CBA weekly
Published on January 2, 2007 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
MICHEAL RAY RICHARDSON NAMED DECEMBER 2006 CBA COACH OF THE MONTH
The Continental Basketball Association announced today that Albany Patroons head coach Micheal Ray Richardson has been named CBA Coach of the Month for December 2006. Richardson, a former NBA All-Star and member of the 1987-88 CBA champion Patroons, guided his team to a 10-3 record, earning 61.5 quarter points, for an average of 4.73 quarter points per game. Richardson is the first Patroon head coach to win the award since the Patroons' return to the CBA in the 2005-06 season. In December, the Patroons went 7-1 against teams from the American Conference, and took three victories out of five contests on the team's first National Conference road trip of the season.
During this time period, Richardson's players have been at or near the top of several statistical fields; guard T.J. Thompson (24.3 ppg) leads the league in scoring; while forward Jamario Moon (2.7 blocks per game) and center Eric Williams (8.5 rpg) are among the tops in their categories.
This is Richardson's second year as head coach of the Patroons; he had previously patrolled the sidelines as both a coach and player-coach for several European teams. This honor is a first for an Albany Patroons coach since the Pats returned to the CBA in 2005.
KEVIN PITTSNOGLE NAMED CBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The West Virginia product has been a steady force for the Xplosion early this season as they have been competitive every game but has been unable to capture a win until this week. Pittsnogle started the week off in Yakama with a 12 point, 6-rebound effort. Next for Pittsnogle was a 19 point, 10-rebound effort against Utah. Kevin next traveled to Butte where he put up 33 points in a 119-118 victory. Pittsnogle hit the game winner for the Xplosion's first win this season. In his final game of the week, Pittsnogle exploded for 42 points and 9 rebounds in a heart breaking 132-130 loss to conference leader Albany. Pittsnogle's 42 points is the second most points scored in a game this season, behind only Desmond Ferguson's 43 points on opening night against Utah.
Pittsnogle averaged 26.5 points and 8.3 rebounds over a four game span. He shot 89.3% (25/28) from the line and 40% (13/33) from behind the arc.
Other players receiving consideration were:
T.J. Thompson, Albany
David Bell, Butte
Malik Moore, Great Falls
Shaun Fountain, Indiana
Ray Cunningham, Minot
Harold Arceneaux, Utah
Ben Ebong, Yakama
DID YOU KNOW?
Five of last week's games ended with 4-3 quarter point splits (a team won the game and one quarter, while the other team won the remaining three quarters).
By comparison, the CBA had six 4-3 splits in the entire 2005-06 season.
The record for 4-3 quarter point splits occurred in the 1991-92 season, when 26 games ended in a 4-3 split (17 CBA franchises playing a 56-game season).
The last time the CBA had more than 10 4-3 splits occurred in the 1996-97 season, with 13 games ending in a 4-3 split (11 CBA teams playing a 56-game season)
SPIRITED RUN FOR CBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
The CBA's 61st anniversary season has produced several stellar and qualified rookie candidates among its eight franchises, and the battle for CBA Rookie of the Year has intensified over the season. Here's a look at twelve current candidates for CBA Rookie of the Year (class of 2007), and their statistics up to this point:
Miguel Ali Berdiel (6'6 forward, Valparaiso '06, Utah Eagles)
Berdiel has become the top assist master for the Eagles, and his 6.4 assists per game is third best among all CBA players. He is also among the league leaders in steals with 2.1 steals per game (8th best overall). Berdiel has started all nine games he has played for Utah; he finished the month of December with 11.9 ppg and 4.1 rpg.
Will Caudle (6'9 forward, Xavier '06, Indiana Alley Cats)
Caudle has started ten of Indiana's first thirteen games. On December 4, 2006, Caudle scored a team-high 40 points at Minot; his 17 field goals made in that game was a league high for the month of December. Caudle currently ranks third among all CBA players in field goal percentage (0.583 pct). He currently averages 14.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 4.2 assists per game.
Lewis Fadipe (6'10 center, LaSalle '06, Minot Skyrockets)
Minot's rookie center has seen limited time on the court, averaging seven minutes per game. However, in a December 19, 2006 game at Albany, Fadipe had professional career highs of 4 rebounds and two blocked shots.
Jason Forte (6'4 forward, Southern Mississippi '06, Yakama Sun Kings)
Forte has started two of Yakama's first 15 games. In his 23.6 minutes per contest, Foote has dropped 11.3 ppg, yanked down 3.5 rebounds per game and dished out 3.3 assists per contest. Foote's 9 three-pointers are third-best on the Sun Kings.
Travis Garrison (6'8 forward, Maryland '06, Great Falls Explorers)
Garrison has become a solid utility player for the Explorers; in 20 minutes per contest, the forward is fourth on his team with 5.3 rebounds; and his 11.8 points per game are only surpassed by three other Explorers. In his first game for the Explorers, on December 12, 2006 against the Utah Eagles, Garrison scored 24 points and pulled down 6 boards in the Great Falls victory.
Gordon Klaiber (6'8 guard, Fairleigh Dickinson '06, Albany Patroons)
Klaiber started eight of the Patroons' first thirteen contests; he averages 9.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg, with 10 blocked shots (second-best on team).
Bryant Markson (6'7 forward, Utah '06, Utah Eagles)
One of the top stars for the Utah Eagles, Markson currently leads the CBA in field goal percentage, with a 61.6% accuracy rate. Markson's 18.5 ppg is 11th best overall in the CBA; he also averages 3.8 rpg and 1.7 assists per game. His career-high 32 points came on December 27, 2006, in a home loss against Indiana.
Bryant McAllister (6'3 guard, Mansfield '05, Pittsburgh Xplosion)
McAllister is among the leaders in assists per game (4.7) and 3-point field-goal percentage (44% from behind the arc). He averages over 11 points per game, and has started 5 of the eight Xplosion games in which he has played.
Kevin Pittsnogle (6'11 forward, West Virginia '06, Pittsburgh Xplosion)
The big rookie forward has been one of the Xplosion's brightest stars in their inaugural CBA season. Pittsnogle has started all eleven of the Xplosion's December contests, leading the team in 3-pointers made (19). Among all CBA players, Pittsnogle is 16th in scoring with 17.9 ppg; his free throw percentage (.923, 36 for 39) is third best in the league; and his average of one blocked shot per game is 7th best this season.
J.J. Sullinger (6'5 guard, Ohio State '06, Indiana Alley Cats)
The Alley Cats' first-round draft pick has played hard for the franchise since his release from Tulsa (NBDL) earlier this season. Sullinger is tenth overall in league scoring, garnering 18.8 points per game in 10 contests for Indiana. Sullinger has started eight of those games, and currently leads the team in rebounds (6.0 rpg).
Antoine Tisby (6'8 forward, South Carolina '06, Butte Daredevils)
Tisby has seen limited action with the Daredevils, barely 3.2 minutes per contest. His only scoring of the season were two points in Butte's opening-day victory over the Utah Eagles.
Marc Williams (6'3 guard, Indiana [PA] '06, Pittsburgh Xplosion)
Averaging 15.7 minutes per game in nine contests for the Xplosion, Marc Williams has filled a utility role, with 6.1 ppg. In his last two games of December, however, Williams has averaged 13 ppg, including 15 in Pittsburgh's first victory of the season.
CBA's 23rd ANNUAL ALL-STAR GAME ONE MONTH AWAY FROM TIP-OFF IN BUTTE, MONTANA
The Continental Basketball Association's 23rd annual All-Star Game is about one month away from tip-off in Butte, Montana. This year's event will take place on Tuesday, February 6 at the Butte Civic Center. Game time for the contest is 7 PM MST. The game will be preceded by a Long Distance Shootout and a Slam Dunk Contest. For ticket information, call the Butte Civic Center at 406.497.6441. For credentials, contact Dennis Truax at 518-694-0100.
THE BALLETS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT
The ballots for the 2007 CBA All-Star Classic have been sent out to the eight league coaches and designated media members in each of the eight markets. The ballots will be returned to the league office by Friday, Jan. 19, with the 2007 Eastern Conference Team announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and the 2007 Western Conference Team announced on Wednesday, Jan. 24. All-Star Head Coaches for the 23rd Annual All-Star game will be determined from the teams with the highest quarter-point average in each conference at the conclusion of game #85 on Sunday, Jan. 21. Those coaches will be announced on Monday, Jan. 22.
RECENT CBA TRANSACTIONS
January 2, 2007
Butte Daredevils waived C Keith Closs at 9 AM EST.
Minot Skyrockets placed G Lenny Cooke on Injured Reserve.
December 30, 2006
Albany Patroons waived C Ian McVey at 1 PM EST.
December 28, 2006
Pittsburgh Xplosion waived C Frank Barr at 5 PM EST.
December 26, 2006
Minot Skyrockets signed F Willie Mitchell. Activated G Dale Miller from Injured Reserve.
Pittsburgh Xplosion activated G Bryant McAllister.
TEAM NOTES
Albany Patroons (11-3, 65.5 QP, 4.68 AVG, 1st place, American Conference)
The Patroons opened the week up with a 117-96 loss against Minot. The Patroons managed to capture 2 points in the loss. T.J. Thompson had 28 points, and Felipe Lopez had 18 points for Albany. The Patroons were looking for revenge against the Skyrockets after their loss earlier. Three players had over 20 points, T.J. Thompson (26), Jamario Moon (24), Kwan Johnson (21) in a 110-95 win, capturing 6-quarter points. In their final game of the week, Albany took a 132-130 overtime win over Pittsburgh. T.J. Thompson had 41 points and Jamario Moon had 31 points in the win, capturing 4-quarter points.
Butte Daredevils (4-6, 30.5 QP, 3.05 AVG, 3rd place, National Conference)
The Daredevils took on state rival Great Falls at home to start the week. Butte was too good of a host, losing 101-95, taking 2-quarter points. David Bell had 20 points in the loss. Butte hosted Indiana and won 110-107, winning 4-quarter points. David Bell had 19 points in the win. Butte hosted Pittsburgh and cam away with a 119-188 loss, winning 2-quarter points. Odell Bradley had 29 points in the loss.
Great Falls Explorers (8-5, 52.0 QP, 4.00 AVG, 2nd place, National Conference)
Great Falls traveled south to take on their state rival Butte Daredevils. Great Falls won 101-95, taking 5-quarter points. Malik Moore had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Great Falls next hosted the Sun Kings. Malik Moore had 27 points, and Keith Salscheider had 22 points in a 104-98 win. The Explorers won 4-quarter points. The Daredevils were looking for a perfect week, but were unsuccessful, losing 105-102, winning 3 quarter points. Malik Moore again led the way with 20 points.
Indiana Alley Cats (6-8, 43.0 QP, 3.07 AVG, 3rd place, American Conference)
Indiana traveled to Utah and took on the Eagles. The Alley Cats were dominate and won 125-112, winning 6.5-quarter points. Shaun Fountain had 37 points, and Erick Barkley had 23 points in the win. The Alley Cats next took on Butte, losing 110-107, winning 3-quarter points. J.J. Sullinger had 33 points in the loss. The Alley Cats hosted rival Minot in their final game of the week. Indiana squeaked out a 102-101 win, J.J. Sullinger had 28 points, as the Alley Cats won 4-quarter points.
Minot Skyrockets (7-6, 50.0 QP, 3.85 AVG, 2nd place, American Conference)
The Skyrockets started a two game set in Albany against the Patroons with a 117-96 victory. Ray Cunningham had 37 points and Jitim Young had 25 points in the 5-2 win. In the second game of a two game set, Minot lost 110-95, winning 1 quarter point. Jitim Young had 19 points in the loss. Minot finished the week in Indiana, taking on the Alley Cats, The Skyrockets were down one with the ball at the end of the game, but Ray Cunningham was not able to convert, losing 102-101. Minot won 3-quarter points, with Desmond Ferguson leading the way with 32 points.
Pittsburgh Xplosion (1-11, 19.0 QP, 1.83 AVG, 4th place, American Conference)
The Xplosion were in Yakama looking for their first win on the season. Yakama was not kind to the Xplosion, as they lost 130-94. Issac Jefferson had 33 points in the loss. The Xplosion traveled to Utah to take on the Eagles. Greg Jenkins had 26 points and 12 rebounds in a 124-112 loss. The Xplosion next played in Butte against the Daredevils. Kevin Pittsnogle had 33 points and hit a game winning jumper to lead the Xplosion to their first win on the season. The Xplosion returned home to take on Albany. The Xplosion had an outstanding game but lost 132-130 in overtime, winning 3-quarter points. The Xplosion were led by Kevin Pittsnogle's 41 points.
Utah Eagles (5-8, 34.5 QP, 2.65 AVG, 4th place, National Conference)
The Eagles hosted the Alley Cats to start the week and lost 125-112, winning a half-quarter point. Bryant Markson had 32 points in the loss. The Eagles next hosted the Xplosion. John Millsap had 30 points and 16 rebounds in a 124-112 victory, winning 5-quarter points.
Yakama Sun Kings (10-5, 66.5 QP, 4.43 AVG, 1st place, National Conference)
Yakama opened the week at home against the Xplosion. Yakama won 6 points in a 130-94 win. Yakama placed nine players in double figures, with Ralph Holmes leading the way with 25 points. Yakama next traveled to Great Falls, where they lost 104-98, winning 3-quarter points. Rocky Walls and Galen Young each had 19 points in the loss. The Sun Kings played the Explorers again and this time took a 105-102 victory, winning 5-quarter points. Ralph Holmes had 34 points in the victory.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from January 2, 2007
- Alley Cats Beat the Skyrockets for Second Time in Three Days - Indiana AlleyCats
- CBA weekly - CBA 1
- Kevin Pittsnogle named CBA Player of the Week - CBA 1
- Micheal Ray Richardson named CBA Coach of the Month - CBA 1
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