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Sound Look to Plug a Few Holes with Tryouts

August 12, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Patchogue, NY- "We're hitting the ground running this year." Strong Island Sound assistant coach Greg Cerillo Sr. knows even during the summer that the 2007-08 ABA basketball season is not far behind. To get an early start on your competition is an important factor later in the season, especially the playoffs.

This offseason will welcome a different method of holding tryouts for the Sound. Similar to pre-draft workouts in the NBA and at the NFL combine, the team will be holding Individual Workout Sessions, which will consist of a two to three hour workout rating potential players on speed, endurance, strength, shooting, ball handling and basketball intelligence.

"We're going to bring back a good amount of last year's roster," said Cerillo. "An experienced group. In the IWS, we're going to weigh the guys on their position and what we need for the club. We weren't a losing team [last season]. We're looking for a few pieces to fit this puzzle."

By holding the tryouts individually, the coaching staff will be able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each player on a more exact basis. These will be true evaluations and having lesser skilled players will not be a factor as in a scrimmage type environment.

After holding the IWS, the Sound will invite the players that scored in the 90-percentile range to their veteran's camp in September. "We're going to know the type of club we have going into training camp," Cerillo said. "Although different players come in, the team focus stays the same.

"You try to keep your core group together and get them to play together," Cerillo continued. "Last season, we lost seven starters to overseas contracts. Out of necessity, we may have to do that again. People want New York City ballplayers. You look at a team like Vermont. They kept the core of their roster together the whole year and that's how they won.

"From Day One of camp this year, we will be working on preparing for the season. This is giving us an additional two weeks of practice, the way we're trying out players this year."

Interested persons can fill out an online form by visiting www.strongislandsound.com and clicking on the '07-08 tryouts' link.

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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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