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November 30, 2004 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release


1. WILLIAMS AND DICKENS NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Great Lakes Storm guard Ezra Williams was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, while Idaho Stampede forward Kaniel Dickens was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the week of November 19-27.

Behind 21.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Williams led the Storm to a franchise best 3-0 start, and an overall 3-2 record, which currently has the Storm sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference. He also added 4.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game while shooting a perfect 100 percent (18 of 18) from the free-throw line, and 57.9 percent (11 of 19) from behind the three-point line (3rd in the league).

In a 101-95 victory over the Gary Steelheads on November 24, Williams posted 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals. He currently ranks 5th in the league in scoring, 7th in both assists and steals, 3rd in three-point percentage, and 1st in free-throw percentage.

Dickens averaged 29.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest as he led the Stampede to a 3-1 record during the week, including a two-game home weekend sweep of Eastern Conference leading Great Lakes. He also added seven assists, two blocks and five steals, while shooting 54.5 percent (42 of 77) from the floor and 56.0 percent (14 of 25) from behind the three-point line.

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward posted back-to-back double-doubles in the first two games of the season when he notched 23 points and 10 rebounds against the Yakima Sun Kings on November 19, and 30 points and 12 rebounds the following night. He then posted a CBA season-high 39 points in a 113-107 victory over Great Lakes on November 27.

Dickens currently leads the league in scoring, is tied for 6th in rebounding, and ranks 5th in three-point field goal percentage.

Other players receiving consideration were Gary's Jemeil Rich (19.0 ppg, 11.2 apg), Dakota's Billy Keys (19.5 ppg, 9.5 apg), and Sioux Falls' Corsley Edwards (20.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg).

2. ALBANY PATROONS RETURN FOR CBA'S 60TH SEASON IN 2005-06

During a Wednesday, November 24 press conference, it was announced that one of the most storied franchises in the history of the league will return to action in 2005. The Albany Patroons will re-join the world's oldest professional basketball league in time for the league's 60th anniversary season in 2005-06.

"Having the Albany Patroons and their history return to the CBA is a distinguished accomplishment for us," remarked CBA Commissioner Gary Hunter. "We now have nine teams heading into our 60th season, and as a league we are as strong as ever."

As an expansion franchise in 1982, the Patroons finished their inaugural campaign with a 16-28 record, marking the only season in the team's ten year history that the squad did not participate in postseason action. Beginning in 1983, the Patroons reached the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons, winning two CBA Titles during that span (1984, 1988). Along the way, the franchise was led by coaching greats Phil Jackson (1983-87), Bill Musselman (1987-88), George Karl (1988-89, 1990-91) and Charley Rosen (1991-92). Jackson led the team to its first championship in 1984, while Musselman captured the CBA Title in his only season with the franchise in 1988.

"I am both happy and excited to hear that the Patroons are back," remarked Karl, who led Albany during the team's record setting 50-6 campaign in 1990-91, and is now part owner of the CBA's Idaho Stampede. "The Albany Patroons were one of the most successful professional basketball franchises during the 1980's and some of my fondest basketball memories come from my time spent there."

Albany holds the top two spots on the CBA's Single-Season Winning Percentages list with a .893 average (50-6) in 1990-91 and .889 (48-6) in 1987-88. The Patroons also hold the top two spots on the Single-Season Home Winning Percentage list with a perfect 28-0 season (1.000) in 1990-91, and a 26-1 (.963) mark in 1987-88. During the 1987-88 season, the team also finished with a 22-5 (.815) record on the road, which ranks them first all-time in Away Winning Percentage during a season.

The Patroons will play their home games in the historic Washington Avenue Armory, after recent renovations to the building have increased the number of seats to 4,000, and added a jumbo-tron scoreboard in the arena. Albany previously played in the Armory from 1982-1990, where they posted a 154-45 record in eight seasons. Overall, the team owns a 199-56 home record.

"We are thrilled to have the Patroons back," stated Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Coyne, who founded the team in Albany in 1982 and also served as the team President from 1982-88. "It is a great day for Albany and the fans of the Albany Patroons. This was a really hot spot when the team was here before. The place was rocking, it was packed all the time, and we hope to revive that excitement."

Coyne will be joined by President and CEO Benito R. Fernandez, who also formerly served as the Patroons President during the 1988-89 season, and as Chairman of the Board in 1989-90.

"We just thought that the city was ready, and the community and region were ready to see the Patroons return," added Coyne. "Many people came to us over the years and said ‘bring them back'. So we were able to bring it to fruition."

The Patroons will be the ninth team currently slated to take to the court during the CBA's 60th anniversary season in 2005-06. The league's 59th season tipped off over the weekend with eight games in three days, and an average league-wide attendance of 3,576. Opening night also saw the 2004-05 expansion Michigan Mayhem play their inaugural game at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan.

3. IDAHO'S BRITTON JOHNSEN CALLED-UP TO NBA'S INDIANA PACERS

Idaho Stampede forward Britton Johnsen signed with the NBA's Indiana Pacers on Thursday, November 25, helping fill a vacant Pacers roster spot left open after NBA suspensions were handed down on Sunday. It marked the first CBA-to-NBA call-up of the 2004-05 season.

"This NBA call-up of Britton Johnsen, following opening weekend, continues the momentum gained with our league's 20 NBA call-ups last season," stated CBA Deputy Commissioner Wade Morehead. "NBA personnel directors continue to immediately turn to the CBA when situations arise that create open roster spots on their teams."

After two games played over the CBA's opening weekend, Johnsen averaged 19.5 points per contest and was the second leading scorer for the Stampede. He also posted 6.0 rebounds per game, and added five assists and one steal.

Last season, the 6-foot-10 University of Utah alum ('03) appeared in 20 games (four starts) with the Orlando Magic, averaging 14.5 minutes, 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest.

Also joining the Pacers is former CBA player Tremaine Fowlkes, who played for the Yakima Sun Kings during the 1998-99 season. Fowlkes had played in 59 games with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2001-03, and appeared in 36 games last season with the Detroit Pistons.

"Both of these guys we are bringing in have NBA experience," remarked Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle, who played for the CBA's Albany Patroons during the 1987-88 season. "They have both been in situations where you have got to learn stuff quickly, so we will keep things pretty simple to start with but we are going to need them to hit the ground running and be ready to play."

Both players were in uniform in time for Thanksgiving night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

4. OFFICIAL CBA SCOREPHONE PROVIDES SCORES ON GAME NIGHTS

The Official CBA Scorephone provides final scores, quarter point totals and leading scorers from each team upon the completion of each day's final game.

"Since 1983 the Scorephone has allowed anyone with access to a telephone the ability to find out the outcome and leading scorers for CBA games on the night they were played," stated CBA Deputy Commissioner, Wade Morehead. "Coupled with the official CBA website, our goal is to provide the public with up-to-date information from around the league as soon as it becomes available."

The CBA Scorephone number is 208-429-8503.

5. OFFICIAL CBA WEBSITE FEATURES WEBCASTING

The official website of the Continental Basketball Association (www.cbahoopsonline.com) offers live statistical webcasts of every CBA game in 2004-05. Through the technology of Daktronics, the official statistical software provider of the CBA, fans will have the ability to monitor the action of every CBA game, live as it happens.

By clicking on the "This Week's Live Webcasts" tab on the CBA homepage, fans are taken to a menu of the current week's match-ups. From there, just click on a game and watch the action unfold. The webcasts provide updating boxscores, which refresh every 30 seconds, and a play-by-play detailing the action.

6. CBA TRANSACTIONS

· 11/30/2004
- Sioux Falls waived Denver Ten Broek

· 11/29/2004
- Gary placed Jimmie Hunter on the Injured Reserve List

· 11/26/2004
- Rockford signed Carson Cunningham and waived Teddy Dupay
- Michigan signed Darrick Martin

· 11/25/2004
- Michigan signed Charles Gaines.

· 11/24/2004
- Michigan placed Mike Helms on the Injured Reserve List and waived Jason Williams.
- Idaho placed Britton Johnsen on the Inactive (NBA) Reserve List.
- Dakota signed Patrick Okafor.
- Yakima waived Claude Davis

· 11/23/2004
- Dakota placed Chris Herren on the Injured Reserve List.
- Idaho signed Louis White.
- Great Lakes signed Tommy Adams and placed Imari Sawyer on the Injured Reserve List

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

DAKOTA WIZARDS: The Dakota Wizards got on the winning track Friday, November 26, scoring a 108-85 victory over the Michigan Mayhem. The Wizards then defeated Yakima 109-85 Saturday, taking 12.5 of the 14 quarter points over the weekend. Having another solid weekend with the Wizards was Billy Thomas, who scored 25 points on Friday and 20 on Saturday. Following his lead was former Chicago Bulls player Dickey Simpkins, who added 21 and 22 points respectively for the weekend.

GARY STEELHEADS: The Gary Steelheads finished the first five games of the season with a 2-3 record, winning two games at home while losing all three road contests. The Steelheads opened their fifth season of play, at home in the Genesis Convention Center against the Rockford Lightning, with a 123-109 (6, 1) victory in front of 4,667 hometown fans, good for 5th all-time in Steelheads history. The next night the Steelheads traveled to Rockford to help them open their home campaign. The Steelheads jumped out to a 34-29 1st quarter lead and then lead at the half 72-62, capturing the first two quarter points. That was all the Steelheads could muster as the Lightning came back and won the remaining quarters and the game 143-137... Jemeil Rich was honored with consideration by the CBA for the Eastern Division Player of the Week. Rich averaged 19 points per game in the opening week of the season. He is also the CBA leader in assists (11.2 per game) and steals (3.8 per game)... Darrin Hancock is currently 48th all-time in the CBA in scoring with 3,627 points. His next target is Jose Slaughter with 3,693. He is currently 15 rebounds behind Leonard Harris 1,438, for 40th place. Hancock is also tied with Perry Moss for 28th in games played at 282. Hancock will also be looking to pass Kevin Holland in minutes played. He currently has 9,009 minutes played to Holland's 9,173. Darren is also 19th all-time in steals with 437. He trails Clay Johnson who has 443 steals... Lonnie Jones is currently leading the CBA in blocks (28, 5.6 average) and field goal percentage 71.1 % (27-38). His 12 blocks in a single game is the league high for the season and the most in one game since Manute Bol blocked 13 shots on December 16, 1995. Jones' 12 blocks is also a Steelheads all-time franchise record.

GREAT LAKES STORM: Despite two losses on the road over Thanksgiving, the Storm is still in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 record (22.0 Quarter Points). The Storm started out their Thanksgiving weekend with a big home victory on Wednesday, November 24th against the visiting Gary Steelheads. Unfortunately the snowy weather outside affected the play inside as both teams started out slow. Eventually the Storm prevailed 101-95 (6-1) behind Ezra Williams' brilliant performance with 19 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. The win pushed the Storm's record to a perfect 3-0, the best start in franchise history...Great Lakes then hit the road on Thanksgiving Day for a pair of games in Idaho on Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night the Storm dropped a closely battled game to the Idaho Stampede 113-106 (6-1). The Storm once again was led by Ezra Williams with 24 points, along with Jackie Butler's 20 points and eight rebounds...The two teams went at it again on Saturday night with an almost identical result, as the Stampede swept the weekend games with a 113-107 (5-2) victory. Kasib Powell led the Storm with 24 points while Jamel Gooding had his best game of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds...Ezra Williams was named Player of the Week for the Eastern Conference by the CBA on Monday, November 29th. He is currently averaging 21.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He is only the fourth Storm player in the history of the franchise to win the award. The Storm will look to bounce back this week against their fellow Eastern Conference foe the Rockford Lightning on Wednesday, December 1st at home. With a victory, the Storm will have defeated every team in their conference.

IDAHO STAMPEDE: Approximately 150 fans and team members packed Elliott's Sports Pub for "Meet the Stampede Night" in Nampa prior to the home opener...Many of the same fans had attended the team's intrasquad game at Bishop Kelly High earlier in the week...Coaching legend and Stampede investor George Karl joined Joe Wolf as a guest on the weekly "Stampede Radio Show" with host Mark Snider on KTIK Radio 1350 AM "The Ticket"...The league's only live video/audio streaming webcast, StampedeVision, picked up sponsor Crucial.com and delivered two games worldwide via the internet...Northwest Dodge Dealers logo was added to the home uniforms as part of the unique "presenting partner" package recently finalized by the franchise. It is a three-year deal...Britton Johnsen was called up to the NBA's Indiana Pacers, the first CBA-to-NBA call up for the 2004-05 season...Kaniel Dickens was named CBA Western Conference Player of the Week...the team went 3-1 with wins over Yakima and Great Lakes (twice)...Commissioner Gary Hunter conducted an official visit to the Stampede home game on Saturday...the Stampede had its largest opening night crowd since 1999 (3,426)...Joe Wolf and players supported Stampede corporate partner McDonald's by appearing at a local restaurant to promote World Children's Day .

MICHIGAN MAYHEM: The Michigan Mayhem lost a close contest 89-85 to the CBA leading Sioux Falls Skyforce (5-0) on Sunday night to close out their recent four game road trip. The Mayhem added NBA veteran guard Darrick Martin and SW Missouri State rookie Charles Gaines to their roster during Thanksgiving weekend. Gaines had two double-doubles in his first two games with Michigan, while Darrick Martin added 41 points of instant offense. The Mayhem will look to end their five-game losing streak this week as they host Rockford and Great Lakes on Dec. 2nd and 3rd at the L.C. Walker Arena...On Thursday, the Mayhem will hold "Sportsman's Night", a promotion where fans that hold a valid Hunter or Fishing License will get 50% off on the $10 or $14 tickets. The recently crowned State Champion High School Football Teams from Muskegon High School and Orchard View High School will be announced and honored at halftime of the December 2nd game. The first 1,000 women (18 yrs. & over) through the doors at the Arena on Friday will have an opportunity to win a gorgeous ½ carat diamond courtesy of A. Krauthiem Jewelers.

ROCKFORD LIGHTNING: The Lightning completed the first four games of the season with a 2-2 record, winning both games at home while losing both road contests. Rockford lost 123-109 (6-1) at Gary on Saturday, November 20, but returned the favor the following night with a 143-137 (5-2) victory over the Steelheads at the MetroCentre on the 21st. The Lightning then completed Thanksgiving week with a 141-110 (6.5-0.5) loss to Sioux Falls, before again defeating Gary at home, 107-104 (6-1) on Saturday, November 27...Stais Boseman leads the team in scoring at 24.5 points per game...Ronnie Fields is second at 20.0 points per contest...The team Held a toy drive before the game on November 27th, where anyone who brought in a toy for the toy drive received a ticket to the game against Michigan on December 7th.

SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE: The Skyforce currently sit atop the Western Conference standings as the league's only undefeated team with a 5-0 record, including 30 out of a total of 35 quarter points (6.0 avg)...Sioux Falls is 4-0 at home, and 1-0 on the road...Forward Corsley Edwards leads the team in scoring at 20.8 points per game, ranking 8th in the league...Forward John Thomas is second in the league in rebounding with 12.2 per game...Guard Randy Livingston set a CBA season-high 17 assists on November 23 against the Rockford Lightning...A season-high 5,337 fans watched Sioux Falls defeat Dakota in the home opener on November 20 at the Sioux Falls Arena.

YAKIMA SUN KINGS: The Yakima Sun Kings continued to struggle on the road; falling to the Sioux Falls Skyforce and the Dakota Wizards over the weekend. The Skyforce dominated all scoring with seven of their nine players scoring in double figures; three of those posting double-doubles. Corsley Edwards led the Skyforce with 26 points and 12 rebounds. John Thomas added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and DeSean Hadley poured in 13 points and 10 rebounds to give the Skyforce a 114-95 win over the Yakima Sun Kings on Friday night. The Sun Kings were led by Marlon Parmer with 30 points and eight assists, and Lonnie Baxter with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Yakima trailed by only four points heading into halftime, but the Skyforce returned after the break to outscore the Sun Kings 33-21 in the third quarter and never trailed again as the Skyforce earned a 6-1 quarter-point victory. In Dakota, Dickey Simpkins led the Skyforce with 22 points and 10 boards as the Wizards beat the Sun Kings 109-85. The Wizards pulled away early in the first period, outscoring the Sun Kings 31-15 and continued into the second period outscoring the Sun Kings again 30-24. After trailing most of the game, the Sun Kings managed their only quarter point in the fourth period by outscoring the Wizards 25-20. Jeremy Veal led the Sun Kings with 19 points, and Lonnie Baxter added an additional 14 points and 13 rebounds. This marked the third consecutive loss for the Sun Kings after winning their home opener November 19 against the Idaho Stampede, and places them in last place in the Western Conference. The Sun Kings will face the Dakota Wizards at Dakota on November 30 before returning to face the Sioux Fall Skyforce at home December 3.

8. PRIMETIME PERFORMANCES

Idaho Stampede forward Kaniel Dickens scored a season-high 39 points against the Great Lakes Storm on November 27 at the Idaho Center. Dickens was also 13 of 18 from the floor and 7 of 9 from behind the three-point line in the game.

Yakima Sun Kings forward Carlos Daniel pulled down 20 rebounds against the Idaho Stampede on November 20.

Rockford Lightning guard Ronnie Fields scored 26 points, including the game winning three-pointer with 1.7 seconds left in the game, as Rockford defeated the Gary Steelheads 107-104 on November 27.



Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from November 30, 2004


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