PBL Weekly Report
Published on January 19, 2009 under Premier Basketball League (PBL) News Release
PBL TEAM REPORTS
Augusta Groove
2332 Rutherford
Augusta, GA 30906
706-737-5550 ext 310
fax:706-739-0219
Head coach: Rick Brown
Home arena: Richmond Academy
augustagroovebasketball.com
Returning to Richmond Academy for a Saturday night matchup with the Buffalo Stampede, the Augusta Groove started out sluggish in the first quarter, with Demitrius Howard going 0-for-6 from the opening tip and AJ Millien being held to one point. But eventually the Groove "got on the good foot" with a 15-3 first quarter run, taking the lead and eventually dominating the Buffalo Stampde with a 135-124 win. The Groove's bench strength was key, as their reserves outscored Buffalo's reserves 57 to 32. AJ Millien finished with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds, Donielle Davis had 21 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Cory Sims came off the bench to add 15 points in Augusta's favor.
Battle Creek Knights
McCamly Place
50 Capital Ave. SW
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone: (269) 965-5001
Fax: (269) 965-5004
Head coach: Terry Sare
Home arena: Kellogg Arena
bcknights.com
The Battle Creek Knights improved their PBL record to 4-0 with a 109-101 victory over the Detroit Panthers in front of 1,305 fans at Kellogg Arena Saturday night. Rashi Johnson pulled off a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists to lead the Knights in both categories; Jason Arbet and Chris Wesby scored seven rebounds apiece for Battle Creek. Coleco Buie and Deon Rose both scored 16 points apiece for the Cereal Crew, who outscored the Panthers on turnover points 24-18. At halftime, the Knights collected 64 teddy bears from the fans in the first "Teddy Toss" in PBL history. The collected teddy bears are being donated to the Salvation Army.
Buffalo Stampede
3498 Sheridan Drive
Amherst, NY 14226
Phone (716) 834-3498
Fax (716) 834-3544
Head coach: John Fitzpatrick
Home arena: Koessler Athletic Ctr.
buffalostampedepbl.com
The Buffalo Stampde traveled to Richmond Academy to take on the Eastern Division-leading Augusta Groove, but despite Lamar Castile's 26 points, the Stampede lost their third consecutive contest in a 135-124 high-scoring affair to Augusta. Buffalo had four men scoring 20 points or more in the contest, including 26 points from Lamar Castile, 21 points apiece for Marcus Price and Tyrone Rayson, and 20 from Edmund Rainey. Kyle Cuffe pulled down eleven rebounds in the losing effort.
The Stampede next thundered their way to North Carolina for a division matchup with the Wilmington Sea Dawgs - but were stymied with a 103-95 defeat at the hands of their division rivals. Edmund Rainey's 24 points were tops for the Lake Erie Crew, while Lamar Castile put 18 on the scoreboard. Michael Norwood, trying to become the first "Norwood" to be approved in Buffalo since Super Bowl XXV, when he had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Chicago Throwbacks
430 East 162nd Street, Suite 507
South Holland IL 60473
Office: (219) 588-3071
Fax: (219) 884-4558
Head coach: Donnie Boyce
Home arena: Attack Athletics
chicagothrowbacks.com
It was a close battle at Attack Athletics Monday night, as the Chicago Throwbacks hosted the Quebec Kebs in an inter-divisional rivalry game. In the end, it was Stanley Thomas' two game-winning free throws in the final seconds of the match, that allowed Chicago to win 92-91. Dameon Mason led the Cook County crew with 19 points; Imari Sawyer dished out 10 assists. Michael Hermon took advantage of his first start for the Throwbacks and finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
In a late Sunday afternoon matchup, the Chicago Throwbacks welcomed the Detroit Panthers for a divisional game. Both teams put together short leads, but regulation play ended with both squads knotted at 97-97. In overtime, Imari Sawyer tore off a 3-pointer and a jumper, and with Jimmie Miles draining every free throw after that, the Throwbacks took a much-needed 119-107 victory. Stanley Thomas finished the night with 21 points; James Booyer put in a double-double of 17-points and 11 rebounds, and as Throwbacks game announcer Jimmie "InTheJim" Smith would say, "Put it on the bo-o-o-oard, YES!!"
Detroit Panthers
199 W Brown Street, Suite 110
Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone (248) 645-2278
Fax (248) 920-0482
Head coach: C. Bill Jones
Home arena: Wiley Groves HS
detroitpanthers.com
The Panthers' two-game weekend road trip began in Battle Creek, in another Great Lakes Saturday Night matchup with the Battle Creek Knights. Despite a team-high 26 points from Stane's Bufford, the Panthers were sliced by the Knights 109-101. Willie Mitchell had a double-double of 17 points and 10 team-high rebounds in 35 minuts of play; Brian Woodland added 22 points, including going 6-for-11 from outside three-point range.
The Panthers then traveled to Chicago to take on the Throwbacks and get their mojo back. But although both teams pounded each other from possession to possession, the Panthers, who were down 97-96, had a chance to take the game in the final seconds with James Head at the free throw line. But Head only made one of his free throws, and the game went into overtime - and eventually, another loss for the Panthers, 119-107. Head finished the night with 17 points and 10 rebounds; Stane's Bufford also put 17 points on the board for Detroit.
Halifax Rainmen
1888 Brunswick Street, Suite 611
Halifax, NS B3J 3J8
Phone: (902) 444-RAIN, (902) 444-7246
Fax: 1-866-424-4267
Head Coach: Rick Lewis
Home arena: Halifax MetroCentre
rainmenbasketball.ca
With the addition of minor league veteran John Strickland, the Halifax Rainmen traveled to Burlington Memorial Auditorium for a Friday night road game against the Vermont Frost Heaves. Even though the Rainmen lost the game 107-99, the game was close all the way, with forward Rob Sanders leading the charge that brought the Nova Scotia squad to within four points with five minutes to play, and two with three minutes left. Sanders had cut the Heaves' lead to a single point with a couple of free throws, but that was as close as the Rainmen could get. Sanders finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Jimmy Twyman (16 pts) and Glen Dandridge (15 points) also had strong nights for Halifax.
The funk continued for the Rainmen as they were bitten by the Manchester Millrats 117-98 in a Sunday afternoon road matchup. Glen Dandridge put 24 points on the board to lead all Rainmen in scoring, while Jimmy Twyman and Rob Sanders each notched 19 points. Sanders also set a Rainmen PBL record with 20 rebounds (15 defensive) in the contest.
Manchester Millrats
816 Elm Street, PMB #182
Manchester, NH 03101
Office: 888-646-RATS (7287)
Fax: 866-321-2821
Head coach: Rob Spon
Home arena: Southern New Hampshire University
manchestermillrats.com
On the road in Barre, Vt., the Millrats picked up their second victory of the season, a 106-99 win over the Vermont Frost Heaves. The team's heroics went to forward Desmond Ferguson, as "Moneyball" hit four three-pointers, including three straight in the latter minutes of the fourth quarter to break an 84-84 tie. Ferguson led Manchester with 23 points, Lincoln Glass scored 15, Marlowe Currie 14, and Sam Carey added 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Next up for the Millrats was a Sunday afternoon contest with the visiting Halifax Rainmen. With a raucous crowd braving the bone-chilling temperatures outside Southern New Hampshire University, the Millrats achieved a 117-98 win over the Rainmen to move into first place in the PBL's Atlantic Division. The Millrats broke the game open midway through the fourth quarter, scoring 37 points in the final stanza to put away their opponents. Manchester was paced by shooting guard Keith Salscheider's 22 points (12-13 from the free throw line), Al Stewart's 17 points and 9 assists, Desmond Ferguson 15, Sam Carey with 13, and Scott Hazelton with 12.
Mid-Michigan Destroyers
1000 Second Street
Bay City, MI 48708
Phone: (989) 244-1156
Fax: (248) 393-2572
Head coach: T.J. Newsham
Home arena: Bay City Western HS
mmdestroyers.com
The Mid-Michigan Destroyers did not play this week.
Montreal Sasquat'ch
775, Avenue Murray, porte 314
Québec (Québec) (Canada) G1S 4T2
Office in Quebec: (418) 527-8085
Office in Montreal: (514) 207-1996
fax: (418) 845-6782
Head coach: Alejandro Hasbani
Home arena: Centre Pierre Charbonneau
montrealsasquatch.com
The Montreal Sasquat'ch ventured north to Quebec for their first Champlain Cup matchup with the Quebec Kebs. Montreal had the lead in the final moments of the contest 95-93, but a Sasquat'ch offensive foul caused a turnover that allowed Quebec to tie the game at 95-95 in regulation. One overtime was not enough to settle anything; it would take a second overtime period to decide the matchup, which Quebec won 109-106, taking four of thirteen available Champlain Cup points. John Ruffus led Montreal with 25 points and 8 rebounds; Lantrice Green scored 18 points, while Randy "Chocolat Blanc" Gill scored 15 points. "We played well," said Montreal coach Alejandro Hasbani, "we had our chances, but we weren't able to convert them. Despite that, this Champlain Cup game gave us the opportunity to give everyone playing time. It will help us in the next few weeks."
Quebec Kebs
300 rue Métivier,
Québec, QC G1M 3Y9
Office: 418-780-4850
Fax: 418-780-4858
Head coach: Charles Dubé-Brais
Home arena: Pavillon de la Jeunesse
kebsdequebec.com
Les Kebs hit the road for a Monday evening battle with the Chicago Throwbacks, but despite Larry House's 25 points and an 11-rebound night from Jonas Pierre, Quebec fell to Chicago 92-91. Despite scoring 50% from three-point range (11-for-22), the Kebs had trouble at the free throw line, going only 21 of 35 from the charity stripe.
On Saturday night, the Kebs hosted the Montreal Sasquat'ch in a Champlain Cup match. The game remained tight throughout the evening, and it would take two overtime periods before Quebec emerged victorious, 109-106, taking nine of thirteen Champlain Cup points in the process. Michael Anderson was the star for the Kebs, depositing a double-double of 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Jonas Pierre pulled down 13 rebounds of his own.
Rochester Razorsharks
39 State Street, Suite 100
Rochester NY 14614
Office: (585) 232-9190
Fax: (585) 232-8086
Head Coach: Rod Baker
Home Venue: Blue Cross Arena
razorsharks.com
Last season, the Rochester Razorsharks only lost two regular-season contests. This year, the struggling Razorsharks have lost two of their first three games, including a 111-101 loss to the Wilmington Sea Dawgs. The Sharks fell behind in the third quarter, 86-74, and despite a strong run that brought Rochester as close as four points to the lead, they could not finish the deal and eventually took the loss. Keith Friel had 22 points, including three 3-point shots, and was 7-for-7 from free-throw range. James "Mook" Reaves had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Williams (15 pts) and Jerice Crouch (12 pts) also scored in double figures for the Razorsharks.
Vermont Frost Heaves
4049 Williston Road
South Burlington VT 05403
Phone: (802) 860-0082
Fax: (802) 860-0085
Head coach: Will Voigt
Home arenas: Burlington Memorial Auditorium; Barre Municipal Auditorium
vermontfrostheaves.com
As the fans rang cowbells and cheered in the Barre Municipal Auditorium, the Vermont Frost Heaves took the court, and immediately ran off a 9-1 start on Thursday night against the visiting Manchester Millrats. But the Heaves could only add four more points in that quarter, and even with the game tied 84-84 with minutes left in the contest, the Heaves' defense fell flat and Vermont lost to the Manchester Millrats 106-99. It was Vermont's second loss of the season - both losses coming against their border-state rivals. John Williams scored 20 points to lead all Heaves on the scoreboard; Greg Plummer and Greg Stevenson each had 15 points. Brandon Cole's 12 points included a team-high seven steals. "You can lose games in January and be OK," said Vermont head coach Will Voigt to the Barre Montpelier Times Argus. "Let's remember Manchester started (this season) 0-2, and that wasn't the end of the world. It's a long season, especially in our division, and a lot of people are going to beat each other. We get (Manchester) three more times at least, so I'm not worried about that."
On Friday, the Heaves traveled to their other home facility, the Burlington Memorial Auditorium, to host the Halifax Rainmen. Several times during the game, the Heaves built up an 11-point lead, only to see the Rainmen catch back up. But in the final seconds of the game, Greg Plummer sank his sixth three-pointer of the night with 50 seconds remaining in the game, leading Vermont to a 107-99 triumph. "Big John" Williams led all scorers with 25 points, including four three-pointers of his own. Greg Plummer added 22, while Joe Nixon scored 16 points. Brandon Cole pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Heaves in that category.
Wilmington Sea Dawgs
430 Eastwood Road, Suite 200
Wilmington NC 28403
Office: (910) 791-5523
Fax: (910) 256-4589
Head coach: Dale Kuhl
Home arena: Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center, Cape Fear CC
wilmingtonseadawgs.com
During the 2007-08 season, the Rochester Razorsharks beat Wilmington every night. This year, the Sea Dawgs got their first victory over their division rivals, with a 111-101 win at the Schwartz Center. The game itself was extremely physical, and three Sea Dawgs - Brian Leggett, Jim Jones, and Kadiri Richard - all had six fouls apiece. But it was Joe King's 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter that proved to be the biggest shot of the game, drawing Wilmington's slim fourth-quarter 4-point lead to more breathing room. "The guys are telling me, always be ready to shoot, and Cedric (McGinnis) hit me with the pass," said King, who finished with 15 points and 5 steals. "I was ready to shoot, and as long as my team has confidence in me, I'm going to have confidence to shoot." Alex Harper led the way for Wilmington with 24 points; Cedric McGinnis had 22.
Sunday afternoon saw Wilmington match up with the Buffalo Stampede, who previously handed the Sea Dawgs a one-point opening night defeat. This time the tables were turned, as the Sea Dawgs culled the Stampede 103-95, extending Wilmington's three-game winning streak. The Cape Fear Crew jumped out to an early 9 point lead, but trailed at the half 39-47. The second half the Dawgs slowly crept back into the game, taking control in the fourth quarter, leading at one point by 15. Cedric McGinnis had the hot hand for the Dawgs with 29 points; Alex Harper added 18 and Joseph King put 13 on the board. Kardi Richard had 10 rebounds to pace Wilmington in that category.
Game reports compiled via team press releases, and from articles appearing in newspapers from the teams' home locations.
PBL TRIPLE DOUBLES
1/4/09, Jonas Pierre, Quebec vs. Manchester, 12 pts, 14 rebs, 11 blocks
PBL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan 4 Brian Silverhorn, Halifax Rainmen
Jan 11 AJ Millen, Augusta Groove
PBL "FOUR SCORE" HALFCOURT BASKETS
A "Four Score" shot occurs when a player completes a successful field goal from beyond halfcourt. The team receives four points for such a basket, while, for statistical purposes, the player is credited with two completed two-point field goals. A list of all successful "Four Scores" for the 2008-09 season are listed below.
1/2/09, Willie Mitchell, Detroit v. Mid-Michigan (4th quarter)
1/8/09, Alex Harper, Wilmington at Battle Creek (4th quarter)
1/9/09, Randy Gill, Montreal at Vermont (3rd quarter)
PBL TRANSACTIONS
January 13 Rochester Razorsharks - Signs Marlin Johnson. Releases Dmitriy Nekrasov.
Vermont Frost Heaves - Signs Brandon Cole. Releases Brian Monahan.
January 14 Halifax Rainmen - Signs John Strickland. Suspends Eric Crookshank for the remainder of the season.
PBL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
@SPORTSTV (http://www.at-sportstv.com)
Sunday, January 25 Buffalo at Halifax, 3:00est
Thursday, January 29 Manchester at Halifax, 6:00est
Sunday, February 1 Wilmington at Rochester, 1:05est
Saturday, February 7 Mid-Mich. at Rochester, 7:35est
Sunday, February 8 Vermont at Halifax, 3:00est
Friday, February 13 Detroit at Halifax, 5:00est
Sunday, February 15 Quebec at Halifax, 1:00est
Monday, February 16 Augusta at Rochester, 5:05est
Friday, February 20 Vermont at Halifax, 6:00est
Saturday, February 21 Mid-Mich. at Rochester, 2:05est
Sunday, March 22 Manchester at Halifax, 1:00est
Saturday, March 14 Augusta at Rochester, 2:05est
Tuesday, March 17 Wilmington at Rochester, 7:05est
Sunday, March 22 Buffalo at Rochester, 1:05est
Saturday, March 28 Montreal at Halifax, 6:00est
Saturday, March 28 Chicago at Rochester, 2:05est
Premier Basketball League Stories from January 19, 2009
- Battle Creek Knights Improve to 5-0, Beat Augusta 107-98 - Battle Creek Knights
- Frost Heaves take Bite out of Razorsharks - Vermont Frost Heaves
- PBL Weekly Report - PBL
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