Tropics Win "Barnes-burner"
January 20, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Miami Tropics News Release
The Miami Tropics didn't panic when some of Marcus Barnes' shots would not fall earlier this season - and now that patience is paying off.
Barnes continued his recent hot streak on Friday night, scoring a game-high 34 points to lead the ABA Tropics to a 108-94 win over the host Palm Beach Imperials.
"I've always had confidence in Marcus because of what he has done in his career," said Tropics President/Owner Art "Pilin" Alvarez, who coached Barnes in Puerto Rico in the summer of 2005. "I knew his shot would come around."
Alvarez's confidence stems to Barnes' credentials as a state champ at Miami High, a recruit at the University of Miami and a star at Northeastern University.
Now he has helped the Tropics win 5 straight games - all of them as a starter. In those five games, Barnes has led the team in scoring 4 times and has averaged 23.6 points.
Before that, mostly as a reserve, Barnes averaged 11.1 points.
"Marcus is one of those guys who plays best when he starts," Tropics Coach Ed Auricchio said. "He plays with more confidence."
It worked again on Friday as the Tropics improved to 16-4 overall and 16-2 in their past 18 games. The team leads the ABA's Southeast Division by 1/2 a game over Jacksonville.
The Tropics have beaten the Imperials 5 straight times and own the season series, 5-1. Tonight at 7:30, the teams meet again at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
The Tropics are certainly hoping for another hot night from Barnes. On Friday, the Tropics and Imperials were tied at 19 after the first quarter before Barnes starting nailing shots. He finished with 20 points in the first half as the Tropics took a 52-44 lead.
The Imperials, though, wouldn't go away. They held Barnes to 2 points in the third quarter and headed into the fourth with a 73-72 lead.
With the score tied at 81, the Tropics finally pulled away with a 12-2 run. Sylbrin Robinson started the run with a put-back, Jerron McCiskill scored on a post move and Barnes drilled a three-pointer.
After a Palm Beach basket, Barnes continued the onslaught with another three and an assist to Pachi Cruz, who hit an open layup. That gave the Tropics a 93-83 lead with 5 minutes left - and the game was pretty much over.
Other than Barnes, the biggest impact player on Friday was McCiskill, who had a monster second half. He had 14 points and 8 rebounds after intermission and finished with 16 and 14 overall. He also had 4 steals.
"He is such a bear on the offensive boards because of the way he jumps so high and so quickly," Auricchio said of McCiskill, who joined the Tropics last week. "He has been a huge addition."
The Tropics are now 9-0 when center Karel Rosario starts. However, Rosario and star forward Terence Shelman both picked up 6 fouls on Friday night and guards Pachi Cruz and Carlos Escalera were slowed by foot injuries.
Fortunately for the Tropics, they had the reborn Barnes and newcomer McCiskill.
"Tonight it was Marcus and Jerron," Auricchio said. "Tomorrow (Saturday), it could be someone else."
Visit the Tropics at www.miamitropicslive.com and abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from January 20, 2007
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- Sound to Hold "Youth Services Night" on February 10th - Strong Island Sound
- Royal pain - Cape Cod Frenzy
- Wildcats to battle Fame - San Diego Wildcats
- Tropics Win "Barnes-burner" - Miami Tropics
- Royal win their second straight game - Montreal Royal
- Jam defeat Silverbacks - Jacksonville Slam
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