Downs and Ups
December 16, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
I'm quickly realizing that, to preside over a pro hoops team, you're equally preoccupied with business and basketball. On Thursday night, twice over, I found myself in a slough of despair and moments later on an aerie of elation-a valley and a peak for each half of my now thoroughly bifurcated self.
Slough, Business: It's 6:40 p.m. We tip off at 7:05 against the defending ABA champion Rochester Razorsharks, the team we're leading by a half-game in the standings. We'd gotten local press, done radio ads, the whole shebang. Yes, it had been almost a month since we'd played in Burlington, but dang if we hadn't been winning, either down the Interstate in Barre or on the road. We're 9 and 2. Yet the stands at Memorial Auditorium have only a smattering of people. (In Barre, noses are pressed against the doors long before they open at 6.)
Aerie, Business: Fifteen minutes later, people are pouring through the lobby, chatting one another up in the concourses, and finding seats in the bleachers and balcony. I overhear a few explanations for the sudden materialization of the crowd: Hard to find a place to park. Had to finish up dinner on Church Street and couldn't get the waitress to bring the check. Holiday shopping to squeeze in. Whatever. They're here.
Slough, Basketball: We'd led most of the game. Defended ferociously. Hit some timely threes. Been careless with the ball, though, and now Rochester-a deep, veteran, superbly coached team-is up seven with only 23 seconds left. Good chunks of that late-arriving crowd are early to depart. Oh well. At least they had a chance to enjoy Retro Seventies Night, with Bump the Moose wearing headbands on his antlers, and Julia and Rachel presiding over the promotions in hot pants, and that halftime dance contest, in which we led the contestants through four steps: travel (the circular hand motion made famous by various Pips and Temps); rebound (the Vinny Barbarino pose from Saturday Night Fever); crossover (some fancy footwork) and spin move (no explanation necessary).
Aerie, Basketball: Zounds: Our Aaron Cook knocks down a three. Demond Stewart of the Razorsharks gets whistled for a tripping foul as the Sharks try to inbound, and because the foul is regarded as a turnover in the backcourt, the 3-D Rule applies, which adds a point to any made shot. Tyrone Barley, who would wind up with 14 assists on the night, finds Cook at the top of the key with an inbounds pass-and Aaron bottoms out the four-pointer to tie. In OT Barley sinks a huge three of his own, and we force three straight turnovers to win, 95-93.
Now it's off to Montreal for back-to-back games against the Matrix, at 7:05 p.m. Saturday and 4:05 p.m. Sunday. Then back to Memorial next Thursday, another 7:05 p.m. tip, this time against . . . well, it's supposed to be the Brooklyn Wonders.
You know the expression, Will Wonders ever cease? Apparently, yes. Sometime tomorrow the league will advise us who Brooklyn's substitute will be. It may be Newark, may be Maryland, and may be one of two teams to beat us this season, Strong Island.
Whoever it is, we'll play them hard and clean. Come watch: Advance tickets are available at the Flynn Regional Box Office at 153 Main Street in Burlington or 159 Pearl Street in Essex, or by calling 802-86-FLYNN or going to flynntix.org. Or, as the Logger always says, "Try your luck at the door."
For more information about the Vermont Frost Heaves and to purchase team gear, go to vermontfrostheaves.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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