There is Life in Columbus

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

but more importantly...

we have a Gwizz sighting!

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/story/1005463.html

American Basketball Association: Columbus Life blows out Georgia Gwizzlies in ABA victory

Quan Holloway leads with 25 points
FROM STAFF REPORTS
The Columbus Life defeated the Georgia Gwizzlies 154-93 Saturday to improve its record to 2-2.
Quay Holloway led the Life with 25 points. Other standouts for Columbus were Warren Beaulah (21 points, five rebounds), Jarvis Wilson (17 points, 10 rebounds), Ryan Chester (16 points, nine rebounds), Dominique Hicks (15 points, six rebounds) and Prince Salmon (14 points, six rebounds).


Damn, I miss Embry Malone...

[CHris902]

How on earth are the Gwizz still in existence?

[Paul S]

Yea, those press releases by the Gwizz were just non-stop comedy.

[turbocamyes]

The Gwiz are playing in the Mountain State Basketball League with the VW Wild:

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?s=basketball&u=WESTVIRGINIAWILD&t=c

[turbocamyes]

From USBasket.com:

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=183975

Response to Columbus ledger article bout Gwizzlies blow out

- Feb 9, 2010 (by Eurobasket )
Please go to www.msblhoops.com and see the Georgia Gwizzlies roster and none of those players that played last Saturday are on that roster.That was guys trying to make our team. It is our exhibition team of players trying to make our team. Patel,Festog,Smithson,Wohlleb,McDowell,Steenberge, Allen all contracted signed players did not attend that game. We step up to help out Columbus team after another team cancel on them the morning of that game. If they come to Atlanta April 10 week that see the Real Gwizzlies,not a bunch guys throwing together in few hours in the spirit of sportsmanship.
by: Embry Malone GM

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

From USBasket.com:

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=183975

Response to Columbus ledger article bout Gwizzlies blow out

- Feb 9, 2010 (by Eurobasket )
Please go to www.msblhoops.com and see the Georgia Gwizzlies roster and none of those players that played last Saturday are on that roster.That was guys trying to make our team. It is our exhibition team of players trying to make our team. Patel,Festog,Smithson,Wohlleb,McDowell,Steenberge, Allen all contracted signed players did not attend that game. We step up to help out Columbus team after another team cancel on them the morning of that game. If they come to Atlanta April 10 week that see the Real Gwizzlies,not a bunch guys throwing together in few hours in the spirit of sportsmanship.
by: Embry Malone GM

Now THAT is our boy Embry -in all his grammatically-challenged glory...

Nobody beats the Gwizz!

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Gwizz-mess aside, these seem like good people in Columbus. Why, oh why would they get twisted up in the morass of Joe's folly??

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/other_sports/story/1019005.html

Semi-pro basketball team on a mission for youth
Players want to win and be role models
By CHRIS CRAFT - sports@ledger-enquirer.com

The Columbus Life Tigers, the city’s American Basketball Association franchise, are on a grassroots mission to introduce their high-energy brand of basketball to the community. Their story shows growth from a franchise with meager beginnings to an entity showing signs of being a source of positive influence to the youth.

Their basic duty is to provide semi-professional basketball entertainment to the city, but the Tigers realize their greater social goals for its players and fans serve a deeper purpose.

“At this point, I’m not thinking about myself; I’m thinking about my community and the players,” said Columbus Life CEO, Quinton Miles. “The players are big brothers and role models for the kids.”

Alton Hicks, the head coach and lead disciplinarian, is the heart and soul of the team. He also has two sons, D.J. and Dominique Hicks, who play on the team. As a veteran of the military, Hicks knows the roles of order and discipline in team success. Before he and his staff took over the coaching and mentoring duties, the team lacked direction and identity.

“Now the players know we stand for discipline. If you don’t wear a suit or tie before the game, you don’t get on the bus,” Hicks said.

Hicks and his staff, comprising Curtis Marshall and Mike Davis, joined forces with Miles on Dec. 20.

Their combined efforts have produced positive results. Before the merger, the Tigers were winless, and all of their games were played on the road. Since the new staff’s arrival, the Tigers have gone 4-1, with the lone defeat at the hands of the Kentucky Bluegrass Stallions on Jan. 30.

Marshall’s role with the team goes well beyond his coaching duties. Marshall, who is the owner of Curtis Marshall Concrete Paving Company, is the team’s main sponsor. He provided the team with uniforms and new shoes — items they were without in their first few games.

“Curtis Marshall … if it wasn’t for him,” Hicks said, “we wouldn’t have anything.”

The Tigers are building the support system one partnership at a time. A franchise that didn’t have an official home court at its inception now has the support of Carver High School for their home games. The ABA closely monitors their teams in terms of the number of road games they offer to visiting teams. Because the hosting team must provide the food and lodging of their opponent, a team with financial limitations might play an unbalanced schedule. The Tigers no longer have this problem.

Tony Adams, head of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, coached many of the team’s players during their AAU days. The Tigers have coordinated efforts with the city and Adams for the use of the Comer Recreation Center as the team’s after-hours practice facility.

Adams has noticed the team’s swift maturation first hand.

“I think it went really well,” Adams said about his first Life game. “There was a section of fans behind me that had the family atmosphere that you like to see.

“The crowd was excited. They were beating the team pretty good.”

The roster includes local products. Ryan Chester, Warren Beaulah Jr., DJ Hicks and Mike Davis Jr. are some of the team’s local players of note. The community recognizes them from their high school hoops days. This familiarity is integral for the franchise’s success and growth. The home attendance has steadily increased since December, with it recently reaching more than 300 fans.

As the Tigers prepare for tonight’s highly-anticipated home game at 7:30 against the ABA’s top scoring team, the Texas Mavericks, their non-exhibition record stands at 4-4. A victory will put them above .500 and will give them a boost of confidence heading into the playoffs next month.

The ABA closely monitors their teams in terms of the number of road games they offer to visiting teams. Because the hosting team must provide the food and lodging of their opponent, a team with financial limitations might play an unbalanced schedule. - please, as if Joe pays even the slightest bit of attention to something like this...

The only thing 'closely monitored' by the ABA is a bank statement.

[Juniper]

Looks like some good things are happening for Columbus. I would like to bring up one thing. I am really big on discipline. I understand NBA players getting dressed in suits and ties. I think they make pretty good money. Is the team in Columbus paying big money? I am sure most of his guys don't even make $4000.00 for the season. I believe players should be dressed nice, no jeans, but to expect them to purchase a suit a tie for minor leage basketball is a bit too much. I would rather see them pay there child support. I do appreciate discipline in many other areas of basketball though.

[Minor League Mania]

Columbus is a real good team of young athletes. They can play but also know how to put on a show for the fans once the game is in hand which is important for an ABA team. Wish they were in a better league but there just are not any real quality leagues in the south for basketball. The team will have some full game broadcast available online starting this weekend and I will send over a link once it is available.

[tops804]

but more importantly...

we have a Gwizz sighting!


Damn, I miss Embry Malone...


Miss no more...

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3965603

Georgia Gwizzlies Head to the CBL
February 18, 2010 - Continental Basketball League (CBL)

The Continental Basketball League (CBL) is excited to welcome the Georgia Gwizzlies basketball franchise to its growing list of affiliated teams.

"Atlanta has always been the home of great basketball talent as well as avid basketball fans," says CBL Commissioner Dennis Truax. "The Grizzlies will undoubtedly set the tone for the kind of upbeat play we hope CBL fans will quickly grow to love."


The team will be managed by Embry Malone, a long-time advocate of developmental basketball leagues.


The front office is currently coordinating team tryouts and a home game schedule, both of which should be available very soon. The new team website is in production and should be launched within the next week.


The Continental Basketball League will kick off its first season in April, and conclude the last weekend of June. 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.

For more information please contact the Continental Basketball League front office at 802-318-1012 or send an email to info@cblhoopsonline.com. For more information about the Georgia Grizzlies, send an email to info@georgiagwizzlies.com.

[LightningMan]

The Sea Dawgs are in the same league as the Gwizz. Ai yi yi.

[Minor League Mania]

Here is a video of the Gwizzlies at the Columbus Life-Tigers. Turns into a dunl contest the second half. Skip though intros as the "in house mic" had some feedback in the gym. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4907385