Albany starts out 2-0

[Chuck the Writer]

Albany just took its second straight game, winning over Pittsburgh 129-117 and taking 5 of 7 standings points. At one point the Patroons were up by 32 at the half, but the Xplosion closed to within 9 before failing at the end. Albany now starts 2-0 for the first time since the 1990-91 season. For Albany, TJ Thompson dropped 32 points, including 5 of 9 from behind the arc and 11-11 from the free throw line. Eric Williams (21 pts) and Jamario Moon (16 pts, a couple of monster dunks) also had a strong game. For Pittsburgh, Marvin Phillips had 37 points, including going 16-20 from the floor. Kevin Pittsnogle, however, only shot 4-13 from the floor and finished the night with 13 points.

Albany now goes on the west coast road trip and won't be back at the Armory until they host Minot on Dec. 19.

[psbf]

So, it's ealy yet and it's only against one team. The Xplosion. You have a whole season yet.

[Chuck the Writer]

Yep, and that being said, Albany got punked 94-84 by Great Falls in the Explorers' home opener. Apparently TJ Thompson had the worst shooting night of his pro career, he I think went 2-11 from the floor, but I don't have the box score in front of me at the moment. Albany and Great Falls match up again Wednesday night at the Four Seasons Arena.

[panchess]

TJ went 2-13 in front of 1,047 at the Four Seasons Arena. The Pats were a miserable 5-26 from three, and 29-78 overall. Jamario Moon led the Pats with 25. He looks significantly more well-rounded in his game this season.

The Patroons got two quarter-points out of the loss.

Does anybody know what Great Falls drew their first time in the league?

[psbf]

I find it interesting, Chuck, how you care so much about Albany, nevermind about that the Xplosion were the opponents. Pgh seems to be non-existant among posters on here, for whatever reason. Makes me glad I'm an Xplosion supporter. Remember, this is an 8 team league and not all have had a chance to play at home yet.

[Sam Hill]

Pgh seems to be non-existant among posters on here, for whatever reason.

Out of sight, out of mind.

When you can get more than 300 people to a game, we'll start to notice.

[Chuck the Writer]

I find it interesting, Chuck, how you care so much about Albany, nevermind about that the Xplosion were the opponents. Pgh seems to be non-existant among posters on here, for whatever reason. Makes me glad I'm an Xplosion supporter. Remember, this is an 8 team league and not all have had a chance to play at home yet.

On December 23, I'll be at the Mellon Arena to photograph the Pittsburgh-Albany game. I'm actually thankful that the Xplosion are in the league this season, as it is a lot closer for me to drive from Albany to see a road game than last year, where I would have had to schlep to Rockford or Michigan or even Gary.

And just so you are aware, I made arrangements with the Xplosion staff that when the team plays in Albany, I would gladly provide photographs for the Xplosion website (which they have used two of my snaps, one of TJ Thompson being blocked by Kevin Pittsnogle, and one of Marvin Phillips with a breakaway slam). I also made sure that the photos I sent to the opposing team show their squad in a positive light; it might be kinda embarrassing for Indiana fans to see Will Caudle get embarrassed by a Jamario Moon block - steal - dunk combo. ;-)

BTW did you know that the GM of your team, Freddie Lewis, was a former CBA player? Near the end of his career, he suited up for the 1978-79 Mohawk Valley (Utica, NY) Thunderbirds for a few games.

[Chuck the Writer]

I guess TJ Thompson didn't take too kindly with a report in the Great Falls Tribune about how the Patroons were an older team (i.e., Sean Higgins, Felipe Lopez, Erik Williams) and couldn't run with the younger GF Explorers. That might explain why Albany's sharpshooter dropped 42 points on the Explorers in the second game of their series, bringing Albany to a 3-1 record (17 qp) and the lead in the American Conference.

[Sam Hill]

Does anybody know what Great Falls drew their first time in the league?

You mean their home opener this year?

1,057 announced on 12/5. Nothing listed for the 12/6 game.

[bdaly]

Nothing listed for the 12/6 game.
According to the Great Falls Tribune, the paid crowd was 875. They listed it in the box score of the game article on the paper's website.

[psbf]

Sam, I'll be at that game also, since I am a season ticket holder, and I hope to meet you(I'm guessing you will have an Albany shirt on). I'm also glad that you appreciate having us in the league.
As for the turnout at Xplosion games, we had one game at M.A.(I was there) and the official count was 1,130(I don't believe in inflated numbers). That was the announced crowd. So don't give me this gobly gook about 300 averge.

[Sam Hill]

As for the turnout at Xplosion games, we had one game at M.A.(I was there) and the official count was 1,130(I don't believe in inflated numbers).

Do you believe in the Easter Bunny? Because he has as much basis in reality as 1,130 when a journalist who was there counted 300.

That was the announced crowd. So don't give me this gobly gook about 300 averge.

It's not gobbledegook, it's math. 300 / 1 game = 300 average.

You're just not real big on reality, are ya?

[psbf]

The fact is the 1,130, the announced numbers. The guess is the way the reporters saw it. In an arena that holds over 17,000, I'm more opt to go with what is announced than what reporters dream up. End of discussion. You have your views I have mine.

[Sam Hill]

"I'm more opt (sic) to go with what is announced than what reporters dream up..."

Wow.

Just wow.

Tell you what.

Read this article (http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060514/news_lz1s14zeig.html).

Let me ask you this: When I gave you the "what was announced" figures for the 1995 CBA Championship Series, you didn't believe me because you were there and so the announced figures didn't mean anything. Now the announced figures are gospel all of a sudden? How do you reconcile that?

I seriously doubt that a journalist could mistake 1,130 people for 300 people. 75% of the crowd was hiding? Get real.

[Letzplayball]

Anyone know how many people were at the game last night? (Dec.7 in Utah) I checked the local paper, and no one was reporting.

[Chuck the Writer]

In last night's (Dec 8) game in Yakama, Galen Young of the Yakama Sun Kings earned the CBA's first triple-double of the season, scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists in the Sun Kings' home loss against Albany, 101-96 <5-2>. Young led all Sun Kings in scoring. For Albany, TJ Thompson unloaded for 31 points, while Jamario Moon (21 pts, 3 blks) and Kwan Johnson (24 pts, 4 steals) helped the Patroons to victory.

Albany is now 4-1 on the young season, a far cry from this time last year, when the Pats were 1-4, Micheal Ray Richardson was throwing tantrums on the sidelines, players were coming and going faster than Paris Hilton's boyfriends, etc.

See, this I like. Talking about wins and losses, players having scoring accomplishments, the first time Albany and Minot will face each other (in a renewal of "Handshake-gate", where last year after two crippling losses to Rockford and coach Chris Daleo, Micheal Ray Richardson went to the locker room without the customary post-game handshake with the opposing coach, which the local media played up as MRR being petulant and a sore loser).

[USBasket_EricE]

Chuck, you should consider writing for the USBasket CBA Page. I'm finding it difficult to cover the league now that the Dakota Wizards have departed. I do more with the D-League page. And the other guy listed as a page author for the CBA never does anything. I thought you'd be perfect for it since you have that CBA Museum site and you seem to know more about the new teams and have posted scores and stats on this forum. There is an e-mail link to the site's creator at the top of the following page where it says "Join Us!!!" if you're interested:

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

It's very simple. Just let them know that you'd like to write for the page and you'll receive an account where you can log in and post any type of news for the CBA. If you're not interested, that's all right. I'll continue with what I'm doing now, writing a little for the CBA and a little for the D-League.

And hey, if anyone on this forum wants to do something like this, go for it! It's a lot of fun!

Note: The USBasket site appears to be down at this very moment. It happens sometimes, so try it again later if it doesn't work.

[Chuck the Writer]

The Xplosion are starting off slow this season. Right now the only thing they've got going for them are Kevin Pittsnogle and Janerio Spurlock - but man oh man, they're losing a lot of heartbreakers. They allow a big lead, then come back in the end but can't close the door. Heartbreaking overtime loss to the Alley Cats, and now a 122-97 (6.5-0.5) beatdown by the Minot Skyrockets.

Spurlock had 24 for Pittsburgh, and newcomer Shawn Hawkins, in his professional debut, nicked 13 points. Kevin Pittsnogle had 14 points, but man, 6-21 from the floor isn't going to win many games.

As for the Skyrockets, Desmond Ferguson led all players with 31 points (10-17 from the floor, 7-10 from 3-point range).while Ray Cunningham had a nice double-double for the night (15 pts, 12 rebs). Minot's #1 draft pick, Dayshawn Wright, had 6 points and 5 rebounds on the game.

Minot and Albany are fighting for the top of the American Conference lead, while the Alley Cats and Xplosion have some rebuilding and realignment left to do. Don't yet know why the Xplos released Coleco Buie, maybe it was just so there would be room for Shawn Hawkins, but that's just speculation.