Steelheads Host Skyforce as Fan Favorites Square Off
Published on December 22, 2005 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Gary Steelheads News Release
GARY, Indiana (December 23, 2005) - The Gary Steelheads return to the Genesis Center following a two-game Western Conference swing to host the defending CBA champion Sioux Falls Skyforce. The game will feature a matchup of local fan favorites, guards Jemeil Rich of the Skyforce and Jimmie "Snap" Hunter of the Steelheads.
Rich and Hunter teamed together on the Steelheads last season. That year, both were named to appear in the CBA All-Star Game, played at the Genesis Center. Now the two CBA standouts wear different uniforms, but they still make a substantial impact on their team's success.
Rich, one of the quickest guards in professional basketball, ranks first in the CBA in assists. Hunter, with a rapidly-developing all-around game, ranks third in the CBA in scoring. At 6-feet-4, he lead the Steelheads in rebounding twice last week. He has been honored by the CBA as its "Player of the Week" for the second week of the season.
The Steelheads return home following consecutive losses at Yakama (106-97) and at Idaho (120-93). For the first time since opening night, the Steelheads are under .500 on the season at 7-8. They are still solidly in second place in the CBA Eastern Conference, however. Gary has lost 3 of its last 4 games and has been outrebounded in 12 of their last 14 contests.
To improve the rebounding issues, the Steelheads signed 6-foot-8 forward Edmund Saunders and traded for 7-foot-1 center Chris Alexander. Both will make their first appearance in a Gary uniform against the Skyforce.
Sioux Falls has had a rough road trip in the Eastern Conference. They split two games at Albany, losing 100-93 and winning 101-87. The Skyforce then lost to the Michigan Mayhem in Muskegon, 86-82. The defending CBA champs have won 3 of their last 5 games.
Friday night promises to be a fun night for kids at the Genesis Center. All children in attendance will receive mini-basketballs, courtesy of the Steelheads.
The broadcast of this game can be heard on WJOB Radio (1230khz) in Hammond, as well as WIMS Radio (1420khz) in Michigan City. In addition, KSOO Radio (1140khz) in Sioux Falls will air the Gary feed of the game. The game can also be heard over the Internet through the facilities of SportsJuice (www.sportsjuice.com). Play-by-play broadcaster Bill Hazen will describe the action, with airtime set for 7:00PM CST.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 22, 2005
- Steelheads Host Skyforce as Fan Favorites Square Off - Gary Steelheads
- CBA Transactions - CBA 1
- Skyforce Lose to Mayhem - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Gamble Suspended for Thursday Night - Rockford Lightning
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