Frenzy Come Up Short in Jellybean\'s Debut

Published on January 7, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Cape Cod Frenzy News Release


Frenzy Head Coach Joe "Jellybean" Bryant moved from the bench to the court Wednesday night, but his debut as Frenzy player/coach was spoiled by the New Jersey Skycats 120-111. After trailing by 18 in the third quarter, the Frenzy tied the game at 89 midway through the fourth. But a pair of technical fouls and some unfortunate mistakes down the stretch spelled doom for the home team. Derrick Washington led the Skycats with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Edmund Saunders added 29. John Humphrey paced the Frenzy with 27 points.

But the story of Wednesday's game was the debut of 50 year old Joe Bryant as player/coach. The former 16-year NBA and European star decided over the last month that he would suit up with the Frenzy to add stability and experience to their game.

"I just felt like I could help some of these guys play the game better by being on the floor," said Bryant. "They say some guys are out there playing checkers while the good ones learn how to play chess."

This was not Bryant's ABA debut. The 6'9 215 pounder (just 30 pounds heavier than his 20-something year old playing weight) suited up for a handful of games last winter for the Las Vegas Rattlers.

"The guys are excited to play with him," said Assistant Coach Len Desautels. "He's been practicing with them since the beginning of the season, so I think it will work out well."

Bryant started in a lineup with Shannon Crooks, Marques Houtman, John Humphrey, and Troy Brown. The starting five had a lead heading towards the end of the quarter, but a New Jersey seven point spurt finished the first with the Skycats ahead by five. The Frenzy would never regain the lead. Bryant finished with 8 points and a couple of crafty veteran plays.

The UMass Dartmouth crowd also got their first look at new Frenzy point guard Manny Nunes. A former UMass Dartmouth and Boston player, Nunes came within the final cut of joining the AND1 Tour last year.

The Frenzy are back in action Friday at 7 p.m. at the Tripp Athletic Center on the campus of UMass Dartmouth in a rematch with the New Jersey Skycats. Pat Riley and Mike Conceicao will have play by play on WBSM 1420 AM.

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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American Basketball Association Stories from January 7, 2005


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