East Knocks Off West 161-140 in ABA All-Star Game
by Dave Potter
Published on March 22, 2008 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Barre, VT - The stars of the American Basketball Association were out Saturday afternoon, as the West took on the East in a high-scoring All-Star affair. Despite the myriad of problems the ABA has faced this year, including canceled games, a quirky playoff schedule and teams withdrawing from the league, the Barre Auditorium atmosphere seemed friendly and alive. With NBA scouts and a near-capacity arena looking on, the contest promised to be quite a show.
The Vermont crowd welcomed the East squad to thunderous cheers, with two Frost Heaves players, Antonio Burks and Issa Konare, representing them.
The game began as many All-Star contests do, with a good amount of flashy plays and an equal number of sloppy ones. Three point baskets rained down throughout much of the first quarter, as the West jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead. It would be the only lead they would see all day. The East squad took over from there, spreading out the scoring amongst the entire team and playing with a contagious confidence. After one quarter, however, the West hung around and trailed by just six points, 35-29.
About midway through the second quarter, every player on the East roster had scored, as they were led by Manchester Millrats guard Anthony Anderson (33 points), Vermont Frost Heaves big man Issa Konare (17 points) and Montreal Royal's Cordell Jeanty (24 points). The half closed with the East beginning to pull away from the West, 72-54.
The West squad was paced by And1 Mix Tape stars Cardell "Ballaholic" Butler (San Diego Wildcats) and Robin "Sic Wit It" Kennedy (Orange County Gladiators), as well as Texas Tycoons guard Mario Kinsey, who had 32, 20, and 20 points, respectively.
The story of the game, however, was the East squad's Eric Crookshank. His team having just withdrawn form the league (Halifax Rainmen), Crookshank was not even a definite on the roster until both teams and the league approved it. The Vermont fans were glad they did, as Crookshank was all over the court, getting rebound after rebound, playing sound defense, dishing out no-look passes and scoring nearly at will. Using mostly the three-point shot, the East began to pull away in the third quarter, despite pesky West defenders and brilliant play by Cardell Butler, Robin Kennedy, and Atlanta Vision star B.J. Puckett. After three quarters, the East led 119-96.
The fourth quarter saw the West attempting to get back into it using the outside game. For awhile, they did just that, getting to within eleven points with just over six minutes to play. But the East held firm thanks to Anthony Anderson's cutting drives to the hoop and an outside game that the West just could not contain.
At one point in the fourth quarter, with the West all-stars increasing the defensive pressure, Eric Crookshank scored six straight points, finishing with an emphatic slam that brought the Vermont faithful to their feet as he stood at center court relishing the standing ovation. With the crowd in a frenzy with just under five to play, the East ran away with it. It was an inspiring performance by Crookshank, whose team pulled out of the playoffs and the league just days ago. Despite having perhaps the best overall game, the MVP award went to Manchester guard Anthony Anderson, who had a game-high 33 points.
Finishing up what has been a feel-good weekend in Barre, Vermont, in was another tumultuous season for the ABA, the East bested the West All-Stars 161-140.
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.
American Basketball Association Stories from March 22, 2008
- Anderson Wins MVP Honors Leading East Over West 161-140 - Saint John Riptide
- East Knocks Off West 161-140 in ABA All-Star Game - OSC Original by Dave Potter
- It's On to Quebec City for the Frost Heaves - Vermont Frost Heaves
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