Manchester Millrats Season Home Opener On Sunday
January 1, 2010 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Manchester Millrats open the regular season of the 2010 Premier Basketball League by hosting the Vermont Frost Heaves on Sunday January 3rd, 2010 at 4:05 PM in the Fieldhouse on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University.
Tickets are on sale at www.millrats.com or at the door. Doors open 1 hour prior to tip off.
Admission is just $10 for adults and $5 for kids 17 and under. VIP courtside chairs are available for $17, and courtside tables (6 chairs included) are $100. This Sunday is 'Youth Basketball Day' and youth basketball teams wearing their team jerseys will be admitted for just $3 each.
The Millrats defeated the Frost Heaves 138-116 on Tuesday evening in Barre, Vermont to capture the Champlain Cup Preseason Tournament. The two franchises have been fierce rivals since 2007 and have met 16 times, with Manchester claiming victory in 11 of the games to date.
"We are really excited about opening our third season in Manchester this weekend especially against Vermont," explained Millrats co-owner and star player David Cooper, "We're planning on treating our fans to quite a show on Sunday!"
PREMIER BASKETBALL LEAGUE PREVIEW:
The Premier Basketball League (www.thepbl.com) welcomes three new teams for the 2009-2010 season: Puerto Rico Capitanes de Arecibo - a professional team from the Puerto Rican pro BSN league, the Lawton-Fort Sill (OK) Cavalry - the two time CBA champions, and the Maryland GreenHawks. Also returning are the Millrats prior rivals - the Vermont Frost Heaves, the Halifax Rainmen, the Quebec Kebs, the Buffalo Stampede, and the Rochester RazorSharks.
Here are some the of the key faces that will be seen at Millrats home games at the Fieldhouse this season:
Matt Hall:
Former star player for Stonehill College, a rival of Southern New Hampshire University in the NE-10, now plays for the Millrats rival, the Vermont Frost Heaves. They visit the Fieldhouse on Jan 3rd and Feb 20.
Keith Friel:
Former Oyster River (N.H.) star player, now the reigning PBL MVP and member of the Rochester RazorSharks. They visit the Fieldhouse on Jan 16 and Feb 28.
Desmond Ferguson:
The former Portland Trailblazer was a member of the Manchester Millrats last season. This year he is playing for the Halifax Rainmen, and makes his return to the Fieldhouse on Jan 24.
Oliver Miller:
The former Arkansas Razorback was teammate of Charles Barkley while with the Phoenix Suns. He is now on the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry and they visit the Fieldhouse on Feb 7.
Bonzi Wells:
Former NBA player with the Trailblazers, Rockets, and Grizzlies is now a member of the Puerto Rico Capitanes. They visit the Fieldhouse on Feb 21.
Rob Spon and Byron Mouton:
Rob Spon led the Millrats to a 16-4 regular season record last season and the Atlantic Division Title. This season he is at the helm of the Maryland GreenHawks and has former University of Maryland star forward, Byron Mouton, in his fold. Mouton was a key contributor on the Terrapin's 2002 National Championship squad. They visit the Fieldhouse on Mar 21.
And of course, the Manchester Millrats:
The 'new look' Millrats are led by first year Head Coach Heath Teixeira along with a trio of minor league veterans: Anthony Anderson, the former league MVP is back with the Millrats after several years overseas, Al Stewart is a reigning PBL Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and Marlowe Currie, a 2009 PBL All-Playoff performer, also returns.
During the preseason the high-octane Millrats offense was led by Dwight Brewington (19.7 ppg), Anthony Anderson (19.5 ppg), Lou McCroskey (19.0 ppg), Alexus Foyle (19.0 ppg), and UNH alum's Eric Gilchrese (18.0 ppg) and Tyrece Gibbs (11.3 ppg).
"We feel that we have our most talented team yet, and we play a brand of basketball that is high scoring and very exciting for the fans," explained Millrats Coach Heath Teixeira.
Premier Basketball League Stories from January 1, 2010
- Manchester Millrats Season Home Opener On Sunday - Saint John Riptide
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