Xplosion play first exhibition game Saturday
October 4, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 4, 2005 - An explosive brand of professional basketball is coming to Washington, Pa. for one night only. The Pittsburgh Xplosion, the region's new American Basketball Association team, will play its first exhibition game of the season at Washington & Jefferson College this Saturday, October 8, at the Henry Memorial Center. The game against Ohio rival Lake Erie Rockers, is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. Game tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for students) will be available at the door, and the Pittsburgh Xplosion will donate $1 for each ticket sold to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Two former NBA players with Western Pennsylvania roots - Armon Gilliam and Myron Brown - are among the talented top-flight players shooting for starting positions with the Pittsburgh Xplosion, a new ABA franchise that is leading the rebirth of professional basketball in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Xplosion General Manager Freddie Lewis is a former ABA All-Star and league MVP who starred for the Indiana Pacers of the original ABA. Head Coach Tom Thacker won an NBA championship as a player with the legendary Boston Celtics. Former Pittsburgh Steeler Dwayne Woodruff, part owner of the Pittsburgh Xplosion, is also expected to attend the exhibition game.
"We're looking forward to introducing basketball fans in the Washington area to the slam dunk excitement of ABA basketball," said Lewis. "Fans that attend our game at Washington & Jefferson College can expect an explosive brand of basketball as we drive for success in our first season in the ABA."
The Pittsburgh Xplosion will feature players who have excelled in professional and collegiate basketball, with a mix of youth and veteran experience, as the team shoots for its first victory of the exhibition season. The team is scheduled to other exhibition games on Thursday October 20 at Uniontown High School and Friday October 21 at Seton Hill University.
The Pittsburgh Xplosion begins its 36-game regular season Sunday Oct. 30 against the Florida Pit Bulls at Mellon Arena, the Xplosion's home court. The Pit Bulls will be led Player Coach Tim Hardaway, a former NBA star.
For more information on the Xplosion, fans and corporate sponsors can call 1-877-410-9900 or visit the team's Web site at pittsburghxplosion.com. To learn more about the American Basketball Association, visit www.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.
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