truebluefan

Arkansas Aeros coach Bob Hoffman didn't mice words when he started his opening comments.

"Oh, wow!" said Hoffman. "Is that a statement?"

Hoffman was almost giddy after watching his team manhandle the Waco Wranglers 146-114 Saturday night in All-Star Sports Arena in front of about 100 die-hard basketball fans.

"I thought the third quarter when we subbed was big," Hoffman said. "That group brought a lot of energy. I thought they found ways to take the game, put enthusiasm into the game.

"I probably held on to guys a little too long and didn't sub guys as quick as I should have. I'm still trying to figure that out."

complete article

truebluefan

This early in the Arkansas Aeros’ season one thing is already clear.

Todd Day and Curtis Haywood can score. A lot.

Day and Haywood provided a nice 1-2 punch for the Aeros as they cruised to a 146-114 victory Saturday against the Waco Wranglers at the All-Star Sports Arena.

Haywood scored 40 and Day 34 as the Aeros (2-0 ) won the second of what will be four consecutive home games to open the season. The Aeros return to the court at 7 p. m. Thursday against the St. Louis Stunners.

complete article

truebluefan

Irvine, CA. Today it was announced that the ABA Orange County Gladiators basketball team that will begin play in November 2007 have established a group site at MySpace for all of their fans to congregate and discuss the team. The team will be announcing a number of significant events and MySpace gives the Gladiators an additional forum to keep the fans informed with an ability to discuss the happenings of the team amongst themselves.

"The Gladiators will be closely affiliated with the Orange County market and our new MySpace group site is just one of the many steps we will establish in getting closer to the community," stated David R. Clarke, President and owner of the team. "Additionally, our MySpace site gives the fans a constant ability to inform us on what they would like their experience with the team to be like. I will be visiting the site regularly myself to listen to and speak with the fans."

Over the next few months, the Gladiators will be announcing a home venue and several initial personnel additions. Please keep informed by writing to us or visiting any of the locations below.

Web: www.ocgladiators.com

http://groups.myspace.com/ocgladiators

E-dclarke@ocgladiators.com

Call 949 212 5322 or visit www.abalive.com.

truebluefan

Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the league would add a third Georgia team when the Rome Knights ride into the league in 2007. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "We have been working with Elena, Alexis and Pat for quite sometime. They are very successful businesswomen with a great love of basketball. They remind me of Stephanie Roach, the owner of the South Georgia 36'ers and Akilah Townsend of the Atlanta Vision. Very knowledgeable, very committed, very talented. And Rome Georgia will fit in beautifully next season with Atlanta and South Georgia. We're excited."

The team will be co-owned by Alexis Presinos, Elena Brown and Pat Martin. Alexis is a 15 year business owner with successful restaurants in Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky. She will open her 5th location in Georgia next year. Elena Brown has been a musician for 17 years, has been in sales and management, has owned Knots of Gold for three years and has established herself as a fundraiser and certified manager of Not-for-Profit organizations. Pat Martin in a businesswoman.

Elena Brown, who will serve as team Director of Operations, added, "Our goals are to provide affordable quality sports and entertainment while getting involved in our community. At least half of our team will consist of local players that we will team up with different local charities as well as kids programs in and around Rome. We have a very creative and unique game plan and marketing plan and really appreciate the opportunity that the ABA is providing to us."

"Medival Times is well known in Rome. And we chose our name Rome Knights to bring the tradition and honor to the court as the newest member of the ABA," added Ms. Presinos. "Come witness the Knights as we take to the courts in 2007 as we honor the nobility that is Rome with great skills of swordsmen and yes, maidens to capture your eyes."

For more information, contact Elena Borwn at 706 235 6294, fax 706 235 6295 or email romeknights@bellsouth.net or visit www.romeknights.com or www.abalive.com.

truebluefan

Baltimore, MD (November 5, 2006) - The Baltimore Pearls ABA Men's Professional Basketball team opened their 2nd season in the ABA with an impressive come from behind win vs. the Strong Island Sound last night - 117 to 115. The Sound was a Final Four playoff participant in the ABA playoffs last season. The Pearls, down by 15 points in the 3rd quarter, took the lead with 1 minute left in the contest. The Pearls and their ABA opponent, defending ABA champions - the Rochester Razorsharks will play at the Pearl Arena on the campus of Coppin State University in Baltimore on Sunday, November 5th, 2006. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.

Game site information (including street address) is available on our newly updated team website, www.pearlsbasketball.com. Individual tickets will be available for sell at the ticket box office. The ticket prices are as follows:

Seniors (60 & up) & Children (12 & under) $6.00

College Students (must have valid college id) $7.50

Adults (13 & up) $10.00

Children 4 and under always free!

For more information about the Baltimore Pearls, feel free to contact Matt Bradby at (410) 558-4550 or Tony Campbell at (410) 963-5055.

truebluefan

The Knoxville Noise have added another exciting player to the roster for the 2006-2007 season. The Noise and Anthony Slater, former Florida Atlantic Owl, have reached an agreement for Anthony to play for the Noise in the upcoming 2006-2007 ABA season. Anthony, a 5-9 point guard, is known for his quick hands and his ability to get the ball to an open teammate for a score. Anthony will provide the Noise with solid leadership in the backcourt this year.

As a senior at Florida Atlantic in 2002, Anthony averaged 3.8 assists per game and 3.4 steals a game after a mid-season arm surgery while helping lead the Owls to the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

Anthony, a native of Fort Pierce, Florida, began his collegiate playing career at New Mexico Junior College before transferring to Florida Atlantic. Afterwards, Slater played a year overseas in Kosovo before returning to the US for a stint with the Georgia Storm of the Southeastern Basketball League. In 2004, Slater played for the Brevard Blue Ducks of the USBL. The following summer he played in the Dallas Mavericks summer camp. During the 2005-2006 season, Slater had the opportunity to team up with former NBA great Tim Hardaway with the Florida Pitbulls of the ABA. That year Anthony led the ABA in assists, averaging in double figures for the year. In 2006 he played in the WBA for the Cartersville Warriors. His team played for the WBA Championship that year, falling to Rome in the title game. Anthony certainly brings experience to the Noise this year from his playing days with other teams and leagues, an asset that will be extremely valuable down the road.

Noise Head Coach, Gerald Oliver, says about Anthony: "Anthony is what was needed for this team. A proven leader who can run the offense the way it should be. He will give this team stability." Anthony brings confidence into this season: "I am excited to play for Coach Oliver. We will play an up tempo game and all my teammates have to do is run the floor and I will make sure they get the ball."

Anthony and the Noise take the court for the first time on November the 9th against the Tennessee Mudfrogs in Chattanooga, and their first home game is Saturday November 11th. For more information visit the Noise website atwww.knoxvillenoise.com.

truebluefan

Quebec City-With less than a week before they open their inaugural season, the Vermont Frost Heaves ventured north of the border over the weekend and defeated the Quebec City Kebekwa in two preseason games.

On Friday the Frost Heaves built an early lead and held off a furious Kebekwa rally to win 91-90. One night later, after trailing by nine points at halftime, Vermont sank eight of 12 second-half three-pointers to take an 85-73 victory from their hosts, who will also make their American Basketball Association debut this season.

Vermont returns to Quebec on Friday, Nov. 10 for the season opener for both teams. Tipoff at CEGEP-Ste. Foy Gymnasium is set for 8:05 p.m. The Frost Heaves play at Montreal two nights later, before returning to the Green Mountain State for their home openers on Nov. 16 in Barre, also against Quebec City; and Nov. 18 in Burlington, against Buffalo.

For season or single-game tickets, go to www.vermontfrostheaves.com or contact the Flynn Regional Box Office at 86-FLYNN or flynntix.org.

truebluefan

Keith Friel scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half as Rochester opened defense of their ABA crown defeating the Baltimore Pearls 103-73 Sunday night. James Reaves of Edison Tech had 17 points and Eric Coley scored 7 of his 11 points in a stretch in the third quarter. The RazorSharks play Saturday at the Strong Island Sound.

truebluefan

Maywood, CA. The ABA Maywood Buzz and GM Burrel Lee II would like to introduce their 2006-2007 roster to the public. "With this roster, we do believe we can compete with the strong powerhouse teams in the ABA," stated Lee. The Buzz will open the season on Friday, November 10th as they travel to take on the new San Diego Wildcats. "Look for us to be in the ABA Championship mix come late March," Lee added.

Brett Melton, 6-4 guard, University of Illinois
Chad Thornton, 6-6 guard, Fresno City
Terrell Hendricks, 6-1 guard, LaSierra U
Darren Little, 6-9 forward, Cal State Fullerton
Tony Farmer, 6-10 forward, Nebraska
Will Burr, 6-3 guard, Clark Atlanta U
Eric Dunn, 6-9 center, Oregon
Jonathan Davis, 6-7 forward, Santa Ana College
Tarron Williams, 6-7 forward San Bernadino
Ramal Lloyd, 6-4 forward, Long Beach State
Cedric Ceballos, 6-7 forward, Cal State Fullerton
Jared Lloyd, 6-4 guard, Hope International
Jamar Cramer, 6-3 guard, Southwest College
Everett Ratleff, 6-3 guard, College of Idaho
Marcell Jackson, 6-10 center, Long Beach State
Head Coach: Burrel Lee III.

For more information, visit www.maywoodbuzz.com or email buzzbasketball@gmail.com or visit www.abalive.com.

truebluefan

The Rochester Razorsharks opened their American Basketball Association season with a 103-73 victory over the Baltimore Pearls at Coppin State University in Baltimore on Sunday night.

Keith Friel had 19 points, 13 in the second half, for Rochester.

James Reaves (Edison) 17 points and nine rebounds and Demond Stewart (Greece Olympia) had 13 rebounds and three steals.

"We established ourselves inside first," Razorsharks coach Rod Baker said, "that allowed us to open up the outside game. We wanted to make sure we limited them one shot each time."

The game started 45 minutes late because the officials were late in arriving.

truebluefan

John Salley, the wisecracking former NBA center, the TV host, the guy who wore goofy oversize glasses in "Bad Boys," wanted to talk business.

Basketball business. He's the new commissioner of the new American Basketball Assn. Seriously. No punch line.

complete article

truebluefan

How are Team Frost Heaves and Team Wolff (including Frank, 5, and Clara, 3) going to co-exist on the Team Bus? The assistant G.M. and I began to riddle out an answer to that question last Thursday, when we left South Burlington for a two-game preseason trip to Quebec City.

Our driver, Mike, welcomed us on board. Felicitously enough, a Robert Frost allusion graced a sign hanging over his seat: I CHOSE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED, AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE HELL I AM.

We weren't even at the Canadian border when a copy of Glory Road made it into the DVD player.

All props to Coach Voigt, who had asked me in advance whether the kids would be in tow, so as to make sure the players' video fare wasn't inappropriate. Glory Road seemed well within the pale. I mean, how scary could a David (Big Daddy D) Lattin dunk be? And it's a Disney production to boot.

Instead I found myself desperately trying to keep Frank from watching while Nevil Shed gets roughed up in the men's room.

"Hey, Frankie, look-that sign is in FRENCH!" only bought me a few seconds.

But it wasn't all vigilant parenting on the ride up. Great moment when Josh Haskins, I mean Don Lucas, I mean-you know who I mean-reaches an understanding with Bobby Joe Hill. There wasn't a player or coach on our bus who didn't understand the Bear's comment: "O.K., you play your game. And you play my game."

That's freedom and unity, the Vermont state motto, which I've been laying on the guys for weeks now as every bit as applicable to hoops. And it echoes Coach V's philosophy of granting players lots of autonomy within a motion offense with strict principles.

And it seems to work against a real live ABA opponent, the Kebekwa, We came away with two wins-a good feeling, even if both engagements will mean very little when we play "les Kebs" two more times for real, in both our season and home openers, over the next 11 days.

The two W's mirrored each other. On Friday night we held a reasonably comfortable six-to-12-point lead for most of the game, only to watch our hosts press to take advantage of the ABA's 3-D Rule, which grants an extra point to a team that forces a turnover in the backcourt. By the time the buzzer sounded, we had barely held on, 91-90.

The next night we stumbled through the first half and wound up down nine at the intermission.

What accounted for the players' desultory first half? Perhaps it was their having seen one of their teammates suffer a seizure in the hotel elevator that morning.

From the moment those elevator doors opened, the guys had watched the drama unfold from where they stood in the lobby. We were distraught and baffled as the paramedics came to stretcher him off. Hours passed. Only updates from Coach Voigt at the hospital kept us apprised of his status.

None of us had any clue about the medical history of this Frost Heave, who shall remain nameless until we've had a chance to discuss with him how public he'd like to be about his condition. It turns out he's an epileptic. We didn't know because he didn't tell us-but then we never asked pointed, insistent questions of him either.

By sifting through his gym bag and doing an Internet search about the prescription drugs we found there, we finally riddled out what had happened. It had been three years since his last episode, and his meds apparently needed adjustment.

Of all the mileposts along the pro sports ownership learning curve, for me it's been this-the in loco parentis factor-that's caught me most by surprise. But in the process of realizing the full implications of taking these guys in, there's been a creeping emotional attachment that has been quite wonderful.

I settled him back in his room around 9 p.m., then made it to the gym at CEGEP-Ste. Foy in time to spread the good word along the bench. Maybe it was relief that led the Heaves to sink eight of 12 three-point attempts in the second half to win 85-73.

Yesterday morning, detained for 10 minutes to settle our hotel bill, I was the last guy to board the bus. By then five-year old Frank, tutored in basic pro b-ball bus badinage, was ready to floor his father.

"What up, dog?" he asked me.

The bus broke up.

When we finally got home to our cat, Alice, and chocolate lab, Peter, Frank tried out his new lingo once more.

"I told it to Petey, too. Because he's a dog."

The Frost Heaves' home openers are Nov. 16 in Barre and Nov. 18 in Burlington. For tickets go to vermontfrostheaves.com, or contact the Flynn Regional Box Office at 802-86-FLYNN or flynntix.org.

truebluefan

Basketball is a game of momentum, where the ebb and flow from possession to possession dictates the course of a game.

For the Baltimore Pearls, Charm City’s second-year ABA franchise, it seemed as if they would be left high and dry in their home opener, trailing the Strong Island Sound 69-52 at halftime Saturday night. That is, until the Pearls unleashed a tidal wave of their own.

Tightening up their interior defense, the Pearls battled back, chipping the lead away, until they came through in the clutch, claming a 117-115 season opening victory.

complete article