Montana welcomes second CBA franchise
June 9, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Albany, NY (June 9, 2006) - The Continental Basketball Association has announced that the Great Falls Explorers have officially joined the CBA. Apex Sportstainment, the holding company of four franchises in the Continental Basketball Association have now placed their third franchise in Great Falls, Montana for the 2006-07 season. The Great Falls Explorers are named after the famous duo of Lewis and Clark. The Explorers will call the 5,500-seat, Four Seasons Arena home.
This marks the return of the CBA to the Great Falls area. From 1980 to 1983, the Montana Golden Nuggets were a perennial title contender under the guidance of current Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl. The Golden Nuggets won two divisional titles and were in the CBA Finals twice, going 90-42 over three seasons. This success enabled Karl to have the highest winning percentage, .727 (176-66), in CBA history and earn two Coach of the Year awards. Karl's 176 victories place him 13th all-time for most coaching victories. During those three glorious seasons, the Golden Nuggets also produced three consecutive Most Valuable Players in Willie Smith, Ron Valentine, and Robert Smith. Former NBA veteran Mike Sanders was also named the 1983 Rookie of the Year for the Golden Nuggets.
"We're proud to announce our second expansion team in Montana this week in Great Falls. The city has a great history for pro basketball, with Montana Golden Nuggets coached by George Karl, and we're very pleased to be working with Bill Ogg and Montana ExpoPark," said Joe Clark, CEO and Managing Partner for Apex. "We expect to put a very competitive team on the floor that will represent the city of Great Falls and the surrounding communities; we hope to grow into a very successful franchise, which will make the citizens proud. The state of Montana has just increased its chances of winning the CBA title, with teams in Butte and Great Falls."
"CBA professional basketball is a great fit for the Four Seasons Arena. It is exciting and encouraging to work with a seasoned league, the seasoned professionals of Apex and the Great Falls Explorers to make this a mutually successful partnership," commented Bill Ogg, general manager of Montana ExpoPark.
Apex is no stranger to building championship teams, as their first franchise, the San Jose Skyrockets, finished their inaugural season with a league-best 31-6 record, winning the Ron Boone Division championship as well as the Western Conference championship in the American Basketball Association (ABA) last season. "Our philosophy is based on building a family-oriented team atmosphere both on and off the court, thereby creating a nurturing environment that help foster success in all our franchises. We look forward to developing quality players, coaches, and front office staff and help propel them into their successful careers," said James Hasegawa, Executive Vice President of Apex. Indeed, family ties run strong in the organization as James' sister, Kazumi Hasegawa, serves as the President of the organization.
"It is great to be returning to Great Falls, Montana with the Great Falls Explorers," said CBA Director of Operations Dennis Truax. "The Apex Sportstainment group came to the conclusion that CBA basketball needed to return to Great Falls and have been aggressive in their approach to getting this done. We are for the possibilities and see this as another step in our expansion for the 2006-07 season."."
"Our aggressive league expansion plans are going according to plan," commented CBA Consultant Ricardo A. Richardson "CBA fans can expect more exciting announcements about expansion teams and corporate sponsors."
The CBA recently completed its 60th anniversary season on March 27 with the Yakama Sun Kings defeating the Gary Steelheads on a best of three series. That series featured the CBA's 2006 Player of the Year, Anthony Goldwire (Sun Kings) and the CBA's 2006 Coach of the Year, Jaren Jackson (Steelheads).
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from June 9, 2006
- Great Falls Resident Signed as the First Player for Great Falls Explorers - Great Falls Explorers
- Steve Aggers Returns to Great Falls as Head Coach of Great Falls Explorers - Great Falls Explorers
- Montana welcomes second CBA franchise - CBA 1
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