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Sound Retain Mixson as Head Coach

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


Patchogue, NY- The Strong Island Sound have announced that they have re-signed head coach Dytanya Mixson and forward Raphael Edwards for the upcoming 2007-08 season. Both will be entering their third year with the organization.

In the team's inaugural season, Mixson was part of the staff as an assistant coach before taking over the reigns last season. The Sound went 20-13 in 2006-07 and advanced to the second round of the ABA playoffs before being eliminated by the Vermont Frostheaves, the eventual league champions.

Edwards came back to the Sound during the season and immediately became a leader in the locker room and on the floor. In 18 games, he averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

"We are excited to have Dytanya back," said Sound co-owner Darren Cioffi. "He did a great job last year molding a new team and with a large core of our players returning, we have a good foundation to build on."

Mixson commented on the team's strategy going into the upcoming season. "We were very young last year and this year we are approaching the beginning of the season with a different look - trying to get more veteran players and a few young players to mix in. We will start with Edwards, who is a true leader and his expertise and experience will be a key in bringing a championship to Long Island."

Edwards, 32, has a career average of 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in two ABA seasons. The 6-7, 230-pound East Carolina product has played professionally in the United States and overseas since 1999. In addition to the ABA, he has played in the USBL, NBDL, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Venezuela, Portugal and France.

"Raph returning to our team gives us our cornerstone," Cioffi said. "He has played a huge part in our first two seasons and we look forward to watching him anchor our front line again this season."

The regular season begins in November and runs through March. For more information, visit 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.

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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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