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San Jose Skyrockets shake up Los Angeles Aftershock

March 19, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Minot Skyrockets News Release


Santa Clara, CA. The #3-seeded San Jose Skyrockets (30-5) entering the ABA Playoffs in Round 2 after receiving a first-round bye, faced the Los Angeles Aftershock (12-16) for the second time this season. Unlike the first contest, where San Jose barely edged out LA by 3 points, the Skyrockets proved that they are indeed the Champs of the West, running away with a 42-point victory at the Leavey Center on the campus of Santa Clara University.

The Skyrockets appears to have some playoff jitters, as they struggled to finish easy layups and dunkis early on in the game. After seeing the Skyrockets' starters struggle to get into rhythm, Head Coach Kermit Young then sent in his second squad. Player-of-the-Year candidate Lamar Castile provided the spark that San Jose needed, scoring five consecutive baskets, and giving a 26-9 lead. By the second quarter, the Skyrockets were clicking on all cylinders on both ends of the floor, outshooting the Aftershock (41.7% vs 22.5%) and forcing more turnovers (18 vs 12). Castile scored 21 points in the first half alone, giving the Skyrockets a 56-30 lead at halftime.

San Jose continued its onslaught in the second half, but the Aftershock hung on quietly, as LA outshot San Jose at the free throw line, 38-47 vs 25/34 for the entire game. However, San Jose outscored LA 38-24 in the 4th quarter and ultimately secured the victory.

The Skyrockets had a balanced attack with 6 players in double figures, led by Castile with 27 ponts, while Darius Pope finished with 20. Matt Luedtke scored 18 and Todd Okeson had a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists. Rock Winston and Jamar Howard contributed 13 ponts for the Skyrockets.

The Aftershock were led by Matt Houser with 28 points including a perfect 16/16 from the free throw line. Thomas Blunt finished with 13, while Derek Jones contributed 11 points for LA. The Skyrockets now go onto Rochester for The Great Eight on March 22. For more information, visit www.sjskyrockets.com or call 408 293 3788 or visit 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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