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This Week in the USBL

May 18, 2004 - United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release


MILFORD, CT – The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL) has reached the halfway point on the calendar this past week. As always team play has steadily improved as the season has moved along, with a few teams trying to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. With that on to the show...

ADIRONDACK WILDCATS: The Wildcats were looking to get back on the winning side of the ledger this week. They opened the week against Brooklyn at home. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter exploded for a season and league high 44 points, 33 coming in the second half alone, as thee Wildcats won 119-114. Jermaine Boyette continues to show his all around game with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Wildcats next traveled to Pennsylvania to take on the ValleyDawgs. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter again led the way with 28 points but this time the Wildcats came up short 106-101. Jermaine Boyette chipped in with 23 points and Michael Hart had 20 points in the loss. Both teams played again the next day, only this time in Adirondack. The venue might have changed but the result was the same as the Wildcats lost this time by the score of 81-74. Poor shooting, 28.4% the 2nd worst percentage all-time in USBL history, doomed the Wildcats. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter again led the way with 30 points, but he took 31 shots to get it. Gyasi Cline-Heard had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 17 @ Brooklyn, May 19 @ Pennsylvania, May 21 vs. Cedar Rapids)

BREVARD BLUE DUCKS: The Blue Ducks were in middle of their "dreaded" Midwest swing through the USBL. The first touched down in St. Louis. Five players were in double figures, led by Tony Bland with 21 points, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Ducks lost 116-105. Rob Brown had 18 points and Tony Harris had 18 points in the loss. The traveling caravan next stopped in Kansas to take on the Cagerz. Nat Burton had 18 points but it wasn't good enough as the Blue Ducks lost 119-97. Rob Brown had 16 points and Tony Bland had 15 points for the Blue Ducks. Next for the Blue Ducks were the Oklahoma Storm. Nat Burton again led the way with 20 points, but the outcome was the same as the Blue Ducks again came up short 108-91. Tony Bland had 18 points and both Tony Bland and Rob Brown each had 17 points in the loss. In their "final" game on the Midwest swing, the Blue Ducks face the Dodge City Legend. A hard fought battle throughout, a missed lay up by Tony Harris in the final seconds doomed the Blue Ducks as they lost for the fourth time in the week, 116-115. Harris had 28 points. Rob Brown had 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 19 vs. Dodge City @ Dodge City, May 21 & 23 vs. Brooklyn)

BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings have been a pleasant surprise this season in the USBL. In their first game of the week, the Kings hosted Westchester. BJ McFarland had a huge night with 22 points to go along with a league high 22 rebounds, as the Kings prevailed 96-83. Mike Campbell had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Kings in the victory. Two nights later, the Kings traveled north to face Adirondack. In a back and forth game, the exploits of Jimmie "Snap" Hunter and his 44 points were too much as the Kings lost 119-114. BJ McFarland again doubled with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Mike Campbell threw in 26 points and Chudney Gray contributed with 17 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 17 vs. Adirondack, May 18 @ Pennsylvania)

CEDAR RAPIDS RIVER RAIDERS: The River Raiders traveled to Oklahoma to start their week. In a back and forth game the River Raiders came out on the short end 121-119. Seven players were in double figures, led by Bingo Merriex with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Albert Mouring had 18 points in his return to Oklahoma. Damon Jackson had 17 points in the loss. The River Raiders next faced the Dodge City Legend in Dodge City. Poor shooting, 36 % from the field, crippled the River Raiders and they lost 117-93. Dean Oliver had 21 points in the loss. Bingo Merriex again doubled with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Courtney James had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the River Raiders.

(NEXT WEEK: May 17 @ Kansas, Ma7 19 vs. Florence, May 21 @ Adirondack, May 22 @ Westchester)

DODGE CITY LEGEND: The Legend returned home and picked up their home winning streak at 22 in a row against St. Louis. In a close contest, the Legend came out on top 106-105. Immanuel McElroy had 35 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Reed Rawlings had 17 points and newcomer Robert Bergersen had 11 points in his debut with the Legend. The River Raiders next invaded Dodge City looking to end the streak but they were unsuccessful as Immanuel McElroy again led the way with 22 points in a 117-93 win. Stais Boseman had 13 points and 10 assists in the win. The Legend next hosted the Blue Ducks in their final game of the week. A Tony Harris miss preserved a 116-115 victory for the Legend. Ray Young and Jermaine Tate both had 22 points in the victory. Reed Rawlings had 21 points and Immanuel McElroy showed his versatility with 12 assists. The home winning streak now stands at 25 home wins, only six away from the All-Time USBL record 31 wins, held by the 1995-1996 Florida Sharks.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 vs. Westchester, May 19 @ Brevard @ Dodge City)

FLORENCE FLYERS: The Flyers hosted the Westchester Wildfire for two games this week. In the first contest, the Flyers came out on top with a 88-84 victory. Tai Crutchfield had 16 points in the victory. Tyson Patterson had 12 points and 9 assists for the Flyers. The Flyers were not as lucky two nights later as they lost 88-87 on a last second buzzer beater by former Flyer Jamaal Davis. Carlos Strong had 15 points, Lamayn Wilson had 20 points and Marlon Parmer had 19 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 @ Kansas, May 19 @ Cedar Rapids, May 22 @ St. Louis)

KANSAS CAGERZ: The Cagerz hosted Oklahoma in the final game of a three game set against the Storm. The Cagerz were up by as many as 26 but had to hold on at the end to win 119-117. Rookie Nate Johnson with 30 points led the Cagerz. Cleotis Brown had 16 points and Maurice Jeffers and Jamie Kendrick each had 15 points in the win. The Cagerz continued to hit on all cylinders as they won two nights later against Brevard 119-97. "Mr. Double Double" Johnny Jackson had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Jamie Kendrick had 18 points and Maurice Jeffers had 19 points in the victory. In their final game of the week, the Cagerz faced St. Louis. The usual 4th quarter burst by the Cagerz was enough as they won 105-93. Jamie Kendrick finished off an outstanding week with 25 points. "Mr. Double Double" Johnny Jackson had 18 points and 14 rebounds. Jackson, at the time of publication, currently needs only 68 rebounds to break the USBL All-Time rebound record of 1,169 held by Andre Perry.

(NEXT WEEK: May 17 vs. Cedar Rapids, May 18 vs. Florence, May 19 vs. Westchester, May 21 @ Westchester, May 22 @ Pennsylvania)

OKLAHOMA STORM: The Storm had a busy week with four games slated. The Storm started the week in Salina as they faced off with the Cagerz in the final game of a three game set. After being down by as many as 26, the Storm came back and even held the lead at one point, but they couldn't hold on and lost 119-117. James Penny had 36 points for the Storm in the loss. Last weeks Player of the Week Patrick Okafor had 23 points on 9 of 10 shooting. The Storm next faced Cedar Rapids at home two days later. James Penny again led the way, this time with 32 points, as the Storm held off the River Raiders 121-119. Lamont Turner had 24 points and hometown boy Brent Price had 12 points in the victory. The Storm next hosted Brevard. James Penny again led the way with 26 points as the Storm rained over the Blue Ducks 108-91. Lamont Turner had 21 points and Patrick Okafor was his efficient self with 17 points. Jai Pradia had 10 points and 11 rebounds in only 17 minutes of play. In their final game of the week, the Storm faced Westchester. The Storm came out on top 109-99. It was no surprise at all that James Penny led the way for the Storm, this time with 28 points. Patrick Okafor had 26 points and Chris Porter doubled with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 & 21 @ St. Louis)

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS: The ValleyDawgs had a short week game wise, with only a home and home series with Adirondack. The ValleyDawgs opened the series at home with a 106-101 victory. Marcus Hill had 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists to go along with 6 steals. Tim Winn had 16 points and Willie Chandler had 13 points in the victory. The next night was more of the same, as the ValleyDawgs won 81-74. Lou White had 13 points in the victory. Brian Taylor and Willie Chandler each had 10 points for the ValleyDawgs. Marcus Fleming pulled down 10 rebounds in the win.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 vs. Brooklyn, May 19 vs. Adirondack, May 22 vs. Kansas)

ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS: The Skyhawks started the week hosting the Brevard Blue Ducks. Hometown product Justin Love had 31 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals in a 115-105 victory. USBL All-Time Leading scorer Kwan Johnson had 21 points in the victory. The next night the Skyhawks traveled to Dodge City to take on the Legend. Tony Dobbins and Kwan Johnson each had 22 points but it wasn't enough as the Skyhawks lost 106-105. Jarrod Gee had 24 points in a losing cause. In their final game of the week, the Skyhawks faced Kansas in Salina. Justin Love exploded for 34 points and Antonio Rivers had 17 points, but it wasn't good enough as the Skyhawks lost 105-93.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 & 21 vs. Oklahoma, May 22 vs. Florence)

WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE: The Wildfire opened up their week with two games in Florence. In the first game, the Wildfire fell behind by 24 points, battled back, but came up short 88-84. Kareem Reid had 24 points and 11 assists in the loss. Lance Williams doubled with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Wildfire exacted some revenge two nights later as they defeated Florence 88-87, when newly acquired forward Jamaal Davis hit a bucket with 12 seconds left to defeat his former team. Kareem Reid again led the way with 26 points and 16 assists. Lance Williams again doubled with 12 points and 16 assists. In their final game of the year, Westchester faced off against Oklahoma. Kareem Reid had 23 points and 11 assists, but the Wildfire came up short 109-99. Lance Williams had 20 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 18 @ Dodge City, May 19 @ Kansas, May 21 vs. Kansas, May 22 vs. Cedar Rapids)

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK" JAMES PENNY, OKLAHOMA STORM

Penny started the week with a 36 point game against Kansas, and followed it up with efforts of 32, 26, and 26 points respectively. Penny also shot 60% from the field as the Storm righted the ship and went 3-1 on the week. Penny has really expanded his level of play for head coach Todd Chambers this season. Penny is currently 4th in the USBL in scoring with a 21.2 average.

HONORABLE MENTION
JUSTIN LOVE, ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
JOHNNY JACKSON, KANSAS CAGERZ
KAREEM REID, WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE

"ROOKIE OF THE WEEK" NATE JOHNSON, KANSAS CAGERZ

The rookie from Nebraska has been a force for the Cagerz in this early part of the season. He started the week off with a 30 point effort against Oklahoma. Johnson also had 16 points in a win for the Cagerz. Johnson has been a pleasant surprise for the Cagerz and has steadily improved with each game. He will be a valuable piece of the puzzle for the Cagerz as they look to capture the USBL Championship on their home floor in June.

HONORABLE MENTION
JEFF GRAVES, KANSAS CAGERZ
TONY BLAND, BREVARD BLUE DUCKS

"TEAM OF THE WEEK" KANSAS CAGERZ

The Cagerz have won all three of their games this past week. The Cagerz knocked off Oklahoma 119-117 to start the week. They next defeated Brevard 119-97 and then finished off the week with a 105-93 victory over St. Louis. The Cagerz are always tough to beat at home and with the with rejuvenated play of Johnny Jackson the Cagerz are looking to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the USBL.

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United States Basketball League Stories from May 18, 2004


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