And the Nominees Are . . .
January 4, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
Turns out that you believe every bit as much as I do that we, the 14-3 Vermont Frost Heaves, leaders of the Blue North Division, and No. 2 overall in the latest ABA Power Rankings, are an uncommonly well-balanced team.
I asked you to nominate the player we should send to the All-Star Game, to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the end of the month. The names of nine different Heaves came back.
You made the case for Tyrone Levett: "I love how hard he plays, that he's a team player, his demeanor on the court, that he's a leader on the floor, that he's supportive of his teammates, that he's coachable, that he does all the little things to help his team succeed," said one fan. Added another: "Every time he comes into the game, I know he's going to rescue it." And two more: "The guy is fearless and always going all-out," and "he has a constant and consistent hard work ethic."
You made the case for John Bryant: "The best rebounder on the court, bar none." And: "Awesome defense, real court presence, a great representative of Frost Heaves strength and values." And: "Because the name of the game is rebounding, rebounding, rebounding."
You made the case for Melvin Creddle: "He plays as if the ball is supposed to be his ... he's in every play ... he's cool under pressure and brings the fans into the game." And: "Look at the stats, and you won't see the number of times Melvin creates panic." And: "His focus, drive and obvious passion for the game set him apart."
And you made the case for Kevin Mickens: "Sets picks, boxes out, hits the boards, hustles on every play." And: "When he's hot there's nothing, I mean nothing, that can get in his way." "In short," added another, "He knows how to represent."
But in the end, two players got the most nominations, and this e-mail constitutes your official ballot, on which you should mark your one choice. Please choose from between, in alphabetical order:
Antonio Burks
The 6'7" power forward with the sweet three-point stroke is averaging a team-high 16.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, third-best on the team, while sinking 40% of his threes. He has the team's best single-game output of the season, with 30 points, and has led the Heaves in scoring seven times. Fans nominating the Stephen F. Austin grad enthused about his consistency. Added another: "You'd be 3-12 without him." And another: "He's an athlete and a gentleman." And still another: "An excellent team player, unbelievable three-point shooter, and a very nice guy."
Aaron Cook
The 6'2" guard from the University of Hartford has averaged 15.4 points and 2.5 assists and two steals per game, while sinking 90% of his free throws and 48% of his three-pointers, including some of the team's biggest shots of the season. Raves for Cook included: "He comes through in the clutch, and that's what we'll need when we go to Hollywood for the Great Eight this year." And: "All around great play and a sweet touch." And this: "Single-handedly won the most important game of the season with his Reggie Milleresque heroics [against Rochester]." A couple of other fans punned on his name with "The Chef always stirs things up," and "Let's turn the AC on!"
To vote, go to http://survey.vermontfrostheaves.com/. Voting will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5. We'll let you know the results in a Bump Club e-mailing soon thereafter.
Meantime, be sure to follow the Frost Heaves as we hit the road this week for games at Cape Cod on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. and at Strong Island on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. You can listen on 1450 WSNO in Barre, 1230 WJOY in Burlington, or over the Internet at vermontfrostheaves.com.
For tickets for the next Frost Heaves home game, Wednesday, Jan. 10 vs. Buffalo at Burlington's Memorial Auditorium, go through the Flynn Regional Box Office: 153 Main Street in Burlington; 159 Pearl Street in Essex; 802-86-FLYNN; or flynntix.org.
By Alexander Wolff
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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