RazorSharks take 113-103 Win Over Frost Heaves

Published on February 14, 2009 under Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Rochester RazorSharks News Release


Barre, VT - By defeating the Vermont Frost Heaves 113 to 103 in front of a sellout crowd Saturday afternoon at the Barre Municipal Auditorium, the Rochester Razorsharks improved their lead in the PBL's Eastern Division, and avenged an earlier defat at the hands of the Frost Heaves earlier this season at Blue Cross Arena. But the victory may have come at a heavy cost, as the Razorsharks watched their top scorer leave the building on a gurney.

With 7:41 remaining in the first period, and both teams tied at 8-8, the Razorsharks' James "Mook" Reaves posted up under the basket. All of a sudden, his teammate, Aaron Williams, crashed into him, and Reaves fell to the ground, clutching his knee in pain. Immediately the Vermont medical staff went into action, taping up his knee with ice and immobilizing it. Reaves would eventually leave the Barre Municipal Auditorium, en route to a hospital for an MRI. Reaves returned to the Auditorium in the fourth quarter, with an initial diagnosis of a sprained MCL.

"Aaron Williams fell on me," said Reaves. "It was an accident."

"I saw my basketball life pass before my eyes," said Razorsharks head coach Rod Baker of Reaves' injury. "I don't know what it's like to play without him."

Their fallen comrade on their minds, the Razorsharks battled Vermont possession for possession. Rochester's Keith Friel scored 15 of the Sharks' first 25 points, going 3-for-5 from three-point range. By halftime, the Sharks' lead hd increased to 53-45, as Jerice Crouch fought through double coverage to hit two clutch field goals.

As the second half began, Vermont's Joe Nixon put up a quick 3-pointer and a field goal to bring Vermont within two. Vermont would tie the game at 63-all, before Keith Friel put the Razorsharks ahead with a two three-pointers and a layup of his own. Friel increased his scoring to a team-high 29 points in the third, as Rochester finished the third quarter up 88-78. Friel finished with 33 points to lead all Razorsharks in scoring; Marlin Johnson finished with a doubledouble of 14 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Newly-signed Xavier Morton made a good first impression on his new coach; the former Montreal Sasquatch player finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds.

"We are not the best 5 in this league," said Baker, "but I believe we have the best 12 in the league. We had a great game from our roleplayers like Fred Durr, we had a great game from John Halas, we had Xavier Morton coming in with 12 points, he had two practices with the team before tonight and he did his homework in practice."

For the Frost Heaves, Benson Callierled all scorers with 21 points, while John Williams (19 pts) and Joe Nixon (16 pts) each successfully hit four 3-point shots. "For us, most of our preparation was Reaves," said Frost Heaves head coach Will Voigt. "When Reaves came out of the game, it disjointed us a little bit. They stayed with their small lineup most of the game, and we had a hard time guarding them."

The Razorsharks' next scheduled game will be a Monday afternoon contest at Blue Cross Arena, when the Sharks host the Augusta Groove. Tip-off is at 5:00pm.

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