CBA Weekly

March 4, 2003 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release

The Los Angeles Clippers announced Monday that former Continental Basketball Association head coach Dennis Johnson has replaced Alvin Gentry as head coach of the team. Johnson, who earned CBA Coach of the Month honors in January of 2000, is one of 10 current NBA head coaches with CBA ties.

Johnson is in his fourth season with the Clippers' coaching staff. He joined the team as an assistant midway through the 1999-00 season after beginning his professional head-coaching career earlier that season with the CBA's La Crosse Bobcats. Before his NBA call-up, Johnson led the Bobcats to a 14-22 record and promoted three players to the NBA (Brandon Williams, Mark Hendrickson, and Mark Davis).

YAKIMA'S GOLDWIRE CALLED UP BY WASHINGTON

The Continental Basketball Association announced Saturday that Yakima Sun Kings guard Anthony Goldwire has been called up by the NBA's Washington Wizards. The call-up is the sixth of the 2002-03 CBA season. After averaging 20.0 ppg, 7.5 apg and 6.5 rpg in the Sun Kings' first two games this season, the 31-year-old Goldwire was summoned by the San Antonio Spurs on November 20. The University of Houston ('94) standout appeared in 10 games with the Spurs before returning to the Sun Kings on January 17. In 17 CBA games this season he averaged 18.1 ppg and 4.8 apg.

"With the injuries to Larry Hughes and Tyronn Lue, we felt that it was important to bring in a veteran point guard who can contribute during this critical stretch of the season," said Wes Unseld, Wizards general manager. "Anthony Goldwire has been a solid point guard in this league and we feel he can help us while our injured guys continue to heal."

The 6-2, 182 lb. Goldwire was a member of the Spurs squad in the 2002 Shaw's Summer Pro League in Boston and participated in the Phoenix Suns' 2002 Training Camp. "We are pleased that Anthony is getting the opportunity to show what he can do at basketball's highest level," said Yakima Head Coach Bill Bayno. "He's a great person on and off the court, and has been a large part of the Sun Kings' success this season." Goldwire was drafted by Yakima in the first round (7th overall pick) of the 1994 CBA College Draft and by Phoenix in the second round (52nd overall pick) of the 1994 NBA Draft. He was named to the 1995 CBA All-Rookie Second Team and the following season had his first CBA-to-NBA call-up, from the Sun Kings to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 22, 1996. In 99 career CBA games, the 1996 CBA All-Star has averaged 12.8 ppg and 4.9 apg.

In 1996-97 Goldwire was traded from the Hornets to the Denver Nuggets, where he remained through the 1997-98 season. In 2000-01, he rejoined the Nuggets after two seasons overseas. In 214 NBA games, Goldwire has averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.0 apg.

CBA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Dakota Wizards center Oliver Miller earned National Conference Player of the Week honors, while Gary Steelheads guard Jemeil Rich was the American Conference recipient, for the period of February 23-March 1.

The Wizards compiled a perfect 5-0 mark last week thanks in part to Miller's 12.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, and 4.0 apg. In a 94-89 (5-2) win over the Idaho Stampede the 6-10, 325 lb. Miller posted game-highs of 23 rebounds and 3 blocks to go along with his 16 points and 4 assists. On Saturday the eight-year NBA veteran notched the fifth triple-double of the CBA season, tallying 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 125-107 (6-1) defeat of the Rockford Lightning.

The 5-10, 170 lb. Rich averaged 16.7 ppg, 9.3 apg, and 5.0 rpg in leading the Steelheads to a 2-1 mark. In a 116-110 (5-2) victory over the Idaho Stampede he scored 21 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, and dished a game-high 15 assists. In his first CBA season the Southern Methodist ('97) product is averaging 13.1 ppg, 7.2 apg, and 2.5 spg.

Other players receiving consideration for National Conference honors were Idaho guard Michael Johnson (27.0 ppg, 9.3 apg), Sioux Falls forward Victor Thomas (22.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg), and Yakima guard Mitchell Butler (22.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg). The three other players receiving consideration in the American Conference were Rockford guard Marshall Phillips (29.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg), Great Lakes guard DeSean Hadley (14.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), and Grand Rapids forward Kevin Simmons (14.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg).

CBA TRANSACTIONS

· 03/03/03
-Great Lakes signed Rob Dye and Kevin Melson; and waived Ricky Price.

· 03/02/03
-Yakima placed Fred Vinson on the Inactive Reserve List, retroactive to 3/1/03.

· 02/28/03
-The CBA League Office fined Byron Mouton (Idaho) for an unsportsmanlike act during Game #171.
-Yakima signed Adrian Peterson and placed Anthony Goldwire on the Inactive (NBA) Reserve List.

· 02/27/03
-Gary placed Jermaine Tate on the Active Roster and placed Darrin Hancock on the Injured Reserve List.

· 02/25/03
-The CBA League Office suspended Head Coach Jeff Grayer (Great Lakes) for one game (Game #170) for conduct detrimental to the League during Game #31.
-Rockford signed Chauncey Jones.
-The CBA League Office fined Derek Grimm (Dakota) for an unsportsmanlike act during Game #166.

AROUND THE CBA (Team notes contributed by the respective team's media relations department)

DAKOTA WIZARDS: With a CBA season-best 6,138 fans cheering them on, the Dakota Wizards came away with a hard-fought 94-89 win Tuesday over the Idaho Stampede. Andy Panko once again led the Wizards with 25 points, hitting 7-of-9 field goals and 11-of-12 free throws. Oliver Miller also played a big role with 16 points and 23 rebounds. The Dakota Wizards got help from some pretty unexpected places in Wednesday's 91-84 win over the Grand Rapids Hoops. Kevin Rice has been a constant all year, so his game-high 25 points comes as no surprise. However, it was two Wizards known more for their defensive presence that picked up the slack offensively. John Linehan and Shawn Daniels came off the bench to score 14 and 12 points respectively, energizing an offense that wasn't clicking...By defeating the Sioux Falls Skyforce 142-96 (7-0) Friday night, the Dakota Wizards tied a CBA record with their eighth 7-0 quarter point victory of the season. They share the mark with the 1989-90 Quad City Thunder and the 1987-88 Albany Patroons. It took the Wizards 43 games to reach the record. It took the Patroons 46 games and the Thunder 52. Dakota has four straight road games remaining on the season, to break the record. Reserve forward Shawn Daniels paced Dakota with 30 points. In all, seven Wizards scored in double figures...On Saturday, Oliver Miller had a triple-double -- 14 points, 15 rebounds and, perhaps most important, 10 assists in the Wizards' 125-107 victory over the Rockford Lightning. Miller's play, combined with 35 points and 10 rebounds from Andy Panko and 27 points and 10 assists from Malik Dixon, made it a very impressive win for the Wizards. The victory was also extremely important one, as the Wizards battle Yakima for first place in the American Conference and Rockford for home-court throughout the playoffs. Dakota began the night trailing the Lightning by one point in the standings, but ended it four ahead (197-193) as the Wizards took six of a possible seven quarter points on Saturday...The Wizards (29-15) will now go on a four-game road trip before returning home Tuesday, March 11th to host Game 1 of the CBA National Conference playoffs.

GARY STEELHEADS: Jemeil Rich became the second Steelhead in as many weeks to win the American Conference Player of the Week award. Forward Galen Young won the award last week. Rich, a 5-foot-10 guard, averaged 16.7 points, 9.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals over three games as the Steelheads went 2-1. The Gary native is the fifth Steelheads to win the award and it is the sixth time the Steelheads have earned the honor. Bryant Notree (twice), Oliver Miller, Silas Mills and Young have also won the award ... Saturday's game against the Dakota Wizards will be televised live on Chicagoland's Television (CLTV). It is the Steelheads' third appearance on CLTV this year and their fourth TV appearance overall. The Feb. 15 game against Great Lakes was carried nationally on the HDnet ... Saturday is also "Excellence in Education Night" in a partnership with Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) as all area students that have made the "A" or "B" Honor Roll at school can get a free ticket to the game by coming to the Steelheads office during the week and showing their report card ... Three $500 scholarships will be awarded at halftime Saturday to winners of the Steelheads "Cheer for Education" program. The three winners are Vohr Elementary School in Gary as it repeats as the elementary school winner. Scott Middle School of Hammond won the middle school division while Munster High School of Munster won the high school/college division .. .Friday is "Nutrition For Life Night" as the Steelheads host the Grand Rapids Hoops in a crucial game for the final playoff spot ... There will be informational booths and giveaways, courtesy of the CBA's official corporate sponsor – Nutrition For Life ... Nutrition For Life's Jerry Kramer will do a radio interview on Thursday on WJOB (1230-AM) in Hammond – the team's flagship station ... Thurm Feree will interview Kramer at 3:05 p.m. ... Steelie, players and Associate Head Coach Dale Osbourne will visit three schools this week. They will visit Nobel Elementary and Kennedy-King Middle School on Tuesday and Beckman Middle School on Wednesday .. The team will make an appearance Tuesday from 7-8 at the Beach Café in Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

GRAND RAPIDS HOOPS: The Grand Rapids Hoops suffered a small setback in their race toward the American Conference playoffs as they dropped two of three games during a six-day road trip last week. The Hoops host the Yakima Sun Kings on Wednesday night before traveling for a Friday night showdown with the Steelheads. Grand Rapids completes the 2002-03 regular season on Saturday night versus the Sioux Falls Skyforce...The Hoops first stop on the road circuit was in Dakota, where a dreadful shooting effort led to a 91-84 defeat. Grand Rapids connected on just 28-73 FG on the night, but they were able to remain in the game by limiting Dakota's Andy Panko and Oliver Miller to a combined 11 points. The Hoops then traveled to face Yakima in a tough environment at the Yakima Valley Sun Dome. The Sun Kings promptly drubbed the Hoops, 125 to 103, taking all seven quarter points. The quarter point shutout was the team's first of the season. On Saturday night, the same two teams met once again as Grand Rapids earned some revenge in triumphing 133-123 in overtime. Yakima was limited to six players, but outstanding performances by Anthony Miller (30 points, 21 rebounds) and Ike Harmon (30 points, 18 rebounds) almost led the team to victory. However, Alex Scales and Immanuel McElroy combined to score 61 points to lead Grand Rapids to five quarter points and an important victory. Jerald Honeycutt scored 11 points, including three three-pointers to secure the victory in the extra frame. The Hoops continue in their community outreach efforts this week, as players will visit four local elementary schools to participate in "March is Reading Month" festivities.

GREAT LAKES STORM: Last night fast breaks and back door shots kept the Storm from catching the Gary Steelheads in the end. James Head led the Storm with 28 points and 12 rebounds in the 117-10 defeat, reeling in only one quarter point out of seven. Cam Stephens poured in 23 points..."We played very well in the first quarter offensively and defensively," says head coach Jeff Grayer. But in the second quarter and even the second half we seemed to get away from playing defensively. We allowed the Steelheads to many second chance shots which cost us the game."...Silas Mills led the Steelheads in the final assault with 22 points. Four Steelheads scored at least 20 points...Ending the season with yet another record breaking crowd, 2,310, the Storm (19-28) just couldn't break their home game losing streak. The Storm had won only eight games at home this season. Ironically, the Storm won their first home game 110-101 against the Steelheads...In Gary last Thursday, the Storm finally snapped their four game losing streak when they reeled in the Steelheads 109-102 gaining 4.5 quarter points. Tyson Wheeler led the Storm with 26 points and 11 assists. Ex-Steelhead Chris Allen poured in 19 points and pulled down 14 rebounds...Galen Young was the second leading scorer for the Steelheads with 22 points...On Februray 25th, the Storm loss to the American Conference title clinching Rockford Lightning 117-98 (6.5,0.5)...DeSean Hadley and James Head were awarded the Coca-Cola MVP award for the Great Lakes Storm. Both DeSean and James played in all 47 games this season. James also played in the CBA All-Star game in January...This evening, Storm representative will be heading to OIC in Saginaw to spend time with the Houghton Jones After School Program. Tomorrow, Storm public relations director Tabitha Giles, Justus Thigpen, and Rob Dye will head to St. Lorenz Lutheran School in Frankenmuth for Career Day. On Thursday, March 6th, Storm representatives will head to Springview elementary school in Flushing to read to 3rd graders as part of the Read to Succeed Program. That evening the Storm move to Saginaw to visit the Neighborhood House and spend time working with the kids in the after school program.

IDAHO STAMPEDE: The Idaho Stampede posted wins over both Sioux Falls and Yakima on Wednesday and Sunday. The two wins mark only the second time this season that the Stampede has posted a winning streak of any kind...The week started off on a sour note as Idaho fell for the sixth straight time with a 94-89 (5,2) loss to the Dakota Wizards in front of 6,138 fans at the Bismarck Civic Center on Tuesday night. The loss dropped the Stampede to 13-20 on the season and 4-18 on the road...Idaho jumped out to an early 31-30 lead at the end of the first period, but fell behind at halftime after only scoring 11 points in the second quarter. Dakota then won the third period, before the Stampede claimed its second quarter-point of the evening with a 22-16 victory in the fourth period. Idaho finished the night with two quarter points, and remained eight points ahead of Sioux Falls for third place in the National Conference...The following night the Stampede broke out of its six-game losing skid with a 124-120 (6,1) victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce in front of 3,317 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena Wednesday night. The win improved the Stampede's record to 14-30 on the season, as Idaho concluded its season series with Sioux Falls in a split, winning five of ten games against the Skyforce...Idaho fell behind after the first quarter, trailing 31-27, before winning the next three quarters, and the game, to earn six of seven quarter points and remain ahead of Sioux Falls in third place in the National Conference...Leading the Stampede to victory was guard Michael Johnson, who recorded the first triple-double of the season for Idaho, and only the fourth in the CBA this year. Johnson finished the night with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists, while also nabbing seven steals, to come within three takeaways of recording a quadruple-double...Sioux Falls' Randy Livingston recorded the CBA's first triple-double of the season on December 19, in a win over the Stampede. Since then, the Grand Rapids Hoops' Eric Murdock and Rockford Lightning's Teddy Dupay had accomplished the feat, both in losses, before Johnson returned the favor to the Skyforce in last night's win...On Sunday night, Idaho continued its late-season home success with a 112-96 (5.5-1.5) victory over the Yakima Sun Kings in front of 2,231 fans at the Idaho Center. The win improved Idaho's record to 15-30 overall and 10-12 at home, including five of the last seven...The Stampede took control of the game midway through the first period, taking the first quarter 32-35 and winning the second period 30-16 for a 62-41 halftime advantage. Yakima fought back in the third stanza with a 29-24 victory, before the teams tied 26-26 in the fourth quarter to end the game...Idaho's Michael Johnson continued his hot shooting, notching 28 points while also dishing out six assists. George Reese added 22 points and guard Chris Garner handed out 15 assists. Yakima's Adrian Peterson led the Sun Kings with 24 points as he faced his former team for the first time this season...On Monday night (March 3), Stampede players, coaches and staff participated in ‘Read Across America' week at the Boys & Girls Club of Nampa. The event is in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

ROCKFORD LIGHTNING: The Rockford Lightning wrapped up the American Conference Crown in their final February Game of the season Lightning forward Marshall Phillips had a career night Tuesday as the Lightning score a 117-98 victory over the Great Lakes Storm. The Lightning claims 6.5 of a possible 7 quarter points, giving the Bolts 192 on the season. No other American Conference team can finish with more than 191 quarter-points, thus insuring a 2nd straight CBA American Conference title for the Lightning...After scoring 21 first quarter points as a Lightning team, Marshall Phillips scored 21 second quarter points all by himself Tuesday night. Phillips finishes with a season high 40 points. He also set season standards in assists (7), steals (6), free throws made (15) and free throws attempted (16). Phillips grabbed 7 of his team-high 10 rebounds on the offensive end. Ronnie Fields broke the 2,000 career point milestone and the 1,000 seasonal point milestone this week. Fields is now up to 1056 points on the season which is most in the CBA. Fields career Lightning Point total has reached 2079. That ranks third in club history behind only Fred Cofield (3198) and Brian Oliver (3063). The Lightning lost both games of their road trip to the Dakota's, but they still finish the regular season with a 14-10 road record. The Lightning will be the only team with an above .500 road record in the CBA this season. The Great Lakes Storm can reach .500 with a win in their final road game, but that win would have to come against Rockford. A Lightning win over Great Lakes on Saturday would give Rockford a 10-1 edge in the season series. That would mark the first time that the Lightning have reached double digits in wins against a single opponent in a single season.

SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE: The Sioux Falls Skyforce ended their week with a 1-2 record highlighted by a thrilling 121-120 win over the Rockford Lightning. The Force suffered losses at the hands of Idaho and Dakota...Sioux Falls was defeated Wednesday night by the Idaho Stampede 124-120. Despite 36 points and 12 rebounds from Victor Thomas, the Force only managed one quarter point. Kelley McClure also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists. There was 3,317 fans in attendance...On Friday night, the Skyforce traveled to Dakota where they were defeated 142-96. NBA veteran Doug Overton was the lone bright spot as he scored 21 points in the loss...The Force returned home to the Arena to host the Rockford Lightning on Sunday evening. Before a crowd of nearly 3,700, Sioux Falls clipped the Lightning on a last second shot by Doug Overton, giving them 5.5 quarter points in the victory.

Corsley Edwards led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Victor Thomas added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Overton finished with 21 on 9 of 12 shooting...Sioux Falls plays their final home game of the season tonight when they host the Yakima Sun Kings. They finish up on the road with a game in Rockford on Thursday and Grand Rapids on Saturday.

YAKIMA SUN KINGS: For the second time this season Anthony Goldwire has received an NBA call-up. The veteran guard was called-up to the Washington Wizards on March 1st to replace the injured-Tryonn Lue. Goldwire was called up to the San Antonio Spurs only five days into the season on November 20th. He was waived by the Spurs on December 30th and returned to the Sun Kings on January 17th. In 17 games Goldwire is averaging 18.1ppg, 4.8apg and 2.5rpg. The University of Houston-product was a first-round selection (7th pick overall) of the Sun Kings in the 1994 CBA College Draft. Goldwire was a member of the Sun Kings 1995 CBA Championship team as a rookie and was a CBA All-Star during the 1995-96 season...In Sunday's 112-96(5.5,1.5) loss at Idaho four Sun Kings recorded double-doubles while a fifth was only one rebound away. Adrian Peterson (24 points and 11 rebounds), Ike Harmon (22pts and 13reb), Pig Miller (17pts and 12reb) and Alex Jensen (10pts and 13reb), recorded double-doubles for the Sun Kings. Mitchell Butler (14pts and 9reb) just missed giving Yakima a fifth player with the distinction...With the Sun Kings having been hit hard with injuries (Damian Cantrell-foot and Darrick Martin-knee) and players leaving (Anthony Goldwire-Washington Wizards and Fred Vinson-overseas), Ike Harmon has been asked to play additional minutes. In those three games, the first-year forward has averaged 23ppg and 15.7rpg while playing 39 minutes a contest...In Yakima's 133-123 overtime loss to Grand Rapids on Saturday night, three Sun Kings played the entire 53 minutes while another saw 51 minutes of action. Pig Miller, Alex Jensen, and Adrian Peterson each played all 48 minutes of regulation and the entire five-minute period. Mitchell Butler played 51 minutes, missing only two minutes when he was briefly injured.

PRIMETIME PERFORMANCES

Jemeil Rich scored 21 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, and dished a game-high 15 assists for the Gary Steelheads, in a 116-110 (5-2) victory over the Idaho Stampede on Sunday, February 23.

Marshall Phillips posted game highs with 40 points and 6 steals, and team highs of 10 rebounds and 7 assists, in a 117-98 (6.5-0.5) Rockford Lightning win over the Great Lakes Storm on Tuesday, February 25. The 6-5 guard shot 63 percent (12-19) from the field and 94 percent (15-16) from the foul line.

Oliver Miller of the Dakota Wizards posted game-highs of 23 rebounds and 3 blocks to go along with his 16 points and 4 assists in a 94-89 (5-2) win over the Idaho Stampede on Tuesday, February 25.

Michael Johnson posted the CBA's fourth triple-double this season for the Idaho Stampede. In a 124-120 (6-1) win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Wednesday, Johnson posted 21 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Oliver Miller notched the fifth triple-double of the CBA season, tallying 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 125-107 (6-1) Dakota Wizards win over the Rockford Lightning on Saturday.

THIS WEEK IN CBA HISTORY

On March 9, 1982 Ron Davis of the Anchorage Northern Knights scored 61 points, good for the fourth highest single game point total in CBA history, in a 170-155 victory over the Alberta Dusters. Davis' shares the mark with himself, having scored the same point total 8 days earlier in a 138-129 loss to the Maine Lumberjacks.

Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from March 4, 2003

• CBA Transactions - CBA 1
• CBA Weekly - CBA 1

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.