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This Week in the CBA

February 4, 2003 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds News Release


The Continental Basketball Association has formed a partnership with former CBA assistant coach Trey Schwab, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (www.aopo.org), and the Coalition on Donation (www.shareyourlife.org), in their efforts to increase awareness regarding organ donation, in conjunction with National Donor Day on Friday, February 14th. Local donor recipients and volunteers from regional Organ Procurement Organizations will attend games, operate informational booths, display Donor Family Quilts, and provide donor cards to fans in all eight CBA markets throughout the month of February.

Schwab, a current assistant coach at Marquette University, has been named Co-National Spokesperson for Organ Donation because of his commitment to increase donor awareness nation-wide. Last year, Trey was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease called UIP-IPF (Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis – Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis), and is among 80,000 individuals waiting for a life-saving transplant due to a shortage of organ donors.

On Sunday, January 12th, Schwab's story was highlighted in a SportsCenter feature aired on ESPN. On Thursday, February 13th, he will be a guest on Listen Up with Charles Barkley (7:00 pm, EST, on TNT). Other organizations already committed to this initiative include: the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA); the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); and Conference USA (NCAA).

"As a former CBA coach, I am thrilled that the league has joined in our efforts to raise awareness about organ donation," stated Schwab, who will make appearances at Saturn (National Sponsor of Donor Awareness Day) Dealerships in Milwaukee on National Donor Day. "The waiting period for many of those people who are awaiting an organ transplant will prove to be fatal. Please take the time to read the information and make the decision today to become an organ donor, and then be sure to share your decision with your family so that they are aware of your wishes. Your decision will save lives."

The AOPO is comprised of 59 independent, non-profit organizations, each of which is responsible for managing the organ donation process in federally designated regions nation-wide. The role of each organization includes working with hospital staffs to evaluate potential donors, providing care and support to donor families, allocating organs to recipients, and managing the surgical recovery of organs. Their mission is focused on ensuring that those in need of life-saving transplants receive those precious gifts, and to achieve this mission each organization relies on public education. "It is the responsibility and duty of the CBA and its teams to increase social awareness in our communities for causes that save lives," stated CBA Deputy Commissioner Wade Morehead. "Trey is a wonderful representative, supporter, and friend of the CBA, and our league will do whatever we can to help him raise donor awareness.

"We have access to thousands of fans in our communities, and basketball fans nation-wide and world-wide who follow our league on our website. Hopefully this message will reach all of our fans, and we can do our small part to help the 80,000 people awaiting transplants."

CBA COACHES OF THE MONTH

Bill Bayno of the Yakima Sun Kings and Jeff Grayer of the Great Lakes Storm, were respectively named National Conference and American Conference Coaches of the Months for January. This is the first CBA award for each.

In his first season in the CBA, Bayno has the Sun Kings knocking on the door of the conference leading Dakota Wizards, trailing the defending champions by a .3 quarter point average (22-12, 143.5 total, 4.2 avg.). In January Yakima posted a league-best 11-2 record (.846) and 5.3 quarter point average (68.5 total), a 1.6 improvement over December's mark of 3.7 (6-5, 41 total). Going into February, the Sun Kings are in the midst of a season high seven-game winning streak. In January the Sun Kings also produced three Player of the Week awards for forward Damien Cantrell, and a CBA-to-NBA call-up for forward/center Paul Shirley (Jan. 8 to Atlanta).

Bayno, a veteran coach at the collegiate level, won three conference championships and earned four post-season berths in five seasons as head coach at Nevada-Las Vegas (1995-2000). His resume also includes assistant coaching positions under University of Memphis Head Coach John Calipari (Massachusetts, 1988-95), Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Larry Brown (Kansas, 1986-87), and San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo (Seton Hall, 1985-86).

Grayer, a second-year CBA head coach, led the Storm to an 8-5 record and a 4.0 quarter point average (51.5 total) in January, an American Conference-best 1.4 improvement over their December average of 2.6 (4-9, 34 total). Great Lakes also produced January Player of the Week awards for guards James Head and Jermaine Jackson, and a CBA-to-NBA call up for Jackson (Jan. 30 to Atlanta), his second of the season.

Last season, Grayer led the Great Lakes franchise to a 14-6 (.700) home record (17-23, .425 overall) and sent two players (Jackson and Ira Newble) to the NBA. As a player, the Iowa State legend ('88) was drafted in the first round of the 1988 NBA Draft (13th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks and would go on to play over nine years in the NBA.

Also receiving consideration for Coach of the Month in the National Conference was Dakota's Dave Joerger (6-4, 3.4 quarter point average). In the American Conference, Rockford's Chris Daleo (8-5, 4.0 quarter point average) was the other candidate.

CBA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Yakima Sun Kings guard Darrick Martin was named National Conference Player of the Week, while Grand Rapids Hoops forward Jerald Honeycutt earned American Conference honors, for the period of January 26-February 1.

Martin led Yakima to a 3-1 mark last week behind his 17.3 ppg, 8.0 apg, and 3.3 rpg. The 5-11 UCLA ('92) Bruin also earned a Player of the Week award with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, during the 1994-95 season. After being named to the 1995 CBA All-League Second Team, Martin would go on to play eight seasons in the NBA with five different clubs.

The 6-9 Honeycutt tallied 35.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 2.5 spg in two Hoops victories last week. In a 112-109 (5.5-1.5) win over the Gary Steelheads on February 1, the Tulane ('97) product poured in a game high 42 points to go along with his 7 rebounds and 3 steals. This is Honeycutt's second Player of the Week award this season.

Other players receiving consideration for National Conference honors were Dakota Wizards forward Andy Panko (24.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg), Sioux Falls Skyforce guard Victor Thomas (17.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), and Idaho Stampede guard Chris Garner (22.5 ppg, 5.5 apg). The three other players receiving consideration in the American Conference were Rockford Lightning guard Ronnie Fields (30.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Gary Steelheads guard Bryant Notree (21.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), and Great Lakes Storm guard Tyson Wheeler (20.3 ppg, 7.0 apg).

CBA TRANSACTIONS

· 02/03/03
-Rockford signed Teddy Dupay and waived Carson Cunningham.
-Dakota signed Derek Grimm.

· 02/01/03
-Gary signed Nick Sheppard.

· 01/31/03
-The CBA League Office fined and suspended Oliver Miller (Gary) for four games (#130, #138, #143, #146) for failing to leave the arena and berating the officials following his ejection from Game #127.
-Gary placed Chris Allen on the Active Roster and placed Jermaine Tate on the Injured Reserve List.
-Dakota signed Keith Carter.
-Chris Porter (Dakota) was placed on the Inactive Reserve List, due to international clearance complications.
-Sioux Falls hired Trevor Gleeson as Head Coach, replacing Stacey King.

· 01/30/03
-The CBA League Office fined the Yakima Sun Kings for going below the minimum League roster limit.
-Gary placed Darrin Hancock on the Active Roster and waived Ryan Lorthridge.
-Yakima placed Paul Shirley on the Active Roster.

· 01/29/03
-Great Lakes placed Jermaine Jackson on the Inactive (NBA) Reserve List; placed Antonio Smith on the Inactive Reserve List, retroactive to 1/28/03.

AROUND THE CBA (Team notes contributed by the respective team's media relations department)

DAKOTA WIZARDS: The Wizards had a few days off at home and used the time to visit all of the elementary schools in Bismarck/Mandan as a part of the Reading Wizards Program. The program was a huge success, as the Wizards were praised by many teachers for speaking with students about the importance of reading...Friday evening the Wizards were back on the court. Former Yakima Sun Kings guard Tyson Wheeler was on fire for the Great Lakes Storm, scoring 37 points -- including eight 3-pointers -- in a 128-120 victory the Dakota Wizards. Dakota jumped out to a 33-15 first quarter lead, but were unable to keep pace, as the Storm took six of the seven quarter points. Malik Dixon led the Wizards with 33 points and seven assists. Andy Panko contributed 28, and Kevin Rice 21...Utilizing a deep bench, the Dakota Wizards came up with a much-needed 116-87 victory against the Great Lakes Storm Saturday evening at the Bismarck Civic Center. The Wizards picked up all seven quarter points. All eight Wizards scored in double digits, led by Andy Panko's and Courtney James' 20 points. Newcomer Keith Carter added 18. Dakota, 21-10, will next play the Sioux Falls Skyforce at the Bismarck Civic Center. Tip-off is 7:05.

GARY STEELHEADS: The Steelheads will make a national television appearance on Saturday, February 15th when they host the Great Lakes Storm at 7:05 p.m. ... The game will be broadcast on by HDNet on HDTV and DirecTV. The company is owned by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban ... The Steelheads finished seven-games in 10-days, with six of the games being on the road ... The Steelheads were 1-4 last week ... Newcomer Nick Sheppard scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his Steelheads' debut on Feb. 1at Grand Rapids ... Artie Griffin had a season-high 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in that game – a 112-109 loss to the HOOPS ... The Steelheads, Associate Head Coach Dale Osbourne and Steelie will visit four Gary schools this week. On Wednesday, they will visit Ivanhoe and Washington elementary schools. On Friday, they will visit the Banneker Achievement Center and Locke Elementary School ... Saturday, February 8 is Fraternity/Sorority Night as fans can re-live those college days and rock the Genesis Convention Center lie an "Animal House" ... It is also Biddy Basketball Night where biddy teams/league will receive a special group discount on tickets ... Silas Mills' 15 free throws made against Rockford last Thursday tied an all-time franchise mark that he set on Wednesday at Rockford ... Mills has made 84 of his last 101 free throw attempts (.832) ... Jemeil Rich has made 44 of his last 51 free throw attempts (.863) ... Rich is second in the league in steals per game with 2.6 and is second in assists per game with 7.1 ... The Steelheads are second in the CBA in rebounds per game with 49.1 and first in defensive rebounds per game, averaging 34.3 ... They are second as a team in field goal percentage with .494. The Steelheads have made 1,414 of 2,860 field goal attempts ... Crown Point Girls Basketball Coach Tom May and Portage Boys Basketball Coach Steve Bartos are the Gary Steelheads/Indiana High School Basketball Guide coaches of the week for the week of January 26-February 1 ... Sunday afternoon, Feb. 16, is Police/Fire Day as the Steelheads those who serve and protect when the Steelheads face the Great Lakes Storm in a 3:05 matinee ... Saturday, February 15 is also National Organ Donor Day at the Steelheads game. The CBA is partnering with former CBA assistant coach Trey Schwab, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (www.aopo.org), and the Coalition on Donation (www.shareyourlife.org), in their efforts to increase awareness regarding organ donation, in conjunction with National Donor.

GRAND RAPIDS HOOPS: The Grand Rapids Hoops enjoyed one of their best weeks of the season thus far, defeating each of their conference foes in their current three-game winning streak. The week began with a convincing 129-119 victory over interstate rival Great Lakes Storm. The Hoops then eked out a 112-109 win over the Gary Steelheads as Immanuel McElroy connected on a three-point play as he was fouled on a driving lay-up with just second remaining. American Conference Player of the Week Jerald Honeycutt led the way for Grand Rapids, scoring 42 points (13-25 FG), including a season-high seven three-pointers. For the week, the Tulane alum averaged 30.0 points and connected on all 15 free-throw attempts. It was the second time this season that he received the honor...Grand Rapids hosted the conference-leading Rockford Lightning on Sunday afternoon and proceeded to beat them 141-125, their first victory in six meetings this season. Alex Scales was unstoppable as he scored a CBA season-high 52 points (17-28 FG), while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out eight assists. He also drained a Hoops season-high eight three-pointers. Grand Rapids set a franchise record against the Lightning, dishing out 48 assists on 52 made field goals. The record was the most since the team compiled 39 assists against Columbus in 1991...Various team members made several visits this past week including: Southeast Academic Center, Brookside Elementary, and Godwin Heights High School. The team also continues to work with the area's youth through their Adopt-A-Hoop program which brings various players and coaches to local schools to speak with students on various topics.

GREAT LAKES STORM: January 29th became one of those days that test the Storm's resilience. Jermanine Jackson was called up to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks after being named CBA American Conference Player of the week that Monday—averaging 25 ppg and 10.7 apg. Then Antonio Smith was placed on the inactive reserve list leaving the Storm with only an eight men roster to play Grand Rapids Hoops that night. The shake up resulted in a 129-119 (6,1) loss...With no time to bring their roster back up to ten, the Storm had to head to Bismarck, N.D. for a weekend series with the Wizards—the number one team in the league. On Friday, Tyson Wheeler stepped up for the first time as a starting guard and led the Storm to a 128-120 victory (6-1), behind his 37 points. The following night the Wizards defeated the Storm 116-87 (7-0). The Storm's leading scorer was Rosell Ellis with 20 points. The Storm ended their season against the Wizards 2-2...On Monday the Storm won the first quarter but could not hold on, falling to the Rockford Lightning 122-114 (6,1). Rosell Ellis led the Storm with 30 points and 15 rebounds. Ricky Price contributed 20 points and Cory Hightower 19. Ronnie Fields led the Lightning with 39 points...Nelle Haley became the first elementary school to partner with the Storm with its Read to Succeed Program....Assistant Coach Jere Shockey will be guest coach for the St. Roberts Catholic School in Flushing boys basketball team this evening...Tomorrow evening, February 5th is the Mid-Michigan Counties Night. Two Flint AAU boys basketball teams will play prior to the Storm's game versus the Grand Rapids Hoops. Also, a 6th grade basketball team from Bay City will be playing a five minutes exhibition game during half time. Storm tip-off is 7:05 P.M.

IDAHO STAMPEDE: The Idaho Stampede played a pair of games against the Yakima Sun Kings last week, one on the road, and one at home...On the road, Idaho traveled to the Yakima Valley SunDome where the Sun Kings are a league-best 14-2 this season. They showed why with a 128-108 (6,1) victory over the Stampede. Idaho guard Chris Garner came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 30 points while also adding eight rebounds to his effort. The loss kept Idaho from putting together a two-game winning streak for the first time this season. The Stampede had beaten Sioux Falls the previous Saturday, and the team was looking for it's second-straight win...The following night, the Stampede and the Sun Kings met again, this time in the Idaho Center. Idaho was able to hold the league's hottest team in check as the Stampede downed Yakima 104-102 (6,1) in front of 3,022 fans. The win improved Idaho to 10-22 on the season...The Stampede started the game off hot, leading 31-22 after the first period and then won the second quarter 24-19 to take a 55-41 lead into halftime. Yakima battled back in the third frame, winning the period 33-20, but Idaho held on in the final period for the win...Brian Green led the Stampede in scoring with 18 points, while six of the nine Idaho players scored in double figures. Chris Garner finished with 15 points and eight assists. Yakima guard Darrick Martin led all scorers with 23 points...Idaho and Yakima will meet for the third straight time on Wednesday, February 5, when the two teams play in Yakima. The Stampede then returns home for three-straight games, beginning with a weekend set against Great Lakes, before conference leading Dakota makes their way to the Idaho Center on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

ROCKFORD LIGHTNING: The Rockford Lightning completed a perfect 6-0 road record against Great Lakes with a 122-114 victory over the Storm on Monday. The Lightning are a combined 8-1 in the state of Michigan and a combined 13-2 against Michigan teams this season...Lightning newcomer Ted Dupay made an immediate impact in the latest win over the storm. The Florida Alum took a plane from Miami to Saginaw,Michigan Monday Morning, signed with the team, and then scored 22 points and dished out 5 assists that night. Dupay hit 5 three pointers and held Great Lakes point guard Tyson Wheeler to 12 points in 47 minutes (Wheeler scored 47 against the Lightning in his only previous meeting with Rockford). Ronnie Fields continued his scoring streak hitting for 39 points on Monday. Fields has scored at least 20 points in each of the last 9 games, breaking the 30 point plateau 5 times and the 40 point mark once...The Lightning play 10 of their final 14 games at home that includes 4 games in 5 days at the MetroCentre starting with Friday's battle with Grand Rapids. The Lightning's latest win over Gary on Thursday pulled the Bolts even in the season series between the two. That means that the Lightning have a sub-.500 record against just one other CBA team (Yakima). Every other CBA team has losing records against at least two other CBA squads.

SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE: The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced on Friday that Head Coach Stacey King was being replaced by Trevor Gleeson for the remainder of the season. Although Gleeson has never held a head coaching position in the CBA, he is no stranger to the fans of Sioux Falls. Last season, the Brisbane, Australia native teamed up with Paul Woolpert to lead the Force....In 2000-01, Gleeson served as an assistant coach for the Quad City Thunder. Along with assisting Head Coach Bob Thornton, he served as the team's main scout and was involved in community relations programs within the Quad Cities....The Skyforce opened their week on January 29th at conference rival, the Yakima Sun Kings. Sioux Falls was defeated 109-88 despite 20 points and 11 rebounds from Victor Thomas. The Force dropped all 7 quarter points in the loss...On Monday night the Force traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota to take on the defending CBA Champions, the Dakota Wizards. The game marked Gleeson's first game as captain of the sidelines. Despite jumping to a 33-30 first quarter lead, the Skyforce managed only 56 points over the next three quarters. Sioux Falls captured 1.5 quarter points in the 115-89 setback. The Force were led by Corsley Edwards who scored 22 points and Kelley McClure who had 19 points and 12 assists...Sioux Falls will kick off a 7 game homestand before going on the road again. The Skyforce open the set on Friday night when they host the Yakima Sun Kings for a weekend series.

YAKIMA SUN KINGS: After leading the Sun Kings to an 11-2 record during January, Head Coach Bill Bayno was selected National Conference Coach of the Month. Yakima began the month by winning four-of-six prior to the CBA All-Star Break and closed out the month with a seven game winning streak. The Sun Kings were 7-1 at home and 4-1 on the road during this time. The 11-2 mark was the best in the CBA for January and included three victories over the American Conference-leading Rockford Lightning and a win over the Dakota Wizards, the first place team in the National Conference...For the third straight week and the fourth time in five weeks a Yakima Sun King has been named National Conference Player of the Week. Darrick Martin averaged 17.3ppg, 8apg and 3.3rpg in leading the Sun Kings to a 3-1 mark during the week ending February 1st. Damian Cantrell has won the award three times this season and Fred Vinson has been honored once giving the Sun Kings a league-best five Player of the Week awards...The Sun Kings travel to Sioux Falls for a pair of the games this weekend against the Skyforce and then remain home for the remainder of February. Yakima plays just eight games this month.

PRIMETIME PERFORMANCES

James Head of the Great Lakes Storm tallied 28 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks in a 129-112 (6-1) loss to the Grand Rapids Hoops on January 29.

Ronnie Fields scored 36 points and pulled down 8 rebounds for the Rockford Lightning in a 125-122 (5-2) victory over the Gary Steelheads on January 29. He also made 2 blocks and 3 steals. Silas Mills of the Gary Steelheads poured in 32 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and dished 8 assists in a 125-122 (5-2) loss to the Rockford Lightning on January 29.

Tyson Wheeler led the Great Lakes Storm to a 128-120 (6-1) win over the Dakota Wizards on January 31, behind his 37 points and 7 assists. Jerald Honeycutt posted a game high 42 points to go along with his 7 rebounds and 3 steals in a 112-109 (5.5-1.5) Grand Rapids Hoops win over the Gary Steelheads on February 1.

THIS WEEK IN CBA HISTORY

On February 3, 1988, Ray Hall of the Quad City Thunder broke two CBA individual game records with 27 free throws and 29 free throw attempts, in a 127-121 (5-2) win over the Savannah Spirits. The previous free throw mark was held by John Drew, who sank 23 free throws for the Wyoming Wildcatters in a January 18, 1986 victory (112-110, 6-1) over the Cincinnati Slammers. The free throw attempts record was previously held by Larry McNeill, who took 28 shots from the foul strip in a 130-115 (6-1) Rochester Zeniths win over the Albany Patroons.



United Indoor Football Association Stories from February 4, 2003


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