This Week in the USBL

May 28, 2003 - United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release

ADIRONDACK WILDCATS: The Wildcats opened their week with a home game against Kansas. A hard fought game was decided on a last second three point field goal by Greg Stempin as the Wildcats pulled out a 100-99 victory over the Cagerz. Frantz Pierre-Louis led 6 players in double figures with 17 points. Eugene Edgerson had 11 rebounds and Kevin Morris had 10 assists for the Wildcats. Next for the Wildcats was divisional rival Westchester. The Wildfire jumped out to a 6-point halftime lead and the host Wildcats never recovered, losing 96-77. Kevin Morris was the high man with 18 points. Eugene Edgerson continued to wipe the boards clean with 12 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 30 vs. Dodge City, May 31 vs. Oklahoma)

BREVARD BLUE DUCKS: The Blue Ducks were looking to make a run back into the top of the Eastern Division with two home games. The first was against visiting Dodge City. The Blue Ducks had a bad third quarter (23-31) and were unable to pull out the win, losing 103-92. Darryl Hardy led 4 players in double figures with 19 points. John Mueller chipped in with 18 points. Next to visit the Blue Ducks was the Westchester Wildfire. The third quarter again killed the Blue Ducks (16-38) as they lost 103-92. Issac Spencer had 17 points for the Blue Ducks.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 vs. Kansas, May 28, 29 @ Brooklyn, May 31 @ Pennsylvania)

BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings had a busy week with 3 games. In the first the Kings made the short trip north to Westchester. The Kings battled back from 18 down but came out on the short end 100-93. Fred Williams had 33 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony Glover had 20 points and 14 rebounds. Next for the Kings were the Kansas Cagerz. The Kings were never really in the game shooting only 40% from the field and they lost 112-91. Fred Williams again led the way, scoring 19 points and snaring 9 rebounds. In the last game of the week for the Kings, they faced the Midwest Division leaders, the Dodge City Legend. A big second half by the Kings led them to a 109-94 victory over the Legend. Lenny Cooke had 31 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings in the victory. Anthony Glover had 21 points for the Kings.

(NEXT WEEK: May 27 vs. Oklahoma, May 28,29 vs. Brevard, May 30 vs. Westchester)

DODGE CITY LEGEND: The Legend traveled to Texas to take on the Rim Rockers. 6 players scored in double figures with Rob Dye leading the way with 19 points as the Legend won 108-101. Artie Griffin and Antonio Smith each had 16 in the victory. Playing the Rim Rockers for the second game in as many nights, the Legend this time came away with a 94-91 loss. Darrin Hancock had 21 points in the loss. The Legend then traveled to Brevard to take on the Blue Ducks. David Graves had 18 points in the win and Darrin Hancock had 14 points and 11 rebounds over the Blue Ducks, 103-92. In their last game of the week, the Legend traveled north and faced the Brooklyn Kings. Artie Griffin's 23 points were not enough as the Legend lost 109-94.

(NEXT WEEK: May 27 @ Pennsylvania, May 29 @ Westchester, May 30 @ Adirondack, June 1 vs. Kansas)

KANSAS CAGERZ: The Cagerz started their week in Westchester. The Wildfire were not good hosts, defeating the Cagerz 96-89. Tim Pledger had 22 points in the loss. "Mr Double Double" had just that 16 points and 11 rebounds. Next for the Cagerz was Adirondack. A late controversial call went against the Cagerz and they lost 100-99. Tim Pledger had 23 points in the loss. Johnny Jackson had 12 points and 15 rebounds and Lee Benson had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Cagerz. The Cagerz then traveled south to face Brooklyn. The Cagerz came away with a 112-91 victory. Lee Benson had 25 points and 13 rebounds in the win. New arrival Maurice Jeffers had 17 points for the Cagerz. The last game of the week for the Cagerz was against the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. Maurice Jeffers again had a good game with 24 points and Lee Benson had 24 points to go along with 17 rebounds, but it was not enough as the Cagerz lost 109-102.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 @ Brevard, June 1 @ Dodge City)

OKLAHOMA STORM: The Storm had a light week with only 1 game, home against the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. The Storm would also have to make due because USBL Leading Scorer Albert Mouring was at the Miami Heat mini camp. The Storm had 21 turnovers which was the big difference as the Storm lost 122-100. James Penny had 24 points in the loss. Lamont Turner had 16 points and Brian Williams had 13 points.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 @ Texas, May 27 @ Brooklyn, May 29 @ Pennsylvania, May 31 @ Adirondack)

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS: The ValleyDawgs were in the middle of their Midwest swing and started the week in Oklahoma. Ace Custis led 7 players in double figures with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Quincy Wadley had 22 points in the 122-100 win over the Storm. Next for the ValleyDawgs were the Texas Rim Rockers. The ValleyDawgs won 128-113 with Quincy Wadley having 26 points. Ronnie Fields had 24 points and Ace Custis chipped in with 23. The ValleyDawgs returned home to face the Cagerz. Kareem Reid and Tim Winn both had 21 points as the ValleyDawgs won 109-102. Olden Polynice contributed with 13 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 27 vs. Dodge City, May 29 vs. Oklahoma, May 31 vs. Brevard, June 1 vs. Westchester)

TEXAS RIM ROCKERS: The Rim Rockers started a 10 game home stand with two games against Dodge City. The first game was unkind to the Rim Rockers as they lost 108-101. Maurice Carter had 31 points in the loss. Chad Wilkerson had 18 points for Texas. The next night was better as the Rim Rockers won 94-91. Maurice Carter again led the way with 23 points. Leon Smith had 20 points and 19 rebounds in the win for the Rim Rockers. In their final game of the week, the Rim Rockers faced the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. The third game in three days is always tough and the Rim Rockers lost 128-113. Jemeil Rich had 25 points for the Rim Rockers and Leon Smith had 23 points and 21 rebounds in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 vs. Oklahoma)

WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE: The Wildfire opened up a busy week as they faced the Kansas Cagerz. The Wildfire pulled out a hard fought victory 96-89. New arrival but a familiar face to USBL fans, Kwan Johnson had 19 points to lead the Wildfire. Kevin Freeman and Greg Stevenson both had 17 points in the win. The next night the Wildfire hosted Brooklyn. Kwan Johnson again led the Wildfire with 20 points. Kevin Freeman had 17 points and 7 rebounds for the Wildfire as they won 100-93. The Wildfire then traveled north to face the Adirondack Wildcats. The Wildfire won all four quarters and were never really tested as they won 96-77. Kwan Johnson had 16 points and Zech Marbury had 15 in the victory. In their fourth game of the week, the Wildfire traveled to Brevard to take on the Blue Ducks. Greg Stevenson had 20 points for the Wildfire as they finished undefeated on the week by winning 103-92 over the Blue Ducks. Vonteego Cummings had 18 points in the victory.

(NEXT WEEK: May 29 vs. Dodge City, May 30 @ Brooklyn, June 1 @ Pennsylvania)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – LEE BENSON, KANSAS CAGERZ

Benson has really turned his game up and is playing with the flair and domination that was promised. Benson started the week with 19 points and 9 rebounds. From there he had games of 18 points and 14 rebounds, 25 points and 13 rebounds, and 24 points and 17 rebounds. Benson also got it done on the defensive end with 6 blocks and 6 steals for the week.

HONORABLE MENTION

ACE CUSTIS, PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS
LEON SMITH, TEXAS RIM ROCKERS

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK – LENNY COOKE, BROOKLYN KINGS

Cooke has had an exciting few games in his young professional career. He started this week off with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. He then exploded for 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals on 13 for 21 shooting in a win over Dodge City. Cooke has been a major force already for the Kings and will be looked at for continued contributions the rest of the season.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

ANTHONY GLOVER, BROOKLYN KINGS
DAVID GRAVES, DODGE CITY LEGEND

TEAM OF THE WEEK – WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE

The Wildfire had an undefeated week this past week, going 4-0. The Wildfire started the week off with a 96-89 win over Kansas. Next on the Wildfire hit list was Brooklyn. They were defeated 100-93. Proving that they can win not only at home but also on the road, the Wildfire defeated Adirondack 96-77 and Brevard 103-92. Coach John Starks has received balanced scoring and tough defense from a variety of superstars all season long. Vonteego Cummings, Kevin Freeman, Greg Stevenson, and Kitwana Rhymer have all stepped to the forefront at one time or another and new arrival Kwan Johnson has been a valued midseason acquisition.

HONORABLE MENTION

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS
DODGE CITY LEGEND

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