Miners Season In Review
April 9, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - Professional basketball made an immediate impact in Eastern Kentucky during the 2007-08 season as the East Kentucky Miners made their debut in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The Miners ended the season as the CBA's most explosive offensive team. Along the way, East Kentucky set a single-game scoring mark that may never be broken, won 26 regular-season games and left thousands of fans eagerly anticipating the start of the 2008-09 campaign.
Former NFL quarterback Jay Fiedler and entrepreneur Demetrius Ford, co-owners of Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group, brought professional basketball to Eastern Kentucky. Kevin Keathley, an Eastern Kentucky native, guided the Miners to a 26-22 record during their initial season.
"Jay (Fiedler) and Demetrius (Ford) did an excellent job of providing the tools to put a first class professional basketball organization on the floor in Eastern Kentucky," said Keathley. "I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish. To go 26-22 during the regular-season and lead the league in scoring are accomplishments the entire organization - as a whole - can be proud of."
The Miners ranked as the CBA's top offensive team during their debut season, averaging 110.6 points per game. East Kentucky's statistics back up the 110-plus points per game scoring average.
- The Miners ranked as the CBA's top three-point (42.3 percent) and free throw (76.6) shooting team.
- As a team, East Kentucky shot over 50-percent.
The Miners set an all-time professional basketball single-game scoring record, drilling the scoreboard for 194 points in regulation March 2 versus Atlanta. East Kentucky clamped the Krunk 194-115.
Postseason honors rolled in for the Miners. East Kentucky forward James "Boo" Jackson was named the league's Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot on the All-CBA First Team. Miners guard Josh Pace and center Steve Thomas were each Second Team selections. Pace was the league's leading scorer, averaging 23 points per game. Thomas, who split the season between Atlanta and East Kentucky, averaged a double-double of 14 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Pace led the league in triple-doubles (3). Jackson was the CBA leader in double-doubles (27).
Pace, Jackson and Mike Dean, who joined the team after a successful stint with CBA rival Rio Grande Valley, were among the CBA's top 10 scorers. Guard Mike Crain (Valdosta State) and forward Marcus Heard (DePaul), first-year players out of college, represented East Kentucky on the CBA All-Rookie Team.
The youngest team in the Continental Basketball Association, East Kentucky featured 10 CBA rookies throughout its inaugural season. East Kentucky won with a stable roster. Eight of the 10 players on the team's opening day roster finished the season in a Miners uniform.
Three East Kentucky players claimed a total of four CBA Player of the Week nods. Jackson was a two-time CBA Player of the Week. Pace and Jason McLeish were also Player of the Week honorees.
"We're going to look to build on what we accomplished this season for next season," Keathley confided. "I'm proud of the players who wore the Miners uniform and represented Eastern Kentucky well in the franchise's inaugural season."
The Miners developed a loyal fanbase in their inaugural season. East Kentucky ranked third (best among four expansion franchises) in the CBA in attendance.
Keathley, voted one of the top 10 young professional basketball coaches in America in 2006, ended the campaign with his eighth straight winning season. He returned home to coach the Miners after a stint in Texas as an assistant coach with Rio Grande Valley.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from April 9, 2008
- Miners Season In Review - East Kentucky Miners
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