CBA Weekly

Published on January 24, 2008 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release

NATIONAL CONFERENCE WINS 2008 ALL-STAR CLASSIC

Paul Woolpert Wins 3rd Straight Coaching Victory

Odell Bradley MVP, Desmond Ferguson Long Distance Shootout, Harvey Thomas Slam-Dunk Winner

With over 4,000 Sun Kings fans in attendance, Yakama Sun Kings head coach Paul Woolpert won his third consecutive All-Star Game, as his National Conference-coached team won 109-107 over the American Conference squad. With the win, Woolpert ties Eric Musselman for most All-Star wins in CBA play. Although Woolpert had a starting lineup of four Yakama Sun Kings - Jermaine Blackburn, Jason Sasser, Desmond Ferguson and Tim Ellis - as well as a former Sun King, Nate Green - it was the Butte Daredevils' Odell Bradley who was named Most Valuable Player, garnering 22 points off the bench.

Bradley was also joined in scoring by Desmond Ferguson, who scored 20 points, including four of six from beyond 3-point range. Earlier in the day, Ferguson won the Long Distance Shootout with a last-second "money-ball" 3-pointer that relegated Aaron Cook of the Butte Daredevils to second place in the skills competition.

Marvin Phillips of the Oklahoma cavalry was the top rebounder for the National Conference, notching 14 boards. Demorris "Toby" Smith of the Rio Grande Valley Silverados was the leading assist man, dishing out six assists for the National Conference squad. Nate Green, a former Sun King now suiting up for the Great Falls Explorers, finished the night with 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The American Conference squad, led by Minot Skyrockets head coach Chris Daleo, came up short by two points, despite five players scoring in double figures. The East Kentucky Miners' Josh Pace led his All-Star squad in scoring with 19 points, while the Atlanta Krunk's Zach Marbury scored 16. John DeGroat of the Pittsburgh Xplosion was responsible for 13 points, including a trio of three-pointers, while the Albany Patroons' Nat Burton scored 11 points off the bench. Pittsburgh's John Strickland racked up 15 points and dished out five assists, but was a woeful 3-for-9 from the charity stripe James "Boo" Jackson of the East Kentucky Miners was the top rebounder for the American Conference, with eight boards. Sidney Holmes of the Minot Skyrockets led the team in steals, robbing the National Conference three times.

While Yakama's Desmond Ferguson won the Long Distance Shootout, his teammate, Harvey Thomas, won the Slam Dunk Championship with a thunder-slam that surpassed a behind-the-back jam from Oklahoma's Marvin Phillips. This makes the fourth consecutive All-Star Classic in which the host city's team won both the Slam Dunk and Long Distance Shootouts.

The event included a traditional invocation and performance by the members of the Yakama Nation tribe, as well as the Beale Street Tumblers troupe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Paul Woolpert is the first CBA head coach to win three straight All-Star Games. He also ties Eric Musselman, who won three All-Star Classics, for most coaching wins.

DESMOND FERGUSON EARNS CBA NATIONAL CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Yakama guard keeps adding points in two Sun Kings wins

The Contintental Basketball Association is pleased to announce that Yakama Sun Kings forward Desmond Ferguson is the CBA National Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 20, 2008. This is the fourth time a Sun Kings player has earned this award this season, joining Jason Forte, Jason Sasser (twice) and Tim Ellis as Yakama Player of the Week award winners.

In two victories over the Albany Patroons last week, the 6'7" guard from Detroit hit 15 points, including four 3-pointers in a 113-77 victory on January 14; on January 16, in a 100-78 victory over Albany, the man known as "Moneyball" led with 21 points, and his three 3-pointers that night allowed him to pass Rod Mason for 6th place on the CBA career 3-point list.

Other players given consideration for National Conference Player of the Week include Odell Bradley, Butte Daredevils; Rod Nealy, Rio Grande Valley Silverados; curtis Haywood, Oklahoma Cavalry.

RAY CUNNINGHAM EARNS CBA AMERICAN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Third Skyrockets player to earn award this year

The Contintental Basketball Association is pleased to announce that Minot Skyrockets forward Ray Cunningham is the CBA American Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 20, 2008. This is the third time a Skyrockets player has earned this award this season, joining John strickland and Ronnie Fields as Skyrockets award winners.

In three of Minot's four games last week against the Oklahoma Cavalry, three of which were Skyrocket victories, the 6'7" veteran forward from Murray State averaged 21.8 points per game for the Skyrockets, including notching back-to-back double-doubles on January 16th (24 pts, 12 rebs) and 18th (17 pts, 13 rebs).

Other players under consideration for the award included Zeck Marbury, Atlanta; John DeGroat, Pittsburgh; Mike Dean, East Kentucky; Jason Williams, Albany.

CBA TEAM REPORTS

Albany Patroons (13-11, 90.0 QP, 3.75 AVG, 3rd place, American Conference) Albany returned to Yakama for the first time since the 2007 CBA Championship; and head coach Vincent Askew returned to the SunDome for the first time since he played for the Patroons in the 1990-91 season. How things have changed; back then, the Patroons were the dominant team and the Sun Kings were a relocated franchise from Topeka; Monday night, the Sun Kings dropped an old-fashioned beating on the Patroons, defeating Albany 113-77 [6-1]. Amal McCaskill's 26 points were tops for the Pats; Nat Burton added 17; Dajan Smith and DayShawn Wright each garnered 7 rebounds. The second game against Yakama, on Wednesday night, was just as brutal, with the Patroons bowing 100-79 [6.5-0.5]. It was the first time in franchise history that the Patroons were held to under 80 points in consecutive contests. Amal McCaskill did lead the Patroons with 21 points and 9 rebounds, Rashaad Powell added 17 points for the Pats. On Friday night, the Patroons continued their West Coast road swing with a two-game stint in Butte. In the first game, Albany tore off a 21-11 first-quarter run, including 11 straight points, and finished with a 93-84 [6-1] victory. Amal McCaskill was one of six Patroons in double figures; he finished with 20 points. 32 of Albany's rebounds were split evenly between McCaskill, Jason "J-Bird" Williams, Rashaad Powell and Chad Timberlake, all of whom had eight boards apiece. Rashaad Powell also garnered six steals in the game. The Saturday night rematch with Butte was another win for Albany, 102-90 [6-1], as Jason "J-Bird" Williams led the Pats with 20 points. Nat Burton added 16 points, while Amal McCaskill dropped 15 points and 12 rebounds for Albany's second straight win.

Atlanta Krunk (9-17, 67.0 QP, 2.58 AVG, 5th place, American Conference) Put the Krunk in an overtime situation, and the team responds. Despite dressing only seven players, the Krunk kept pace with Rio Grande Valley on Monday night and at the end of regulation, both teams were tied at 111-111. In overtime, Kenny Anderson's crew took the victory 125-123 [5.5-1.5], on the strength of Terrance Hunter's 37-point, 12-rebound double-double and Zeck Marbury's 29-point, 12-assist double-double. The rematch on Wednesday night, however, did not go the Krunk's way, as Rio Grande Valley won decisively 121-80 [6-1]. Terrance Hunter dropped 19 points to lead the Krunk in scoring; Zeck Marbury added 15 points and 7 assists. A Pittsburgh-Atlanta home game for Thursday night was postponed.

Butte Daredevils (13-13, 90.0 QP, 3.46 AVG, 2nd place, National Conference) The weary Butte Daredevils took to the court at the Butte Civic Center, as 1,475 patrons cheered them on for a game against Albany. But the Daredevils were only able to suit up six men - including player-coach Odell Bradley - and when Blake Sholberg left midway through the game with an illness, Butte was down to five men. Still, they were able to outscore Albany in the final quarter 30-18, despite losing the contest 93-84 [6-1] and picking up only one quarterpoint. Martane Freeman led the Daredevils with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Odell Bradley notched 23 points and 15 boards. Lionel Davis' 10 points and 11 rebounds were the third double-double for the Copper City crew. Aaron Cook finished the night with 10 assists. The Daredevils were outmatched again on Saturday night, as the Albany Patroons took apart the Copper City Crew, 102-90 [6-1]. Player-coach Odell Bradley led the Daredevils with 26 points, while Aaron Cook added 23 and Martane Freeman notched 22 points, respectively. Carl Boyd was the leading rebounder with nine boards.

East Kentucky Miners (16-13, 102.5 QP, 3.53 AVG, 4th place, American Conference) On Monday night, the East Kentucky Miners ended the Pittsburgh Xplosion's 6-game win streak with a 119-110 [4.5-2.5] strike at the East Kentucky Expo Center. Six Miners scored in double figures, including Bryant Northern's team-leading 20 points, and a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double from James "Boo" Jackson. Mike Dean, newly acquired from the Rio Grande Valley Silverados, garnered 12 points for the Pikeville quintet. Next up for East Kentucky was a visit to McAllen to take on the Rio Grande Valley Silverados, as both teams battled to a 95-91 [4-3] win for the Miners. Josh Pace was top scorer for the Miners with 22 points, while Reo Logan's 15 rebounds were tops for East Kentucky. Mike Dean, the former Silverado, was held to just six points against his old squad. The second game against the Silverados became a 100-97 [6-1] East Kentucky victory, as Josh Pace notched 26 points in the victory. James "Boo" Jackson and Reo Logan had 10 rebounds apiece to lead the Pikeville quintet in that category.

Great Falls Explorers (7-18, 56.0 QP, 2.24 AVG, 4th place, National Conference) The Great Falls Explorers did not play this week.

Minot Skyrockets (19-8, 124.5 QP, 4.61 AVG, 1st place, American Conference) The Skyrockets were in a dogfight with the Oklahoma Cavalry, with neither team leading the game by more than a few points. But in the final moments, Minot pulled out a 91-89 [4.5-2.5] road victory to increase their lead in the American Conference. Veterans Ronnie Fields and Ray Cunningham each had 20 points apiece for the Magic City quintet; Marshall Phillips added 15 markers for Minot. Cunningham's nine rebounds led the team in that category. The Skyrockets improved their lead in the American Conference with a 97-94 [5.5-1.5] victory over the Cavalry on Wednesday night, with Ray Cunningham (24 pts, 12 boards) and Sidney Holmes (13 pts, 11 rebounds) hitting double-doubles. Ronnie Fields had 19 points, he also snatched seven steals, while Marshall Phillips and Lee Scruggs had two blocked shots apiece. On Friday night, the Cavalry and Skyrockets clashed once again at the Launchpad, and with the Skyrockets staring at a 66-58 deficit entering the fourth quarter, things looked bleak. But Minot would win the game 92-88 [4-3] in overtime, spurred by a 12-5 run at the start of the fourth quarter, capped by Marshall Phillips' 3-point play that cut Oklahoma's lead to 73-70 with six minutes left in the game. Two Ray Cunningham free throws cut the lead back to 83-81 and Phillips came up a with big steal and hit two free throws to tie game at 83-83 to force the overtime. Darius Mattear came off the bench to grab 17 rebounds and score 10 points, including three straight rebounds with just under four minutes left in the game. Marshall Phillips finished the game with 22 points, while Ray Cunningham notched a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds. On the last game before the All-Star Classic, Minot tied Oklahoma in the first quarter 24-24, but lost the next three quarters and fell 114-98 [6.5-0.5], despite Ronnie Fields notching 31 points to lead the Skyrockets in scoring. Ray Cunningham had 26 points, while Sidney Holmes' 7 rebounds led all Skyrockets in that category.

Oklahoma Cavalry (10-13, 76.5 QP, 3.33 AVG, 3rd place, National Conference) Another tight battle for the Cavalry, as Micheal Ray Richardson and Chris Daleo, rivals on the court and off, battled on Monday night. But in the end, the Minot Skyrockets edged out a 91-89 [4.5-2.5] victory over the Cavalry. Curtis Haywood was the leading scorer for the Cavalry, with 22 points; Tony Key's 10 rebounds led the Cavs in that category. In the Wednesday night rematch, Oklahoma fell a second time to the Skyrockets, losing another close match 97-94 [5.5-1.5]. All-Star Team member Daryan Selvy scored 28 points for the Cavalry, while Curtis Haywood added 19 points. Marvin Phillips led the Cavalry with 9 rebounds, Phillips also had four steals. On Friday night at the Minot Municipal Auditorium, the Cavalry held a 66-58 lead over the Skyrockets, having taken the first three quarterpoints - only to see the lead, and eventually the game, slip away in a 92-88 [4-3] overtime loss. Oklahoma was paced by Greg Plummer's 20 points, Daryn Selvy's 19, Curtis Haywood's 14 and Tony Key's 13. The Cavalry earned a clutch victory Sunday afternoon in a 114-98 [6.5-0.5] victory over the Minot Skyrockets at the Great Plains Coliseum. Curtis Haywood's 24 points was tops among the Lawton hoopsters, while Marvin Phillips notched 19 points and 13 rebounds for a nifty double-double.

Pittsburgh Xplosion (17-12, 117.0 QP, 4.03 AVG, 2nd place, American Conference) The Xplosion rode their 6-game winning streak to the East Kentucky Expo Center Monday night, but were not able to surpass the Miners, losing 119-110 [4.5-2.5]. Shaun Fountain's 26 points led the Black and Gold in scoring, Carl Krauser added 22 points as well; Krauser and Tyrone Anderson each garnered five steals apiece. Newly-acquired John Strickland had 18 points and five assists in the Pittsburgh loss. A Pittsburgh-Atlanta game for Thursday night was postponed. Two other games in Atlanta were relocated to a facility at Georgia Tech; Pittsburgh won the first game 108-96 [5.5-1.5], and the second 121-98 [7-0], box scores were not available at time of printing.

Rio Grande Valley Silverados (4-25, 54.5 QP, 1.88 AVG, 5th place, National Conference)On Monday night, the Silverados visited Atlanta for a battle with the Krunk. Both teams may have been in fifth place in their respective divisions, but they played this contest as if it meant a playoff berth - the game was tied at 111-111 in regulation, then the Krunk took the win in overtime 125-123 [5.5-1.5]. Renaldo Norman's 34 points made him the top Silverado scorer for the night; Cedric Smith added 30 for RGV; Smith also had 9 rebounds in the game. Tuesday night, however, was a different story, as the Silverados poured on the points in a 121-80 [6-1] road victory over Atlanta. Rod Nealy's 30 points and Cedric Smith's 28 points helped Rio Grande Valley get the win; Cedric Smith and Walt Waters were also in double figures for the Silverados. The Silverados returned home to McAllen to face the East Kentucky Miners, which marked new Miner Mike Dean's return to the McAllen Convention Center. The former Silverado only scored 6 points against his old team, but the Miners did hold off the Silverados 95-91 [4-3]. While Rod Nealy had 26 points for the Silverados, Demorris Smith notched 21 points and 12 rebounds in the game. The Silverados kept the Saturday night rematch with the Miners close, but in the end, Rio Grande Valley lost the Saturday night contest 100-97 [6-1]. Rod Nealy notched 31 points for the Silverados, leading his team in scoring. Toby Smith and Johnny Tyson had 7 rebounds apiece. New signee Gordon Klaiber, who previously worked with head coach Derrick Rowland when both were in Albany last year, scored 15 points in his Silverados debut.

Yakama Sun Kings (23-1, 139.0 QP, 5.79 AVG, 1st place, National Conference) In one of their most balanced games of the season, seven of nine Sun Kings finished in double figures in a 113-77 [6-1] victory over the Albany Patroons, in a rematch of the 2007 CBA championship teams. Jermaine Blackburn's 18 points led all Sun Kings in scoring; Anthony Washington added 17. Desmond Ferguson's 15 points included four 3-pointers. Harvey Thomas' 15 points included 11 rebounds. Wednesday night, the two teams met up again, and once again the Sun Kings proved dominant, defeating Albany 100-78 [6.5-0.5]. Desmond Ferguson led with 21 points, and his three 3-pointers allowed him to pass Rod Mason for 6th place on the CBA career 3-point list. Tim Ellis (15 points, 14 rebounds) and Harvey Thomas (13 points, 10 rebounds) both had double-doubles, while Moochie Norris distributed 10 assists.

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