Long Beach Jam Bring Undefeated Record to Home Opener
December 4, 2003 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Laguneros News Release
LONG BEACH, CA â The American Basketball Association (ABA) is coming home to Long Beach as the Jam tip off, in their first home game ever, against the Fresno HeatWave (0-2), Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Long Beach State Pyramid.
The first-place Jam, led by new Head Coach Earl Cureton, remain perfect at 5-0 heading into the home opener following a 153-102 win at Fresno on Tuesday. The team is averaging 134.8 ppg, with an average margin of victory of 24.8 ppg. Geno Carlisle (Cal) leads the team in scoring at 28.2 ppg and has netted 24 of 42 3-point shots (57.1%). Former UCLA forward Matt Barnes is second on the team in points and rebounds, averaging 25.4 ppg and 10.6 rpg, and is contributing 4.7 apg. Jack Hartman (Biola) has been strong down low, averaging 18.8 ppg and a league-leading 21.2 rpg (has had 18 or more rebounds in all five games). DerMarr Johnson has been solid, averaging 18.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg, while point guard Lamar Castile is averaging 11.4 ppg and a team-leading 8.5 apg.
The Jam will be hosting a toy drive, in partnership with the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, throughout the month of December. Fans who bring an unwrapped toy to the toy drive booth at the Pyramid throughout the month of December will receive coupons for free items at participating Arby's and Wendy's restaurants. Toys for Tots will distribute the gifts to Long Beach area children and families in need of extra support this holiday season.
Performing at half time of the opener will be Lil' Max$o, the world's youngest professional rapper at five years of age. The 3-foot-3, 40-lb rapper out of Alhambra, Calif. has performed live on such national shows as Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Today Show and The View. The youngster has performed with marquee artists such as Nelly and Xzibit, and has been featured in videos for NAS and 50 Cent. The national anthem will by sung by Star Search finalist, Mariah Raizel. Prior to the Jam game, the Long Beach Wilson High School girl's basketball team will square off against J.W. North at 5 p.m.
Individual game tickets are on sale now and available for purchase by visiting the Long Beach State Pyramid box office, or by phone at 562-985-4949 and 888-4-JAM-TIX. Prices range from $5 for children, senior citizens and military, to $10-15 for reserved seating. Season and group tickets, including a special $25 "Jr. Jammers" season-long youth package (includes reserved seating at all home games, a t-shirt and free entry to all public youth clinics hosted by the Jam), may be purchased by calling the Long Beach Jam offices at 562-799-8100.
"We are excited about the success of the team this early in the season and look forward to bringing home the high level of play to the Long Beach Pyramid," says Jam President Steve Chase. "We will be involved in a lot of community-related promotions and events this season and the response from local fans has been great so far. We are glad to bring the top team in the ABA home to our supporters."
The 36-game ABA 2003-04 season includes seven teams, the Long Beach Jam, Kansas City Knights, Tijuana Diablos, Gallos de Pelea of Juarez, Jersey Squires (Trenton), Las Vegas Rattlers and Fresno HeatWave. The ABA includes unique game rules such as the "3-D" rule (when a team loses possession while in the backcourt, the team who acquires possession gains one additional point per field goalâ2pt shot becomes 3, 3pt shots become 4, if a foul occurs, the number of free throws awarded increases by one), the international basket interference rule (once the ball hits the rim, it is live and any player may make contact with it without being penalized for "goaltending") and the "Super Foul" rule (on or after the 10th team foul, the team may choose to shoot a 3pt shot or the traditional two free throws).
For more information about the Long Beach Jam, call 562-799-8100. For the full league schedule and other ABA information, please visit 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.
• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...
American Basketball Association Stories from December 4, 2003
- Long Beach Jam Bring Undefeated Record to Home Opener - Maywood Laguneros
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.
