Sound pound Phantoms, 117-88

November 18, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Selden, NY- Behind five players scoring in double digits, the Strong Island Sound led the game since the early minutes and went on to defeat the Westchester Phantoms at Suffolk Community College, 117-88. With the victory, both teams are tied atop the ABA's Blue Central Division.

In the first three minutes of the contest, both teams were trading baskets and were tied at six. Raphael Edwards (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 24 minutes) then took over the game with timely rebounding, shooting and a blocked shot, opening up a 16-10 lead that his squad would never relinquish. This did not go unnoticed by the winning coach.

"I had a long talk with my veterans, especially Raphael Edwards," said Sound head coach Dytanya Mixson. "I told him that I needed him to be the veteran leader he can be. He wanted to show me he could and it trickled down."

Charles Jones, who was chosen as the Player of the Game, led all scorers with 20 points and hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter to extend the Sound's lead to 14 at one point before Westchester made a run and cut the deficit to seven heading into the second stanza.

"We lost to this team twice - once in the preseason - so I'm just happy for the guys because we put it all together," said a jubilant Jones in post-game interviews. "I feel wonderful," the former Chicago Bull continued. "With so many pieces, it's hard for them [the opponent] to key on any one guy on our team. We have so many guys that can get it done."

Strong Island made the score 44-31 on a nice feed from Jones to Raheim Lowery under the boards, prompting Westchester head coach Teresa Weatherspoon to call a time-out. The former New York Liberty star was upset over her team's lack of defense and allowing the Sound to open up their lead again. Jomo Belfor, who scored 19 points on 7 for 13 shooting, tried to pull his team back in the game with a shot from downtown, but Jenar Harrison (14 points) and Sean Dantzler (18 points) kept answering with three-pointers of their own and the Sound led at halftime, 64-50.

The most important quarter in many games is the third, and the Sound dominated in the pivotal period, outscoring the Phantoms 29-17 to put the game out of reach with a 26-points advantage. An important aspect of that was Strong Island's hard work under the boards on both ends, nullifying any chance for Westchester to make a serious run.

"We just lost to this team last week, so we know they can play," said Gordon Malone, who scored 19 points to go along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. "We needed to come out and rebound."

Westchester employed a trapping defense with a full-court press as early as towards the end of the third quarter, but Strong Island made their outlet passes to avoid turnovers and maintain their large lead. "I told the guys, if they're going to press us, let's outrun them," Jones said.

The result of the tight defensive press in the backcourt resulted in team fouls being committed by the Phantoms, who had three in the first two minutes of the final quarter. On one possession alone, the Phantoms were whistled for three fouls, with Lowery (9 points, 13 boards) going to the free throw line on the last. The Sound were able to work the shot clock down on nearly every possession, creating a situation for Westchester that forced them into the penalty with 6:13 remaining on the game clock.

Mixson made some adjustments from the 112-107 overtime loss at Westchester on November 4, which he felt was a big part in the home win. "We went over the video [from the opening game] and we saw that to neutralize that team, we needed guys like Raheim Lowery and Jenar Harrison," he said. "Those two guys didn't get a lot of minutes at Westchester, but they got a lot tonight."

The Sound's head coach also had another reason to enjoy the victory. "This was a special day for Darren (team co-owner Cioffi, who celebrated his birthday at halftime), and we wanted to give him a quality win on this day."

Mission accomplished.

NOTES: The Sound continue their weekend two-game set with a 4:15 p.m. tip-off at Suffolk Community College against the Jersey Express. Tickets are only $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and seniors and are available at the door or by visiting www.strongislandsound.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.



American Basketball Association Stories from November 18, 2007


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