A Potential Statement Game

Published on February 20, 2011 under Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Rochester RazorSharks News Release


Make no mistake about it. Monday night's Premier Basketball League match up at the Blue Cross Arena downtown against Lawton-Fort Sill isn't just another game for the Rochester RazorSharks.

Forget that these were the two finalists for last year's PBL title. That the best of three series went three games and concluded with Rochester losing its final game of the season for the first time in its five year existence. That it was a match up between two teams that went into the series each with back to back league championships (Lawton's were in the CBA).

Most everyone expected the 2011 season to play out the same way with the Cavalry and RazorSharks reloading. When Rochester lost six of its first eight games, that perception changed. The Sharks try to change it back Monday.

"I remember back to last year when we lost a bunch of games in a row with Puerto Rico coming in here," said Coach Rod Baker. "We beat them and beat them pretty good without (Keith) Friel. All of a sudden people took notice. People have to take notice of what you do when you do it against the best."

Since that 2-6 start, Rochester has won the first two of seven straight at home over Kentucky and Halifax. The win over the Rainmen Saturday was particularly satisfying since Halifax had beaten the RazorSharks by 14 points less than three weeks earlier. One step at a time.

"Each one allows the next one to be more important," says Baker. "Halifax wouldn't have been that great a win if we hadn't won last week."

There are reasons for Rochester's resurgence. The Sharks have added quality forwards Mike Williams, who came in the Vermont dispersal draft, and Sammy Monroe, who returned at Coach's invitation after playing on two previous championship teams. Those have been huge additions. The team appears to be coming together. The (4-6) Sharks take on the (10-1) Cavalry with a world of confidence, coming off their best game.

"When Lawton lost at Quebec, I took notice," said Baker. "That says something about Quebec. It says something about Lawton too, but it says something more about Quebec. I think the same kind of message gets sent if we can do it."

Opportunity knocks Monday night. Lawton at Rochester. Tip off at 7:05 Monday.

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Premier Basketball League Stories from February 20, 2011


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