Patrick Sanders, will act as their star rookie.

Click here for the 2008 CBA Draft results: www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1098 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1098)

Meanwhile the East Kentucky Miners ink G/F Jermaine Blackburn, G Jason MacLeish, and G Mike Crain

Now the USBL announced the league is entering the second phase of the 2009 marketing plan. Plans are for the 2009 season to have the bulk of the league's teams east coast-based with 2010 adding hopefully the west coast.

Durbansandshark

09-10-2008, 08:25 AM

72 CBA alums are in NBA training camps right now, all competing for those precious NBA roster spots...and likely riding pine for a lot of those times since they're low in the rotation pecking order, coming in only in garbage time or serious foul trouble in a position by those ahead of them. Only one is directly from the CBA last season--Pittsburgh Xplosion's Cory Underwood, currently hoping to impress the eyes of Mo Cheeks and his staff. Dallas has the most CBA alums at their camp with six, including coaches Rick Carlisle, Brad Davis, and Mario Elie.

East Kentucky Miners sign former UK Wildcat Wayne Turner.

CBA season, its 63rd, starts on Friday, December 12 with the CBA champs Lawton-Ft. Sill Calvary Stampede going to the New York state capital of Albany to battle against the Patroons. Also opening that same night, Pittsburgh Xplosion hosts the East Kentucky Miners. The 80-game, 14-week CBA schedule will emphasize weekend dates with five teams all in one conference--Minot, Pittsburgh, Lawton-Ft. Sill, Albany, and East Kentucky--and concludes on Sunday, March 15. CBA Playoffs start March 18. It's such a shame a number of teams had to fold in the last few season, including the phantom ones like Bend. It does nothing for the league's cred--it makes it look resemble the ABA on a smaller scale. But in this league's case, the realities of owning a minor pro basketball league in this nation's economy's present state appear in full relief. Anyway, the 2008-09 CBA schedule:
http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1090

UPDATE: Philadelphia lets go of Underwood on Monday

Durbansandshark

23-10-2008, 11:04 AM

Mike Heath, according to Miners coach Kevin Keathley, the CBA's best scoring two-guard outside of Minot's Ronnie Fields, returns to East Kentucky.

Pittsburgh Xplosion could play their home games either at Mellon Arena again or the Petersen Event Center (home of the Pittsburgh Panthers), including the CBA All-Star Game.

Durbansandshark

31-10-2008, 06:29 AM

East Kentucky Miners strengthen their ties to the state they reside in for their fans by signing for this season the excellent athletic and defending F Alonzo Hird, the second former Eastern Kentucky Colonel on the team behind the re-signed guard Jason McLeish, who recently played for Schalke in Germany's ProA league averaging 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game as he shot a blistering 67.5% from the floor, and 6'7" Lexington native Joe Buck, a former USC Trojan. Hird became a star with the Colonels by contributing to their 2005 Ohio Valley Conference title and making the NCAAs. He subsequently played in the Slovak League. Buck meanwhile made a delightful impression at the Miners free agent camp with his dominant rebounding. Before that, he played professionally in both the US and Canada with IBL's Tri-City and CBA's Minot.

Durbansandshark

07-11-2008, 11:12 AM

Albany Patroons sign Adrian Walton and Louie McCroskey and announced a free agent tryout camp at the Washington Armory on Novermber 29 and 30.

Durbansandshark

21-11-2008, 10:30 AM

As you may have noticed already the Yakima Sun Kings will not play this upcoming season in the CBA. The Yakama Indian Tribe, owners of the franchise, shut down operations on July 10 having lost money in the endeavor. But there are continuing discussions going on with potential new owners about returning the Sun Kings for the 2009-10 season.

Though the Pittsburgh Xplosion announced they intend to be back for this upcoming season and host the 2009 CBA All-Star Game at either the Mellon Arena or the Petersen Events Center at the University of Pittsburgh campus, as of a few days ago, nobody from the Xplosion returned any calls.

Founder of the Kansas City/Topeka Sizzlers/Yakima Sun Kings CBA franchise and the Las Vegas Silver Streakers in the WBL, Bernie Glannon, a Kansas City travel executive who put the team in KC to fill the void of the Kings departing for Sacramento, has died from lung cancer on his 73rd birthday.
www.cjonline.com/stories/111908/loc_357557923.html (http://www.cjonline.com/stories/111908/loc_357557923.html)

Minot SkyRockets announced the return of star Ronnie Fields, pending league approval. He averaged 24.1 points per game and 4 rebounds for the SkyRockets last season and taking them to the CBA Championship series as the American Conference champs against Lawton-Ft. Still. Became a fan fave after suiting up in January 17, 2007. He's already the 6th highest scorer in CBA's history with over 6000 points and made his fourth All-CBA Team and third All-Defensive Team. Fields will join them at December 3rd veterans training camp.

Minot also signs Lorenzo Miles from Niagara University who played last year professionally in Sweden.

Durbansandshark

02-12-2008, 10:39 AM

Albany Patroons are seeking for frontcourt depth, so the team is gearing up for the upcoming 2008-09 season in their first game against Ft. Still-Lawton, the Pats, according to sources to USBasket.com, are looking at a short list of players like Larry Cox and David Lee Johnson.

East Kentucky Miners are looking for additional help in the backcourt with their eyes on boosting the point guard and shooting guard spots. Parrish Brown, a free agent, according to his agent, is entertaining offers from clubs in Sweden and Portugal along with East Kentucky. Terrance Withers was drafted by the Now Deservedly Crumbling Evil Laker Empire NBDL Chapter this year, but was released by them. Still, he wants to make an impact in the US minor pro leagues or he may take up on one of the offers from a handful of overseas, namely from Sweden and Switzerland. He's expected to make a decision in the next few days. Both are point guards.

Durbansandshark

07-12-2008, 08:15 AM

Some of you may know back in the 1970s, the original ABA and the NBA formerly played intraleague games during the preseason. Then, the young, rebel, and free-spirited ABA surprisingly showed just how competitive that league was going head to head against the traditionalist NBA. Now, major news emerged the other day, with perhaps many of the teams in the ABA may not play after all this season, the CBA and the ABA teams will participate in intraleague games starting December 11th with a game between the CBA's East Kentucky Miners and the ABA's Kentucky Bison as the first of 42 games this season of this nature. Rules application? ABA rules will apply in intraleaguers at ABA's teams home games. CBA rules will be enforced at the CBA teams' home court.

CBA Teams involved: Albany, East Kentucky, Minot
ABA Teams involved: Kansas City Spartans, Kentucky, Montreal Matrix, Jersey Express, Cleveland Rockers, New York Internationalz, Maywood Buzz, Salt Lake City Saints, Chicago Steam, Knoxville Thunderbolts, West Virginia Wild, West Virginia Outlaws, and Georgia Gwizzlies.

Intraleague play ends January 15th.

Durbansandshark

10-12-2008, 06:39 AM

BTW, the Pittsburgh Xplosion became the latest casualty in the dismal history of pro basketball in Pittsburgh as it folded a couple of weeks ago. Pittsburgh's just not really a good city for pro basketball like San Diego--Ironmen, Pipers, Condors, Piranhas, Patriots, and Hardhats all died in the last 50 years. Now the CBA is down to just four teams when it was ten last season.

Durbansandshark

12-12-2008, 09:30 AM

Is Albany trying the save the league or itself by hooking up with the ABA, now that the CBA dwindled to just four teams? Have the Pats thought about their legacy it is risking to tarnish? With five slated to play--now down to four--after bringing in some very dubious owners with shady ABA experiences (I'm looking at you, Michael Tuckman) who couldn't finish out the season and losing the heart of the league like Sioux Falls and Dakota to the NBDL, I think it's about time the CBA should just fold or merge with the PBL. It may help with some of the potential travel issues the league may have later. Maybe just call it a mercy killing. After rising from the ashes of the Isiah Thomas saga, the CBA was like "the little league that could" WITH SMOKE AND MIRRORS, but it ultimately couldn't in the end, since it doesn't have the strong support of the NBA like it did in the 80s and early 90s. Homestly,I cannot see a pro basketball league surviving in a bad domestic economy with four teams playing all stretched out from Albany to East Kentucky to Ft. Still-Lawton to Minot; it wouldn't make business sense with no new expansion looming. Albany Times-Union sports columnist Mark MacGuire says it's time to end it before playing prior to tipoff.

Durbansandshark

13-12-2008, 06:47 AM

Because of the ice storm weather ravaging in northeast US, the home opener weekend for the Albany Patroons starting today is postponed until Sunday against the new New Hope Trailblazers from the ABA (oh, an ironic name...), but according to local media in Albany it's uncertain exactly WHO will play against the Pats.

Durbansandshark

23-12-2008, 05:04 AM

Albany Patroons 105 New Hope Trailblazers 91
East Kentucky Miners 140 Kentucky Bisons 94
East Kentucky Miners 119 Kentucky Bisons 87
Albany Patroons 127 New York Internationalz 103
Minot Skyrockets 110 Chicago Steam 84

Pittsburgh Xplosion actually played in the CBA this season; they lost to East Kentucky 102-94 in the first round of CBA play. Next game was scheduled for December 17 against the Miners and Saturday versus Ft. Still-Lawton.

Durbansandshark

07-01-2009, 06:33 AM

Kansas City Spartans 131 Minot SkyRockets 119
Minot SkyRockets 129 Kansas City Spartans 90
East Kentucky Miners 140 Georgia Gwizzlies 95
Minot SkyRockets 142 Las Vegas Aces 127
Albany Patroons 88 Jersey Express 81

East Kentucky coach Kevin Keathley is the CBA's first Coach of the Month this young season for going 6-0 against ABA opponents and his team scoring 40.5 out of a possible 42 quarter points.

Durbansandshark

16-01-2009, 08:19 AM

Lamar Oden's cousin PG Darryl "Showtime" Hill was acquired by the Albany Patroons from St. John's and a playground legend/NYC summer hoop circuit fixture and James "JJ" Sullinger. To make room, the Pats released C Anthony Washington and Walt Walters.

Durbansandshark

24-01-2009, 07:16 AM

East Kentucky is ahead of the pitiful four-team CBA standings at 9-3. But the Albany Patroons, who just defeated the Minot SkyRockets, are not that far behind with a 9-5 record.

Pittsburgh Xplosion is officialy, I can say with all certainly, out of the CBA according to the Albany Times-Union. Matter of fact, like the USBL, the CBA is in obviously deep financial trouble and near going out of business with just only four teams in existence.

Durbansandshark

06-02-2009, 12:15 PM

Shouldn't be surprised at this with the struggles of the league. Thanks to the East Kentucky Miners, the CBA Board of Directors decided to shorten this season, ended on Tuesday. With only four teams in existence stretched out from the east coast to the Great Plains and Oklahoma, the lowest amount of teams I've ever seen in a pro league with Pittsburgh out, why continue like this in a struggling economy that is bound to get worse? Cut things out when you still have a chance to cease the bleeding. Today begins the Championship Series in Albany with Ft. Lawton-Still facing Albany, both of whom finished with the best records in the CBA. East Kentucky battles Minot.

Durbansandshark

12-02-2009, 09:22 AM

In a game where one player ends up scoring almost half of the team's point total, Ft. Lawton-Still Calvary's DeAnthony Bowden erupted for 68 points, a CBA record, in game one of the CBA Championship. He was amazing with 19 of 25 shooting and 10 for 11 when he lead the Calvary to a 125-111 win over the Albany Patroons. The Calvary successfully repeated as champs in Game Two when that game went into thrilling OT in a 109-107 win. The Cavs are the first CBA team in 16 seasons to successfully repeat the feat. But Bowden wasn't the CBA MVP. That distinction went to Shawn Daniels. More on the CBA playoffs next week.

Now the CBA faces an uncertain future after a strange and unsettlingly short season. Will merge with another league like the PBL, survive to live another season, or shrivel and die? It's unfortunate because of all of the history that even predates the NBA's. One reason the CBA shortened its season was of the fact the East Kentucky Miners was hemorrhaging cash and couldn't survive the rest of the way.

Durbansandshark

12-03-2009, 07:41 AM

Dennis Truax has ditched the CBA for the PBL, according to an article in OurSportsCentral. With that, it precipitated talks of a possible merger with it. This could just be the rats leaking out of the sinking ship. Those four CBA remaining teams I wish nothing but the best for them, their fans, and the league. Truax wouldn't have left if there no incentive for him to go. Isn't Truax dealing with animus in Albany over the ABA/CBA integration, an idea that was Joe Newman's and Jim Coyne's created which he was against according to most reports earlier this year? I hope for the teams' sake, they find stable leagues to play in. Albany would be natural fit for the PBL for a variety of reason (proximity to Rochester, Manchester, Vermont, and Buffalo for one). Clearly those four--Albany, Ft. Still-Lawton, East Kentucky, and Minot--are looking at their options right now. But it may not survive. One thing that region going for them is an unwavering passion for the sport that, in of and itself, isn't enough but it helps. The midwest doesn't appear favo(u)rable right now in the PBL with Mid-Michigan down. Quad Cities and Rockford are likely, at least for now, victims of hyperextension of McGill. Minot SkyRockets probrably won't be a good fit--city's too small. No doubt the PBL has received feelers for the CBA teams IF the owners are up for keeping those teams alive. But should they decide to fold up the tents, that's their perogative too.

There's some sentiment in bringing back the CBA in a "bigger and better" mode, but you can't make new franchises appear to fill out a schedule effectively on short notice or adequate planning in advance. Look at the ABA and see how that works out when they do it annually.

East Kentucky didn't have the cash to pay its own people. It was a reason why only the other three CBA teams paid Truax's salary. They could definitely make a worthy travel partner for Wilmington. Maybe the NBDL. Knoxville, a strong team in the ABA, could hopefully leave that Red, White, and Blue Flying Circus for a better league. Trinity Sports actually wanted to go for the NBDL but lacked the needed cash to play there...and lost a lot of money with the Pit Bulls (later Miami Majesty) and the Anderson team along withe the Miners. So it was all coming out of ex-Miami Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler's backpocket. If he lost interest in pro basketball (certainly possible), he could pull the plug on the East Kentucky Miners.

Durbansandshark

17-04-2009, 08:50 AM

The USBL plans to return in 2010 and hopefully won't be seemingly stretched out in different regions.

Durbansandshark

14-05-2009, 09:47 AM

Minot SkyRockets are another CBA franchise that got hit hard this past season economically. Several local sponsors pulled out causing them to lose money, as you may expect.

Still no fresh developments on the CBA. Why can't the CBA franchises join the PBL and reduce the alphabet soup in minor league basketball?

Durbansandshark

11-06-2009, 08:02 AM

The Lawton-Ft. Still Calvary ditched the life-supported CBA and will now try their hand on the PBL. The owners want to play a season in the fall, period. I don't blame them at all; for the past several seasons there has been too much instability with franchises folding and losing money. The Premier Basketball League appeals to them because the roster of basketball teams are stable and more plentiful (though based on what has transpired in the first two seasons there, I have my legitimate thoughts). Hopefully, a season schedule could be ready by August and stick to it instead of getting a 100 changes every other day. Because of this, the Continental Basketball Association is undergoing a hiatus for next season...or is the league gone for good?

The Calvary will, IMO, have to change their name for more marketing purposes, since the PBL is supposedly a higher grade of minor league basketball. Perhaos a return to Oklahoma would be in order; hardly anyone outside of the southwest region knows about Lawton and Ft. Still. Oklahoma City clearly is not an option since the Thunder is now associated with the city, but you can best be sure that won't stop the ABA from adding a short-lived team there. The Calvary could get into the potential money-making endeavors like the in-house television network (@sportstv), Chinese Internet distrubution deal, gambling on their website, which can be more pie-in-the-sky on the face of it.

Also this would make the Cavs the westernmost PBL franchise in existence (prior to that, it's Dallas). Remember, there are no west coast franchises yet. But look for that to change in a couple of years. Logistic nightmares abound so the Calvary and the PBL will have to work out a travel arrangement on home and away games, but with PBL games played on weekends so they won't interfere with other activities it won't be too much of a problem.

Now CBA head honcho Fernandez wants Lawton-Ft. Still to pose a letter of credit to that total of $170,000 ($50K for admission, $70K for travel fees, and $50K for simple credit). Nobody team owner looking at the CBA wants to do that seizing them for no just cause! The league wants this so to pay its own money issues. Cavs owners managed to get a court injunction to block that. Minot publicly made aware of that too and left, blocking attempts from the CBA to pay. East Kentucky never did such as requested. Fernandez is starting to act like Joe Newman...

Durbansandshark

10-07-2009, 09:39 AM

The Calvary needs the fans' help in their transition to the Premiere Basketball League: the Cavs have until July 31st to officially let the league know they are in the league's next and third season. Part of the team's fate comes from the fans. The team has set up a Calvary Charges program that will get 200 fans signed in for to raise $1000 each by the deadline. For that, they get the VIP priviledge of their own parking space, first priority on tickets, discounts on apparel, pre-game in-person scouting reports, a commerative coin, and private entry into the Coliseum.

Durbansandshark

05-08-2009, 06:17 AM

With the CBA apparently dead, the Eastern Kentucky Miners jumped that sinking ship and went to the ABA. At least, they, unlike so many of their new ABA brethren, had experience running a pro team at a decent and acceptable level. But it's never always a certainly with the Miners, judging by last season.

Durbansandshark

12-11-2009, 07:15 AM

Looks like the CBA is coming back but in a different name to exorcise the ghosts of the bad specter of dealing with things the last few seasons with teams dying with bad owners. Right now there's no business plan and the new league needs to have honest, responsible, and financially solvent owners to bankroll the teams they own. many questions abound and so far no sponsorship.

(October 30, 2009) - The Continental Basketball League (CBL) announced today that they will be joining the minor league basketball landscape with a design to redefine the way business is done in basketball. The CBL will kick off their first season in April, 2010 and conclude the last weekend of June with a Single-Elimination tournament to be held at a venue to be announced. With a strong experienced management team in place, new ideas and innovation will take hold to insure that teams, executives, players receive the exposure to take their games to the next level.

The CBL will be headquartered in Florida and will feature a minimum of seven teams participating in the 2010 season of play. To date a total of 14 teams have submitted applications for membership, although additional locations and markets will continue to receive consideration for the 2010 season. A final roster of teams and alignment for the inaugural season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Veteran minor league executive Dennis Truax has been named Commissioner of the CBL for the inaugural season and former professional player and businessman Gary Perry has been selected as Director of Basketball Operations.

"I am extremely pleased and honored to have been asked to help lead the CBL in their first season. The CBL has been designed to deliver the best basketball action during the spring months, while serving as active, valued and integral members of their respective communities. We want to use the Internet to market and showcase the teams and talent in a new exciting way. The CBL will be at the forefront of all basketball minor leagues as a trend setter in this regard. With the explosion of immediate updates and information now society, the CBL will provide the fans with what they want, instant updates about the league and their favorite teams and players," said Truax.

"We at the CBL will strive to provide a sensible way at keeping costs to a minimum in the present economy, all the while insuring that the action on the court is top notch and professional. People will still come to games to be entertained and we want to provide that entertainment at a great price," said Perry.

Additional structural and organizational details involving league scheduling, rules and regulations will be determined in the weeks ahead, with specifics made available once finalized. For additional information regarding the CBL, visit www.cblhoopsonline.com.

The website is very similar to the old CBA one in spelling alone, if one noticed. Since the announcement the Wilmington SeaDawgs (http://capefearbusiness.com/?p=2872) is joining and possibly Augusta (http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/03/nba_554304.shtml), despite the bouncing of the checks from Groove's co-owner Garry Perry. Florida will be a tough sell for minor pro basketball there since a lot of entertainment options exist in the state. Dennis Truax is well respected and knows some sponsors, players, and prospective owners. But do we really need another minor league for basketball? We need to get rid of a few--like the ABA, that needs a lethal injection. Priority should developing a regional profile at first by working to place franchises in areas that are considered good places to live with a little spending money.

Durbansandshark

22-01-2010, 11:54 AM

The new Continental Basketball League is set to tip off in April 2010 with a single elimination tournament in June. As for teams, Only the Wilmington Sea Dawgs are on board.

2sc945

25-01-2010, 09:04 PM

Continental Basketball Association (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Basketball_Association)

WTF? So the so-called "Oldest professional basketball league in the world" only has 1 team (Albany Patroons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_Patroons)) atm? How can u call urself a league when there's only 1 team existing? Will they play 55 intrasquad games to determine the 2010 CBA Championship? http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Durbansandshark

19-02-2010, 12:02 PM

Just today, the new Continental Basketball League announced a few new teams into the fold to join the Wilmington Sea Dawgs: the Georgia Gwizzlies, another ABA defectee, the Savannah Wildcats, and the Carolina Cougarz. If you're a fan of the original ABA, the name is similiar. But the question is will this new incarnation of sorts play region home games like its predecesor in the early 70s in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raliegh?

Durbansandshark

24-04-2010, 05:07 AM

The nascent Continental Basketball League added a new franchise early last month in their inaugural season with the Birmingham Steel joining the southeastern fold. The Steel, of course named for the city distinction for being the "Pittsburgh of the South" as a steel city, has Richard Ashmon acting as both owner and coach with Rodney Harris as Director of Marketing. The Steel held their tryouts a couple of weeks ago.
www.steelbasketball.com/

Wilmington Sea Dawgs 2010 home schedule:
www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/118-homegames

CBL store announcement:
www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/121-cblshop

Savannah Wildcats 2010 home schedule:
www.savannahwildcats.com/news/59-homegames

Carolina Cougarz signed their first player in Travis Winestead, a 6'1" G from Fayetteville's Methodist University.

Durbansandshark

07-05-2010, 08:27 AM

The Continental Basketball League actually started up things in their inaugural season. Now this league is bringing in some players fresh from the Premier Basketball League and the ABA like 5'10" Joseph Fiegler from the Quebec Kebs and the Maryland GreenHawks and Antonio Griffin (Birmingham Steel). Wilmington Sea Dawgs, for another example, has seven players returning from the team's last season in the PBL under coach Dave Kuhl.

For the first game in the CBL's history this past weekend, Andrew Beach had a game high of 22 to lead seven players who were all in double figures as Beach's Savannah Wildcats soundly contain the Georgia Gwizzlies 128-89 in front of 350 fans at Savannah's A.E. Beach High School. Savannah had an eight-point lead after one quarter and then up by 11 at the end of the second prior to pulling away from an undermanned Georgia squad. Ajmal Gordon produced 18 points and the aforementioned Fiegler dished out 15 assists in a losing effort for Georgia.

Birmingham Steel lost their first game at home at Charles Barkley's home stopping grounds of Leeds, Alabama to the Carolina Cougarz and Ezekiel Mayes from Fayetteville St. in a close one 122-118. But the Steel later sent the Sea Dawgs back to the pound the next day 114-102.

Durbansandshark

15-05-2010, 04:28 AM

Birmingham Steel just pulled out of the nascent CBL in favor of joining the World Basketball Association with Paul Smith taking over as new owner, which explains why the game between the Steel and the Savannah Wildcats was postponed. A new Birmingham franchise was just put in the Steel's place and will be called the Sabres. The new team will call Altamont School their home base and inherit the Steel's 1-1 record.

A modest profile on the Carolina Cougarz (www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2010/05/01/993996), a team that is currently 1-1.

Wilmington Sea Dawgs, in spite of inconsistent play against the Savannah Wildcats (www.starnewsonline.com/article/20100513/ARTICLES/100519760/1005/sports?Title=Sea-Dawgs-come-out-on-top-in-home-opener), came out on top that night with a 3-1 record.

Durbansandshark

04-06-2010, 06:28 AM

More distress abounds in the Continental Basketball League as the Georgia Gwizzlies are removed from the league for failure to meet minimum league standards like failing to turn up for games against the Birmingham Sabres and the Wilmington SeaDawgs.

Savannah wins over Birmingham (www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/137-sabres-no-match-for-savannah)

Savannah wins over Carolina Cougarz (www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/140-yet-again-another-big-win-for-the-wildcats)

Possibly last game for Georgia in a loss to the Wildcats (www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/141-wildcatwin)

Savannah Wildcats lose to Birmingham (www.cblhoopsonline.com/news/142-wildcatsloss)

Wilmington SeaDawgs lose in a close one to Carolina (www.goseadawgs.com/component/content/article/38-fp-rokstories/152-loss)

Durbansandshark

15-07-2010, 08:21 AM

It was a short, quick season for the CBL. After all, there were only 6 teams in the first season on a 17-game schedule. But like with the ABA, CBA, and the PBL, there were teams leaving, rumours running around regarding the health of the league like will it fold?, games not being played. Things like that.

The 11-5 Savannah Wildcats won the first CBL title over the 10-6 Wilmington SeaDawgs in OT 96-86 in a crowd that favo(u)red the SeaDawgs. Wilmington overcame an 11-point deficit to force the game into overtime until the Wildcats' firepower became too much to overcome.

On the previous game they face, Wilmington coach Dave Kuhl pulled all five players on the court who started off the third quarter slowly after a five-point Wildcats lead at the half, and the new platooners went on a 18-4 run afterwards leading to a SeaDawgs win for the right to host the title game.

Before then, the SeaDawgs suffered back-to-back losses to the Carolina Cougarz and Savannah while not having their players Khadiri Richards and Donelle Davis. It was another game with the Cougarz with the return of former LSU player Jermaine Williams and his positive contributions on both ends that the winning returned emphatically 126-94 taming Carolina.

Durbansandshark

24-09-2010, 07:29 AM

Three Florida-based are joining the CBL next year in April. Will they make a long-lasting impact in lower-tiered pro basketball that hasn't happened there? We've seen numerous Florida basketball team fall by the wayside for various reasons. Time will tell. Just hope they are financially stable in their operations.

The Florida Flight, owned by Mark King, will play their home games at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida. King says he was impressed by the immense support from fans, boosters, and sponsors in getting the word out about the fledging team. CBL Commissioner Dennis Traux was impressed with King's passion making the Flight a model for all of the other CBL teams.

Miami businessman and former Palm Beach Atlantic University head coach (in addition to several high schools in the Miami area) Tony Spates will own and coach the Miami Stars in their debut season in the CBL. Spates hopes to recruit local Miami talent to his new team and get them to work in the front office while performing community outreaches. In the Miami basketball landscape regardless, any coverage of any Miami basketball news will get overshadowed by the Miami Thrice during the season. Stars' venue is TBA.

Completing the CBL's footprint into Florida is the nearby team (to Miami) the Palm Beach
Titans. Their home is to be at Northwood University at West Palm Beach. That area, including Boca Raton up the coast, is actually no stranger to minor pro basketball with the old World Basketball League having the Florida Jades there approximately two decades ago and more recently the Palm Beach Imperials in the ABA. Titans are owned by Avion Brown, also owner of the minor pro football team there, the SEFL's Palm Beach Mariners. The Titans already have announced their GM, coach, and dance instructor--Vincent Currie, Fred Brown, and Charmaine Stringer, respectively. And already, Palm Beach got their first three players--Orlando Hall, Carl Jenkins, and Leemire Goldmire, when Goldmire returns from Europe.

Durbansandshark

22-04-2011, 12:31 PM

Two new franchises along with the Florida Flight enter the upcoming second season of the CBL over this month.

Flight sign veteran Mike Dean - Apr 12, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)
The Florida Flight proudly announce the addition of veteran guard Mike Dean (6'2''-G-82, college: Middle Tenn.St.) to their 2011 player roster.

A Middle Tennessee State University alum, Dean has been playing professionally across the globe for the past seven years. From Poland, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, and several minor league circuits in the United States, including the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the NBA Developmental League, Dean has made an all-star impact at each stop along the way.

'Mike was a teammate of mine when we both played for the East Kentucky Miners of the CBA in 2007-2008,' said Flight Owner and President Mark King. 'He's a very hard worker, and will fit perfectly within the culture and chemistry of our basketball program.'

Dean led the CBA in scoring with Rio Grande Valley Silverados before being traded to the East Kentucky Miners midway through the 2007-2008 season. Upon his arrival in Pikeville, Kentucky, he was asked to share the scoring burden with NCAA National champion Josh Pace. On March 2, 2008, the Miners broke a 29-year CBA record for most points scored in a game by a team with a 194-115 win over the Atlanta Krunk. Dean led all scorers with 44 points that night.

Dean recently returned from playing in Venezuela after suffering a minor ankle injury. His ankle is again completely healthy, and he will join the Florida Flight for training camp in April.

'I just want to thank God for giving me so many opportunities to play basketball at this level,' said Dean. 'I'm really looking forward to joining the Florida Flight and helping this team bring a championship to the Avalon Park area of Orlando, Florida this season.'

'Bringing in Dean is a big deal for us,' said King. 'We want to invest in our players, and put them in situations where they can share their talent and prove to other scouts that they are worthy of playing opportunities in the NBA and in various countries around the globe. Adding a player like Mike Dean further establishes our credibility as a professional basketball program.'

This season, the Flight will keep a 10-man active roster, as well as an inactive developmental roster for players seeking to improve their game and jump to the next level. Training camp for the Flight starts April 20. The complete roster for the 2011 Florida Flight will be released in the coming weeks.

Courtesy of CBL

Gainesville Galaxy joins Continental Basketball League - Apr 12, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)
The Continental Basketball League is pleased to announce the addition of the Gainesville Galaxy to its roster of teams. Director of Basketball Operations Gary Perry made the announcement on Monday.

The Galaxy are owned by local entreprenuer and former middle school principal Kristine Anderson. Anderson also served as the General Manager of the ABA's Florida Makos during the 2010-2011 campaign.

Anderson said of her acceptance into the CBL, 'This is such a great opportunity for myself, my players and the community of Gainesville. I became passionate about this level of professional basketball after working as a stand in General Manager and Marketing Director for the Florida Makos. I loved the concept of, and the organization within, the Continental Basketball League and wanted to own my own franchise in the CBL. Gainesville is a great basketball market and the Gainesville Galaxy look forward to bringing a quality product and a whole new brand of entertainment to the community through this connection with the CBL.'

The Galaxy's home games will be played at the Martin Luther King Jr Recreation Center in Gainesville. The team will be coached by Donte Hill and assisted by Bobby Welch and Chris McCoy. The Galaxy will retain players from the ABA's Florida Makos with Michael Welch, Cori Gaither, Brandon Armistead, Fredrick Meeks, Tyre Stevenson, Rasheed Pratt, and Thomas 'TD' Harris. Tryouts to fill the team's remaining spots will be held on April 20th at the Newberry Sports Complex.

Courtesy of CBL

CBL adds Cary Invasion for 2011 season - Apr 14, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)
The Continental Basketball League has added the Cary Invasion to its 2011 team line up. 'The team has been in the planning stages and ready to pull the trigger for over a year,' says General Manager and Owner of the Cary Invasion, Mark Janas.

Janas was an original and founding member of the Wilmington Sea Dawgs, one of the most successful teams in all of independent minor league basketball. He divested from the Sea Dawgs earlier this year in order to devote time and attention to the Invasion, and just as importantly, to develop a regional travel partner for the Sea Dawgs and the new CBL Fayetteville organization.

'Leaving the Sea Dawgs was a difficult decision, but Cary has the right demographics around which to support and build a minor league brand. It is also in my backyard and positioned to support my other business interests,' adds Janas. The team will play its home games at the Herbert Young Community Center in downtown Cary, North Carolina and will announce its final roster later this week. Long-time assistant coach at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, NC, Marqus Johnson, has been appointed the team's head coach.

Courtesy of CBL

Durbansandshark

06-05-2011, 11:47 AM

Florida Flight announce training camp roster - Apr 24, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Florida Flight's sophomore professional basketball season is now underway, having begun training camp on April 20.

Flight Owner and Coach Mark King likes what he sees from his players in the camp's early days. 'This season's Flight's roster will be a nice mix of returning players complemented with some new faces that will fit in perfectly with what we're trying to do,' King said. 'We look for players who will be outstanding on and off the court, and we believe we've found them.'

Competition for spots on the final roster will be fierce. This season, the Flight will keep a 10-man active roster, in addition to an inactive developmental roster for players seeking to improve their game and jump to the next level.

The players selected for training camp are:

Jacob Carver, G, 5-10, Florida Flight (CBL)
Ernest Jones, G, 6-0, Florida Flight (CBL)
Garvin Gordon (6'7''-F-78), F, 6-6, Florida Flight (CBL)
Jay Husagic, F, 6-6, Florida Flight (CBL)
Mike Dean, G, 6-3, East Kentucky Miners, (CBA)
Jason Mcleish, G, 6-1, Bluegrass Stallions (PBL)
Brett Elliott, G, 6-1, Fayetteville Flight (ABA)
Kene Anusionwu (6'8''-F/C, college: Bethune-Cookman), F, 6-8, Bethune-Cookman (NCAAI)
Chip Polite, F, 6-5, North Florida (NCAAI)
Joseph Christopher, G, 6-4, Mississippi State (NCAAI)
Jonathan Adamson, F, 6-4, Elmira College (NCAAIII)
Greg St. Remy, G, 6-2, St. Olaf College (NCAAIII)
Antonio Monroe, F, 6-6, Polk Community College (NJCAA)
Kamar Russell, G/F, 6'4, Treasure Coast (HS)
Rich Chaber, G, 5-11, Air Force (WAMAC)
Blake Hines, G, 5-11, Robert E. Lee (HS)
Jeremy Tomlinson, G, 6-2, Lincoln County (HS)
James Hunter, G, 6-1, West Orange (HS)

The CBL season kicks off during the first weekend of May. The season home opener for the Flight is May 13, 2011.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

19-05-2011, 03:39 AM

Wilmington Sea Dawgs unleash 2011 roster - May 6, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

As the team hits the road today for its first game of the season, the Wilmington Sea Dawgs organization is pleased to present its 2011 team roster.

*Alex Harper (6'4''-G-82, college: VCU) 6'-4' 190 lbs. Guard Virginia Commonwealth
*Zach Herrmann (6'0''-G-80) 6'-1' 170 lbs. Guard Augusta State
*Joe King 6'-1' 195 lbs. Guard UNCW
*Jay Cook 6'-4' 205 lbs. Forward UNCW
Deandre Bell 6'-3' 205 lbs. Forward Northampton H.S.
Mike Gibbs 6'-9' 270 lbs. Center UNCW
Sedale Threatt Jr. 6'-2' 200 lbs. Guard Lehigh
Mike Evanovich (6'8''-F, agency: Limelight Hoops) 6'-8' 220 lbs. Forward Fairfield
Quandrae Dixon 6'-5' 215 lbs. Forward T.C.I College
Masevai Davis 6'-1' 195 lbs. Guard UMass Lowell
* denotes returning player

'It seems like it's been a long time since our championship game last season against the Savannah Wildcats.', says Head Coach Dale Kuhl. 'We are excited about getting back in front of our home crowd on May 20th.'

The Sea Dawgs kick off their fifth season tonight on the road against the Cary Invasion at 7:00 p.m.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

CBL season opener: Invasion take a bite out of the Dawgs - May 8, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In the Continental Basketball League season opener, Jonathon Moore had a team high 29 points with former Sea Dawg Chuck Ward adding 16 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Cary Invasion to a 101-95 victory over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs.

The game was tight for the duration as neither team held a lead of more than eight points.

For Wilmington, Mike Evanovich (6'8''-F, agency: Limelight Hoops) had a game high 33 points and added six boards; Masevai Davis added 18.

The Invasion are in action again on May 13th as they take on Wilmington at the Herbert Young Arena in Cary. Tip time is set for 7:00 with the doors opening at 6:30.

Notes
Wilmington shot 47.1 percent from the field while Cary shot 43 percent. Wilmington out rebounded the Invasion 40-30. Fans were admitted free of charge to Friday night's game to showcase the Invasion in a contest that was originally scheduled to be a closed scrimmage.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Florida Flight drop season opener to Gainesville Galaxy - May 10, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Florida Flight fell to the Gainesville Galaxy 100-90 in overtime, in the season opener for both teams Saturday, May 7, 2011.

The Flight dominated the first half on the defensive end, carrying a 47-37 lead into the locker room.

'We wanted to make a defensive statement immediately,' said Flight Head Coach Mark King. 'Our goal this game was to hold the Galaxy under 100, and we accomplished what we needed to in the first half.'

It was the tale of two halves, as the Flight gave up 50 points in the second half and saw their 10 point lead diminished. The game was tied at 87 with less than 38 seconds remaining. Neither team was able to capitalize on the opportunity to go ahead. Flight guard Jacob Carver missed a long corner three pointer with 7 seconds remaining, and Galaxy guard Brandon Armistead threw up a long floater at the end of regulation that fell hard against the back iron.

The Galaxy outscored the Flight 13-3 in overtime, with the help of an aggressive full-court press that kept the Flight out of sync offensively for the rest of the game.

Returning players Garvin Gordon (6'7''-F-78) and Ernest Jones (5'11''-G-81) paced the Flight with 20 and 18 respectively. Jones narrowly missed a triple double by one assist, adding nine assists, 10 steals and six rebounds in the best statistical night of his professional career.

'It was a bittersweet day for me,' said Jones. 'I played particularly well and we worked hard as a team, but a loss is a loss; and when you lose, individual stats are irrelevant.'

The Flight played without high-profile recruit Mike Dean, who was forced to return to his hometown of Rome, GA after a deadly round of tornados ravaged his hometown. It is unclear whether or not he will rejoin the team.

'When you have a team with seven rookies, you need veterans like Jones and Dean to provide that leadership,' said King. 'Family must always come first, though. We ask that people keep him and his family in their prayers.'

Forward Kene Anusionwu (6'8''-F/C, college: Bethune-Cookman), a recruit from Bethune-Cookman, was also missing from the Flight line-up. Anusionwu is recovering from a bladder infection, and will re-join the team for the 3-game stretch during Memorial Day weekend.

The Flight will host the Heartland Prowl Saturday, May 14 in their season home opener at Avalon Middle School in Avalon Park community of Orlando, their home venue for the 2011 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm.

Courtesy of CBL

The Invasion has landed - May 11, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

With a green alien for a mascot, the Cary Invasion basketball team is preparing for its official tip-off on May 13 at Herb Young Community Center.As reported previously, downtown Cary will be hosting a new minor league basketball team, The Cary Invasion. After hosting tryouts last week, the team roster and schedule has just been announced. The team, started by Mark Janas, is part of the Continental Basketball League and will compete against teams in Wilmington, Savannah, Fayetteville, and Birmingham.

Roster:

Team members have been selected, and many hail from universities of the Triangle. 'The Raleigh area is rich with former collegiate talent, and Coach Johnson has done an outstanding job identifying the right players to fit the up tempo style of play that we believe will be successful in our CBL season', says Invasion General Manager, Mark Janas . 'We're especially pleased to have a roster loaded with names that will be familiar to many basketball fans in the area', adds Janas.

Heres who made the cut:

Josh Coley of UNC Greensboro
Brandon Hickson, Saint Augustines College
Freddie Little, Monticello University
David DY Young, NC Central University
Will Roach, NC State University
Jonathan Moore, NC Central University
Daniel Jackson, Shaw University
Charles Chuck Ward, Saint Augustines College
Rodney Callwood (6'6''-F), Shaw University
David Chambers (6'5''-F), South Carolina
Raheem Oshodi, NC Central University

Home Games

The team aims to capture the hearts of families in the area. Every home game has a theme and will offer discounted tickets to designated groups.

Friday, May 13 vs Wilmington (Youth Basketball Night)
Sunday, May 15 vs Savannah (Heart of Cary Night)
Sunday, May 22 vs Fayetteville (AAU Night)
Saturday, May 28 vs Wilmington (Town of Cary Employee Night)
Sunday, May 29 vs Birmingham (Volunteer Appreciation Night)
Friday, June 10 vs Fayetteville (Chamber of Commerce Night)
Sunday games will start at 5 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 p.m, and all other games will start at 7 pm with doors opening at 6:30. All home games will be played at the Herbert Young Community Center in downtown Cary.

Courtesy of www.carycitizen.com

Durbansandshark

19-05-2011, 03:46 AM

Savannah Wildcats cancel season - May 12, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Due to the family issues in the Savannah Wildcats owners family, we regretfully have to cancel our second season. We look forward to next season and want to thank all of you for your support in our 1st season.

Meanwhile, teams prepare for the second round of CBL. Here is the schedule:

May. 15: Heartland Prowl. - Gainesville Galaxy
May. 15: Cary Invasion - Savannah Wildcats
May. 15: Fayetteville Crossover - Wilmington SeaDawgs
May. 14: Florida Flight. - Heartland Prowl
May. 13: Cary Invasion - Wilmington SeaDawgs

Florida Flight release Mike Dean - May 14, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Florida Flight have officially released high- profile recruit Mike Dean (6'2''-G-82, college: Middle Tenn.St.).

Dean's hometown of Rome, GA was ravaged by a shocking streak of tornadoes that wreaked havoc on seven states stretching from Alabama to Virginia on April 27, 2011.

Upon receiving further damage details, Dean requested his release in order to return to Georgia and help his two children, his fianc and the rest of his family with the recovery and rebuilding process.

'We'll always be a family-first franchise,' said Mark King, Majority Owner, President and Head Coach of the Flight.

Dean was signed to play alongside veteran guard Ernest Jones to provide much-needed leadership to a young Flight squad that boasts seven rookies this season. Jones and Dean each have more than seven years of professional basketball experience.

'I was looking forward to hooking back up with Mark and playing with the Flight this season,' said Dean. 'I went through a tough training camp, and I was ready to get the second half of my career heading in the right direction. Right now, however, I have to take care of my family.'

Dean's departure leaves a leadership gap in the roster, but King is not overly concerned.

'Most coaches recruit greatness. Real coaches create greatness!' explained King. 'With Dean, I believe we were a favorite to compete for a CBL championship this season. Without him, we'll float under the radar a little more, which isn't necessarily a bad place to be when you have a young team like ours.'

The Flight dropped their season opener to the Gainesville Galaxy in Gainesville last Saturday. Their next game is their home opener against the Heartland Prowl on Saturday, May 14, at Avalon Middle School in the Avalon Park community of Orlando.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Invasion dominate home court against the Sea Dawgs - May 14, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In a Friday night match up in downtown Cary, NC, former N.C. Central University standout Jonathan Moore (6'8''-F/G-82, agency: 540 Sports, college: N.C.Central) put up 25 points and pulled 8 rebounds to lead the Cary Invasion to a 111 - 96 victory over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs (0 - 2). Freddy Little (6'0''-G-86) added 19 points and shot 58% from the floor for the Invasion.

Cary (2 - 0) took control of the game midway through the 3rd quarter and never let up, building a 10-point lead by the end of the third quarter. Mike Evanovich (6'8''-F, agency: Limelight Hoops) was Wilmington's leader scorer with 25 points, including 4 of 8 shooting behind the arc.

The Invasion play again on May 15th against the Port City Sharks for 'Heart of Cary Night' at the Herbert Young Center. Tip time is set for 5:00 with the doors opening to the public at 4:30. For ticket information go to www.caryinvasion.com.

Notes:

--Cary shot 45 percent overall from the field while Wilmington shot 44 percent.

--Cary hit 11 of 23 3-point shots.

--Cary out-rebounded Wilmington 45 to 35.

Courtesy of www.caryinvasion.com

Invasion blast the Sharks - May 16, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In a Sunday afternoon game in downtown Cary, NC, former St. Augustine College star Chuck Ward scored 18 points and pulled 13 rebounds to lead the Cary Invasion to a 141 - 99 victory over the Port City (Savannah) Sharks. Freddie Little dropped 24 points, including shooting 7 for 11 behind the arc, and Jonathan Moore (6'8''-F/G-82, agency: 540 Sports, college: N.C.Central) scored 19 points in the win for the Invasion.

The Invasion (3 - 0) took control of the game from the beginning and never let up, scoring 47 points and building a lead of 20 points in the first quarter. The game was never in question with the Sharks outmanned and outnumbered at every position on the court.

Leon Frazier (6'3''-G-86, college: Mayville St.), Jr. and Maurice Brown each scored 27 points in the losing effort for Port City (0 - 1).

The Invasion play at Wilmington on May 20th in their first road game of the season and then again on May 22nd at home against the Fayetteville Crossover for 'AAU Night' at the Herbert Young Center in Cary. Tip time is set for 5:00 with the doors opening at 4:30. For ticket information go to www.caryinvasion.com.

Notes:

--Cary shot 59% from the field while Port City shot 46%.

--Cary out-rebounded Port City 54-36.

--It was 'Heart of Cary' night at the game.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Florida Flight drop home opener to Heartland Prowl - May 18, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The visiting Heartland Prowl jumped out to an early 36-19 first-quarter lead and never looked back, defeating the Florida Flight 128-106 in the Flight's home opener at their new venue in Avalon Park (Orlando), FL.

The Flight were led by the combination of Ernest Jones (5'11''-G-81, college: Florida St.) and Garvin Gordon (6'7''-F-78). Jones poured in a game-high 38 points, including five three-point field goals. He also added 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Gordon also topped the 30-point mark with 32 on 12-19 shooting. Gordon also pulled down a game high 12 rebounds.

The Flight had no answers for Jordan Prais (6'7''-F, agency: JEMsports, college: St.Leo), who shot a blistering 13-21 from the floor en route to a 37 point night. Former Flight player Derell Henderson also chipped in with 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Prowl.

'Coach Williams had the Prowl well prepared for the game,' said Flight Coach Mark King. 'We tried some different things to stop Prais and Henderson, but it proved to be ineffective overall. We'll make the appropriate adjustments and be ready for a rematch Friday at their place.'

The Flight's next game is Friday evening, as they travel to Heartland for a rematch with the Prowl.

Their next home game is a day later when they take on the Jacksonville Bluewaves Saturday, May 21st. Tip-off time is 5:30pm at Avalon Middle School in Avalon Park.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

26-05-2011, 05:34 AM

Sea Dawgs prepare for home opener - May 20, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs will return from three games on the road to their home court at the Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington to take on the Cary Invasion tomorrow, Friday May 20th, 2011. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

The theme for the game is College Night. All college/university students, faculty and staff with valid college/university ID will be admitted FREE. There will also be $2.00 beer specials. Dynamic Martial Arts will be performing a karate demonstration at halftime.

Muscle Max will be providing promotional gifts to the first 50 fans as well as offering samples of their pre and post work out products.

Sea Dawgs player Alex Harper has been listed as inactive for Friday night's game.

The Sea Dawgs are excited for their fifth season in Wilmington and their second season as a part of the Continental Basketball League. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs offer an affordable, exciting entertainment option in historic downtown Wilmington. Experience our fun-filled family atmosphere both on the court and in our fan area. The games are fun for all and the team is going for the win with this week's home court advantage. Head Coach Dale Kuhl says, 'I can't wait to play in front of our home crowd... our fans are great.'

Courtesy of www.goseadawgs.com

Invasion spoil Wilmington's home opener - May 21, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In a Friday night game at a packed Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington, former Sea Dawg Charles Ward (6'7''-F/G-80, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: St.Augustine) scored 21 points to lead the Cary Invasion to a 97 - 93 victory over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs. Jonathan Moore (6'8''-F/G-82, agency: 540 Sports, college: N.C.Central) added18 points in the win for the Invasion.

The Invasion (4 - 0) took an early lead of 10 points in a very physical game and held it for much of the game. Wilmington made a run late in the 4th quarter to cut the lead to 2 points but ran out of the time in the comeback effort.

S. Threet scored 27 points in the losing effort for Wilmington (0 - 4).

The Invasion play next at home on May 22nd against the Fayetteville Crossover for 'AAU Night' at the Herbert Young Center in Cary. Tip time is set for 5:00 with the doors opening at 4:30.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Invasion continue to roll; Fayetteville becomes the latest victim - May 23, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In a very athletic Sunday afternoon contest in downtown Cary, former St. Augustine College star Charles Ward (6'7''-F/G-80, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: St.Augustine) scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds to power the Cary Invasion to a 120 - 99 win over the visiting Fayetteville Crossover team. Freddie Little also dropped 23 points in the win for the home team.

The game was tight through the first half, with the Invasion leading at the break by 3. But big runs by the Invasion (5-0) in each of the last two quarters broke the game open, resulting in leads of near 30 points late in the game. The energetic crowd at the Young Center was treated to a dozen or more spectacular dunks by both teams. Three players scored more than 20 points each for the Crossover (1-1).

The Invasion play next at home on Saturday, May 28th against the Wilmington Sea Dawgs for 'Town of Cary Employee Night' at the Herbert Young Center in Cary. Tip time is set for 7:00 with the doors opening at 6:30.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

26-05-2011, 05:35 AM

A foreign team arrives in Cary - May 24, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

BY J. MIKE BLAKE, Staff Writer
CARY - It's a Sunday afternoon at the Herb C. Young Community Center and the squeaks and squeals of 30 kids playing on the basketball court are audible from the front door.
Soon, music blares through portable speakers and the little ones heaving basketballs at the rim join parents sitting on portable bleachers.

A group of 10 men in their 20s emerges from a storage closet wearing matching uniforms and begins to warm up.

The announcer booms: 'Let's hear it for your Cary Invasion!'

The Cary what?

This is the typical reaction when you tell people about the Cary Invasion. It takes a second to explain that the town is now home to a minor league team from the Continental Basketball League. The league's eight teams are clustered in southeastern states - mostly North Carolina and Florida - and Cary is one of the newest expansion squads. League officials hope to add teams in Durham and Clayton next season.

And no, the name is not a reference to the town's fast-paced growth or the colloquial acronym 'Containment Area for Relocated Yankees.'

Only two players on the roster played NCAA Division I college basketball. Neither averaged more than one point per game.

Team owner and president Mark Janas says he's heard the jokes. But he takes this league seriously.

UFO sighting

Neither the town nor the league made a big deal about the new franchise's arrival. Earlier this month, the team made an email listing of town activities, right above Princess Castle Dance time for preschoolers and water aerobics classes for seniors.

The team was more than a year in the making.

A Cary resident and UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, Janas co-owned the Wilmington CBL franchise for six years but wanted to bring a team to his town. The 43-year-old owner of three software companies tried to start in 2010, but the logistics were too complicated.

With the town pledging to revitalize its downtown, he says he saw an opportunity at the community center next to Town Hall. When he approached the town a month ago, it didn't take much to make the team a reality.

'It may have seemed like a last-minute thing when he came to us in April, but we were pretty much prepared by all the discussion we had last year,' says Dwayne Jones, the town's recreation manager.

The team has agreed to pay the town $55 per hour to use the court, plus costs for police officers and scorekeepers at the games.

Janas' business model doesn't include spending on advertising. He is relying on word-of-mouth to increase interest in his team.

So far, his major targets have been the youth basketball community and downtown businesses.

'We really wanted to demonstrate our worth to the downtown community before we did anything too aggressive,' Janas says. 'We were really looking at more of an organic growth phase for this first season ... and with that process, interest has picked up.'

Janas holds no delusions that this minor league professional team will garner headlines in such rich ACC college basketball territory. Instead, he is focused on becoming a niche attraction. In particular, a family-friendly show.

The crowds at Invasion games so far consist mostly of elementary-aged kids. That includes the team's cheerleaders - an energetic, pint-sized crew that wears matching shirts and skirts and thrashes pompoms in the air.

Coach MarQus Johnson, an East Wake High School and N.C. Central graduate who at 32 has already been an interim head coach at St. Augustine's and his college alma mater, says his team is conscious of the young fans who sit close to the floor to hear the action.

'In the heat of battle, and this is anybody, you may say a few cuss words,' Johnson says. 'But I always let them know that in this atmosphere, we need to be professional.'

An alien brand

The Cary brand is important to Janas. Unlike the Carolina Hurricanes NHL hockey team or Cary's minor league soccer team, the Carolina RailHawks, he says he wants the Invasion to be a part of Cary's small town feel and downtown progress.

But the team's name - and its alien mascot 'Cosmo' - is foreign. Cary does not have a long history of UFO sightings.

The team's colors, black and green, match the extraterrestrial theme and the community center is dubbed 'Area 51' during basketball games.

'We wanted to do something different,' Janas explains. 'We wanted to do something that was not a wildcat, not a dog; we wanted to be something unique. Something that would look good on a ball cap and not be confused with anything else.'

For the players, the experience is far from the bling-obsessed NBA.

The Invasion players make about $2,000 for the full two-month season, which ends June 19. And the team will not travel any farther than Savannah, which is the season's only overnight trip. Cary plays in the league's north division with Fayetteville, Wilmington and Birmingham, Ala.

The two players with primetime college basketball experience are Raleigh natives David Chambers (South Carolina) and Will Roach (N.C. State). Like most players in the CBL, neither played a central role in their college careers.

Many of the players are under contract with overseas teams and use the Invasion as a way to keep active in the offseason. Some players, such as Roach, work other full-time or part-time jobs.

'I work full time for a medical device company here in (the Triangle) and have since I graduated. And I have a family,' Roach said. 'When I got a call about this team, I jumped all on it. I still can't give it up. I just love playing.'

The Young Center was never intended to house a professional basketball team.

There is no public announcement system, no shot clocks, no American flag and no locker rooms.

The team brought in portable shot clocks and later taped a flag to the wall.

'That's one of the things that go with minor league sports - you kind of work with the venue you've got,' Janas says.

Locker rooms were created from the facility's two storage closets. The town staff created partitions to hide the soccer balls, mini basketball hoops and plastic tricycles in the closets, hoping to give it more of a professional feel.

'I thought it was a great set-up. The town of Cary has really taken care of us,' the coach says.

High-scoring games

Other parts of the Young Center work. An upstairs hallway with glass walls doubles as skyboxes for team sponsors to watch the action. The fire code says that the building can hold no more than 700 people, so a capacity crowd of about 400 filling bleachers and chairs on three sides of the floor gives the place an electric feel.

The league follows most NBA regulation rules - 12-minute quarters with a 24-second shot clock - but in other ways differs significantly.

For one, no player can foul out of a game. After a player's sixth foul, the other team gets a free throw and the ball.

And secondly, the league does not use NBA-range 3-pointers. The line differs from court to court. The Young Center has only the high school 3-point line.

It leads to high-scoring games.

A week ago, the Invasion defeated Savannah's Port City Sharks 141-99, scoring 47 points in the first quarter alone.

When the games end, the kids scurry back onto the court and hoist shot after shot. Fifteen minutes later, the Invasion players walk out of the locker room and sit at a table at midcourt. Some of the younger fans ask them for autographs, while others keep shooting.

Either way, Cary's newest professional team is generating the interest, whether curious onlookers who didn't believe the team existed or wide-eyed kids.

The team prefers the young kids.

'This is their opportunity to be close to court, close to the game, come out after warm-ups and hang out,' Roach says. 'It makes it fun for us. We love the kids and we want more kids here.'
Courtesy of: www.carynews.com

Durbansandshark

03-06-2011, 04:46 AM

Florida Flight Bolster Roster - May 28, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

(Avalon Park, FL) - The Florida Flight signed guards Fred Meeks and Brandon Armistead on Friday, May 29th. Both players were recently waived by the Gainesville Galaxy earlier this week.
No stranger to the Flight organization, Armistead took part in the Florida Flight School tryout league, the format utilized to seek out the very best local talent in Central Florida for the 2011 season.

Meeks, a teammate of Armistead with the Galaxy, is a veteran player who lives locally in the Orlando area. Both players will get a chance to show and prove their worth immediately, as the Flight has a home and home matchup this weekend against the Galaxy.

'Brandon had a solid tryout showing in our Flight School league,' said Flight Head Coach Mark King. 'He and Fred complement our other players well; bringing some much needed veteran leadership to our young team.'

Last week, the Flight also added Forward Cordell Jeanty (6'5''-F-79, college: John A.Logan CC). Jeanty, a 6'5' forward fresh off a strong season with the Quebec Quebs of the Premier Basketball League, made an immediate impact, scoring 37 points in his debut last Saturday against the Jacksonville Bluewaves.

'We've had a very slow start to the season, which is to be expected by a team with 6 rookies,' said King. We've tweaked our roster, and I am confident that we have the pieces necessary to make a strong push for a championship run.

The Flight will host the Galaxy Saturday, May 28th at Avalon Middle School, nestled in the beautiful East Orlando community of Avalon Park. Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm. The following day, the Flight will travel to Gainesville for a 4:00pm game. The Galaxy lead the regular season series thus far, stealing the season opener 100-90 in an overtime thriller on May 7th.

Courtesy of: oursportscentral.com

Sea Dawgs Prepare for Second Home Game - May 28, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs will play their second home game at the Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington and take on the Birmingham Sabers tomorrow, Friday May 27th, 2011. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.
The theme for the game is God and Country Night. All active and retired military personnel with valid ID will be admitted FREE. Also, individuals bringing in a newsletter or a bulletin from their place of worship will be admitted for $1.00. Limit one ticket per publication.

Glee Girls from the Performance Club of Wilmington will be performing at halftime. We are pleased to partner with the ARC of North Carolina as our 'Paws for A Cause' program. Boy Scout Troop 219 will present the colors at the start of the game.

Upcoming Game News and Notes: The away game scheduled for Saturday, May 28th has been moved to Sunday, May 29th against the Cary Invasion starting at 7 pm. An additional away game has been added against the Fayetteville Crossover on Monday, May 30th starting at 1pm.

The Sea Dawgs are excited for their fifth season in Wilmington and their second season as a part of the Continental Basketball League. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs offer an affordable, exciting entertainment option in historic downtown Wilmington. Experience our fun-filled family atmosphere both on the court and in our fan area. The games are fun for all and the team is going for the win with this week's home court advantage. Head Coach Dale Kuhl says, 'We can't wait to get out there to take on the Sabers. It's our first time playing them this season so it will be a great game.'

The Sea Dawgs would like to recognize Great Clips as a platinum sponsor of this year's Sea Dawgs. Look for a special hair cut coupon on the back of your Sea Dawgs ticket. The offer is good at all 12 convenient locations around the area. Check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreatClipsWilmington'ref=ts.
Courtesy of: www.oursportscentral.com

Sea Dawgs pick up first win of season - May 29, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs earned their first win of the season Friday night in front of a loud home crowd at the Schwartz Center, 110-98 over the Birmingham Sabres.

A combination of solid defensive adjustments and balanced scoring was just what the Sea Dawgs needed to break its losing streak and slow down a very fast-paced Birmingham offense.

'This game tonight, compared to last Friday, we've improved 100 percent,' Coach Dave Kuhl said. 'We had a great week of practice, and I know this team is just going to continue to get better.'

After a relatively slow start, with the two squads missing their first 12 shots combined, the first quarter was neck-and-neck with neither team taking a lead greater than five points. There were seven lead changes in the final nine minutes. Sea Dawgs forward Mike Evanovich (6'8''-F, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Fairfield) led the team with 11 points, and hit a bucket with two seconds to play in the first to cut the Birmingham lead to 29-27.

Outside of Evanovich's 11, the Sea Dawgs displayed some extremely balanced scoring, with eight players contributing two or more points. The balanced scoring would continue all evening long, as the Sea Dawgs would finish with five players in double figures and three players with 15 or more points.

'We don't really have that one standout guy on offense,' Kuhl said. 'We have a lot of good basketball players, and when they play together like they did tonight unselfishly we're a good team offensively.'

The second quarter was still tight for the first four and a half minutes until the Sea Dawgs exploded on a 19-8 run to end the half with a 53-43 lead. During the run, the Sea Dawgs defense held the Sabres to just 2-for-14 shooting from the field and forced five turnovers.

'In the first quarter we gave up too many second-chance points and too many three-pointers,' Kuhl said. 'In between the first and second quarter, I challenged my guys. We're still too inconsistent defensively but we were able to pick it up after the first quarter.'

The Sea Dawgs would continue to roll with the momentum of their second quarter run in the second half, leading by no fewer than seven points and extending their lead to as many as 14 points. Forward James Rhodes (6'5''-G/F-79, college: Elizabeth City) became a dominant presence for the Sea Dawgs inside in the second half, scoring 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
By Galen Andress
Sports@StarNewsOnline.com
Courtesy of: http://www.starnewsonline.com

Durbansandshark

03-06-2011, 04:47 AM

The Invasion Stuff the Sabers, Stay Undefeated - May 29, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In the first game of a week-end double header in downtown Cary, Charles Ward bested his 'Player of the Week' performances from last week by scoring 23 points and adding 13 rebounds in a 133 - 115 win over the Birmingham (AL) Sabers (2 - 2). The game was close early with the Invasion (6 - 0) taking a 3-point lead at the half. The Invasion scored 42 points in the 3rd quarter to build a 14-point lead heading into into the fourth. The lead swelled to as many as 20 points late in the game. Seven Invasion players scored in double figures. Larry Williams (6'2''-G-88, college: Auburn), Jr. scored 31 points in the losing effort for the visiting Sabers.

The Invasion play next at home tomorrow, Sunday, May 29th against the Wilmington Sea Dawgs for 'Volunteer Appreciation Night' at the Young Center in Cary. Tip-off is set for 5:00 with the doors opening at 4:30.
Courtesy of: http://www.oursportscentral.com

Invasion Stays Perfect With Win Over Wilmington - Jun 1, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Cary, NC The Cary Invasion closed out a week-end double header on Sunday by beating the Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107-94 at the Herb Young Center in Cary. The Invasion is 7-0 in their inaugural season to lead the Continental Basketball League North Division.
Balanced Attack
The game was largely a defensive struggle with a few key scoring runs made by both teams. The Invasion jumped out to an 18-point lead in the second quarter, only to see it turn into a 7-point deficit by the third. But, the Invasion asserted the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter, building a double digit lead and hanging on for the win.

Point guard Zach Herrmann (6'0''-G-80) led all scorers with 25 points for the Sea Dawgs (1 5). Former Shaw University forward Daniel Jackson (6'7''-F, college: Shaw) scored 16 points and had 14 rebounds in the win for the Invasion. Six players scored in double figures for the Invasion.

Invasion forward Jonathan Moore, guard Brian Waters, and guard Will Roach were not uniform for the game.

Invasion Head Coach MarQus Johnson said after the win, We were missing three starters, but our guys hung in there and adjusted. Were still a work in progress, but I am proud of our team. We need to just keep working hard and staying together.

Final Home Game Friday June 10
The Invasion (7 0) play next at home on Friday, June 10th against the Fayetteville Crossover for their regular season finale at the Herb Young Center in Cary. Tip-off is set for 7:00 with the doors opening at 6:30.
Courtesy of: www.carycitizen.com

Durbansandshark

08-06-2011, 10:08 AM

Gainesville Galaxy sign Johnell Smith - Jun 4, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Gainesville Galaxy is pleased to announce the addition of Johnell Smith (6'1''-G-80, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: New Orleans) to their roster.

Johnell comes from Melrose, Florida and is a 6' 2' guard with prior experience on the New Orleans Privateers and overseas on on the Svendborg Rabbits and, most recently, the Sodertalje Kings in Sweden. Mr. Smith averages 29 points per game and holds the national record for scoring 86 points in one game. We are proud to have him and look forward to his contributions for our team.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Cary beats Fayetteville in shootout - Jun 7, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In a Monday night game in Fayetteville, the Invasion (8-0) came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half to win a shootout 122 - 117. The Crossover (2-4) controlled the game for 3 quarters with high-percentage shooting behind the arc and tough defense. But, the Invasion seemingly willed the win through a surge of offense and a few key defensive stops in the fourth quarter. Jarrick Jones (6'0''-G, college: Fayetteville St.) had 28 points in the losing effort for the Crossover. The final regular season home game for the Invasion is Friday, June 10th at 7pm at the Young Center in downtown Cary.

Notes:
-Fayetteville shot 19 of 38 behind the three-point line.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

09-06-2011, 08:42 AM

A return to the old CBA. This following story is a very interesting one, perhaps tops of all the defunct CBA (and other minor pro sports) teams out there. Starring cocaine, specifically drug trafficking and money laundering. And the legendary Syracuse National and Philadelphia 76ER Hal Greer as coach and GM. And Cazzie Russel. And bad attendance. And arson. I found this story while discovering a new blog devoted to entries of defunct pro sports franchises not of the major leagues.

http://funwhileitlasted.net/2011/06/07/25-philadelphia-kings/

Durbansandshark

16-06-2011, 07:29 AM

Galaxy down Saints - Jun 9, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Opening at home this past Friday night, the Tampa Bay Saints played their very first official game for the CBL as they hosted the Gainesville Galaxy.

The Saints got off to a quick start led by the strong backcourt combo of guards Chris Jean-Louis and Chris Holton.

Although the Saints fought hard in the first half and tried their best to keep up with the bigger Galaxy team, they found themselves down by 10 points at halftime, trailing 67-57.

The lack of experience showed and the Galaxy took full advantage led by the dominant play of an inside game Gerard Jackson (6'5''-F, college: ULM) who had 32 points and grabbed 25 rebounds.

The Galaxy had 6 other players score in double figures, 3 of them scoring in the 20's. Cori Gaither (6'5''-F-84, college: Shaw) 27 points, Jerrell Hopkins 25 points, and Corey Williams 22 points. The Saints, led by high scoring guard Chris Jean-Louis, who had 38 points, and forward Markale Ball who chipped in with 23 points. The final score 150-121!

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Florida Flight lose nail-biter to Gainesville Galaxy - Jun 9, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Gerard Jackson (6'5''-F, college: ULM) drilled a three-point shot from the right baseline with 13 seconds remaining, providing the winning margin of victory in the Gainesville Galaxy's 90-87 win over the Florida Flight.

The Flight led by one point at halftime and stretched their lead to seven going into the fourth quarter, but could not keep the hard-charging Galaxy at bay.

'There were two things that essentially sealed our fate,' said Flight Coach Mark King. 'We've got to prevent ill-timed defensive lapses and we have to box out better, especially on the defensive end. Gainesville was given too many second-chance points.'

Jackson paced all scorers with 26, while teammates Corey Gaither (16), Rodney Walker (6'7''-F) (13), Corey Williams (12) and Jurell Hopkins (10) also posted double-figure efforts for the Galaxy. Garvin Gordon (6'7''-F-78) scored 24 on 10-of-12 shooting to lead the Flight, while guard Freed Meeks scored 19.

'We've got six rookies on this team, so we have a different make-up than we had last season,' said Coach King. 'Our young players are hungry. We're going to keep working, finish this season out strong, and continue to build the foundational platform for a strong minor league basketball system here in the Avalon Park Community of East Orlando!'

The Galaxy's win squares the season series at two wins apiece, making the final weekend of the regular season an important one. After traveling up to Birmingham to play the Sabers on June 10th, the Flight finish the regular season with a double-header weekend at home against Gainesville on Saturday, June 18th and Heartland on Sunday, June 19th. Both games will likely have playoff implications.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Cary Beats Fayetteville, Locks Playoff Spot - Jun 11, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Cary Invasion beat the Fayetteville Crossover by a score of 112 - 99 at a crowded Young Center on Friday night. The Invasion (9 - 0) started slowly, falling behind by as many as 13 points in the first quarter but then came back to tie the game at the half. The Invasion took control of the game late in the third quarter, building a lead of 9 points heading into the fourth and never trailing through the remainder of the game.

Former NCCU standout Jonathan Moore (6'8''-F/G-82, college: N.C.Central) led all scorers with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Former Clemson guard Chris Poole (5'9''-G) scored 16 points and had 12 assists for the Invasion. Six players scored in double figures for Cary. Cary plays next at Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 14th at 8 pm.

This was the last regular season home game for the Invasion. The win secures Cary a playoff spot in the CBL North. One win in the final three games, all played on the road, assures a home divisional playoff game for Cary. Two wins in the final three games assures home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

24-06-2011, 04:20 AM

Jason Smith named CBL Player of the Week - Jun 17, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Birmingham Sabers guard, Jason Smith is the CBL player of the Week for June 6 - June 12, 2011. Smith is a native of Hoover, AL where he attended Hoover High School. He is a 6'0' guard that attended the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH). He was the leading scorer Sabers games on 6/5/11 and 6/10/11 where is scored 31 and 28 respectively.

On Friday, June 10th, Jason again led the Sabers to a win against the Florida Flight with 28 points and 13 assists. Jason is a leader on and off the court where he currently works alongside his brother Joe Smith, who plays in Israel, at various professional basketball players camps across the country. He also assists his brother with the Joe Smith Camp each year in Birmingham, AL. Jason Smith has also played basketball overseas in several countries where he led his teams in assists and points.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Cary unbeaten streak continues - Jun 18, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

In front of an energized crowd at the J.D. Fuller Center in Fayetteville on Friday night, the Cary Invasion (11 - 0) escaped with a win over the Fayetteville Crossover by a score of 123 - 115. The game was tight most of the way, with Fayetteville making a run and taking a lead in the fourth quarter. But, consistent with the season's scrit, the Invasion played offense and defense down the stretch to seal the victory.

'It was a great road win in a very tough environment. We have played close games with them all year. They are a good team, and their hospitality is second to none,' ' says Invasion Head Coach, Marqus Johnson . 'We'll have to play even better to meet the challenges ahead, including our game against Wilmington on Sunday and our first round play off game next Friday in Cary.'

Former Mountain State guard Paul Wright and former St. Augustine's College star Charles Ward (6'7''-F/G-80, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: St.Augustine) each had 22 points in the win for the Invasion. Crossover guard Jarrick Jones led all scorers with 25 points. Cary plays next again at Wilmington on Sunday, June 19th at 7 pm for the team's regular season finale.

Courtesy of http://caryinvasion.com

Wilmington Sea Dawgs prepare for final home game - Jun 19, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs will play their final home game of the season this Sunday, June 19th against the Cary Invasion at the Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

The theme for the game is Dad's Night. All dads accompanied by a child (any age) are admitted FREE.

A Leap Above Production Studio will be performing at halftime.

Experience our fun-filled family atmosphere both on the court and in our fan area. The games are fun for all and the team is going for the win with this week's home court advantage. Head Coach Dale Kuhl says, 'We've had a good run this season and we are going to make our final home game a win.'

The Sea Dawgs would like to recognize Great Clips as a platinum sponsor of this year's Sea Dawgs. Look for a special hair cut coupon on the back of your Sea Dawgs ticket. The offer is good at all 12 convenient locations around the area. Check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreatClipsWilmington?ref=ts.

For more information or to purchase tickets online visit the Sea Dawgs online at www.goseadawgs.com. To receive halftime and end of game updates 'Like' us on our Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter.

Courtesy of The Wilmington Sea Dawgs

CBL championship game Friday night in Cary - Jun 22, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Several late season factors resulted in a decision by CBL officials to return to the single playoff/championship game format that was used in the 2010 season to crown the Savannah Wildcats as champions. This year, that game will be played at 7 pm on Friday, June 24th at the Young Center in downtown Cary, North Carolina between the Cary Invasion, the league's North Division champion with a league-leading 11-1 record, and the CBL South Division representative, the Florida Flight.

'We have learned through a half-dozen seasons in minor league basketball that playoff venue scheduling can be challenging and that teams are under the most financial pressure at the end of the season. For those reasons, we have been proponents of single game playoffs or regular season records determining league champions. Both approaches put more emphasis on regular season games, which we believe are good for the business. We respect the league's decision and look forward to an exciting championship game in Cary later this week,' says Mark Janas, Owner and General Manager of the Cary Invasion.

All tickets sold to date in Cary for what was once a divisional playoff game will be honored for the championship game on the same day and time.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

01-07-2011, 07:41 AM

Cary, an expansion team this year, goes all the way to win the 2011 CBL title. Congrats!

Cary runs away with CBL title - Jun 25, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

At a packed and lively Young Center on Friday night, the Cary Invasion (12-1) beat the CBL South Division representative the Florida Flight (Orlando) by a score of 131-101 to win the Continental Basketball League Championship. The Invasion jumped out to an early lead of over 20 points in the first half and led by 15 points at halftime. The Flight cut the lead to 11 points in the 3rd quarter, but the Invasion never trailed in the game, and the game was never really in doubt. Points came from all 10 Invasion players, and 7 Cary players scored in double figures. Cary out-rebounded Florida 50 to 29.

Invasion guard Freddy Little (6'1''-G-86, college: Montevallo) led all scorers with 26 points in the win. Charles Ward (6'7''-F/G-80, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: St.Augustine) added 22 points for Cary, and former NCCU star Jonathan Moore (6'8''-F/G-82, college: N.C.Central) had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Invasion. Cordell Jeanty (6'5''-F-79, college: John A.Logan CC) had 25 points in the losing effort for the Flight. Freddy Little was named Player of the Game and league MVP. Invasion Coach MarQus Johnson was named CBL Coach of the Year.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Ernest Jones of the Florida Flight named CBL Player of the Week - Jun 29, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Ernest Jones (5'11''-G-81, college: Florida St.), starting point guard for the Florida Flight, has been named CBL player of the week of June 13 - June 19, 2011.

Jones helped his team win two crucial victories against the Gainesville Galaxy and the Heartland Prowl during the final regular season weekend in the CBL. He scored 25 points, dished out 8 assists, and snagged 4 steals on 6/18/11 to knock the Gainesville Galaxy out of playoff contention. The two wins solidified the team's place in the Southern Division of the CBL, giving the Flight their first playoff berth in the team's first year in the CBL.

Jones is a 6'0' guard that attended Florida State University. He is an 8-year veteran of the United States minor league basketball system, playing in the USBL (Brevard Blue Ducks), the ABA (Orlando Aces), the PBL (Buffalo Stampede), the WBA (Florida Flight) and now the CBL (Florida Flight). Jones is averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 steals this season.

'I'm honored to be selected as the CBL Player of the Week,' said Jones. 'I want to thank the CBL for taking notice in my abilities on the court.'

Jones hopes to obtain an opportunity to take his talents overseas after the completion of the 2011 CBL season.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

Durbansandshark

19-07-2011, 11:02 AM

It has come to my attention that the CBA has been resurrected days ago. Demperio Sports and Entertainment LLC under the leadership of Chris Warren secured the rights actually in June 2010 with a new logo and maintaining the name, proclaiming it as a "new era" with plans to use the intellectual property to resume play in 2009. A new website powered by Infinity Sports will hit in August. I'll alert you about it when it hits soon.

New era of the Continental Basketball Association begins this fall ! - Jul 16, 2011 (by Eurobasket )

Introducing the launch of the New Era of the Continental Basketball Association!
Chris Warren, now owner of the New Era of the Continental Basketball Association, CBA, will roll out a new logo that will honor the leagues history while reflecting a new vision and league model. The CBA is the oldest league in the world with a proud and historic tradition, and Chris is excited to take this revitalized brand into the future. Please welcome the New Era of the CBA!

The league will conform to basketball rules similar to those of the NBA. The New Era of the CBA will be headquartered in Indianapolis IN with Chris Warren as the Commissioner. Warren has been an agent for the past 14 years working with high level collegiate and professional programs throughout the country and the world. Chris will be bringing his extensive knowledge and passion for the game in his role as Commissioner as a basketball person making basketball decisions. Launching the New Era of the CBA, Warren believes that with a stronger business model it can be as popular and vibrant as the CBA glory days.

League play will begin with a pre-season this October, 2011, with the regular season set to kick off the week of Thanksgiving. The season will last 5 months including pre-season with the Championship to be announced late March. There will be 10-12 teams for the inaugural season; currently we have 3 teams in place and we are looking to add 6-9 more. Due to the economic struggles and uncertainties in Europe and the United States, many high caliber quality players are seeking a league that can provide them a stable environment and a high level of competition.

Team ownership inquiries should be made via email to cbahoopsonline@yahoo.com . There will be a website with more information coming soon.

(How is this revived league going to manage to have the teams, names, locations, venues, and recruit players fast enough to start the league in time with scheduling conflicts in venues playing a strong role? The new National Basketball League of Canada experienced such difficulties right now, but it's now pulling through...and it's higher-tiered in professionalism and quality.)

Durbansandshark

18-08-2011, 06:01 AM

Back to the old CBA again from the brilliant new defunct minor pro league blog Fun While It Lasted. We went through the dark tone of the Philadelphia Kings that was surrounded by drugs, criminality, and arson while chugging away in an old amory despite Philadelphia being a basketball hotbed with an educated basketball populace and aging stars. Consequently, it got lost in the midst of the 76ERS and even other lower-tiered pro sports like the Fever and Fury. Philadelphia was like that back then in pro sports. Its contemporary at the time, the Anchorage Northern Knights, was never as bad but there was never a rich history with the roundball there as it is in Philly. Not to mention the mere fact all those travel costs and being the westernmost franchise in a league with teams almost concentrated on the east coast. And playing home games at a high school. Chief owner Rick Smith was actually the public face of the team.

The Northern Knights' living legacy can be best summed up in two words--Brad Davis, one of the original and long-serving Dallas Mavericks (and so far the Mav to have his number retired). Ron Davis (no relation) was league MVP, and Tico Brown, despite never played a minute in the NBA, became a CBA legend. Supersonics legend Slick Watts was also a notable player there, but quickly got bored with the whole atmosphere and thus didn't cared for Anchorage, despite perhaps can help a NBA team at age 29, in what would have been his peak. The goofiness in Anchorage had to be seen to be believed to start things off. A hit attendance-wise, even in the league, but the financial burden was bleeding the Northern Knights. The novelty wore off when the CBA added western teams like the Alberta Dusters and the Montana Golden Nuggets (George Karl's first coaching gig) and ownership changed hands constantly, resulting in its ultimate demise.
http://funwhileitlasted.net/2011/08/17/36-anchorage-northern-knights/