Express Add Cassandra Smith to Coaching Staff
August 17, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Jersey Express News Release
Newark, N.J. (Tuesday, August 17, 2009) - After the recent announcement of Quaasim Austin as head coach, the Jersey Express of the American Basketball Association officially proclaimed Cassandra Smith as assistant coach today. Austin and Smith will patrol the bench for the team starting this fall when the Express embarks upon their fifth season of play.
"I'm glad to get the chance to help lead our local players on this basketball adventure," Smith recently stated. "Hopefully, we will have a successful season in which others will want to follow in this team's footsteps."
Entering his first season as head coach, Quaasim Austin feels that Smith will be a nice addition to his coaching staff.
"I believe Coach Smith is a good asset to the Jersey Express coaching and playing staff," Austin commented. "Her desire to teach from the ground up and her focus on foundation building is what we are looking to do."
Smith was given a thorough look from Austin during offseason training activities over the summer, and through those observations, he knew she fit his image for what he wanted to accomplish with the Express this year.
"I have had an opportunity of watching her skills in motion during this summer when she challenged our captain, Dwayne Howell, to become a scoring threat," he continued. "She is doing wonders in limited time with him, and I can only imagine the team results once camp begins. We share the same philosophy, and that's important."
With ABA tipoff steadily approaching, the Express recently announced a second open tryout that will take place this Saturday, August 22nd. Through their partnership with the Newark Urban Coordinating Council and Network Youth Basketball of Newark, the tryouts will be taking place from 12-4:00 p.m. at the Westside Park Gym in Newark.
"The Jersey Express is looking for local talent to fill the remaining spots on our roster for the 2009-10 season," Express President Marsha Blount said. "We will be signing players from the August 22nd tryout."
Pre-registration for tryouts is available through the Jersey Express website at www.jerseyexpress.net, and the cost for early registration is $75. The fee on the day of tryouts will be $100, with only cash being accepted that day. Players interested in trying out should wear basketball attire and be prepared to do a number of drills that will focus on both skill and overall knowledge of the game. As more information is made available regarding tryouts, it will be posted to the Express website.
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 August 17, 2009
- Express Add Cassandra Smith to Coaching Staff - Jersey Express
- Lake County, Florida New Entry This Season - ABA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
