Sound trick Magicians, 97-95, advance in ABA playoffs

Published on March 11, 2006 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Strong Island Sound News Release


Selden, N.Y. - The Strong Island Sound are moving on. Another back and forth contest resulted in the same happy ending for the expansion team from Long Island. This is becoming old hat for the Sound, who won their eighth consecutive game (11 out of 12) last night at Suffolk Community College in a first round ABA playoff game. The Birmingham Magicians were ousted from the tournament by a score of 97-95.

The Sound came out of the gate tight and were down by nine points before they hit a bucket. The Magicians were using their size and athleticism in the paint to hold a four point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Sound bounced back in the second to go into the locker-room at halftime with a one point advantage.

The third quarter was as close as the first two and the Sound were clinging to a narrow 2 point lead heading into the final stanza. Going basket for basket, Strong Island and Birmingham were battling it out to the bitter end. The Magicians had a six point lead with approximately five minutes remaining when the Sound took possession and had the 3D light on. Guard Chris Sandy hit a huge long-range jump shot that resulted in a 4 point play. The Sound then had a defensive stop and came right down the floor to tie the game up with a lay-up.

The Sound went ahead shortly thereafter and the Magicians had to keep fouling with under a minute left in the game. Clutch free throw shooting by Sandy and Jerome "Fridge" Holeman put the game away.

Sandy, who scored a game high 28 points on 10-17 shooting, 5-7 from downtown, 5 boards and 5 steals, said after the game, "This is a huge win for us. I'm tired. I was playing with a 'Charley Horse' in my calf for the first two quarters." When asked how far the team can go, Sandy added, "As far as we allow ourselves to go. We have to keep playing together."

Sound Head Coach Joe Medina stated after the win, "We had our best practice of the year last night (prior to the game). We were too hyped up for the game at the start. But we managed to pull it out and showed heart. This is a credit to these guys."

Fabian Pinnock scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting and 4-5 from three-point territory. Donald Harrison hit some big bank shots in the second half and had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

For Birmingham, Steve Horne had 26 points and Rob Lewin had a double-double with 13 boards and 10 points.

The Sound travel to New York City for the next round in the playoffs. On Friday, March 17th at 7 pm, they are facing their Roger Brown Division rivals, the Harlem Strong Dogs at Hunter College. The teams split the 4 game regular season series. The Sound defeated Harlem in their last meeting in February by 3 points.

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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American Basketball Association Stories from March 11, 2006


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