Texas Tycoons to play UBL Wranglers in first Cross League Play

Published on December 13, 2007 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Texas Tycoons News Release


Desoto TX - After another convincing win at home against the West Texas Whirlwinds this past saturday, the Texas Tycoons are now 6-1 and have their eyes set on a new yet familiar opponent for this upcoming Satuday's home game. The Texas Tycoons prepare themselves to meet the UBL Wranglers, in what will be the first ever cross league play between the ABA and the UBL. The UBL Wranglers are a known rival to the Texas Tycoons as they met a number of times in the southern division last season, when the now UBL Wranglers played in the ABA as the Waco Wranglers. Despite the change in leagues, their is no love lost between these two squads, as a battle for bragging rights and an old rivalry is on the line.

When asked about the game, Coach Ozzie Denson was quoted as saying "This is a good affiliation that we have between the two organizations, the Texas Tycoons and the UBL Wranglers that are both two highly competitive teams in two of the best minor leagues in the country, the ABA and the UBL. This is a great opportunity being the first game ever to take place between the two leagues (the ABA and the UBL) and we are proud to be representing our league. When it comes down to it this is about basketball, and the Tycoons and the UBL Wranglers are two organizations that are all about basketball. This is not only going to be the first game between the two leagues, but we are looking forward to many more, we want many more. This is a great rivalry, and it will continue as you see regardless, becuase it is all about basketball."

The UBL Wranglers bring a lot of talent to the table including guard Reggie Griffin (6'4''-G-75, college: Louisiana Monroe), who worked out with the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers and dropped 50pts on the Tycoons in one of last seasons many match ups. Guard Rob Giesey (5'10''-G-82) can also really stroke the ball from the 3pt arc, and the rest of the Wranglers backcourt really like to push the tempo, and play an up and down game.

The Tycoons come off their saturday victory at home vs West Texas with a 42 point victory and a final score of 124 to 82. Many new faces were seen on the court for the Tycoons, as they brought up players from their developmental and practice squads to play and suit up for the first time this season. With the Tycoons starters only playing about 12 minutes of the games, Head Coach Jean-Paul Afif was able to really involve his entire bench and get some of his younger players involved. Developmental squad rookie Michael Cooks (6'2''-G) showed why he is affiliated with the Tycoons organization as he played hard tough nosed defense and Tycoons hustle basketball on both ends of the floor. Ty Thomas (6'6''-F, college: Concordia-St.Paul) (6'6''-F, college: Concordia-St.Paul) and Jonathan Young (6'3''-G-84, college: Schreiner) (6'3''-G-84, college: Schreiner) lead all scorers with 20pts a piece, followed closely by newcomer Steven Dunn who contributed to the team philosophy with 7 assists to go with his 16pts. Forward Randall Williams (6'8''-F/C-82, college: Tarleton St.) (6'8''-F/C-82, college: Tarleton St.) owned the glass pulling down 11 rebounds and chipping in 14 pts. Other notable Tycoons stats for the game Donald Gray (6'6''-F-84, college: N.Mexico Highlands) (6'6''-F-84, college: N.Mexico Highlands) 12pts, Chris Johnson (6'2''-G, college: Tarleton St.) (6'2''-G, college: Tarleton St.) 10pts, Othello Alford (5'11''-G-84, college: SW Oklahoma St.) 8pts. Starters Mario Kinsey (6'2''-G-82, college: Sam Houston St.) (6'2''-G-82, college: Sam Houston St.), and Tyrone Rayson (6'6''-F-80, college: East Central) (6'6''-F-80, college: East Central) were happy to see the younger guys playing and competing both chipped in 6pts a peice in 8 minutes of play. Aaron Bowser (6'2''-G-84, college: Southwestern) dropped three 3pt baskets for 9pts, Michael Cooks 4pts, and starter Melvin Mitchell (6'2''-G, college: Cameron) (6'2''-G, college: Cameron) led all players with 9 assists and a basket in 15 minutes of play.

Tycoons were without starting Forward Jai Pradia (6'6''-F-79, college: Pittsburg St.) (6'6''-F-79, college: Pittsburg St.) (6'6''-F-79, college: Pittsburg St.), and starting guard Brandon Lee (6'2''-G, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Tarleton St.) (6'2''-G, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Tarleton St.).

Texas Tycoons next home game is this Saturday December 15, 2007 vs the UBL Wranglers, in the First Ever Cross League UBL-ABA play. Tip off is at 7:15pm DeSoto Town Center 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115 visit us at www.txtycoons.com for more information.

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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