Aftershock stung by Buzz's sensational rookies
November 6, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Buzz News Release
The ABA season kicked off with an exciting 110-107 victory by the Buzz over the Aftershock where Round 1 of the battle of Southern California went to Orange County. Jumping off to an early double digit lead, the Buzz were on the verge of blowing the doors off LA Southwest College, but the Aftershock came roaring back with a tough full court press the Buzz couldn't keep its double digit lead.
The momentum of the second half had well shifted to Los Angeles. The Aftershock's lead grew to 8 with less than 3 minutes to play, but the Buzz came buzzing back like a mad Africanize Bee on Andre Jackson's 4pt 3-d play to bring the Buzz within 1pt at 104-105 with just 37.2 on the clock. The Aftershock then knocked down 2 free throws and then that's where the Buzz two rookies took over the action. With the Buzz trailing 107-104 with 30.2 on the clock. Rookie Guard Everett Ratleff got an and-1 on a drive to the basket and hit the free throw and that tied the game at 107. After a huge defensive stop on LA, the Buzz called a quick timeout to setup one of their patented plays that were taking apart LA's defense all night. 6'3 Rookie Guard Deon Williams noticed that the shot clock was winding down and he drove hard to the left and got fouled on the shot and that gave the Buzz the 3 point lead and the victory Saturday night.
After the game Assistant Coach Shawn Pravongvienkham stated "We got the "W" but we were our worst enemy in the 2nd half. It's the first game of the season though, we'll take the game tape on Monday morning, dissect this game and come back stronger, because we know they will be hungry to seek revenge."
"Last season we drove 30 hrs round trip to our season opener and won in the last seconds, this season we drove 5 minutes to our season opener and again won in the final seconds. LA is a great team with some great players, I should know most played for me last season," stated Buzz Head Coach Burrel Lee. "We have to learn to close out the game and demoralize the opponent. Being up 16 and letting them take a 8pt lead with just minutes left is not a good thing, but it showed our heart and character that we can play from behind also. LA got the best of us in the ABA Summer League winning by 40pts and another big score in the other win, and they also had a 98pt win over Fresno in the preseason, but the summer and preseason is where we work to get better and tonight it showed" Lee added.
The Buzz was lead by Ronell Mingo 21pts, 9rebs, Rob 'Sik Wit It' Kennedy 17pts, 11ast, John Janssen 14pts. Keith Closs in his first game with the Buzz finished with 2pts, 6reb and 9blks.
These two teams face each other again next Saturday night for Round 2. The Aftershock will try to shake off their lost and seek revenge on the Buzz where Orange County will be looking to go 2-0, before they head north to play Fresno and San Jose.
For more information on the Orange County Buzz please contact us at info@ocbuzz.net or visit us on the web at http://www.ocbuzz.net or http://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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