This Week in the USBL

Published on May 5, 2003 under United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release

MILFORD, CT – The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL) is now 30 games into its 18th season of play. A rundown of the week that was and the awarding of weekly honors are as follows:

ADIRONDACK WILDCATS: The Wildcats traveled to Brooklyn on May 2nd looking to avenge an earlier defeat to the Kings. Revenge was exacted as the Wildcats defeated the Kings 100-87. Leading the way for the Wildcats was Greg Stempin with 17 points. Eugene Edgerson cleaned the glass with 14 rebounds and Ime Udoka had another solid effort with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The May 1 game against the Brevard Blue Ducks was postponed due to travel complications. However, the Blue Ducks finally ventured north for the first time this season to face the Wildcats. In the first overtime game of the season, the Wildcats prevailed at home 101-97. Kevin Morris was the high man with 24 points. Morris was deadly from behind the arc, hitting 6 three's on 8 attempts. Ime Udoka had his 2nd double double of the week, 16 points and 10 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 @ Pennsylvania, May 7 & 9 @ Brevard, May 10 @ Westchester)

BREVARD BLUE DUCKS: The Blue Ducks were sitting on a 3 game winning streak as they ventured out of the "Sunshine State" for the first time. The week started on a bad note, as the Blue Ducks were not able to make their May 1 game at Adirondack due to travel complications. This was might be considered the bright spot of the week as they finished 0-3 for the week. The ValleyDawgs hosted the Blue Ducks on back to back games. In the first game the Blue Ducks set a new USBL record for futility; they were 0-13 from behind the arc. This sets a new all-time USBL record for most 3-point attempts without a make. Simeon Haley and Terrance Shannon each led the way with 20 points each in a 120-97 loss. The next night was no better as the Blue Ducks fell 110-95. Darryl Hardy had his best game of the season with 25 points on 10 for 13 shooting. Playing their third game in as many days, the Blue Ducks again came up short as they lost in overtime to the Wildcats 101-97. Terrance Shannon had 28 points to lead the Blue Ducks.

(NEXT WEEK: May 7 & 9 vs. Adirondack, May 10 & 11 vs. Pennsylvania)

BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings started the week off by hosting in state rival Westchester. The Kings didn't start the game well, down 29-19 after the first period, and never recovered, losing 116-97. Fred Williams had 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Kings. Kwame James had 14 points and 9 rebounds in his best game of the season. Next on the list for the Kings was another instate rival, the Adirondack Wildcats. The Wildcats were looking for revenge and got it, defeating the Kings 100-87. The Kings were led by new acquisitions Charles Jones and Gary Williams. Jones had 18 points and 6 assists while Williams had 15 points for the Kings.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 @ Kansas, May 6 @ Dodge City, May 9 @ Oklahoma, May 11 @ Texas)

DODGE CITY LEGEND: The Legend were 4-0 and looking to remain unbeaten this week. They were able to do so and tied a franchise record with their 6th win to open the season. They opened play in 2000 with 6 consecutive wins. The Legend started the week with the Rim Rockers of Texas. The Legend were in command the whole game and were never challenged as they won 122-76. David Graves led 8 players in double figures with 23 points. Graves is only the second player to score over 20 points for the well-balanced Legend. Next for the Legend were the visiting Westchester Wildfire. In a hotly contested game the Legend managed to stay undefeated, 96-91. The Legend were 33-39 from the line, making each shot count. Syracuse alum Lazarus Sims had 17 points and 8 assists in the Legend win. Antonio Smith had 13 rebounds for the Legend.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 vs. Brooklyn, May 7 @ Kansas, May 8 & 10 vs. Kansas)

KANSAS CAGERZ: The Cagerz opened the week 0-4 and were in need of a win. The Texas Rim Rockers were just what the Cagerz needed to get back on track as they won their first game of the season 107-95. Recent pickup Tai Crutchfield had 19 points for the Cagerz. "Mr. Double-Double" Johnny Jackson had his usual, 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Oklahoma Storm again made the trip north to face the Cagerz. Proving that their first win was no fluke, the Cagerz again won by the score of 108-105. Bryan Lucas had 23 points to go along with 16 rebounds. Billy Thomas made his return to the Cagerz an enjoyable one with 16 points and 5 steals. Johnny Jackson again lived up to his nickname with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Cagerz ended the week on a sour note, coming up short against the visiting Wildfire. Billy Thomas had 20 points as the Cagerz were held to 42% shooting from the field. Johnny Jackson did it again with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 vs. Brooklyn, May 7 vs. Dodge City, May 8 & 10 @ Dodge City)

OKLAHOMA STORM: The Storm traveled to Salina to face the Cagerz in their first game this week. The Storm played great but came out on the losing end 108-105. James Penny had a breakout game with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Lonnie Jones made his presence known with 17 points and 18 rebounds. USBL leading scorer Albert Mouring was held to a season low 18 points. The Rim Rockers made their first visit to the Mark Price Arena, and the Storm were not gracious hosts. The Storm raced out to a 34 –19 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, winning 114-103. James Penny again had an outstanding game, 25 points on 10 for 13 shooting. Albert Mouring returned to form with 25 points.

(Next Week: May 5 vs. Texas, May 6 vs. Westchester, May 7 @ Texas, May 9 vs. Brooklyn)

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS: The ValleyDawgs were busy as they played 3 games this week. They must like the work as they finished 3-0. Starting the week against the Wildfire, the ValleyDawgs extended an 11-point half time lead to 21 after three and cruised to a 120-96 win. Quincy Wadley had 39 points in the win. Kareem Reid had 20 points and 9 assists and Terquin Mott had 13 points to go along with 14 rebounds. The ValleyDawgs then hosted the Blue Ducks for 2 games. The ValleyDawgs showed how tough it is for a team to win at Stabler Arena, winning 120-97 and 110 – 95. With Quincy Wadley on the sidelines with a sore ankle, rookie Willie Chandler made the most of his opportunity by scoring 23 points in only 20 minutes. Kareem Reid had 20 points and 11 assists in the win. In the second game, Tim Winn was the leading scorer with 28 points. Winn also dished out 8 assists and had 5 steals. Olden Polynice had his best game so far this season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Willie Chandler, continued to show Coach Darryl Dawkins that he can shoot it, had 24 points.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 vs. Adirondack, May 10 & 11 @ Brevard)

TEXAS RIM ROCKERS: The Rim Rockers returned from a brutal 0-5 eastern road trip to find themselves still on the road, only in the Midwest. In the first visit to Salina the Rim Rockers came up short, as they were defeated 107-95. Maurice Bullock had 18 points to lead the Rim Rockers. Playing the hottest team in the league, the Dodge City Legend, the Rim Rockers were never in the game, losing 122-76. John Woods and Roy Gardner each led the way with 16 points. The Rim Rockers then had the first of two consecutive games against the Storm. Again the road was unkind as they lost 114-103. Chad Wilkerson exploded for 29 points for the Rim Rockers, a franchise high. Roy Gardner had 15 points and11 rebounds for the Rim Rockers.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 @ Oklahoma, May 7 vs. Oklahoma, May 8 vs. Westchester, May 11 vs. Brooklyn)

WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE: The Wildfire had a busy week with 3 games and the start of there first ever swing through the Midwest. The Wildfire started with a 116-97 win over the Brooklyn Kings. The "Dynamic Duo" of Lance Williams and Kevin Freeman each had 18 points to lead the way. Next on the docket for the Wildfire was a trip to Salina to face the Cagerz. Playing in Salina is never easy, but the Wildfire made it look that way. Tied at halftime, the Wildfire used a 29-17 fourth quarter to win 100-88. Kevin Freeman again led the way with 22 points. Kitwana Rhymer had 17 points to go along with 9 rebounds. In the final game of the week for the Wildfire, they ventured to Dodge City. This game seems to have been the start of a heated rivalry between the two teams as the Wildfire came up short 96-91. Kevin Freeman continued to pile up the points as he again led the Wildfire with 19 points. Zech Marbury had 14 points in his best game as a professional in the USBL.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 @ Oklahoma, May 8 @ Texas, May 10 vs. Adirondack)

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK" KAREEM REID – PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS

The spark plug to the up tempo offense of the ValleyDawgs, Reid has been outstanding in getting his teammates involved and still finding time to score himself. Reid, the USBL leader in assists per game (10.7) was the main reason behind the ValleyDawgs going 3-0 on the week. Reid started the week with 20 points and 9 assists and didn't stop there. He had 20 points and 11 assists and 2 steals then a 19 point, 13 assist, 6 teal effort. In Reid's last 4 games he has dished out 53 assists.

HONORABLE MENTION

James Penny – Oklahoma Storm

Johnny Jackson - Kansas Cagerz

Kevin Freeman - Westchester Wildfire

"ROOKIE OF THE WEEK" – WILLIE CHANDLER – PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS

The 2nd All-Time Division III scorer from Misericordia started the week slow but ended on fire. A 9 point performance in only 10 minutes was just a glimmer of what was ahead. Chandler caught fire and had 23 points in 20 minutes and followed that up with 24 points in 30 minutes. In the 2 games Chandler showed his outside stroke going 8 for 13 behind the line.

HONORABLE MENTION

David Graves - Dodge City Legend

Chris Davis – Kansas Cagerz

"TEAM OF THE WEEK" – DODGE CITY LEGEND The only undefeated team left in the USBL. They have balanced scoring, only 2 players have scored over 20 points in a game. They are third in scoring average (108) and are allowing league low points allowed average (88.2). It also helps to be third in both field goal and free throw percentage. Antonio Smith continues to lead the USBL in rebounding (14.2) and rookie David Graves has become a valuable outside threat for the Legend. The Legend will be looking to continue their hot streak this week with four games in five nights. The Legend are on a role and who knocks the Legend off the undefeated perch will have to be playing excellent basketball.

United States Basketball League Stories from May 5, 2003

• This Week in the USBL - USBL
• USBL Transactions - USBL

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.