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San Diego Surf, U.S. All Marine Team Face off in Epic Showdown

March 28, 2011 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
San Diego Surf News Release


In the first ever matchup of its kind, the San Diego Surf of the American Basketball Association (ABA) will face off against the U.S. Marines basketball team, playing for the first time in San Diego, next Saturday, April 2 at the HourGlass Arena at Miramar College.

The Surf, who just wrapped up their 2010-2011 campaign with a runner-up finish in the Southern California ABA division playoffs, will host the U.S. Marines in their final matchup before they enter the U.S. Military playoffs.

"We have elite athletes in the Marines," said Marines head coach Chris Crawford. "We can multitask - fight wars and play basketball."

The top 28 Marines have been flown in from the East and West coasts, Okinawa and Europe, this past week for the All Marine Basketball Camp at camp Pendleton. Crawford, who coaches the Camp Pendleton team and also the U.S. All Marine team, will make his selections to suit up 15 players from the camp to battle the Surf.

"We want to play the best competition we can and the Surf will be a true test for us," said Crawford. "The Army and Navy have a lot larger of talent pools to select athletes from. In order to turn it up and compete with them, the Surf will be a great matchup for us to establish some credibility."

The Surf welcome former NBA player Juaquin Hawkins as player-coach to head the team for his club debut. Tony Farmer, a veteran of several NBA teams, will also suit up for the Surf.

Both coaches, Crawford and Hawkins, have come down an amazing path in their battle and recovery from strokes.

Crawford suffered his stroke in December of 2009 in the left side of his brain and was hospitalized for six months. In true displays of grit and determination, Crawford has battled back to a self-admitted 90% recovery. Coach Hawkins came back from not being able to walk and talk from his stroke to playing pro basketball again.

These titans will show off their comeback spirit this Saturday, April 2ndfor a 7 p.m. tip-off at the HourGlass Arena at Miramar College.

After the U.S. Military tournament, 12 players will be selected from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to play in the World Military Games in Brazil in April.

Don't miss the opportunity for this one-of-a-kind, fast-paced and above the rim matchup.

For more information please visit: SDSurfhoops.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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