NBL Canada Weekly Report

November 21, 2011 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release

NBL TEAM REPORTS

Halifax Rainmen

1888 Brunswick Street, Suite 611

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3J8

Phone: (902) 444-RAIN, (902) 444-7246

Fax: 1-866-424-4267

Head Coach: Josep Claros

Home arena: Halifax MetroCentre

rainmenbasketball.ca

It's Friday night at the Halifax MetroCentre, and the Rainmen met up with the Saint John Mill Rats for the first time this season. And with Joey Heywood leading the Rainmen with 26 points, Halifax pounded on the Mill Rats, 122-104, for the Rainmen's third consecutive win. Taliek Brown added 18 points and 11 team-high assists, while Eric Crookshank came off the bench to score 16 points and pull down 6 rebounds. Abduhalli Kuso led the Rainmen in rebounds with eight boards.

London Lightning

358 Horton Street E.

London, Ontario N6B 1L7

Phone: (519) 433-0634

Fax: (519) 433-9849

Head Coach: Micheal Ray Richadson

Home arena: John Labatt Centre

lightningbasketball.ca

Rodney Buford was part of the NBL Canada's first-ever player trade, when he went from Halifax to London in exchange for Tyrone Levett. With his new team, Buford immediately paid dividends, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in London's 85-79 Thursday night triumph over the Quebec Kebs. Gabe Freeman also had a double- double in the game, with 14 points and 12 boards. Tim Ellis and the newly-signed Shamari Spears each had three steals against the Kebs.

Next up was a home-and-home series between London and the Oshawa Power, as the two Ontario-based teams began their "Highway 401" rivalry. In the first game, held Friday night at the General Motors Place, the Lightning lost 100-96 in overtime, while Eddie Smith led London with 24 points. Rodney Buford added 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Gabe Freeman added 16 points and 13 rebounds for London.

When both teams visited London for Saturday's rematch, the Lightning were ready. And they weren't stopped, tearing out to a 105-93 win in front of 2,127 at the John Labatt Centre. In the victory, DeAnthony Bowden dominated with 29 points and 11 assists, both game-highs for the Lightning. Bowden also set an NBL league record with seven completed 3-point shots. Shawn Daniels was the top rebounder (12), while Tim Ellis and Taylor King garnered 14 points apiece.

Moncton Miracles

740 Rue Main Street

Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 1E6

Team phone: (506) 204-7730

Team fax: (506) 204-7840

Head Coach: Norris Bell

Home arena: Moncton Coliseum

miraclesbasketball.ca

During the first quarter of Moncton's Friday night road game against Summerside, Moncton found themselves down 29-8. It almost looked as if the Miracles were done for the game. But that's why basketball games take four quarters, not one - and by the third quarter, Moncton had pulled even, 61-61. But Summerside pulled away, and by finishing the game with a 38-24 fourth quarter, the Storm eventually defeated Moncton 119-101. Tristan Martin led the Miracles with 25 points, while Jazzmar Ferguson added 22 points; Darrell Wonge had 18 points.

All this led up to Sunday's home opener for the Miracles at the Moncton Coliseum. Moncton and the Saint John Mill Rats battled back and forth, and the Miracles led as late as the third quarter. But the Mill Rats gnawed their way back, and Moncton lost their home opener 97-92. In the loss, Jazzmar Ferguson dropped another 22 points in the hoop; Tristan Martin contributed 16 points. Terrence Woodyard led the Miracles with 11 rebounds.

Oshawa Power

99 Athol St. East

Oshawa, Ontario L1H-1J8

Phone: (289) 315-0520

Phone: 1-877-554-8457

Head Coach: Mark Strickland

Home Arena: General Motors Centre

powerbasketball.ca

On Monday night, the Oshawa Power welcomed the resurgent Saint John Mill Rats to General Motors Centre. Although both teams tied at 20 apiece after one quarter, the Power kept neck and neck with Saint John throughout the game, only to come up short 91-88. In the loss, Akeem Wright led the Power with 19 points, while Kevin Francis added 18 points and four steals. Brandon Robinson finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Power.

No time to rest for Oshawa - they next hosted the Quebec Kebs on Wednesday night. Canadian Tut Ruach dropped 23 points in the hoop, including a trio of three-pointers, in Oshawa's 97-88 loss to Quebec. Ruach also finished the night with six team-leading assists. Akeem Wright was the top rebounder for Oshawa, with nine boards; Kevin Francis and Omari Johnson had 12 points apiece.

On Friday night, the Power hosted the London Lightning in the first of the "Highway 401" series between the two Ontario-based teams. And if the first game between London and Oshawa are any indication, the Power and Lightning contests will be extremely intense. Thanks to Morgan Lewis' 21 points, including two free throws in overtime, the Power stopped London 100-96. In addition to his 21 points, Lewis also pulled down 12 rebounds. Tut Ruach dished out ten assists, while Akeem Wright had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

On Saturday, both teams traveled down the 401 to London, and the home team - the London Lightning - took the second game of the series, winning 105-93. Brandon Robinson led Oshawa in scoring with 21 points, while Omari Johnson and Akeem Wright finished with 17 points apiece. Robinson and Jushay Rocket added 9 rebounds per man.

Québec Kebs

300,rue Métivier

Quebec City, Quebec G1M 3Y9

Office: 418-780-4850

Fax: 418-683-3232

Head coach: Rob Spon

Home arena: Pavillon de l'éducation physique et des sports de l'Université Laval

kebsdequebec.com/en (English)

kebsdequebec.com (Français)

The Kebs' Ontario swing took La belle province crew first to Oshawa for a Wednesday night matchup with the Power. Ralphy Holmes turned on some power of his own, scoring 19 points in Quebec's 97-88 victory. Holmes, who also had ten rebounds and six assists in the game, was one of six Kebs to score in double figures.

Unfortunately for the Kebs, their next game - a Thursday night battle in London against the Lightning - was not as successful. Although they held London to 85 points - the fewest allowed in a Kebs game this season - Quebec could only score 79 points, the fewest points scored by the Kebs this year. In the 85-79 loss, Ricky Volcy came off the bench to lead Quebec with 14 points, while James "Boo" Jackson pulled down 12 rebounds.

On Sunday afternoon, the Kebs avenged an early-season loss to Summerside by defeating the Storm at PEPS, 108-89. Royce Parran was one of seven Kebs to finish the game in double figures; Parran scored 20 points, while Yannick Anzuluni added 18, of which nine of those points came from beyond 3-point range.

Saint John Mill Rats

133 Prince William Street, Suite 9

Saint John, NB E2L 2B5

Office: (506) 214-4454

Fax: (506) 652-1562

Head Coach: Jaren Jackson

Home Venue: Harbour Station

millratsbasketball.ca

The Saint John Mill Rats seem to have found their stride. After starting the season with three straight losses, the Mill Rats took their second straight victory, a 91-88 road win over the Oshawa Power. Anthony Anderson's 27 team-high points included five completed 3-pointers, and going 8-for-12 from the free throw line. Will Blalock added 17 points and 5 assists, while Antoine Tisby completed 16 points and 7 rebounds.

The momentum continued on Thursday night, as the Bay of Fundy crew pounded the Summerside Storm 106-90 for Saint John's third consecutive win. Anthony Anderson racked up an NBL-record 35 points in the win; Anderson went 13-for-18 from the floor, and tallied a trio of 3-pointers; it was Anderson's fourth consecutive game in which he has led the Mill Rats in scoring. Saint John centre Antoine Tisby put up 20 points and 10 rebounds; while Will Blalock added 10 rebounds and 10 assists to the mix.

The streak, however, stopped on Friday night, as the Mill Rats fell 122- 104, in a road loss against the Halifax Rainmen. In the loss, Steve DeLuca hit four 3-pointers, finishing the night with a team-high 22 points. Anthony Anderson, Will Blalock and Antoine Tisby added 19, 18 and 17 points, respectively.

If a winning streak ends, the best thing to do is start another winning streak, and that's what Saint John did with a 97-92 road victory over Moncton. Anthony Anderson led the Mill Rats with 19 points, 8 assists and five rebounds; 13 of Anderson's 19 points came from the free throw line. Antoine Tisby (18) and Marc Egerson (16) also finished in double figures for Saint John.

Summerside Storm

511 Notre Dame Street

Summerside, Prince

Edward Island C1N 1T2

Phone: (902) 432-1234

Fax: (902)-436-4596

Head Coach: Joseph Salerno

Home Venue: Consolidated Credit Union Place

stormbasketball.ca

Although the Summerside Storm's roster has been riddled with injuries this season, the Prince Edward Islanders took to the court every night with conviction and spirit. Unfortunately, they ran into a visiting Saint John Mill Rats team that possessed a healthier lineup, and the Storm was cleared away 106-90. Julian Allen was the top scorer for Summerside with 21 points; Louie McCroskey came off the bench to tally 15 points.

On Friday night, the Storm hosted the Moncton Miracles, and after starting the game with a 33-16 first quarter, Summerside held on for a 119-101 victory. The win, which keeps the Storm in the stratosphere of the standings, was paced by Chris Cayole's 27 points. Al Stewart's 22 points was augmented with 11 rebounds; Mike Williams added 23 points in 40 minutes of play.

Next up was a trip to Quebec City for a game at PEPS with the Kebs. In the Storm's 108-89 loss to Quebec, Julian Allen and Jessan Gray posted 20 and 19 points, respectively; while Jared Carter pulled down 10 rebounds. Al Stewart's 14 points were balanced with five assists and three steals. Game reports compiled via team press releases, and from articles appearing in newspapers from the teams' home locations.

NBL CANADA TRANSACTIONS

November 14, 2011 - Halifax Rainmen traded Rodney Buford to London Lightning for Tyrone Levett.

November 14, 2011 - London Lightning released Tyler Bullock.

November 15, 2011 - Halifax Rainmen signed Stevy Worah-Ozimo. Released Shawn Hawkins.

November 16, 2011 - London Lightning signed Shamari Spears.

November 16, 2011 - Summerside Storm activated Dwight Brewington from Injured Reserve list. Placed Troy Gotsellig on Injured Reserve list.

NBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The National Baskeball League of Canada is pleased to announce that Anthony Anderson of the Saint John Mill Rats has been named Player of the Week for the Week ending November 20, 2011. Anderson becomes the first Mill Rat player to be so honoured this year. In four games this week, Anderson has led his team in scoring three out of the four games - all three becoming victories for Saint John. On November 14, in a 91-88 victory over Oshawa, the 5'11" 185-pound guard from the University of Massachusetts scored 27 points; he added a league-high 35 points in a November 17 106-90 win over Summerside. He followed that up on Sunday night with 19 points and 8 assists in Saint John's 97-92 Sunday afternoon triumph over Moncton.

Previous NBL Player of the Week Honours:

November 6, 2011 - Gabe Freeman, London Lightning.

November 13, 2011 - Joey Haywood, Halifax Rainmen.

November 20, 2011 - Anthony Anderson, Saint John Mill Rats.

NBL CANADA REMEMBERS SAM CAREY

The National Basketball League of Canada is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of 26-year old Sam Carey, as a result of a tragic car accident on Tuesday afternoon, November 15, 2011. "We are all extremely moved by this tragic news," said NBL Canada Chief Operating Officer, Ian McCarthy. "On behalf of the entire league, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Sam's family and friends."

Carey, a 6'9" centre from Manchester, New Hampshire, played at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) from 2004- 2008. As a member of the SNHU Penmen, his play attracted the attention of the then-hometown Manchester Millrats, who played their home games on the campus of SNHU.

Carey played the 2008-09 season in the Premier Basketball League with the Millrats, who are now the Saint John Mill Rats. He also played overseas in Uruguay and Germany.

This year, Carey participated in NBL Canada's Pre-Draft Combine in Toronto. He later earned a roster spot with the Quebec Kebs, who are coached by Rob Spon, his former coach in Manchester. Carey started in the NBL Canada's historic inaugural game on October 29th, and played six games with the Quebec Kebs.

While the Kebs had released him last week, his plans were to work out and try to catch on with another NBL Canada franchise. Carey leaves behind a son, fiancé and many friends and family both in his hometown of Manchester and in Quebec City.

In lieu of flowers, it has been requested that donations be made in his memory to benefit the family via The Kayte Kenyon/Brayden Carey Trust Fund, care of TD Bank, 70 Bay Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03104.

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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from November 21, 2011

• Moncton Miracles Release Orr - Moncton Miracles
• NBL Canada Weekly Report - NBL Canada
• Anthony Anderson Named NBL Player of the Week - Saint John Riptide
• NBL Canada Transaction Report - NBL Canada
• Oshawa Power at Durham College/UOIT Basketball Event Today - Mississauga Power

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