Showboats Tame Whirlwinds, 101-91
December 7, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Texas Fuel News Release
San Antonio, TX. The #4 ranked ABA South Texas Showboats met the #22 ranked West Texas Whirlwinds in a very exciting, entertaining and emotional season opener in San Antonio on Saturday night. The Showboats began their regular 2008-2009 season by defeating the Whirlwinds 101-91. It was a hard fought battle between two good teams.
Showboats' Coach Ben Mireles said that he felt his team did not play up to their ability and that they need to be more aggressive. "We di not do our jobs tonight but I will take the win. I felt we played poorly on both sides of the basketball and were beat up on the boards," stated Mirelse. We need to control the tempo of our games because we played the tempo of our opponent.
The Whirlwinds came into the game with confidence and played very well throughout the game. "I give Coach Phelps and his team credit where credit is due," added Mireles. "They played us tough tonight and welcomed us to the ABA. They have some good players and I am just happy the first jitters are behind us."
The Showboats had a great first half by taking a 54-48 lead into the locker room. With Kenny Wilson, former John Jay and Boise State standout, having 16 first half points on 5-7 shooting and Isaiah Allen, a former USTA Roadrunner with 16 first halve points on 7-10 shooting. The Whirlwinds had a great third quarter holding the Showboats to eighteen points as 8 of 18 came from Keith Simpson, former Robert E. Lee graduate.
The third quarter closed with the game tied 75-75. "The momentum was shifted in our favor and we should have finished the game strong," stated Coach Phelps. "We need to play Whirlwind basketball and not give the momentum back. I was very pleased with the Showboats organization and how they treated us. It started with greetings at the door and I felt that this was one of the best games I have been a part of in my four years in the ABA. They did a great job and we look forward to a great year of basketball against this team."
The Showboats shot 56% from the field; the Whirlwinds 54%. The Showboats hit 28-36 from the free throw line, giving them a big advantage. Standout players included:
South Texas Showboats
Frank Ford, 11pts, 5 reb, 3asst, 2blks
Isaiah Allen, 19pts, 4asst, 7reb
Keith Simpson, 18pts, 5 reb
Kenny Wilson, 23pts, 3 asst
West Texas Whirlwinds
Randy Holbrook, 19pts, 6reb.
For more information, visit www.saproball.com or www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from December 7, 2008
- ABA Returns to Hampton Roads Virginia in 2009 - ABA
- Showboats Tame Whirlwinds, 101-91 - Texas Fuel
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