This Week in the USBL

Published on May 4, 2004 under United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release

MILFORD, CT – The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL) opening the second week of it's season with some more outstanding play. With that here it is.....

ADIRONDACK WILDCATS: The Wildcats opened the week with a familiar opponent, the Brevard Blue Ducks. This time the Ducks were in their own nest, but with the same results as before, as the Wildcats knocked off the Ducks 120-93. Jimmie Hunter had 34 points on 10 for 15 shooting. Jermaine Boyette chipped in with 32 points as the Wildcats shot 63.2 % from the field. The Wildcats next faced the Florence Flyers at home. A typical 3rd quarter defensive stop by the Wildcats, 23-7, propelled them to an 88-80 victory. Jimmy Hunter continued to lead the way for the Wildcats with 24 points. Michael Hart had 19 points and 9 rebounds and Marshall Phillips had 16 points. The Wildcats then embarked on a tough road stand with games in Florence and Westchester on three straight nights. In the first of two in Florence, the Wildcats showed that they could continue to win on the road with a 112-91 victory. Balanced scoring was the norm for the Wildcats as six players scored in double figures, led by Jermaine Boyette with 23 points. The next night the Wildcats had to work five extra minutes but came out on the short end to the Flyers by the score of 108-106 in overtime. Jimmie Hunter had 34 points, 22 coming in the 4th quarter and overtime. The Wildcats then bused all night to play the Wildfire in an early matinee. After being down by as much as 17 points, the Wildcats took a one-point lead. The Wildcats couldn't hold onto the lead and lost a close fought battle 80-79. Marshall Phillips had 24 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. Michael Hart and Jermaine Boyette each had 17 points.

(NEXT WEEK: May 7 vs. Dodge City, May 8 vs. Brooklyn)

BREVARD BLUE DUCKS: The Blue Ducks had a short week with only one game on the docket. The Blue Ducks hosted the Wildcats but fell victim by the score of 120-93. Nate Burton had 22 points and Rob Brown had 21 points in the loss. Darrell Johns made his Blue Ducks premier with 12 points. The Blue Ducks shot 52.6 % on the game but were unable to stop the hot shooting of the Wildcats.

(NEXT WEEK: May 4 vs. Florence, May 5 & 7 vs. Pennsylvania, May 9 @ Cedar Rapids)

BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings hosted the ValleyDawgs in their first game of the week. The Kings have traditionally given the ValleyDawgs fits at home and this time was no different. After being down by as many as 21, the Kings came roaring back and were able to pull out a 110-017 victory Playground legend Mike Campbell is again proving that he can take his talents indoors, as he put up 25 points and 9 rebounds for the Kings. BJ McFarland chipped in with 24 points and 11 rebounds and Kyle Williams had 17 points. The Kings then took flight to Florence to take on the Flyers. The Kings held tough and were able to extend the game to overtime, but came up short 117-106. Mike Campbell had 25 points in the loss. Chudney Gray had 20 points and 5 assists in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 @ Florence, May 6 vs. Dodge City, May 7 @ Adirondack)

CEDAR RAPIDS RIVER RAIDERS: The River Raiders continue to have solid support at home from the fans and community, and it's easy to see why with the exploits of their team. The River Raiders first took on the Skyhawks at home. A tale of bookend quarters, 29-17 1st and 37-18 4th, put the River Raiders ahead and they coasted to a 116-88 victory. Bryan Bracey and Dean Oliver had 25 points each in the victory. Courtney James doubled with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Damon Jackson had 17 points in the win. The same two teams met again, this time in St. Louis. An even game throughout, the River Raiders got a three pointer at the buzzer by Bryan Bracey to pull out a 103-102 victory. Bracey had 27 points and 9 rebounds in the victory. Bingo Merriex had 14 points to go along with 12 rebounds. In their final game of the week the River Raiders traveled to Salina to help the Cagerz open up their home schedule. The River Raiders were too much help as they lost by the score of 120-109. Six players scored in double figured led by Dean Oliver with 27 points. Tim Kisner had 15 points and 15 assists in the loss. Bingo Merriex doubled with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 vs. Westchester, May 8 vs. St. Louis, May 9 vs. Brevard)

DODGE CITY LEGEND: The Legend had a busy week with four games. First for the Legend was a home contest against instate rival Kansas. After being down one at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Legend exploded with a 35-17 4th quarter and pulled away to a 106-89 victory. Six players scored in double figures with Reed Rawlings having 28 points to lead the way. Immanuel McElroy had 21 points and Muntrelle Dobbins had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Legend next hosted the Storm. The Storm clouds hung over the Legend but they didn't rain down as the Legend managed a 105-102 victory. Rob Dye had 19 points in the victory as six players were again in double figures. The win was the Legend's 23 straight win at home. They are only eight games away from tying the all-time mark held by the 1995-96 Florida Sharks who won 31 in a row at home. The Legend was the first Midwest team to make the trip east and so far the trip has been a difficult one. Poor shooting doomed the Legend as they fell behind early and never were able to recover as they lost to Westchester 100-87. Immanuel McElroy had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. The next night was no better as the Legend again lost, this time to Pennsylvania by the score of 100-87. Kenny Whitehead had 17 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. The Legend has shot a paltry 71 for 196 (36%) from the field so far on their eastern swing.

(NEXT WEEK May 6 @ Brooklyn, May 7 @ Adirondack, May 9 @ Florence)

FLORENCE FLYERS: The Flyers had five games in as many nights all along the eastern seaboard, and also had to go through an ownership change. The Flyers made the best of it, which goes to show what a group head coach Bryan Gates has put together. The Flyers first bused to Adirondack to face the Wildcats. A poor fourth quarter, 23-7, put the team behind and they never recovered, losing 88-80. Louis Truscott had 18 points in the loss. Carlos Strong had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Flyers. Back on their buses, the Flyers went to Pennsylvania and gave the ValleyDawgs an unbelievable game. The Flyers lost 119-112 but the effort was extraordinary. Marlon Parmer had 23 points and 13 assists in the loss. Anthony Johnson had 23 points and 8 rebounds. The Flyers then went back home to face the Wildcats twice in two nights. The fist night hasn't so good for the Flyers as they lost 112-91. Carlos Strong had 17 points in the loss. The next night was better for the Flyers as Tai Crutchfield hit a jumper to put the game into overtime. From their Marlon Parmer hit a driving lay up with two seconds left to give the Flyers a 108-106 victory. Parmer had 32 points in the victory. Lemayn Wilson had 14 points and Mario Woodson had 13 rebounds. In their final game of the week, the Flyers hosted Brooklyn. Marlon Parmer again led the way for the Flyers with 18 points and 14 assists. Carlos Strong had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Lemayn Wilson had 23 points and Mario Woodson had 12 points and 15 rebounds in a 117-106 overtime victory.

(NEXT WEEK: May 4 @ Brevard, May 5 vs. Brooklyn, May 9 vs. Dodge City)

KANSAS CAGERZ: In their first game of the week, the Cagerz traveled to Dodge City to take on the Legend. A poor 4th quarter, 35-17, doomed the Cagerz as they lost 106-89. Maurice Jeffers had 15 points and Nate Johnson had 13 points in a loss. The Cagerz next traveled to St. Louis to face the Skyhawks in their final away game before their home opener. The Cagerz pulled out a 107-105 victory and with it Johnny Jackson moved into second place all-time in total rebounds, passing Mitchell Foster with 1029 rebounds. In their home opener, in front of over 2000 fans, the Cagerz used a big 2nd quarter run, 30-19, to give themselves a nine-point cushion going into halftime. From there they built the lead and won 120-109 over the River Raiders. Johnny Jackson had 24 points and 7 rebounds in the victory. Brandon Hawkins had 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in the victory.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 vs. St. Louis, May 7 vs. Oklahoma, May 9 @ Oklahoma)

OKLAHOMA STORM: The Storm only had one game this past week, in their home away from in this early part of the season, in Dodge City. In their last visit to Dodge City this season, the Storm came up short, as they lost 105-102. Three players had double doubles. Lamont Turner had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Patrick Okafor had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Porter had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 3 vs. St. Louis, May 7 @ Kansas, May 9 vs. Kansas)

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS: The ValleyDawgs had four games over a five-night span, tough for any team. In their first game, the ValleyDawgs traveled to Westchester. A big 1st quarter, 27-17, sustained the ValleyDawgs as they pulled out a 103-98 victory on the road. Quincy Wadley had 24 points and 7 assists in the win. Carlos Wheeler had 19 points and Marcus Fleming had 11 in the win. The ValleyDawgs next faced Florence at home. A hard fought battle ensued for four quarters with the ValleyDawgs coming out on top 119-112. Tim Winn led six players in double figures with 20 points and 9 assists. Marcus Hill had 19 points and Marcus Fleming had 16 points in the victory. Pennsylvania then traveled north to face Brooklyn. The Kings battled back from 21 down to knock off the ValleyDawgs. Jerry Holman had 24 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Tim Winn had 13 points as did Marcus Fleming in the loss. In their final game of the week the ValleyDawgs hosted the Dodge City Legend. The ValleyDawgs were without the services of Tim Winn and Joe Crispin as they were both injured in the game against the Kings. Other players stepped up and made their presence know in a 100-86 victory. Quincy Wadley had 21 points and 4 steals in the victory. Marcus Fleming finished an impressive week with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 5 @ Brevard, May 7 @ Brevard, May 8 A Westchester@ Pace University)

ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS: The Skyhawks have been competitive in every one of their games and their record doesn't indicate the talent level they have. In their first game of the week, the Skyhawks traveled to Cedar Rapids to take on the River Raiders. The Skyhawks got off to a poor start, 29-17, and never recovered, losing 116-88. Derrick Miller had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Kwan Johnson and Justin love each had 15 points in their Skyhawks debut. The next night the Skyhawks hosted Kansas. A late basket put the Skyhawks behind by two and a last second 3 pointer by Justin Love rimmed out and the Skyhawks lost 107-105. Justin Love had 33 points in the loss. Kwan Johnson had 23 points and Matt Baniak had 13 for the Skyhawks. In their last game of the week, the Skyhawks face the River Raiders for the second time in three days. The result was the same but by a much closer score. A Bryan Bracey jumper at the buzzer knocked off the Skyhawks 103-102. Justin Love again led the way with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Kwan Johnson had 20 points and Matt Baniak had 12 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 3 @ Oklahoma, May 5 @ Kansas, May 7 vs. Westchester, May 8 @ Cedar Rapids)

WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE: The Wildfire stayed at home for three games this week. The first game was against the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. The ValleyDawgs ran out to an early 10-point lead and the Wildfire never recovered, losing 103-98. Fred Williams had 28 points in the loss. Greg Stevenson had 24 points and Cheyne Gadson had 15 points. Next up for the Wildfire were last year's champions, the Dodge City Legend. The Wildfire had a great team defensive effort and knocked off the Legend 100-97. Lance Williams had 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Tony Bland had 17 points and Fred Williams had 16 points in the win. In their final game of the week, the Wildfire hosted the Adirondack Wildcats. A close game throughout, an offensive rebound with 3 seconds left saved the day for the Wildfire as they escaped with an 80-79 victory. Cheyne Gadson had 21 points in the victory. Fred Williams had 16 points and Lance Williams had 13 points and 9 rebounds in the win.

(NEXT WEEK: May 6 @ Cedar Rapids, May 7 @ St. Louis, May 8 vs. Pennsylvania)

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK" JUSTIN LOVE, ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS

Love has made his presence felt with the Skyhawks this season. He is averaging 24.5 pts a game and 3.3 steals on the season, good for second in the USBL in both categories. Love had games 15, 33, and 34 already this season. Look for Love to continue his hot shooting for his hometown Skyhawks.

HONORABLE MENTION

DEAN OLIVER, CEDAR RAPIDS RIVER RAIDERS
MIKE CAMPBELL, BROOKLYN KINGS

"ROOKIE OF THE WEEK" ANTHONY JOHNSON, FLORENCE FLYERS

The Louisiana-Lafayette product has been a steady force for the Flyers this season, while only receiving limited minutes. In his best game of the season, Johnson had 23 points and 8 rebounds against Pennsylvania. He followed that up with 13 points and 4 rebounds against Adirondack. Johnson has been a steady force off the bench in his first pro season for the Flyers.

HONORABLE MENTION

RT GUINN, CEDAR RAPIDS RIVER RAIDERS
WILLIE SHAW, BROOKLYN KINGS

"TEAM OF THE WEEK" FLORENCE FLYERS

They might have had one of the most difficult weeks in USBL history. One owner leaves, a new ownership group comes in midweek, they travel over 1500 miles and play 5 games in as many nights. Any team that can go through all those problems and still come out with a 2 and 3 record has to be commended. A fine showing by their head coach Bryan Gates and the Flyers players to be able to sustain through the hardship.

United States Basketball League Stories from May 4, 2004

• This Week in the USBL - USBL
• Oliver Earns OursportsCentral.com Player of the Week Honors - Cedar Rapids River Raiders
• Blue Ducks set for game tonight - Brevard Blue Ducks

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.