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Dragons' Lair

April 17, 2003 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


Season tickets for the 2003-04 season are on sale now! Riverdragons ticket packages starts as low as $40. Riverdragons season ticket holders can save up to 15% on individual game ticket prices in 2003-04. For more information call Matt LaBranche at (706) 225-1112 or e-mail him at riverdragonstix@nba.com.

LEGENDS OF THE LAIR: This Month's Feature Story...

RIVERDRAGONS REVIEW: The Riverdragons missed a return trip to the NBDL Playoffs but the 2002-03 season was not without its share of highlights for head coach Jeff Malone and company. Take a look back at the Riverdragons second season in the Columbus Riverdragons 2002-03 Season Review.

STORIES FROM THE LAIR: Other Dragons in the News

A GOOD GROUP OF GUYS: Alive and kicking in the NBDL playoff chase deep into the final week of the 2002-03 regular season, the Riverdragons (23-27) ultimately missed the postseason for the first time in the team's short history. Although disappointed with not qualifying for the playoffs, Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone was pleased with his team's all-around effort. "I've got a good group of guys," said Malone. "If we just could have raised it to one more level this season then I believe we would have returned to the playoffs with relative ease. That didn't happen - but the bottom line is - we're proud of them."

COACHES MAKE HISTORY: Tang Hamilton – the first Riverdragon to win the rebounding title – and Nate Johnson – the first Riverdragon to win the scoring title – were not alone in making history in 2002-03. The Riverdragons coaching staff also added a page to the Riverdragons history book over the course of the season. Head coach Jeff Malone reached his first NBDL coaching milestone March 7, collecting his 50th victory as the Riverdragons head coach in Columbus' 85-83 triumph over N. Charleston. Assistant coach Rob Werdann also made his own mark from the Riverdragons bench. February 2, Werdann earned his first "W" as a head coach in an 85-73 Columbus win over Roanoke. Werdann stepped in that evening for Malone, who was unable to attend the game due to food poisoning. Malone had coached 84 straight games for the Riverdragons.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Riverdragons have plenty to look forward to in the 2003-04 season, including the development of rookies Sean Peterson and Kitwana Rhymer. Both of the Riverdragons first-year players began to make an impact last March and will be expected to continue to contribute in November. Peterson started two of the Riverdragons final three games, taking advantage of the extra minutes averaging 16.6 points and 5.6 assists. Rhymer, claimed as a free agent in late January, gave the Riverdragons quality minutes off the bench adding clutch rebounding and physical play on defense. The 6-10 center from UMass closed the regular season posting a season-high 11 points and a season-high tying nine rebounds – including five rebounds off the offensive glass – in the Riverdragons season finale against Fayetteville.

SAUL SAYS GOOD-BYE: Saul Smith, the Riverdragons first allocated player in team history, announced his retirement following the completion of his second NBDL season with Columbus. Smith ends his two-year stint as one of the team's most popular players and was very involved in the Columbus community. The son of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith, Saul is moving on to pursue his own career in coaching.

A FAN'S NOTES: Offseason Events, Discounts and Promotions

RIVERDRAGONS BASKETBALL SCHOOL: This summer, the Riverdragons will team-up with Columbus-area high school coaches to conduct the first annual Columbus Riverdragons Basketball School. The four-day camp is open to all boys and girls ages 8-16 and will run July 7 – 11 at Northside High School in North Columbus. Each session will feature personal instruction by the Riverdragons coaching staff and players including head coach Jeff Malone, assistant coach Rob Werdann, point guard Sean Peterson and forward Greg Stempin. Campers will be grouped by age and ability and will compete in a tournament July 11. Each camper will receive an official Riverdragons Basketball School T-shirt, a player evaluation form, a certificate of participation and tickets to a Riverdragons game. Tuition is $85. The first 30 players to pre-register will receive a free Spalding Lightning glow-in-the-dark basketball. For more information call (706) 225-1100 or visit www.columbusriverdragons.com.

RIVVY D AT RIVERFEST: Riverdragons mascot Rivvy D and members of the Riverdragons dance team will be at the Historic Columbus Foundation's annual shin-dig, Riverfest. The festival is held each year along the banks of the Chattahoochee River on the popular Columbus Riverwalk. Rivvy and friends will be giving away prizes for those who prove they got game in the Riverdragons Pop-A-Shot contest. You can find Rivvy in the Kids Zone at the Civic Center Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.. For more information call (706) 225-1100.

DRAGONS SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Season tickets for the 2003-04 season are on sale now! Riverdragons ticket packages start as low as $40. Riverdragons season ticket holders can save up to 15% on individual game ticket prices in 2003-04. For more information call Matt LaBranche at (706) 225-1112 or e-mail him at riverdragonstix@nba.com. Ticket information can also be found at www.columbusriverdragons.com.

MINI-PLANS STARTS AS LOW AS $40: The Riverdragons will offer for the first-time the Game-A-Month Mini-Plan starting at $40. The Game-A-Month Mini Plan includes tickets to five pre-selected Riverdragons games - guaranteeing one game from each month of the season. For more information call Matt LaBranche at (706) 225-1112 or e-mail him at riverdragonstix@nba.com.

RIVVY D SPECIAL RETURNS: Back by popular demand is the Rivvy D Special – the $5 kids ticket (12 & under) good for any seat in the Civic Center (based upon availability). The Riverdragons are proud to offer the Rivvy D Special as one of the best entertainment values for kids in Columbus. For more information call Matt LaBranche at (706) 225-1112.

AND FINALLY...

A RIVERDRAGONS THANK YOU: Barry McMullin, team president of the Columbus Riverdragons, thanks fans for a great year. Next season, the $5 kid's ticket will return, as well as the Rivvy Rascals club and special benefits for season ticket holders.

NEXT MONTH IN THE DRAGONS' LAIR: We'll check in with the Riverdragons Tang Hamilton and see how the NBDL's double-double king is spending his summer. Plus, head coach Jeff Malone looks ahead to the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago and the NBA summer leagues in Boston and Utah.

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NBA G League Stories from April 17, 2003


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