Pittsburgh Plays First Pre-Season Exhibition Game
October 20, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Pittsburgh, PA. As a sign the ABA season is fast approaching, the new expansion Pittsburgh Phantoms played their first pre-season exhibition game, and unfortunately, lost to another ABA expansion team, the Youngstown Swish, 111-102. The Phantoms, who played the Swish at the New Kensington YMCA this past weekend, made a big second half comeback, but couldn't erase their first half deficit.
Newly named coach Tom Dineen was unable to attend the game, but several of his key players had solid performances in the loss including guard Gilmore Cummings with 21 points, Wayne Pettis with 12 while Daniel Wajiid chipped in with 14. "We found our first game to be a tough one due to a lack of team chemistry," stated owner Bill Miller, "and the new ABA rules with the 3-D were a little difficult to adjust to. But we'll get better."
The team has been practicing at Court Time Sports Center in Elizabeth Township three times a week for approximately three months, but Dineen had only been the head coach for a little more than two weeks prior to the game.
"At first, it was tough getting back in transition," Cummings said. "One we got into the game, we seems to get a lot better. It was the first game. We weren't too familiar with one another on the court and the rules."
The Phantoms trailed by nearly 20 points heading into the second half, but found their rhythm thanks to some clutch shooting by Cummings and the team's ability to play better at both ends of the court. It didn't pay off on the scoreboard but the Phantoms were encouraged by their progress and ability to stay together as a team.
"Once we get to know everyone and the rules I think we are going to be a pretty good team," Cummings said. "We worked better with our plays and on the defensive end. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good start." For more information, visit www.pittsburghphantoms.com or www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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