This Week in the USBL

Published on May 25, 2004 under United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release


MILFORD, CT – The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL) is slowly moving into the homestretch of its 19th season of play. Parody has reigned in the USBL, with five teams separated by only one game for the top seed in this year's Post-Season Festival. The eighth seed at the present time is only four and a half games out of the top spot so things could change dramatically from no until the end of the season. Now the games of the past week...

ADIRONDACK WILDCATS: The Wildcats ventured to Brooklyn to open their week. A poor 4th quarter (32-22) doomed the Wildcats as they came up short 95-89. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter had 33 points in the loss. Gyasi Cline-Heard had 19 points and 10 assists in the win. The Wildcats then ventured to Pennsylvania to take on the ValleyDawgs. The Wildcats used a big 3rd quarter, 35-19, to capture the lead and eventually win 109-103. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter had 31 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Marshall Phillips had 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win. In their final game of the week, the Wildcats hosted Cedar Rapids. Jimmie "Snap" Hunter continued to lead the way for the Wildcats with 26 points, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats came up short 102-92. Jermaine Boyette returned to the starting lineup after being out with an injury with 23 points.

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

BREVARD BLUE DUCKS: The Blue Ducks started the week in one of the most interesting games in USBL history. Due to an unavailable arena in Brevard at the time of the schedule release, the Blue Ducks played a "home" game in Dodge City this past Wednesday. Unfortunately "home" was a very unkind to the Blue Ducks as they lost 115-80 to Dodge City. Tony Bland had 19 points and Rob Brown had 13 points in the loss. The Blue Ducks then returned to home for real this time to face Brooklyn in a weekend series. The first game saw Rob Brown continuing to have a breakout season with 28 points and Nat Burton chipping in with 25 points, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Ducks lost 112-103. In the second game against Brooklyn, the Blue Ducks again came out on the losing end 109-97. Tony Bland led the way with 22 points. Alvin Jefferson chipped in with 18 points and Florida legend Teddy Dupay had 17 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 & 28 vs. Brevard, May 29 vs. Kansas, May 30 vs. Cedar Rapids)

BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings continue to surprise teams this year. In their first game of the week, the Kings traveled north to take on Adirondack. Six players were in double figures, led by Antawn Dobie with 20 points, as the Kings won 95-89. BJ McFarland had a double double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Chudney Gray had 18 points for the Kings. The Kings then traveled south to take on Pennsylvania. The Kings again put six players in double figures and they defeated the ValleyDawgs 123-116. Mike Campbell had 30 points, while BJ McFarland again doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Anthony Glover chipped in with 21 points. The Kings next traveled to Brevard to take on the Blue Ducks in a weekend series. In the first game Mike Campbell had his second consecutive 30-point effort as the Kings won 112-103. Chudney Gray had 26 points in the victory. In the second game of the weekend series, Mike Campbell again led the way with 23 points, as the Kings won 109-97. BJ McFarland doubled with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Chudney Gray had 18 points.

(NEXT WEEK: May 24 vs. Cedar Rapids, May 25 vs. Kansas, May 27 vs. Pennsylvania, May 28 vs. Adirondack)

CEDAR RAPIDS RIVER RAIDERS: The River Raiders started the week in Salina facing the Cagerz. Damon Jackson had 19 points and Courtney James had 18 points, but the River Raiders till came up short, 107-104. Dean Oliver and Bingo Merriex each had 17 points in the loss. The River Raiders returned home for a game against Florence. Bryan Bracey had 21 points and Courtney James had 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 93-89 victory over the Flyers. Tim Kisner had 17 points in the victory. The River Raiders next traveled east to face Adirondack. Bryan Bracey again led the way with 27 points in a 102-92 River Raiders victory. Dean Oliver had 21 points in the victory. In their final game of the week, the River Raiders took on Westchester. In a hard fought contest, 14 ties and 26 lead changes; the River Raiders managed a 128-127 double overtime victory. Dean Oliver had 28 points, while Courtney James had 22 points and 12 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 24 @ Brooklyn, May 26 @ Pennsylvania, May 29 @ Florence, May 30 @ Brevard)

DODGE CITY LEGEND: The Legend opened up the week with a home contest against Westchester. Immanuel McElroy had 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Roberto Bergersen had 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 92-86 victory. Jermaine Tate had 17 points in the victory. The Legend then had an "away game" against Brevard at Dodge City. In a game that was never in doubt, the Legend defeated Brevard 115-80. Ray Young exploded for 25 points. Roberto Bergersen had 20 points and Immanuel McElroy had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. The win pushed the Legend's winning streak at the Dodge City Civic Center to 28 consecutive home wins.

(NEXT WEEK: May 25 vs. Florence, May 28 & 29 @ St. Louis)

FLORENCE FLYERS: The Flyers were in the middle of their Midwest swing through the USBL this past week. The Flyers started off the week in Salina, facing the Cagerz. Playing with only seven players due to injury, the Flyers came up short by a score of 117-109. Tai Crutchfield and Marlon Parmer each had 25 points in the loss. Mario Woodson had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The Flyers next traveled to Cedar Rapids to take on the River Raiders. Tyson Patterson had 24 points in a 93-89 loss. Mario Woodson had 19 points and 15 rebounds in the loss. In their final game of the week, the Flyers took on St. Louis. Marlon Parmer led the way with 23 points as the Flyers won 109-106. Louis Truscott and Tai Crutchfield each had 22 points in the victory.

(NEXT WEEK: May 25 @ Dodge City, May 26 @ Oklahoma, May 28 vs. Kansas, May 29 vs. Cedar Rapids)

KANSAS CAGERZ: The Cagerz had a busy week with 5 games including the start of their eastern swing through the USBL. The Cagerz opened the week against Cedar Rapids. Rookie Nate Johnson had 24 points and "Mr. Double Double" Johnny Jackson had 22 points and 17 rebounds in a 107-104 victory. Jeff Graves had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. In the second game in as many nights, the Cagerz took on the Flyers from Florence. Jeff Boschee had 28 points and Johnny Jackson had his usual double double with 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 117-109 victory. Nate Johnson had 18 points and Maurice Jeffers had 14 points in the victory. In the final game of their homestand, the Cagerz hosted Westchester. A big second half elevated the Cagerz to a 114-105 victory over Westchester. Johnny Jackson led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Nate Johnson had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. The Cagerz next jetted off to the east coast to start their eastern swing. First up for the Cagerz was Westchester. Cleotis Brown had 20 points and Johnny Jackson had 19 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Westchester came out on top 103-92. The Cagerz then traveled to Pennsylvania to take on the ValleyDawgs. The Cagerz again came up short as they lost 104-94. Brandon Hawkins had 24 points in the loss. Cleotis Brown had 18 points and Jeff Graves had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

(NEXT WEEK: May 25 @ Brooklyn, May 26 @ Adirondack, May 28 @ Florence, May 29 @ Brevard)

OKLAHOMA STORM: The Storm opened up the week with the first of two games against St. Louis. Former Players of the Week Patrick Okafor and James Penny had 23 and 22 points respectively as the Storm won 116-109. Okafor also had 11 rebounds in the win. Lamont Turner had 20 points for the Storm. Three nights later the Storm played the Skyhawks again, but with less than satisfactory results as the Storm lost 102-93. Lamont Turner had 26 points and Patrick Okafor had 18 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 24 vs. St. Louis, May 29 vs. Florence, May 29 @ Pennsylvania)

PENNSYLVANIA VALLEYDAWGS: The ValleyDawgs started the week off against Brooklyn. In a hard fought contest, the ValleyDawgs came up short, losing 123-116. Tim Winn had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Brian Taylor and Willie Chandler each had 20 points and Frantz Pierre-Louis had 12 points and 16 rebounds for the ValleyDawgs. The ValleyDawgs next faced Adirondack. The ValleyDawgs were victimized by poor shooting, 30.6%, and lost 109-103. Kenya Carruthers and Antonio Meeking each had 16 points in the loss. In their final game of the week, the ValleyDawgs faced the Cagerz. The ValleyDawgs pressured the Cagerz into 36 turnovers and came out on top 104-94. Joe Crispin returned from the injured reserve list to score 17 points in the victory. Antonio Meeking had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 vs. Cedar Rapids, May 29 vs. Oklahoma, May 30 vs. Westchester)

ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS: The Skyhawks had three games at home this past week, the first two against Oklahoma. In the first contest, Justin Love dumped in 37 points and 9 assists but it wasn't enough as the Skyhawks lost 116-109. Mike Mackell had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. In the second game the Skyhawks exacted revenge on the Storm, winning 103-92. Mike Mackell had 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Kwan Johnson had 26 points and DeeAndre Hulett had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Skyhawks. In their final game of the week, the Skyhawks took on Florence. Justin Love had 19 points but the Skyhawks still lost, 109-106. Mike Mackell had 15 points in the loss.

(NEXT WEEK: May 24 @ Oklahoma, May 28 & 29 vs. Dodge City)

WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE: The Wildfire played the Midwest division this week, with 4 games against the rival side of the USBL. The Wildfire first played at Dodge City. The Wildfire held close but were unable to pull out a victory, losing 92-86. Jamaal Davis had 15 points in the loss. In their next game, the Wildfire faced Kansas in Salina. The Cagerz had too much for the Wildfire, winning 114-105. Kareem Reid had 26 points in the victory. Shea Seals had 20 points in the win. Next up for the Wildfire were again the Cagerz, this time in Westchester. The Wildfire defended their home court and defeated Kansas 103-92. Cheyne Gadson had 26 points, while Kareem Reid had 23 in the victory. Shea Seals had 22 points for the Wildfire. In an exciting game to say the least, the Wildfire took on Cedar Rapids. A close game throughout, the Wildfire had four opportunities to knock off the River Raiders, but came up short each time, as they lost 128-127 in double overtime. Bryan Lucas had 22 points in the loss. Shea Seals continues to shoot it from the outside with 21 points and Kareem Reid had 19 points for the Wildfire.

(NEXT WEEK: May 26 & 28 @ Brevard, May 30 @ Pennsylvania)

"PLAYER OF THE WEEK" MIKE CAMPBELL, BROOKLYN KINGS

The New York City playground legend has shown that he can and will take his game indoors and have no drop off in his game. Campbell is presently 3rd in the USBL in scoring and has been a vital cog in the Kings offense this season. Campbell had consecutive games of 30 points and a 23 points effort as the Kings went 4-0 on the week, all on the road. Campbell is also getting it done on the defensive end with a total of 31 steals on the season.

HONORABLE MENTION
JIMMIE "SNAP" HUNTER, ADIRONDACK WILDCATS
KAREEM REID, WESTCHESTER WILDFIRE
IMMANUEL MCELROY, DODGE CITY LEGEND

"ROOKIE OF THE WEEK" TONY BLAND, BREVARD BLUE DUCKS

The San Diego St. sharpshooter continues to fill it up for the Blue Ducks. Bland had games of 19 and 22 for the Blue Ducks. Bland has shown that he can hit the open shot for the Blue Ducks and has become a valuable resource for the Blue Ducks.

HONORABLE MENTION
JEFF GRAVES, KANSAS CAGERZ
NATE JOHNSON, KANSAS CAGERZ

"TEAM OF THE WEEK" BROOKLYN KINGS

The Kings went 4-0 on the week, all on the road. Head coach Ken Charles has his team hitting on all cylinders and is making its presence know in the USBL this season. At press time the Kings had 12 wins on the season, which is tied for the most ever in Kings history. Don't take these Kings lightly; they are not the Kings you have known in the past. Mike Campbell, Chudney Gray and BJ McFarland are each having outstanding seasons and are looking to take the Kings to the top of the USBL this season.

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United States Basketball League Stories from May 25, 2004


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