Rosario, Barnes, Escalera Power Tropics To Another Win Over Jam
January 16, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Miami Tropics News Release
Karel Rosario is a full-time police officer, a first-time father and a prime-time basketball player.
That last role was on display Monday night as Rosario helped the Miami Tropics hold off the visiting Jacksonville Jam, 112-101, at Nova Southeastern University. The Tropics are now 7-0 when Rosario starts.
Rosario, the team's center who became a dad last week, wasn't the only Tropics star. Guard Marcus Barnes led all scorers with 21 points and backcourt partner Carlos Escalera added 20.
But even with all that firepower, the Tropics' lead - which had been as large as 19 points in the third quarter - had dwindled to just 3 at 102-99 with 1:27 left in the game.
That's when Rosario got the ball on the right block. He drove to the middle and let loose a left-handed hook shot. The ball rolled in to start the 10-2 run that put the game away.
"It was one of those shots where you say "Don't take it, don't take it" - and then it goes in," said Tropics Coach Ed Auricchio. "It was a left-handed hook by a right-handed player who was getting hit on the head.
Rosario, who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and 1 block, said he is comfortable with either hand on his hook shot.
"Sometimes I feel even more comfortable with the left hand," Rosario said.
Rosario's ambidextrious skills helped the Tropics improve to 14-4 and first place in the ABA's Southeast Division. The Tropics, ranked 5th in the 53-team league, have won 14 of their past 16 games.
The Jam, ranked 7th in the ABA, are 15-6. Jacksonville is just 2-5 against the Tropics and trails Miami by 2 games in the loss column.
"They have major matchup problems against us," Auricchio said of the Jam, which had three new players making their debuts.
That was true again on Monday night as the Tropics led after every quarter - 24-23 after one, 58-44 at halftime and 87-70 after three.
Escalera led all scorers in the first half with 14 points. Then Barnes, who was scorless in the first half after only taking two shots, took over in the third quarter, scoring 13 points.
In all, 5 Tropics players scored in double figures. Joining Escalera and Barnes were backup guard Ray Rose, who had 14 points in just 17 minutes; forward Sylbrin Robinson, who had 14 points, 8 rebounds and a game-high 3 blocks; and forward Terence Shelman, who had 12 points and a game-high 4 steals.
Newcomer Jerron McCiskill, playing just his second game for the Tropics, had 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in 16 active minutes off the bench.
The Tropics also good news on the injury front as point guard Pachi Cruz and wing Eric Wilkins returned. Cruz, usually a starter before hurting his Achilles tendon, came off the bench and scored 7 points in 14 minutes.
Wilkins, who hit his head after he was undercut while trying to dunk at Orlando, played just 6 minutes. But at least he was back in the flow.
"We got contributions from everyone," said Auricchio, who used 11 players. "We have about 10 guys on our team that can score 25 points on any given night."
That depth will come in handy tonight as the Tropics return to action at Nova, hosting the Orlando Aces at 7:30.
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.
American Basketball Association Stories from January 16, 2007
- Sea Dawgs jump past the Tennessee Mud Frogs - Wilmington Sea Dawgs
- Imperials to play four games at home this week - Palm Beach Imperials
- Wildcats introduce new owner - San Diego Wildcats
- Silverbacks Sign And1 Star "Bad Santa" - Buffalo Silverbacks
- Arkansas Aeros to play in Prize Money Play game against Minnesota Ripknees - Arkansas Aeros
- RazorSharks 8-1 in last nine games, hit the road for pair - Rochester RazorSharks
- Quebec City and Quad City added to ABA All-Star roster - ABA
- Frenzy bow to champs - Cape Cod Frenzy
- Rosario, Barnes, Escalera Power Tropics To Another Win Over Jam - Miami Tropics
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