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CBA 1 Continental Basketball Association 1

CBA Weekly

January 24, 2007 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release


MICHEAL RAY RICHARDSON, PAUL WOOLPERT NAMED ALL-STAR CLASSIC HEAD COACHES

Woolpert's third time as All-Star Coach, Richardson's first time

The Continental Basketball Association announced today that Yakama Sun Kings head coach Paul Woolpert and Albany Patroons head coach Micheal Ray Richardson have been selected as head coaches for the 2007 CBA All-Star Classic, to be held Tuesday, February 6 at the Butte Civic Center in Butte, Montana. Both coaches were selected because they led their teams to the highest quarter-point averages in each division as of January 20, 2007.

Paul Woolpert, currently in his sixth year as head coach of the Yakama Sun Kings, has assembled a dominant franchise that has assembled a 17-7 record, earning 113 quarter points, for a 4.71 quarter-point average, one of the highest QPA's in recent league history. Originally hired by the Sun Kings as then-head coach Mo McHone's assistant in the 1994-95 season, Woolpert and McHone were part of the 1995 Sun Kings CBA championship. As a head coach, Woolpert would lead the franchise to two more Ramsdell trophies, both in 2003 and 2006. As of January 20, 2007, Woolpert has 187 career CBA victories, including over 150 as a Sun Kings coach, as well as 100 wins at the Yakima SunDome. At his current pace, by the end of the season Woolpert could pass CBA coaches Bill Musselman and Gerald Oliver, and become one of the ten winningest coaches in modern CBA history.

Woolpert is the son of basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Woolpert, who coached the University of San Francisco to two NCAA championships (1955, 1956). This is Paul Woolpert's third head coaching stint in the All-Star Classic (lost in 2000, won in 2006), joining CBA legend Bill Musselman and current Minot Skyrockets head coach Chris Daleo for third all-time in all-star coaching appearances since 1979, behind only Dan Panaggio (4) and Eric Musselman (5).

Micheal Ray Richardson, currently in his second year as head coach of the Albany Patroons, has turned the franchise around from a 20-28 record last season to a 14-7 mark, earning 87.5 quarter points, for a 4.17 quarter-point average. The former four-time NBA All-Star, who in 1980 led the NBA in both assists (832) and steals (265), played for the 1987-88 Albany Patroons under head coach Bill Musselman, helping the Pats win the 1988 CBA championship and Musselman's fourth consecutive CBA title. After several years as a player and coach overseas, Richardson returned to the Patroons as its head coach at the start of the 2005-06 season.

This is Richardson's first head coaching appearance in the All-Star Classic; he becomes the fourth Patroon head coach to earn such recognition (Phil Jackson, 1983, 1985; Bill Musselman, 1988; George Karl, 1989, 1991). Richardson is also the first CBA All-Star coach with NBA playing experience since Larry Krystowiak coached the American Conference in the 2004 All-Star Classic.

The 2007 CBA All-Star Classic will take place on Tuesday, February 6 at the Butte Civic Center. The Classic will be preceded by the Long Distance Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest, starting at 6 PM local time. Game time for the All-Star Classic is scheduled for 7:15 PM local time. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Butte Daredevils office, 406-782-2859.

JAREN JACKSON RETURNS TO CBA AS NEW COACH OF PITTSBURGH XPLOSION

The Pittsburgh Xplosion have hired Jaren Jackson as their new head coach. Regarded as one of the most respected young minds in basketball, Jackson was the 2006 Continental Basketball Association Coach of the Year.

"We are excited to be able to obtain a person of Jaren's caliber to serve as our head coach," said Xplosion General Manager Freddie Lewis. "He is not only familiar with the CBA, but knows what it takes to play at the highest level. We lend Jaren our full support and know the remainder of the season will be productive under his guidance."

Jackson captured CBA Coach of the Year honors in 2006 after guiding the Gary Steelheads to the league finals in his first season with the team. The Steelheads won the Eastern Conference Championship with a record of 29-19 and concluded the regular season with a CBA-best 197 quarter points.

His coaching career began in 2003-04 as an assistant coach at his alma mater Georgetown University under Craig Esherick. After just one season with the Hoya program, he received his first professional head coaching job with the American Basketball Association's Philadelphia Fusion in 2004-05.

A winner at every level as a player, Jackson had a 13-year professional career that featured stints in the NBA, CBA and Europe from 1989-2002. The pinnacle of his career came in 1999 when he captured a World Championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. He played with nine different NBA teams and four CBA franchises, learning the game from legendary NBA coaches Larry Brown, Bill Fitch, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Greg Popovich and Flip Saunders.

A CBA veteran himself, Jackson reached the CBA finals with four different franchises. He captured league titles with the Wichita Falls Texans in 1991 and LaCrosse Catbirds in 1992. He also went back to the finals as a member of the Pittsburgh Piranhas in 1995 and the Fort Wayne Fury in 1996. In addition he won a title with the World Basketball League's Dayton Wings.

Collegiately he played under Basketball Hall of Famer John Thompson at Georgetown from 1985-89. He helped the Hoyas to a pair of Big East titles and four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He averaged 13.0 points as a senior.

"Jaren has been taught the game by some of the greatest coaches in basketball history," added team CEO Richard Hersperger. "We are certain his presence on the bench will make an immediate impact."

A native of New Orleans, La., Jackson founded the Back on the Block Foundation in his hometown in 1994. The program provided at-risk youth with entrepreneurial classes and instruction in tennis, golf, soccer and basketball.

NICK VANDERLAAN NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK

High rebounding game helped Butte Daredevil center

The Continental Basketball Association announced that Nick VanderLaan has been named the Player of the Week for the week of January 16 - January 22 VanderLaan is the first Butte Daredevil player to be honored as a Player of the Week.

VanderLaan, a 6-10 center from California-Irvine, averaged 11 points and 16 rebounds this week, in three games. In his first game of the week, VanderLaan had 12 points and 9 rebounds in a 104-100 loss to Minot. In his next game, VanderLaan had 13 points and grabbed 25 rebounds in a 101-86 win over Utah. VanderLaan's 25 rebounds is a CBA high for this season, and the highest total in a game since Eric Chenowith, from the Idaho Stampede, pulled down 29 rebounds against Sioux Falls last season. VanderLaan finished the week with 8 points and 14 rebounds in a 104-96 loss to Utah.

The Daredevils are currently in third place in the National Conference with a record of 7-11 record, capturing 55.5 points, averaging 3.07 points a game. The Daredevils host the Utah Eagles on Tuesday, January 23 and Wednesday, January 24. Butte then travels to Indiana to take on the Alley Cats on Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28.

Other players receiving consideration were:

Chris Sockwell, Albany

Malik Moore, Great Falls

Carl Edwards, Indiana

Desmond Ferguson, Minot

Kevin Pittsnogle, Pittsburgh

John Millsap, Utah

Galen Young, Yakama

RECENT CBA TRANSACTIONS

January 21, 2007

Albany Patroons activated G Kwan Johnson and F Sean Higgins.

Utah Eagles signed F Evric Gray. Released G Brian Evans.

January 20, 2007

Utah Eagles signed G Matt Vaughn and G Bernard Rock. Waived C Rahsaan Smith and F Tyler Jones at 4 PM EST (2 PM MST).

January 19, 2007

Albany Patroons waived G Tony Harris and F Greg Morton at 10 AM EST.

January 18, 2007

Minot Skyrockets signed G Ronnie Fields. Waived F Willie Mitchell at 2 PM EST (1 PM CST).

January 17, 2007

Indiana Alley Cats activate F Eric Walton. Place F Anton Currie on Injured Reserve.

Utah Eagles placed G Miguel Ali Berdiel on Inactive Reserve.

Pittsburgh Xplosion placed G Bryant McAllister on Inactive Reserve.

January 16, 2007

Butte Daredevils waived F Antoine Tisby.

Pittsburgh Xplosion named Jaren Jackson Head Coach for the remainder of the season. Activated G Bryant McAllister. Announced the retirement of F DeVaughn Hasell. Named DeVaughn Hasell Assistant Coach for the remainder of the season.

Great Falls Explorers signed C Mark Flavin.

Utah Eagles traded G Rob Griffin to the Yakama Sun Kings for future considerations. Signed G Darnell Jones.

UTAH EAGLES SUSPEND OPERATIONS

On January 23, 2007, the Continental Basketball Association announced today that the Utah Eagles will cease operations effective Thursday, January 25. The CBA schedule will remain, with the outstanding Utah games being played by the remaining seven franchises. The updated schedule and the results of a dispersal draft will be announced on Thursday, January 25.

"This is an unfortunate turn of events for the Utah Eagles and the CBA as a whole," said Apex Sportstainment CEO Joe Clark. "We came into this situation only seven days before the start of the season, when the previous owner had family obligations that forced him to return the franchise to the league, with the thought of finding a buyer at a later date. That date has come and we have not been able to find a buyer and it leaves us no other choice but to cease operations in Utah. We have made every effort to do the right thing in Utah and we are saddened that it has come to this. We still maintain the rights to the Utah franchise and we will be moving the franchise to a new location for the 2007-08 season. This announcement will be upcoming in the near future."

"It is regrettable that the Utah franchise has to cease operations," stated Albany Patroons general Manager Jim Coyne. "I know that Joe Clark and Apex Sportstainment have done everything in their power to continue the season. We have seven strong remaining franchises and a number of interested cities for the future. This has happened before in the CBA and we have gone on to grow and flourish, I am sure that history will repeat itself."

"I was disappointed that the Utah Eagles have to discontinue playing this season," said Ralph Sampson, Chairman of the Overall Economic Committee of the Yakama Nation, owner of the CBA defending champion Yakama Sun Kings. "The Utah Eagles situation was a precarious one from the start and Apex Sportstainment has done an admirable job to get them this far. While it is too bad that they have to fold, the CBA will continue and will strive to do what is best for the fans now and in the future."

"Apex Sportstainment has been approved to operate a fourth franchise in the CBA for next season (as originally planned), to compliment the three existing franchise owned by the group. Joe has invested considerable amount of time and money in the Utah franchise, at the expense of Butte, Great Falls, and Minot; but it was extremely difficult to continue without having local ownership, management and presence in Utah," stated Ricardo Richardson CBA Properties CEO. "The CBA will continue to grow and expand league presence, as we are in negotiations with leagues in Europe and the Caribbean. The CBA family stands behind Apex Sportstainment and its decision to focus on its remaining CBA ball clubs."

Recognized as the world's oldest professional basketball league the CBA moves ahead with the goal of moving into larger media markets in the United States and incorporating international competition as early as next season, the CBA already has firm commitments from expansion franchises in Atlanta, Vancouver, Miami and Southern California for the upcoming season with additional commitments from several overseas clubs pending.

The CBA continues to be regarded among the world's premier developmental leagues and has produced many of basketball's most recognizable names including current NBA head coaches Rick Carlisle, Maurice Cheeks, Phil Jackson, George Karl and Flip Saunders along with notable players such as Mark Blount, Bruce Bowen, Stephen Jackson, Mike James, Bo Outlaw and David Wesley.

RONNIE FIELDS RETURNS TO CBA WITH MINOT SKYROCKETS

The Minot Skyrockets are proud to announce the return of Ronnie Fields to the Minot Skyrockets roster. The graduate of Farragut Academy in Illinois worked out with the team in pre-season, but suffered a wrist injury that limited his playing ability. Now completely healthy, Fields has returned to Minot to play for his old coach.

"I have played for Coach Daleo for several years, so I know his system. He was looking for another shooter, so I decided to come back to Minot and play for him again. I look forward to showing the Minot fans what I can do on the court," said Fields.

Ronnie Fields is a 6'4" / 225 lbs. CBA veteran guard who has played for Head Coach Chris Daleo and the Rockford Lightning for the last four years. Fields has led the Lightning to four straight play-off appearances. In 2005-2006, Fields averaged 22.2 ppg and led the league with 2.3 steals per game. Fields is the only player in the history of the CBA to lead the league in both scoring and steals in two straight seasons. Fields conquered this feat in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.

At the end of last season, Fields was currently ranked 13th in scoring (4,894), 6th in steals (598), 36th in games played (279), and 38th in minutes played (7,870) among All-Time CBA Leaders. In 1997, Fields was the CBA Slam Dunk Champion and was a CBA All-Star in 2003-04 and 2005-06. Fields was also a member of the 2002-03 and 2003-04 All-League First Team and 2005-06 All-League Second Team.

"Ronnie is an exceptional talent and an exciting player. He always hustles, plays hard, and shoots well. I think fans will be impressed with his talents and will enjoy watching him on the court," commented Coach Daleo.

TEAM REPORTS

Albany Patroons (14-7, 87.5 QP, 4.17 AVG, 1st place, American Conference)

Albany split a two-game home series with the Great Falls Explorers this week. In the first game, Albany's Jamario Moon blocked two key shots in the fourth quarter of Albany's 117-114 [5-2] nail-biting victory over Great Falls. T.J. Thompson's 32 points led the team, while Moon's five blocked shots on the night gave him 104 career Patroons blocked shots, moving him past Kevin Springman and Vincent Askew for 8th place in team history. The second game, won by Great Falls 108-100 [5-2], was a tough and gritty game; T.J. Thompson again led the Patroons with 20 points and five steals, while Chris Sockwell earned 16 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. In Albany's third game of the season, the Patroons traveled to Minot, only to lose 123-106 [6-1]. Chris Sockwell came off the bench to score 23 points, while rookie Gordon Klaiber yanked down eight boards for the night.

Butte Daredevils (7-11, 55.5 QP, 3.08 AVG, 3rd place, National Conference)

Anthony Richardson's 29 points and 10 rebounds could not help Butte keep the lead against the visiting Minot Skyrockets, and in the end, the Daredevils were on the short end of a 104-100 [5-2] defeat. But upon returning home to the Butte Civic Center for a four-game series with the Utah Eagles, the Daredevils went back to the winning column with a 101-86 [6-1] triumph. Nick VanderLaan's double-double included 13 points and 25 rebounds, the most rebounds in a single CBA game this season - and the most since Eric Chenowith of the Idaho Stampede dropped 29 in a December 2005 game against Sioux Falls. Odell Bradley's 25 points led the Daredevils in scoring, he was also 11 for 16 from the floor. On Sunday night, in the second game of the series, the Daredevils could not overcome a determined Eagles squad, losing 104-96 [5-2]. Nick VanderLaan grabbed another 14 rebounds for the Daredevils, while Anthony Richardson was Butte's high scorer with 20 points.

Great Falls Explorers (13-7, 81.5 QP, 4.08 AVG, 4th place, National Conference)

In the first visit by a Montana-based franchise to Albany since the 1982-83 season, the Great Falls Explorers split two games with the Patroons. In the first came on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Explorers came up just short on a 117-114 [5-2] loss to the Patroons. Despite the loss, the Explorers had two players earning double-doubles - Eric Strand had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Marlyn Bryant pulled down 11 boards and dropped in ten points. Travis Garrison led the Explorers on the scoreboard with 26 tallies. But the next night, Great Falls gathered their weapons and took a 108-100 [5-2] victory against the Patroons. Jamar Howard notched 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Keith Salscheider's 17 points included a perfect two-for-two from behind the arc.

Indiana Alley Cats (14-9, 90.0 QP, 3.91 AVG, 2nd place, American Conference)

The Alley Cats stretched their winning streak to eight games, after leaving Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena with a 120-113 [6-1] triumph. Carl Edwards had a stellar night for the Alley Cats in their win, notching 40 points, including going 17-21 from the floor (81% average). Indiana would later host the Yakama Sun Kings in a two-game series at the WIgwam. The first game, on Friday night, saw the Cats, on the short end of a 103-98 [6-1] loss. The CBA's last two Players of the Week, J.J. Sullinger (23 pts) and Shaun Fountain (22 pts) was not enough to hold back the visiting Sun Kings; in the loss, Will Caudle grabbed eight rebounds. In the second game of the Yakama-Indiana series, the Alley Cats took out the Sun Kings 110-100 [5-2], with Carl Edwards (22 pts) and Shaun Fountain (20 pts) as Indiana's leading scorers on the night.

Minot Skyrockets (12-11, 83.0 QP, 3.61 AVG, 3rd place, American Conference)

The Skyrockets continued their reputation as one of the most determined teams in the CBA, with three victories on the week against three quality opponents. On Tuesday night, Minot took a strong victory from the Butte Daredevils at the Butte Civic Center, 104-100 [5-2]. Desmond Ferguson was the top scorer for the Skyrockets, launching 24 points on the night; Jason Smith earned another double-double for the team, with 14 points and ten rebounds. The arrival of Ronnie Fields helped spark up the Skyrockets to another win, this time a 97-86 [6-1] victory over the Pittsburgh Xplosion. Fields led Minot with 21 points in the win, while David Harrison continued his strong play for Minot, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Minot's third game of the week, a home win against the Albany Patroons 123-106 [6-1], saw Ray Cunningham notch a double-double (23 pts, 13 rebs), while Desmond Ferguson (23 pts) and David Harrison (20 pts) paced the Skyrockets in scoring.

Pittsburgh Xplosion (2-19, 36.5 QP, 36.5 AVG, 4th place, American Conference)

New Xplosion head coach Jaren Jackson put his charges through a tough practice before their Wednesday home contest against the Indiana Alley Cats, but in the end the results were the same - another loss for the struggling Xplosion, 120-113 [6-1]. Kevin Pittsnogle and Shawn Hawkins both scored 24 points apiece for Pittsburgh in the losing effort. Pittsburgh then went on the road to face the Minot Skyrockets, but came up on the losing end of a 97-86 [6-1] score. Kevin Pittsnogle's 23 points on the night led the Xplosion, extending his streak of eleven consecutive games as the team's leading scorer, while Isaac Jefferson yanked down 11 boards and Shawn Hawkins dealt 7 assists for the Black and Gold.

Utah Eagles (6-14, 46.0 QP, 2.30 AVG, 4th place, National Conference)

Talk about a familiar face - the Utah Eagles' former top scorer, Rob Griffin, came back to the Life Activities Center as a member of the visiting Yakama Sun Kings, and helped Yakama nail a 114-89 [6-1] victory over Utah. Harold Arceneaux led the Eagles with 23 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort. That was the only game played at Life Activities Center this week, as a scheduled Thursday night game against Butte was moved to the Butte Civic Center as part of a four-game Butte-Utah series. In the first game at Butte Saturday night, the Eagles started off strong, winning the first quarter against the Daredevils 23-14, but in the end lost the next three quarters (including scoring a season-low 11 points in the second quarter) en route to a 106-81 [6-1] loss. John Millsap (21 points, 11 boards) and Julius Nwosu (15 points, 15 boards) both had double-doubles for the struggling Eagles. In the second game of the series, the Eagles showed they were not pushovers to be taken lightly, winning 104-98 [5-2] over the hosting - but considered visiting for this game - Butte Daredevils. John Millsap had another double-double for the Eagles, leading the team with 28 points and 18 rebounds on the night.

Yakama Sun Kings (17-7, 113.0 QP, 4,71 AVG, 1st place, National Conference)

In the first game of an arduous 11-game road trip, newly-acquired Rob Griffin helped the Sun Kings torch his old team, the Utah Eagles, with a 114-89 [6-1] road victory on Tuesday. Griffin scored 23 points in 21 minutes of play, including hitting 5 of 7 three-pointers. Chris Alexander had a balanced game with 13 points and 6 rebounds. The Sun Kings won the first quarter point, but lost the second quarter by only three points, leaving the team with a 10-quarter unbeaten streak. Yakama's next stop on their road trip was a two-game stand against the Indiana Alley Cats at the Anderson Wigwam. In the first matchup, the Sun Kings took a 103-98 [6-1] win over their hosts, as Galen Young finished the night with 23 points and 13 rebounds, and just five assists shy of another triple-double. But in the second game on Sunday night, the Sun Kings ran out of gas in the fourth quarter against Indiana, losing the quarter 34-16 and the game 110-100 [5-2]. Galen Young had another double-double for the night, with 36 points and 12 rebounds.



Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from January 24, 2007


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