Steelheads get Rich-er
Published on October 26, 2004 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, IN: The Gary Steelheads today announced that Gary native, Steelheads' all-time assist leader, and two time CBA All-Star Jemeil Rich has re-signed to play with the Gary Steelheads for the 2004-05 season, his third campaign with his hometown team. Rich joins Shelly Clark as the second veteran from last year's playoff team to resign with the Steelheads.
Rich, a former Roosevelt High School and SMU star, led the CBA in assists last season with 498, an average of 10.6 a game. Rich was second in the CBA in steals with 127, an average of 2.7 a game. He was also a CBA All-Star for the second season in a row and was named to the CBA All-League Second Team. Rich was named to the league's All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season. Rich was named Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 29 â March 7 as he averaged 23.5 points and 16.7 assists for the week. The Steelheads had their best regular season ever, 27-21, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in team history.
"The whole organization and our fans really supported me last year. Gary is my home and it is always a good feeling to be home. Playing professionally in my hometown is something that few athletes get to experience. I feel I can build on what I did last year and so can this franchise," Rich said.
"We accomplished a whole lot last season and I feel I can contribute this year and get us to that next level of success. We made that step last season when we qualified for the playoffs. This season I want to get us to the finals and hopefully capture the CBA Championship," said Rich.
The guard set a franchise record for assists in one game as he had 23 in a win over Sioux Falls on March 2nd. He scored a season-high 30 points against Sioux Falls on March 2nd and against Idaho on March 5th. He averaged 15.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on the season. Rich then led the way in the post-season for the Steelheads as he averaged a team high 22 points a game and dished out 10.5 assists for the four game series with the Idaho Stampede. Rich also averaged an amazing 4 steals a game during the post-season.
"Jemeil is an integral part of our franchise," said Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jewell Harris, Sr. "Being that he is from Gary, he is known throughout the community as not only an excellent basketball player but also as a great person. Having a two time all-star at the point to lead your team is something that is not only helpful, but something that I know every team in the CBA wishes they had. He is a very important piece of the puzzle for us this season. We are glad to have him back for the third year in a row."
"With Jemeil being back that is one position that I don't have to worry about," said Steelheads Head Coach Duane Ticknor. "He brings so much to the table as far as basketball ability and leadership. For the past two seasons he has done everything Dale and I have asked of him. Now that he is on board I can concentrate on getting players here that he can make better for us as a team."
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from October 26, 2004
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