Halfway Home
Published on January 9, 2007 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
Well, here we are.
Where, exactly, is "here?" How about: Sixteen and three. First place in the ABA's Blue North Division with a three-game lead over defending champion Rochester. The No. 2 spot in the latest league power rankings. The winner's circle in 11 of our last dozen games.
Point is, you've brought us here. Thank you for all you've done, whether in person or from afar. With your support, here we'll stay, setting the pace in the ABA.
A status report on the team as we pass the midway point: Travarus Bennett, the consummate pro whose long arms and defensive tenacity had fueled our pressure defense, chose not to return after Christmas because of an accumulation of injuries and family obligations back in Mississippi. Lester Strong is rehabbing his hand, broken when he whacked it on the rim at the Aud back in December. But the addition of point guard Kelvin Parker and power forward Issa Konare has allowed us to continue to apply coach Will Voigt's pressure, using our deep bench to wear opponents down.
Coach Voigt has been named to lead the East All-Stars at the ABA All-Star Game in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Jan. 28. Shooting guard Aaron Cook will be our All-Star. And power forward Antonio Burks will make the trip as an alternate, while joining Aaron in Saturday's three-point shooting contest. Those accolades couldn't be more well-deserved.
Tomorrow night we host the resurrected Buffalo Silverbacks in Memorial Auditorium. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m., and Patrick Standen, the St. Michael's College philosophy professor who co-founded the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association, will be our Northfield Savings Bank 110% Community All-Star: in uniform, on the bench and ready if needed. Fans may enter for a chance to win a special jersey and to rebound for Pat at halftime, when he'll shoot shots for charity. You can even help choose that charity: Look for the Northfield Savings Bank table in the lobby to enter. And, please: Bring your cowbells.
If you're a central Vermonter, remember: We won't return to Barre until February 8. You can nonetheless forestall Frost Heaves withdrawal by scooting up Interstate 89 for any of our next four games, all of which will take place at Memorial Auditorium: tomorrow night, Jan. 10, vs. Buffalo; Saturday afternoon, Jan. 20, vs. Strong Island, in our only Burlington matinee of the season; Thursday night Jan. 25, vs. Montreal; and Thursday night Feb. 1, vs. Cape Cod.
For tickets, go through the Flynn Regional Box Office: 153 Main Street in Burlington; 159 Pearl Street in Essex; by calling 802-86-FLYNN; or by visiting flynntix.org. Or, as former NSB 110% Community All-Star Rusty Dewees likes to say, "You can try yer luck at the door."
The Frost Heaves. Because ice is 10% more voluminous than in its liquid state.
By Alexander Wolff
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 January 9, 2007
- Halfway Home - Vermont Frost Heaves
- ABA names first two All-Stars - ABA
- Sea Dawgs rebound to defeat Maryland - Wilmington Sea Dawgs
- Riverhawks drop the "Knees" in last second thriller - Quad City Riverhawks
- Shorthanded Tropics earn victory over South Alabama - Miami Tropics
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.
