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Sound Lose Heartbreaker to Begin the Season

November 8, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


West Hempstead, NY -- The Strong Island Sound, Long Island's newest professional basketball team traveled to the Lackawanna College Student and Athletic Center on Saturday night to take on the N.E. Pennsylvania Breakers in each team's first game. A tale of two halves saw the Sound relinquish an 18-point halftime lead and lose the Breakers 119-117.

Led by Head Coach Joseph Medina and Assistant Coach James Ryan, the Sound got off the bus and then got off to a blistering start and raced out to a 23-13 first quarter lead. The first half saw the sound play tight defense, limiting the Breakers to perimeter shots (3/13 3PT) and a poor FG percentage overall (25.5%). The Sound dominated the first half shooting 57.1% from the field and went into the locker room with a 52-34 advantage.

At halftime Coach Medina stressed the importance of staying on top of the Breakers and not letting up on the defensive intensity. Veteran forward John Strickland made the point to his teammates that the Breakers "would have a run in them" but that the team had to stay focused and play through it. While it all sounded good at halftime, the third quarter was one the entire team would soon like to forget.

The Breakers starting point guard Dave Januzzi was ineffective throughout the game (1/11 FG) so coach Al Clocker brought in local standout Rich Baker to change up the pace of the game. Baker attended Lackawanna College and felt right at home with the rims there and in front of the friendly home crowd. Baker came in blazing, connecting on three after three and was the initiator of the Breakers intense full-court press. Passers for the Sound were backed up against the gym wall, limiting maneuverability to navigate the baseline during inbounds and ended making ill-advised passes. The Breakers took full advantage of the ABA's "3-D" rule which rewards a team with an extra point for every basket made after turning their opponent over in the backcourt. At the end of the third the Sound saw their 18-point lead turn into a six-point deficit after allowing 56 points to the Breakers!

To the teams credit they battled back in the fourth behind the huge performance from Shawn Simpson off the bench. Simpson played big down low for the Sound and ended the game with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Unfortunately, by the time the Sound was able to get a grasp of how to handle the Breakers press, it was too late and they lost the free throw shooting battle at the end of the game.

Sound: Gary Williams (28p+8rb+5as), John Strickland (28p), Raphael Edwards (24p+7rb), Shawn Simpson (19p+11rb), Lee Church (10p+6rb+6to)

Breakers: Rich Baker (31p+7st), Willie Chandler (28p+11rb), Ron Rollerson (19p+8rb), Larry Jones (7p+7rb), Wendyl Daniel (11p)

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 November 8, 2005


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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