formerlyknownasfells
03-30-2008, 02:03 AM
As I don't have the ability to put releases on the site, here is the release from the Millrats on Saturday's semifinal game against San Diego.
March 30, 2008 Quebec City, Canada: The Manchester Millrats faced the toughest team from the West, the #3 seed San Diego Wildcats, in the final four of the ABA Playoffs, and pushed them to the limit before falling 115-106 in overtime.
Many considered the Millrats overmatched because of the firepower San Diego showed in demolishing the Atlanta Vision 145-99 the previous night. Manchester needed overtime to squeak by a familiar foe, the Montreal Royal 146-140.
Manchester fell behind by 7 or more points a half a dozen times during the contest, the largest deficit being 38-24 in the second quarter. Each time Manchester fought back and found a way to get back in the game. Using pressure defense, Manchester got within 42-41 at the half.
The third quarter was a high scoring affair, and still the Millrats matched San Diego point for point, basket for basket. The Millrats entered the fourth quarter trailing just 77-76.
Again San Diego claimed significant fourth quarter leads, but Charles Mason and Rashid Al-Kaleem drilled numerous huge three pointers to keep the Millrats within striking distance. None was bigger that Al-Kaleem's trifecta from the corner while falling out of bounds with 4.7 seconds left to tie the score at 104-104.
San Diego attempted a long shot for the win, which was short, but Jermone Habel grabbed the errant miss and laid it in. From all appearances it was well after the final buzzer had expired. One official called 'no basket', and the other two indicated the basket was good. Tom Chichester, the lead official, called the game over and ran off the court with his crew. The Millrats gave chase, certain that the shot was after the final horn. San Diego's team also ran to the locker room, changed into street clothes and boarded their bus. After ABA CEO Joe Newman and the Quebec City management interceded, the officials did the correct thing by reviewing the video to make the correct call. At first, San Diego refused to return to the arena, but eventually did return and a three minute overtime ensued.
Manchester grabbed a two point lead in the beginning of overtime, but the high scoring Wildcats made a flurry of baskets that gave them a 111-107 lead. Al Stewart made two free throws to bring the Millrats within 111-109, but Manchester was forced to foul to stop the clock, and the Wildcats made four free throws down the stretch to extend for a hard fought win.
Cheering each San Diego made free throw at the end was a large contingent of Vermont Frost Heaves fans, for whom their fear of the playing the Millrats must have exceeded any loyalty for their Northeast rivals.
Charles Mason and PJ Young each scored 21 points for Manchester, Anthony Anderson 19, and Al Stewart 16. Cardell Butler, known as "Ballaholic" from the And1 Streetball tour scored 38 for San Diego, and Jerome Habel added 21. Manchester gave up 30 offensive rebounds to the the Wildcats, and lost despite holding the ABA's most potent team to 37% shooting from the field.
In the earlier quarterfinal, the Vermont Frost Heaves held on to defeat the Texas Tycoons, 106-100. So the defending ABA Champion Vermont Frost Heaves will get a chance to repeat on Sunday at 4:00 pm versus the San Diego Wildcats.
March 30, 2008 Quebec City, Canada: The Manchester Millrats faced the toughest team from the West, the #3 seed San Diego Wildcats, in the final four of the ABA Playoffs, and pushed them to the limit before falling 115-106 in overtime.
Many considered the Millrats overmatched because of the firepower San Diego showed in demolishing the Atlanta Vision 145-99 the previous night. Manchester needed overtime to squeak by a familiar foe, the Montreal Royal 146-140.
Manchester fell behind by 7 or more points a half a dozen times during the contest, the largest deficit being 38-24 in the second quarter. Each time Manchester fought back and found a way to get back in the game. Using pressure defense, Manchester got within 42-41 at the half.
The third quarter was a high scoring affair, and still the Millrats matched San Diego point for point, basket for basket. The Millrats entered the fourth quarter trailing just 77-76.
Again San Diego claimed significant fourth quarter leads, but Charles Mason and Rashid Al-Kaleem drilled numerous huge three pointers to keep the Millrats within striking distance. None was bigger that Al-Kaleem's trifecta from the corner while falling out of bounds with 4.7 seconds left to tie the score at 104-104.
San Diego attempted a long shot for the win, which was short, but Jermone Habel grabbed the errant miss and laid it in. From all appearances it was well after the final buzzer had expired. One official called 'no basket', and the other two indicated the basket was good. Tom Chichester, the lead official, called the game over and ran off the court with his crew. The Millrats gave chase, certain that the shot was after the final horn. San Diego's team also ran to the locker room, changed into street clothes and boarded their bus. After ABA CEO Joe Newman and the Quebec City management interceded, the officials did the correct thing by reviewing the video to make the correct call. At first, San Diego refused to return to the arena, but eventually did return and a three minute overtime ensued.
Manchester grabbed a two point lead in the beginning of overtime, but the high scoring Wildcats made a flurry of baskets that gave them a 111-107 lead. Al Stewart made two free throws to bring the Millrats within 111-109, but Manchester was forced to foul to stop the clock, and the Wildcats made four free throws down the stretch to extend for a hard fought win.
Cheering each San Diego made free throw at the end was a large contingent of Vermont Frost Heaves fans, for whom their fear of the playing the Millrats must have exceeded any loyalty for their Northeast rivals.
Charles Mason and PJ Young each scored 21 points for Manchester, Anthony Anderson 19, and Al Stewart 16. Cardell Butler, known as "Ballaholic" from the And1 Streetball tour scored 38 for San Diego, and Jerome Habel added 21. Manchester gave up 30 offensive rebounds to the the Wildcats, and lost despite holding the ABA's most potent team to 37% shooting from the field.
In the earlier quarterfinal, the Vermont Frost Heaves held on to defeat the Texas Tycoons, 106-100. So the defending ABA Champion Vermont Frost Heaves will get a chance to repeat on Sunday at 4:00 pm versus the San Diego Wildcats.