Miners, four other teams make up American Conference
August 24, 2007 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - When the Continental Basketball Association begins its 62nd season in November, East Kentucky hoops fans will be able to follow their own team throughout the 2007-08 campaign. The East Kentucky Miners will begin play in their debut season on Friday, November 16 on the road versus American Conference rival Pittsburgh. East Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Minot and Albany make up the CBA's American Conference.
"It will be a very exciting year for the CBA as a whole - especially in our conference," said Miners Coach Kevin Keathley. "Two expansion teams in addition to Pittsburgh, Minot and Albany makes for a solid conference."
The Miners coach sees striking similarities between the East Kentucky and Pittsburgh franchises.
"Pittsburgh has history much like East Kentucky with the mining industry and hard working people," Keathley commented. "There's somewhat of a natural rivalry that's already been established between East Kentucky and Pittsburgh given the proximity of the two franchises."
NBA veteran Kenny Anderson leads the Atlanta Krunk, another CBA expansion team. Anderson took over the Atlanta team as head coach earlier this year. After averaging 26 points per game as a sophomore at Georgia Tech, Anderson declared for the NBA draft. Anderson - a native of Queens, N.Y. - was selected as the second overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in the 1991 NBA draft. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing with nine franchises.
"Kenny Anderson brings a lot of experience to the Atlanta franchise," said Keathley. "I always admired Kenny Anderson and look forward to facing Atlanta later in the year."
The Chris Daleo-coached Minot Skyrockets will also provide East Kentucky competition within its conference as part of the inaugural season. Daleo coached Minot to a 31-17 record last season. "Minot is a quality franchise," Keathley exclaimed. "Head coach Chris Daleo has enjoyed much success. Traveling to North Dakota to face Minot will afford us one of our longest road trips."
Tradition-rich Albany is widely considered the early American Conference frontrunner. Vincent Askew is set to enter his first season as head coach of the Albany Patroons. The Patroons finished runner-up to the Yakama Sun Kings in the 2006-07 season.
"Albany has been a big part of professional basketball history and I greatly respect that," Keathley commented. "Tradition-wise, Albany is as good as it gets. Coaches from Phil Jackson to George Karl have guided the Albany Patroons. Albany has a proven track record of producing exceptional professional coaches and players. Now, new head coach Vincent Askew has the opportunity to coach the Albany franchise. There's no doubt Albany has set the bar high. I'm also excited about the opportunity to face the Patroons."
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from August 24, 2007
- Miners, four other teams make up American Conference - East Kentucky Miners
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