Hurricanes Shake The Gym In First Tryout
August 14, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Hawaii Hurricanes News Release
Honolulu, HA. There were plenty of rim-rattling highlights from the ABA Hawaii Hurricanes first ever tryout on Saturday at Kalaheo High School's gym. Familiar faces and wandering free agents displayed their skills, personalities and endurance hoping to impress head coach Alika smith, assistants Darrell Matsui and Scott Kato and owner Andrew Moss.
Hawaii's best amateurs, recent collegiate players and semi-professionals were joined by some former Hawaii Mega Force players. Those in the gym exuded their confidence in the future and current success of the Hurricanes. Kaunaoa McGee, a powerful multi-skilled guard who also made the previous Mega Force roster, thanks that the new team will stay in Hawaii for a long time. "The previous owner never took action. He was a great guy but just didn't have good help. He kept making promises to the players but never came through. I feel a lot better knowing that Andrew Moss already has some sponsors and that we'll be playing at the Blaisdell. There are people and businesses here that want to support basketball, but haven't been given a valid opportunity until now."
The Neal Blaisdell Arena has recently installed a brand new comfortable new arena seating throughtout its lower 2300 plus seats. The Hurricanes first home game is scheduled for November 11th when the Maywood Buzz come to visit for two games. Before then, the Arena will have completed the installation of a brand new air conditioning system, basketball court and goals.
In an afternoon of exciting tryout action, the most notable surprise of the day came from unknown Travis Gale. The 6'6" swingman from New Jersey showed remarkable spped and quickness to go with shut down defense and consistent shot making. He was one of many who gave great demanding efforts.
As tryout were being conducted, ABA Director of Officials, Tom Chichester was educating, training and evaluating at least nine local veteran referees. He told those in attendance about the ABA's exciting, fast-paced brand of basketball and why it continues to be a successful innovator for professional leagues around the world.
The first signings will not be announced until after the Las Vegas tryouts on September 8th and 9th, but according to Andrew Moss, team owner, "We have great players here and truly believe that several will make the squad. There's some great talent in Hawaii."
Thanks to local sponsor Aqua Hotels and Resorts, and their ten boutique properties in Waikiki, the Hurricanes can comfortably house teams in Hawaii throughout the course of the 36 game season. The tone of the tryouts was competitive but friendly. "Day one certainly started us off right. We're looking for a terrific season," added Moss. For more information, email andrew_moss@hawaiihurricanes.com or visit www.hawaiihurricanes.com or www.abalive.com.
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 14, 2007
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- Queen City and The Granite State Get ABA Basketball Team - Saint John Riptide
- Cape Cod Frenzy To Sit Out Season - Cape Cod Frenzy
- Ask the CEO - ABA
- Hurricanes Shake The Gym In First Tryout - Hawaii Hurricanes
- ABA expands to Reno, Nevada, begins play in November - Reno Rockers
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