Steelheads try for two straight over Rockford
Published on February 4, 2006 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Gary Steelheads News Release
The Gary Steelheads survived a furious fourth-quarter pressing game to defeat the Rockford Lightning, 123-116. In the process, Gary ended Rockford's eight-game win streak and picked up five quarter points with the victory. The Steelheads improved their record to 18-15, tying their high water mark of the season at three games over .500.
The Steelheads started slowly, and the Lightning took advantage. Gary scored just a single point in nearly five minutes, until Rob Griffin connected on a three point field goal at 7:14 in the quarter. The Steelheads eventually caught the Lightning at 20-20, but the Lightning scored the final four points to win the first quarter.
The Steelheads won the second and third quarters, taking a 95-77 lead into the final frame. The Lightning mounted a comeback, scoring 10 of the first 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Steelheads' Brian Chase finally connected for a field goal at 7:16 to stop the run. Rockford closed the gap to five points at 111-106, but the Lightning could get no closer.
The Steelheads were paced by guard Jimmie "Snap" Hunter, who scored 23 of his 24 points in the second half. Swingman Robert Griffin tied his season high with 20 points off the bench. Guard Brian Chase started the game for Eric Chatfield, who did not play due to an injury. Chase tossed in 16 points with 7 assists. Center Chris Alexander fashioned his fourth consecutive double-double game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also blocked two shots.
The Lightning were paced by guards Marlon Parmer and Cordell Henry, who tossed in 27 points apiece. Guard Ronnie Fields added 22, while forward Roger Powell contributed a double-double performance of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Fish Hooks
- Tonight's game is the 56th CBA meeting between these Eastern Conference rivals, with the Lightning having a 32-23 edge. This is the 8th meeting between the two teams this season, with Gary having a 4-3 lead. Both teams have won once on the other team's home court. The last Rockford meeting between the teams took place at the MetroCentre on January 26th, with the Lightning prevailing 116-108.
- On Wednesday, the Steelheads traded forward Edmund Saunders to the Albany Patroons for All Star forward Carl Mitchell. Mitchell is one of the more intriguing players in the CBA, possessing quickness, strength and shooting skill. He currently averages 13.6 ppg. and ranks 5th in the CBA in rebounding at 8.6 rpg. During the season he has ranked among the leading three point shooters in the league, currently hitting at a .415 clip. Mitchell also shoots .497 from the field and .804 from the foul line.
- Center Chris Alexander is on a streak of four consecutive double-double ballgames. He now has six double-doubles on the season, tied for the best on the team. During that time, he is averaging 13.3 ppg. and 12.3 rpg. Since joining the Steelheads, Alexander has averaged 9.9 ppg. and 11.4 rebounds. He currently ranks second in the CBA in rebounding at 9.4 rpg., and he is third in the league in blocked shots at 1.5 bpg. Alexander was the Steelheads' nominee for CBA Player of the Week two weeks ago. He turned in two double-double performances in Gary's victories over Idaho and Yakama. He averaged 16 ppg. and 13.5 rpg. for the week. Rockford guard Marlon Parmer won the award that week, averaging 23 ppg. and 11 apg. for the week.
- The Steelheads received a big lift as the second half of the CBA season began. Forward Randy Holcomb finished a ten-day call-up with the Chicago Bulls prior to the All Star Game. He flew to Boise for the mid-season classic and was named the game's MVP, the first player in Steelheads' history to earn an MVP award in the mid-season classic. Holcomb earned the honor, even though his Eastern team fell to the Western stars, 119-110. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a losing cause. Holcomb has anchored the Steelheads' front line from the beginning of the season. The last player cut in the Chicago Bulls' training camp, Holcomb ranked 9th in the CBA in scoring (20.2 ppg.) and 7th in the league in rebounding (7.8 rpg.) when he was signed to a 10-day contract. His six double-doubles is tied for the team.
- Guard Jimmie "Snap" Hunter stands second in the CBA with a 27.0 ppg. average. "Snap" now has logged three of the CBA's top seven individual game scoring performances this year, including his 41-point effort at Rockford Thursday night. "Snap" has also logged 40 and 39-point scoring efforts against the Lightning this year. Hunter also ranks among the league leaders in assists (5.3 apg.), steals (1.8 spg.), three point shooting (.438) and blocked shots (1.0 bpg.).
- Steelheads' coach Jaren Jackson believes "Snap" is ready for the NBA. "Snap has proven that he belongs in the NBA," said Jackson, an NBA veteran himself. "He has improved his defensive game to compliment his great scoring ability. Since the beginning of this season, he has shown that he is the best guard in the CBA. I am happy to have been a part of his improved play this season. I have been in awe of Snap's basketball skills since becoming his coach. I mention him in the same light as many of the top NBA guards I played against in my own NBA career. Any NBA team will be lucky to have him."
- Guard Brian Chase now ranks second in the CBA in three-point shooting with a .462 percentage. He was the league's leading free throw shooter at .960, having hit 48-50 on the year. He went 5-for-5 against the Lightning Friday night.
- Don't look now, but Lonnie Randolph is starting on a roll. After scoring 3 points in 6 minutes at Dakota on Wednesday night, the Steelheads' rookie turned in 17 solid minutes Friday night in the victory over the Lightning. Randolph scored a career best 8 points, with 4 assists and 3 rebounds. He also had a steal and a blocked shot.
- The Steelheads' victory over the Lightning last night marks the second time this year that Gary has broken a Lightning win streak. Last night's win broke an 8-game streak, while the Steelheads' 118-102 win over the Lightning on December 30th ended a 7-game streak.
- The Lightning have shown tremendous balance, with four players ranked in the CBA's top 16 in scoring. Marlon Parmer leads the Lightning with a 22.3 ppg. scoring average, ranking 4th in the CBA. Roger Powell is right behind him at 22.0 ppg., ranking 5th in the league, followed by Ronnie Fields (20.5 ppg./8th) and Cordell Henry (15.6 ppg./14th).
- The Lightning have four of the top six field goal shooters in the CBA. Kenyon Gamble leads the CBA at .663, with John Jackson third at .639, Sidney Holmes fifth at .585 and Roger Powell sixth at .568.
- On Wednesday the Lightning signed former Steelheads' power forward Shelly Clark for the stretch run. Clark was a former CBA All Star in Gary and will provide veteran leadership for the Lightning front line. To make room for Clark, the Lighting released 7-foot-1 rookie center Marcus Campbell.
- The CBA's four leading offensive rebounders will be in action tonight. Sidney Holmes of Rockford leads the league at 3.7 rpg, while Chris Alexander is second (3.7 rpg.), Roger Powell of Rockford is third (3.3 rpg.) and Carl Mitchell of the Steelheads is fourth (3.2 rpg.).
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from February 4, 2006
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- Steelheads try for two straight over Rockford - Gary Steelheads
- Steelheads End Rockford's Eight-Game Win Streak with 123-116 Win - Gary Steelheads
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