Fresh Lose A Tough One To End Their Championship Hopes

Published on March 9, 2010 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
North Texas Fresh News Release


FORT WORTH - It has been a tough year for the North Texas Fresh, as they have had many ups and downs the whole year.

The Fresh started in camp with 47 players in Pro Camp to start the season and played in its 1st playoff game in the history of the Franchise with only 4 of those 47 players from that number. Assistant Coach Lisa Bowdy, who took over as interim Head Coach for Jay Bowdy (Owner/Player), seen every face come in go since her arrival with the team.

"It's been a lot of changes for the good, better, and worse," stated Coach Lisa Bowdy. "One thing about it is that the people who are still with us deserved too and the ones that aren't deserve to go because they showed no heart by their actions. I am proud of our team and very proud of what Jay [Bowdy] has done for this city, this team, and how he performed in this last game showing that he is truly an amazing player."

Jay Bowdy, Owner/CEO and player, came into this game with fire from start to finish in hopes of taking the Fresh to a Championship. By the end of the 1st quarter he had already tallied a mark on every score tab with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, and the drawing of 2 charges. Even with those quality 1st quarter stats, combined with the outstanding 1st quarter from Robert Taylor, the Fresh were still down early and stayed down the entire game.

"We had a lot of new guys that haven't been with us since the beginning of this season," stated Carzel "Moose" Wynn, starting Guard for the Fresh. "Every single person in a Fresh uniform played their heart out though and that's what count. We may have had a little more talent before some of out guys have departed, but we showed the most heart on the floor since training camp."

The Fresh showed so much heart that emotions ran overboard forcing an ejection early in the 4th quarter when the Fresh where making a run. Obie Ezem, Forward for the Fresh, positioned himself for a charge but was called for a questionable block by one of the ABA referee's. Not only did the crowd disagree with the call but Ezem became very upset as the turn of calls in the 2nd half began to slightly go the Texas Fuel direction. Even some of the fans began to speak out because of the inconsistency of calls for the home team.

"It was pretty obvious how the game turned around in the 2nd half with the calls," stated James Dean, a spectator. "I kind of expected the game to get chaotic because it was a few calls that showed frustration towards our team [Fresh], but I think it got a little out of hand in the 1st quarter and continued from there."

Ezem not only was ejected, but had to be removed from the facility due to the confrontation with the ref. The confrontation caused a temporary call of the game as the referee was giving a forfeit against the Fresh for the action against Ezem. After a referee conference, the refs continued play but the game situation never changed as the Fuel kept a double digit lead to win it 106 - 94.

Jay Bowdy finished with a game - high 29 points but missed 8 free throws that could have brought the game closer. Bowdy not only left the game as the leading scorer but left leading all players with multiple blood wounds stained on his uniform and with his head down from the game showing much emotion on his shoulders.

"It just sucks to lose this way," stated Bowdy. "We got the bitter end of the stick and the game play was out of hand to early and that was what is even more disappointing. I didn't pay $500 dollar to these refs to have recreation league play and that's what we received tonight along with 6 cuts on my body and a bloody uniform."

The Fresh end the season with 18 - 3 record and with 4 players in double digits scoring. Ezem finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals, Robert Taylor finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, while Carzel "Moose" Wynn finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assist. Bowdy also finished with 14 rebounds, 7 assist, 4 steals, and 3 blocks to go along with his 29 points.

The Fresh will continue from their success this season with off - season scheduling, exhibitions, and tryouts for their introduction into the next season.

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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Basketball Association Stories from March 9, 2010


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.

OurSports Central