The American Basketball Association released its first ABA Power Rankings for the season and the Manchester Millrats have the honor of being the first weeks number one team.

According to Brad Hester, ABA VP of Team Operations, "We are using a formula that consists of won-lost records, difficulty of schedule and closeness of games and any of three teams could have headed the list this week, including Vermont and San Diego, which is undefeated. But, with Manchester's overtime victory over the undefeated defending champion Vermont Frost Heaves, we felt that Manchester was deserving of the top spot."

1. Manchester Millrats
2. Vermont Frost Heaves
3. San Diego Wildcats
4. Strong Island Sound
5. Texas Tycoons
6. Long Beach Breakers
7. Jersey Express
8. Westchester Phantoms
9. Boston Blizzard
10. Syracuse Raging Bullz
11. Quebec Kebekwa
12. Houston Takers
13. Montreal Royal
14. Halifax Rainmen
15. Georgia Gwizzlies

Tonight basketball history has been written in Berlin with a bitter end for KK Bosna. After 5. OT in Berlin Bosna lost 127-141 to Alba and was the unlucky of two great teams. Julius Jenkins, Bobby Brown (42points), Patrick Femerling, Goran Nikolic.... defeated one of the greatest names in yugoslavian basketball.
In the rows of KK Bosna Lance Williams and Brian Bailey led the resistance and had their opponents several times on their knees.
Alba Berlin dominated the boards but Lance Williams was unstoppable (34points,9rebs,4blks,4ass) for the german big men while the lack of guards in the bosnian rows turned out to be decisive.
Lance Williams (206-C-80, college: De Paul)

Stats:http://www.ulebcup.com/ulebcup/competition/results/showgame?gamecode=110

In a very dramatic game played tonigth in Guaynabon Puerto Rico Soles de Mexicali
played against Cangrejeros de Santurce in front of a Puerto Rican crowd cheering for
Cangrejeros , with a key shot in the final 2 seconds Richard Lopez (192-G-78, college: Cal.Baptist)

gave a dramatic win for the Soles de Mexicali in there firts game in the tournament , all the game

was for the Mexican team and had a margin in the firts quaters up to 18 pts of diference against

Cangrejeros , it was in the second half led by Alex Falcon (200-F-74, agency: Next Level) and

Ricardo Dalmau (188-G-77) that close the margin in the final minutes of the game.But key players

for the Soles like Horacio Llamas (211-C-73, agency: Interperformances) gave the victory by one point

to the soles De Juan Wheat (183-G-73, college: Louisville) was the top score for Mexicali.

After some years of changing leagues CIMEBA,LNBP,LICOMUBA,ABA,LIMEBA and having in there

trophy room 2 LNBP Championships,1 LICOMUBA championship,2nd place in the CIMEBA,3rd place in the ABA.

and in every league have joined the playoffs.
one of the most important teams in Mexico , now has joined another American league this
2008 season they will play in the Texas Professional Basketball
League. 3 years ago they joined the ABA finshing third place that season
now the project its to promote local players of Cd. Juarez with the help of 3 import players.

The TPBL will start the season January 11.The head coach will

be the legendary Raul Palma.That has been in the organization of Gallos since 2000.

Gallos de Cd.Juarez are the only Mexican team rigth now ,to be playing in a American league

since Dragones Tijuana ,Veneno Monterrey are not playing this season in the ABA.

Another bad news for the Lechugeros de Leon , today the
team inform that Maurice Riddick has left the team due to personal
issues in the United States . He was one of the idols for Leon fans
since Lechugeros join the LNBP.There are a couple of players doing try outs

to replace Maurice Riddick (188-G-79, college: Bethune-Cookman).All watch by

head coach Javier Mendoza

Maurice Riddick (188-G-79, college: Bethune-Cookman) season numbers were

32 games played, 21ppg,4rpg,2.6apg.

The Virgin Islands boys' basketball is in transition. For the past three years three players have dominated the headlines. Craig Williams (203-F-90) (Temple), Khalid Gerard (TCI) and Stephen O'reilly< (South Kent) have left their mark on Virgin Islands basketball. All have participated at one point on the international stage while leading their high schools to the number one ranking.
It will be tough to top that trio but this season will introduce people to new stars. Preseason Number 1 ranked team Educational Complex may have probably the best player ever in their program when Zomari Swanston suits up this season. If he gets over the academic bug, he will easily be the player of the year. But he is not the only rooster in the hen house. Joining Swanston are athletic studs James Sneed (-G-92) and Devonte Xavier. This team is filled with DI talent and will be a tough to beat.
This season fans will also be introduced to O'lani Vanterpool (-G-90)< and Lamar Bough (-G-91) of Central, Curtio Fredricks (-G-91) of Charlotte Amalie, Michael David of Eudora Kean and the most athletic player in the territory Charles Morehead of St. Josephs. When Morehead is in flight look out!

Team By Team Capsule

1. Educational Complex: Zomari Swanston (193-G/F) (6-4, G/F, Soph.), Jamari Applewaite (G, 5-8, Sr.), James Sneed II (G, 5-9, Soph.), Timothy Sneed (G, 5-10, Jr.), Kyle Sylvester (-F-90) (F, 6-2, Jr.), Earvin Bonit (-G-91) (G, 5-7, Sr.), Devonte Xavier (G/F, 6-3, Fr.), Edwin Ventura (F/C, 6-5, Fr.), Tarik McMillan (G, 6-0, Soph.)
Comment:
What more can be said about Swanston, he is a devastating shooter, leaper but will he play? With or Without Swanston there this team is loaded. Starting with VI junior national team guard James “NeNE” Sneed II. Sneed had a summer that he would like to forget when the V.I. junior only won one game at CentroBasket 2007 edition. NeNe, the youngest member of the team, took most of the heat for the teams' performance. Look for him to take his frustrations out on the other teams.
The third stud on the team Devonte Xavier is a big physical guard. Although he is young he has the look of a major player.
Applewaite, the only returning starter, will bring his Leandro Barbosa style to the team. He scored over 30 points a couple times last season. Other junior national team members on the team are Kyle Sylvester, who had 17 points and 11 boards against Mexico and reserve Ervin Bonit. Up front, Sylvester and Ventura will be active. Ventura is a big with promise.
Did I forget to mention, Dean Heywood was the coach of the year last season. Complex is the team to beat.

2. Charlotte Amalie: Curtio Fredricks (G, 6-0, Soph.), Ryan Mills (G, 6-0, Soph.), Dequan Byron (G/F, 6-0, Jr.), Devon Lake (-F-91) (F, 6-2, Jr.), Merwin Potter (G, 5-10, Soph.)
Comment:
Khalid Gerard has been CAHS everything for the past three seasons. He is gone so what does Pedrito Estril do. He brings in another stud in Curtio Fredericks. Fredricks showed his mettle when he led the V.I. junior team to their only win with 27 points against Trinidad and Tobago. Frederiks is more of a slasher as compared to Gerard's consistent outside shot. But Fredricks is good enough to lead the team back to territorial title game.
Fellow junior team member Devon Lake's main job is to rebound and blocked shots.
Football player Ryan Mills will be asked to lead the team from the point position. He is a quarterback and recently led his team to the V.I. title with a trashing of Central High School. Dequan Byron is a defender and will be asked to defend the other teams best player and Potter may be the final piece to the puzzle. If he plays well, CAHS could beat anyone.

3. Central High: Irayn Williams (-G-91) (6-2, Jr., G/F), Rashawn "Rooster" Williams (G, 5-7, Sr.), O'lani Vanterpool (5-10, Sr., G), Kheri Rhymer (6-3, Sr., F), Lamar Bough (G, 6-0, Jr.), Taaron Jones (-G-91) (G, 5-9, Jr.), Jonathan Fontanelle (5-7, Fr., G)
Comment:
From Big Man Craig Williams to the home of guards. Central is filled with nothing but guards. Most of the guards have international experience as several played in Centro Basket 2007. O'lani Vanterpool was the main scorer on the team with a 14.4 clip and shot threes well (39%). Look for Vanterpool to contend for player of the year honors.
Also on Centrals roster is Lamar Bough. Bough has transferred from New Rochelle NY to give the Caribs an outstanding backcourt. Bough also played on the junior team and averaged team high 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals. Bough is lightning quick but his quickness sometime get him in trouble as he turned the ball over 3.6 times. Also at guard, Central has Rashawn Williams better known as Rooster. Rooster had an interesting summer when he ventured to Brazil to take part in the basketball without borders program. This season we will find out if he learned anything at the camp.
Irayn Williams (a point guard) and Taaron Jones (a shooter) show the depth at the guard position at Central. Coach Alvarn Jarvis will press all day and night with this guard depth.

4. Eudora Kean: Kyan Roberts (G/F, 6-1, Sr.), Jefferson Faustin (G, 5-10, Sr.), Aubrey Daniel (-G-91) (G, 5-10, Fr.), Michael David III (G, 6-3, Jr.)
Ivanna Eudora Kean has the most experience of any team returning. Both Kyan Roberts and Jefferson Faustin were all stars last season. Roberts is a slasher and Faustin is a shooter. Both struggled mightily at the SunStroke Classic but Coach Joel Fleming likes what he has returning. Two newcomers that will have immediate impact are Michael David and Aubrey Daniel. Daniel is interesting; he is a shooter but has problems in the half court set. Some nights he can go off for 20 points but on other nights he is somewhere else. Kean's experience may squeeze at least one victory against Charlotte Amalie.

5. Country Day: Mike Komlanc (C, 6-6, Sr.), Zach Prudoff (G, 6-2, Sr.), Kyle Davis (Sr., 6-0, G), Joseph Arthur (C, 6-3, Sr.), Dodson James (G, 5-10, Jr.), Semaj Hodge (G, 5-11, Jr.)

For the past three seasons, Stephen O'reilly (South Kent) and Ryan Nelthropp (Rider) have been the heart and soul of Country Day Tigers. Both are gone and coach Lenny Redwine is left to pick up the bits and pieces. Knowing Redwine he will find a way to put a quality team on the court. Starting with Big Man Mike Komlanc. Komlanc play went the other way last year. In other for CDS to compete Komlanc has to be the most dominant force in the territory. He has to produce the same way he does on the Volleyball court. He has to rebound and block shots the way Nelthropp did while providing offense. Kyle Davis had several good games but was it because of O'reilly's presence? O'reilly was the main focus by every teams defense. Can Davis adjust? Redwine will be depending on a host of junior varsity players in Dodson James and Semaj Hodge. Hodge comes from a talented family. He may be Redwine's best offensive option. CDS will be one year away from seriously competing for the territorial title. Expect 10th graders Brandon O'reilly, Stephen's younger brother, and Michael McDonald (6-4, G/F) to join the team during tournaments.

6. Antilles: Gerard Wiley (F/G, 6-3), David LaRochelle (G/F, Sr.), McKenzie Shaw (G), Zach Nelthropp (G, 5-9)
Coach Lauriel “JoJo” Gumbs is optimistic of his team chances of competing. He lost “Mr. Do Everything” Jerrick Amaro and must depend on his understudy Gerard Wiley. Wiley is a big, strong player but is he a lead guy? David LaRochelle is a good complementary player and Mckenzie Shaw and Zach Nelthropp will give it a try. Antilles is not as strong as the top five but has enough for the sixth spot in this preseason poll.

The BEST OF THE REST
St. Joseph's-Good Hope: Charles Morehead (G, 6-2, Jr.) is the most athletic player in the territory. He can dominate both sides of the court but he has no help. He has to do everything by himself.

All Saints: Coach Francisco Jarvis will bring his football mentality to the basketball court. He has to good starting points in Jelani Foy (6-4, F) and, Anwar Gregory (G, 5-10, Sr.).

Sts. Peter and Paul: The most interesting team about this team may be its coach in former Senatote Stephen “Smokey” Frett. The Jaguard do have big defensive lineman Michael Venzen (6-4, Soph., F/C) on the team.

Central B: Feeder team to Central A team. The team is good enough to pick up wins against the lower tier teams.

Complex B: Feeder team to Complex A team.

Seventh Day Adventist (STX): Just happy to participate in the IAA. Alumni Mikel Morgan is in his second season at Andrews University.

Seventh Day Adventist (STT): Just Happy to participate in IAA.

Preseason player of the year: Zomari Swanston, Complex
First Team
Zomari Swanston, Educational Complex
James Sneed II, Educational Complex
O'lani Vanterpool, Central
Rashawn Williams, Central
Curtio Frederiks, Charlotte Amalie

Second Team
Jefferson Faustin, Eudora Kean
Charles Morehead, St. Joseph
Mike Komlanc, Country Day
Lamar Bough, Central
Devon Lake, Charlotte Amalie

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
STT-STJ IAA
1. CAHS
2. Eudora Kean
3. Antilles
4. All Saint
5. St. Peter & Paul
6. Seventh Day Adventist

STX IAA
1. Central A
2. Complex B
3. Country Day
4. St. Joseph- Good Hope
5. Central B
6. Complex B
7. Seventh Day Adventist

STT-STJ IAA Schedule