CBA 1 Continental Basketball Association 1

CBA Weekly Notes

Published on December 13, 2005 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release


Showing Up to the Game

At the end of the 2004-05 season, six of the eight teams in the CBA averaged over 2,000 fans per game during their respective 24-game home schedule. The CBA regular-season attendance average last year was 2,409. This season's numbers aren't far off. Currently six teams are averaging over 2,000 fans per game, including three at 3,000 or more, and the league attendance average stands at 2,207 through 41 games. Pacing the way is Sioux Falls who is averaging 3,465 per game through five home contests, just 23 shy of last year's mark. Meanwhile, Yakama has improved upon last year's average attendance (2,036) by over 1,000 fans (3,070) through five home games.

CBA Has Third Call-Up to NBA this Young Season

Sioux Falls Skyforce forward Stephen Graham became the third NBA call-up this season from the Continental Basketball Association as he signed on Saturday, Dec. 10, with the Houston Rockets. Graham, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward and 2005 graduate of Oklahoma State, was a first round selection (7th overall pick) by the Skyforce in the 2005 CBA draft.

He became the first CBA rookie to be called up to the NBA since Jackie Butler on Feb. 17, 2005. In his first ever NBA game on Dec. 11 at Portland, Graham scored four points in :35 seconds, including 1-for-1 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line.

Graham is second on the Sioux Falls squad in scoring with 21.0 ppg. to go along with 5.8 rpg. in eight games. He is shooting 54.8 for the Skyforce. He has posted double-digit point totals in seven of his eight games, including five of 20-plus points and a season-high 34 points on Nov. 25 against the Yakama Sun Kings. In that game, he was perfect from the line (12-of-12) and from beyond the 3-point arc (2-for-2) while finishing 10-of-16 from the field.

Graham is the twin brother of Toronto Raptors rookie Joey Graham, the 16th pick in last summer's draft. He will be joining on the Rockets roster four other CBA alums, including Rafer Alston, Lonny Baxter, Moochie Norris, and David Wesley.

CBA-to-NBA Call-Ups for 2005-06

Date/Player/CBA Team/NBA Team
Nov. 16/Darrick Martin/Michigan Mayhem/Toronto Raptors
Dec. 5/Josh Davis/Idaho Stampede/Milwaukee Bucks
Dec. 10/Stephen Graham/Sioux Falls Skyforce/Houston Rockets

Sioux Falls' Brandon Hunter Earns POW Honor

The Continental Basketball Association announced Dec. 12 that Sioux Falls Skyforce forward Brandon Hunter has been named the CBA Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 5 through Dec. 11. Hunter, who was selected by Boston in the second round (56th overall) of the 2003 NBA draft, is in his first season of CBA action.

Hunter averaged 26.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in three games last week for the Skyforce. Last week, Sioux Falls finished 2-1.

The 6-foot-7, 275-pound forward scored a game-high 33 points on Dec. 8 in a 118-104 victory over Albany. In that game, he finished 11-for-14 from the field and went to the free-throw line 17 times, converting 11. He also pulled down 12 rebounds with an assist and a steal. The next night he scored 21 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and a block in a 100-96 overtime victory over the Patroons. He sent the contest to overtime with the game-tying layup at the buzzer. Then on Dec. 10, he pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds to go along with 25 points in a 110-102 overtime loss at Dakota. For the week, he converted on 61.4 pct. of his field goal attempts (27-of-44) and went to the free-throw line 40 times, making 25.

For the season, Hunter has scored 20 or more points and had 10 or more rebounds in eight of 10 games. His averages of 24.6 ppg. and 12.3 rpg. rank him fourth and second, respectively, in the CBA. Hunter is also ranked eighth in the league with his 60.4 field goal pct. (84-of-139).

The Ohio University alum averaged 3.5 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. in 36 games (12 starts) his rookie season with the Celtics in 2003-04. He averaged 3.1 ppg. and 2.2 rpg. in 31 games (0 starts) for the Orlando Magic in 2004-05.

Other players receiving consideration based on the submission of each team were.

Antwain Barbour, G, Yakama (22.3 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 3.3 apg.)
Eric Chenowith, C, Idaho (13.0 ppg., 16.0 rpg., 2.3 apg.)
Randy Holcomb, F, Gary (25.0 ppg., 7.3 rpg., 5.7 apg.)
Ronnie Fields, G, Rockford (20.6 ppg., 9.3 rpg., 3.7 apg.)
Justin Miller, F, Albany (8.3 ppg., 8.3 rpg., 1.3 bpg.)
Billy Thomas, G, Dakota (27.0 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 4.5 apg.)

CBA's 22nd Annual All-Star Game One Month Away from Tipping Off in Boise, Idaho

The Continental Basketball Association's 22nd annual All-Star game is just over one month away from tipping off at the Qwest Arena in downtown Boise, Idaho. This year's event will take place on Tuesday, January 17, at 7 p.m. (MT). The title sponsor of the 2006 CBA All-Star game is Athletes.com. The game will be preceeded by the Slam Dunk and Long Distance Shootout competitions at 6 p.m. For ticket information, contact the Qwest Arena ticket office at (208) 388-4667 or at... http://www.idahotickets.com.

Rookie T.J. Thompson Has a Veteran Night

Albany guard and 2005 No. 1 draft pick T.J. Thompson scored a CBA season-high 53 points in a 102-101 victory over Gary on Nov. 27. Thompson scored more than half of the Patroons' total points and put up the most in a CBA game since Dakota's Melvin Sanders scored 54 against Rockford on March 13, 2005. The point total also bested the previous Albany record of 47 points by Vincent Askew vs. Pensacola (March 12, 1990). In fact, after researching by league office officials, Thompson recorded the highest point total EVER by any rookie in CBA history. For the season, Thompson is leading the Patroons with 28.2 ppg.

Albany Patroons (2-8, 23.0 QP, 2.3 Avg., T-3rd Eastern Conference)

Albany is near the end of their longest road trip of the season (six games), which began on Dec. 3 at Yakama and will finish this Thursday, Dec. 15, at Rockford... Albany wraps up its road trip with games at Michigan (Dec. 14) and Rockford (Dec. 15). Albany has split two games vs. Michigan and had two tough losses to Rockford... the Patroons are 0-4 so far on the road trip... last week the Patroons suffered three losses to Western Conference teams. Idaho took advantage of home court, beating the Pats 107-81. That was followed by two successive losses at Sioux Falls, one an overtime defeat (100-96)... Rookie and No. 1 draft pick T.J Thompson continues his solid play, leading the team with 28.2 ppg. Forward Carl Mitchell is averaging 17.2 ppg. while forward Justin Miller contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds the past two games, coming off the bench... the Patroons recently signed 6-foot-5 guard Donnie Boyce. He is a 1995 graduate of Colorado and has spent time with the Atlanta Hawks... Albany kicks off a four-game homestand in the Washington Avenue Armory this Saturday, Dec. 17, when Michigan visits.

Dakota Wizards (7-3, 45.5 QP, 4.6 Avg., 1st Western Conference)

The Wizards pushed their undefeated home record at the Bismarck Civic Center to 5-0 with home wins this past Friday, Saturday, and Monday... Dakota downed Idaho, 110-101, on Friday, Dec. 9, then defeated Western Conference rival Sioux Falls, 110-102 OT, on Saturday, Dec. 10, and 101-94 on Monday, Dec. 12. The Wizards remain the only unbeaten CBA team at home and will try to keep that record intact when Yakama visits on Tuesday, Dec. 13... Wizards rookie center Geoff Husted had a huge weekend for Dakota coming off the bench to post back-to-back double-doubles in both games... Husted averaged 24.7 points and 14.5 rebounds per 48 minutes played... veteran shooting guard Billy Thomas also shot well from the field scoring 27 points in both contests and went 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.

Gary Steelheads (6-5, 42.0 QP, 3.8 Avg., 1st Eastern Conference)

Gary returns home for their first meeting with the Idaho Stampede this season on Tuesday, Dec. 13, followed by a visit from Michigan on Thursday, Dec. 15. Gary begins a three-game road trip on Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Yakama Sun Kings... Gary holds a very narrow lead for first place in the Eastern Conference of a single quarter point over the Rockford Lightning... after defeating the Lightning on Dec. 8, 125-117, at the Genesis Center, the Steelheads lost the rematch Dec. 11 at the MetroCentre in Rockford, 124-123... Gary was paced once again by guard Jimmie "Snap" Hunter, who tossed in 39 points for the second time this season. Guard Eric Chatfield added 18 points, while forward Randy Holcomb scored 17 points with 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the losing cause... for the ninth time in 11 games, the Steelheads were outrebounded by their opponents, 55-37... the Steelheads have moved to strengthen their front line by adding CBA veteran forwards Shelly Clark and Kevin Frey. Clark is a fan favorite who has represented the Steelheads in the CBA All-Star Game the past two seasons. He is the team's career leader in rebounding with 824. Frey played his first game for Gary on Dec. 15, scoring 17 points and grabbing four rebounds in 17 minutes.

Idaho Stampede (5-6, 34.0 QP, 3.1 Avg., 4th Western Conference)

The Stampede got their first road win of the season on Dec. 10, breaking their four-game road losing streak with a 94-85 win at Michigan. The Stampede were led by guard Jermaine Boyette who poured in a game and personal-high with 27 points. The win also kept their undefeated streak alive against Eastern Conference opponents (3-0)... Idaho faces their fourth Eastern Conference opponent on Dec. 13 at Gary. For a few days anyway, Boyette will feel just a little bit closer to home then the rest of the Stampede. Boyette attended Hammond High School in Indiana, which is just 10 miles away from Gary... former Stampede player William "Smush" Parker has started all 20 of the Los Angeles Lakers' games this year and set a career high in points with 22 on Dec. 2 against Minnesota and steals with 7 on Dec. 6 against Milwaukee. He is averaging 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game... the Stampede is partnering with the US Marine Corps' premier community action program, Toys for Tots.

Michigan Mayhem (2-7, 21.0 QP, 2.3 Avg., T-3rd Eastern Conference)

No information submitted.

Rockford Lightning (6-5, 41.0 QP, 3.7 Avg., 2nd Eastern Conference)

The Rockford Lightning held their position at second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-5 (41.0 pts) going 1-2 in the third week of the season... Rockford ended its season worst four-game losing streak on Sunday, Dec. 11, at home against Gary, 124-123... two of their four losses were by three points or less... guard Marlon Parmer led the team in scoring last week, averaging 23.7 ppg., which is also his season average. He also leads the team in assists with 5.7 per game... rookie forward Roger Powell took over as the team leader in rebounds averaging 7.4 per game, and is second in the league in offensive rebounds at 3.8 per game... guard Ronnie Fields was named the Lightning's player of the week averaging 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds a game, bringing his season average up to 18.9 ppg. and 7.3 rpg., respectively (both numbers rank second with the Lightning)... guard Cordell Henry came up big in the team's only victory last week as he hit a layup with 4.7 seconds left to give the Lightning a one-point victory over the conference leading Steelheads... Head Coach Chris Daleo tied former Lightning coach Mike Mashak for third place on the all-time wins leaders as a Lightning head coach with 89 regular season wins.

Sioux Falls Skyforce (6-5, 42.5 QP, 3.9 Avg., 3rd Western Conference)

Sioux Falls went 2-0 at home against Albany on Dec. 8-9 while dropping two on the road against Dakota on Dec. 10 and 12... the 'Force defeated Albany 118-104 (6,1) on Thursday night but needed overtime on Friday night to win 100-96 (5,2)... the last time these two franchises met prior to this season was on March 2, 1993, as the Capital Region Pontiacs won 114-102 (6,1) at Knickerbocker Arena... the 'Force lost two tough games against their archrival as Dakota won on Saturday night 110-102 (4.5,2.5) in overtime and again on Monday night 101-94 (6,1)... forward Brandon Hunter was named CBA Player of the Week on Dec. 12 as he averaged 26.3 ppg., 13.3 rpg., 1.3 apg. and 1.0 spg. in three games... forward Stephen Graham was called up to the Houston Rockets on Dec. 10 and made his debut on Dec. 11 against the Portland Trail Blazers. He scored four points in :35 seconds, including 1-for-1 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line... the 'Force will welcome Idaho to town on Friday and Saturday night before heading east on a four-game road trip, beginning Monday, Dec. 19, at Albany.

Yakama Sun Kings (8-3, 45.0 QP, 4.1 Avg., 2nd Western Conference)

Yakama is riding a five-game winning streak, the team's best since last season... Yakama is 3-0 on their current four-game road trip which ends Dec. 13 at Dakota, tying the franchise record for most consecutive road victories... the Sun Kings are undefeated thus far in the month of December, going 5-0... Yakama reached into the past this week, signing two of the franchise's all-time favorites, forward Rosell Ellis and guard Anthony Goldwire. Both rank among the franchise's all-time leaders in several categories, with Goldwire leading the Sun Kings in 3-pointers made and attempted. Ellis, who played for Yakama from 1999-2001 and 2002-2003, is averaging 14.7 ppg., 8.3 rpg. and 4.3 apg. while shooting 65.5% from the field. The 6-foot-6 Ellis was a member of the Sun Kings' 2000 CBA Championship team. Goldwire, released last month by the L.A. Clippers, is averaging 10.0 ppg. and 2.7 apg. The 34-year-old played for Yakama's 1995 and 2003 CBA title squads... guard Antwain Barbour continues to pace Yakama in scoring, averaging 24.4ppg. The first-year player from Kentucky has scored in double figures in each of the Sun Kings games this season, and has scored 30 or more points four times, including a career-high 34 points in Yakama's 132-129 (4,3) come-from-behind win at Rockford on Dec. 10... rookie guard Ralph Holmes had a solid week, averaging 14.7 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. in three games while shooting 65.4% (17-of-26) from the field, 100% (8-of-8) from the free throw line and 100% (2-of-2) from beyond the three-point line... forward Leonard White, Yakama's leading rebounder, 8.8 rpg., and third-leading scorer, 15.0 ppg., has missed the last two games with a banged up elbow and sore hamstring.

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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 13, 2005


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