EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 12/9/2007
Copyright © 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
*****************************************************After the important game in Rouse one thing is clear - Rilski Sportist won't be asking anyone for a change in the format of our championship. The team from Samokov proved that revenge is sweet, after punishing Dunav 2007 with 88-83 away from home. Dunav 2007 have really tough games in the remaining 6 rounds, including games against Lukoil Academic, Levski and CSKA at home and versus Balkan, Spartak Pleven and Cherno more away from home.
Rilski Sportist's schedule is way too easy - they host Yambol, Balkan and Cherno More and visit Lukoil Academic, SLiven and CSKA. The game was controlled from the guests all the time, as at one point of the third quarter they led the score 68:44. The home side, supported by their fans tried everything so they could turn the game around, and they were really close to doing int. 30 seconds before the end, Rilski's lead was cut down to only 2 points. Saraliiski scored only 1 free-throw and Dunav 2007 had a chance to shoot for overtime, but they missed it and after two more free throws Petko Delev's side sealed their win
At the end Aleksandar Gruev was the best scorer for Rileco, as he stringed 16 points. The Serbian duo - Miko Golubovic and Branko Mirkovic had a total of 27 points - 14 for Mirkovic and 13 for Golubovic. Ilko Nanev added another 13. Asen Saraliiski and Martin Marinov both scored 12 points off the bench, as Marinov once again showed his great long range shooting - 4/5 from three-point territory. Rilski Sportist's ex-player - Ivan Nikolov scored the most for Dunav 2007 - 21 points. Pavel Noykov and Ivica Vukotic had 19 each.
FULL STATS FROM THE GAME DUNAV 2007 - RILSKI SPORTIST
by Aleksandar Sotirov - BulgarianBasket.com
Levski is now staying still at the second place in the Men's A-1 ranking, after defeating Spartak Pleven 86:68 at home in Triaditsa Hall. The game wasn't easy for the Blues, but after a strong second half they took it with a big difference.
The guest team started the game stronger and after five minutes they were leading 6-15, as their captain Hrisimir Dimitrov had 10 points at that stage. Anyway Levski managed to fight back and they were trailing by only 2 after 10 minutes - 21-23. Spartak had a big disadvantage, as one of their key players - Ilia Stankov left the game injured after only 7 minutes of play. The second quarter was really tued, and at halftime Spartak Pleven had a 4-point lead - 38-42. At this time three of Darin Velikov's players scored almost all of the team's points - Hrisimir Dimitrov 13, Todor Todorov 12 and Sasha Topchov 11. For Levski only Vesko Veselinov had double digits - 11 points.
In the second half there was only one team on the floor - Levski. They took control of the game in the end of the third and they scored the last 5 points in it, as the score was 61-57. The good run continued in the fourth, and Levski lead it 71-57 with 6 minutes remaining on the clock. That was win number 9 for the blue team, and second against Spartak Pleven this season, as Pleven along with Cherno More and Balkan have 7 wins each.
Veselin Veselinov played his best game for Levski so far this season. The 200-cm tall forward finished with 20 points, 3 steals, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Stanislav Slaveykov scored 14 points and had 5 rebounds. At the end of the game Lubomir Minchev gave chance to some of the young players on the team. For Spartak “the usual suspect” - Hrisimir Dimitrov had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. In the next round Spartak is hosting Dunav 2007, and Levski is again playing at home in Triaditsa against Lukoil Academic.
FULL STATS FROM THE GAME LEVSKI - SPARTAK PLEVEN
by Aleksandar Sotirov - BulgarianBasket.com
Keravnos Strovolou beat Aspis Apoel 74-71 and qualified for the semi-finals. The game was a real derby and reminded us of the old times, when Keravnos and Apoel dominated in the basketball life of
In regards to the game now, Keravnos with the Americans Patrick Lee (187-G-75, college: Va Commonwealth) and Jarrett Hart (194-G-80, college: Kansas St.) dominated in the parameter and in the organization of the game while Smith and Aleksandar Radojevic (220-C-76, college: Barton County CC) dominated in the paint. Keravnos was leading the game from the very first beginning but as most of the times towards the end, Frangias players had their normal blackout in the games with Apoel, so 3.5' minutes before the end Loren Stokes (190-G-83, college: Hofstra) brought his team in a leading position with 68-69 before Aleksandar Radojevic with a goal foul and Jarrett Hart with his winning three pointer 9 seconds before the end, finished once and for all the yellow dreams for qualification in the semis. The quarters were: 25-15, 38-32, 55-48 and 74-71. Top scorer for the home team was (the always steady) Patrick Patrick Lee scoring 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, 16 points were added by Aleksandar Radojevic, followed by Bryant Smith (196-G/F-77, college: Auburn) who added 14 points (in a low flight, though) but the MVP of the game was Jarrett Hart, not only with his 13 points but with the most crucial three pointer of the game. From Aspis Apoel, top scorer was once more wheeler with 19 followed by Stokes with 14 and the newcomer Jelic and Radunovic scored 10 each.
Lewis Sims (203-F/C-73, agency: Strategic Sports, college: New Orleans) is history from Panellinios, the management decided to release the player due to unprofessional behavior, "he was creating problems to his teammates" Coach Kalafatakis said.
Kristaps Valters (188-G-81) back in Greece ?
Marc Jackson (206-C/F-75, college: Temple) vs Michael Batiste (203-F-77, college: Arizona St.), battle for a Bulgarian passport.
Rashad Jones-Jennings (203-F-84, college: UALR) failed in the try-out and left. Jared Newson (196-G/F-84, college: Tennessee-Martin) (candidate for Rethimno) who was recently cut from Polpak Swicie agreed to contunue his career in Australia.
Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) rejected offer from Greece. Big offer from China came.
Kimmo Muurinen (202-F-81, college: UALR) is in Thessalonika training with Aris.
The return of Keydren Clark (173-G-84, college: St.Peter's) ? (bosman now with Bulgarian passport)
Darrel Mitchell (180-G-84, agency: Beo Basket, college: LSU) from Lithuania to Greece ?
Glenn Sekunda (203-F-73, agency: Interperformances, college: Penn St.) against Djorde Komadinic (205-F-81, agency: Interperformances) next week in A2 ?
PLANET LEASING-DOMBÓVAR KC - MAFC-ÚJBUDA 90-80
(24-16, 26-16, 26-32, 14-16)
Dombovar, Att.: 800, Referees: Forrai, Toth K., Marton L.
DKC: Julien Mills (193-G-84, agency: Warren Sports, college: Ball St.) 19/9, Mike English (194-F-82, college: Mo.-Kansas City) 15, Attila Deak (193-F-77) 16/15, Sanders 15, Wiley 13/3, Bodi 9/3, Simon N., Vas P., Molnar M. 3/3. Vezetőedző: Dzunics Braniszlav
MAFC: Jermaine Thomas (187-G-84, agency: 540 Sports, college: La Salle) 18/12, YOUNG 27/12, Wehner 5/3, Fulop 6, Gobi 5, Kolarics 12/6, Kecskes 7, Vavra A., Takacs N. Vezetőedző: Dinnyes Attila
UNIVER-KECSKEMET - POLAROID-LAMI-VED-KÖRMEND 91-80
(20-19, 19-20, 16-19, 36-22)
Kecskemet, Att: 700, Referees: Foldhazi, Kiss L., Csősz
KECSKEMET: Sigurdarson 10/6, Larry Blair (183-G-84, college: Liberty) 25/6, Akos Horvath (194-G/F-81, agency: FCM) 14/3, Jefferson Antonio (207-F/C-83) 27/3, Szabo Zs. 8, Csorvasi 3, Toth P. 1, Fiegi 3, Coach: Zsoldos Andras
KÖRMEND: Fodor M. 9/3, Ferencz 10/6, Trummer 9/9, Andras Vavra (202-F-78) 10, Ocitti 6, Anthony Harris (188-G) 23/3, Maric 7, Graczer 6/6, Coach: Zsebe Ferenc
SZOLNOKI OLAJ KK - ALBACOMP 83-70
(24-17, 22-19, 18-18, 19-16)
Szolnok, Att.: 3.000, Referees: Valovics, Kothay, Pozsonyi
SZOLNOK: Kelley 15/3, Cziczas 2, Vernard Hollins (192-G-80, agency: Warren Sports, college: Wright St.) 31/9, Jurkunas 7/6, Miroslaw Lopatka (213-C/F-77) 15/3, Molnar A. 5/3, Tamas Harazin (204-F-85) 8, Cseh, Coach: Por Peter
ALBACOMP: Balazs Simon (188-G-80, agency: Court Side) 19/9, Hanga 7, Radovic 15, McClendon 11, Zoltan Bencze (213-C-81) 11, Soos 3/3, David, Henderson 4, Nuber, Coach: Goran Miljkovic
Kaposvari KK-PVSK-Expo Center Pecs 81-88
(17-24, 23-23, 22-22, 19-19)
Kaposvar, Att.: 800, Referees: Palla, Szilas, Gorka
Kaposvari KK: Csirke 14/3, Carl Edwards (196-F-81, college: Charleston) 25, Szőke 2, Roland Hendlein (201-F-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) 21/3, Orosz 12, Vojvoda 3, Day 3/3, Tomosvary, Kiss K. 1, Coach: Horvath Imre
PVSK-Expo Center Pecs: Krisztian Wittmann (184-G-85, agency: FCM) 15/9, Nick Williams (192-G-83, agency: Beo Basket, college: Cincinnati) 18, Denes 3/3, Toth N. 7, Lapov 13/3, Grebenar 12, Dragan Aleksic (196-G-70, agency: Beo Basket) 20/9, Czigler, Kutasi, Coach: Volgyi Peter
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SOPRONI SÖRDÖGÖK - BODROGI BAU VASARHELYI KS 119-75 (26-21, 28-18, 34-12, 31-24) |
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Sopron, Att.: 400, Referees: Benczur, dr. Szakal, Torok |
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SOPRON: Bradley 19/3, Lakatos 11/3, Jeff Viggiano (198-F-84, college: Massachusetts) 25/6, Lesko 14/3, Pavel Frana (212-C-77) 14, Zsolt Vesztergom (194-G/F-87, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) 13/6, Szabolcs Pojbics (183-G-76) 12/12, Gergely Kortelyesi (203-C-83, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) 11 |
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Coach: Meszlenyi Robert |
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VASARHELY: Drahos 10/6, David Brooks (191-G-82, college: Niagara) 17/9, Freeman 16, Robert Kovats (199-F-84) 13, Gemes 11, Boszormenyi 2, Kukla 6, Mate, Crangasu |
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Coach: Czuprak Laszlo |
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MARSO-VAGEP NKK - FALCO KC-SZOMBATHELY 86-90 (17-23, 22-22, 24-20, 23-25) |
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Nyiregyhaza, Att.: 1.000 |
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Referees: Adam, Győrffy, Gal |
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MARSO: |
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Branko Savic (181-G-79) 22/6, Robert Laslo (194-G-84) 20, Mouton 8/3, Sitku 15/3, Srdjan Helbich (205-F/C-76) 19/3, Siska, Trepak 2, Coach: Deri Csaba |
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FALCO: |
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Laszlo Kalman (186-G-72, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) 14/3, Doyne 14/3, Andrija Ciric (199-G-80, agency: Beo Basket) 25/6, Arnas Kazlauskas (204-C/F-76, agency: Court Side) 27/18, Feigl, Csaba Borszeki (208-C-80, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) 7/3, Varadi K. 3/3, Will, Coach: Srecko Sekulovic
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ZALAKERAMIA-ZTE KK - ATOMERŐMŰ SE 61-69 (17-15, 14-17, 15-21, 15-16) |
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Zalaegerszeg, Att.: 2.000, Referees: Hartyanyi, Hegedűs, Farkas |
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ZTE: Miskovic 16/3, Walters 8/3, Kaman 15/6, Garma 9, Keresztes, Toth A. 4, Gaspar 6/6, Hoffmann, Baki 3/3, Coach: Nikola Lazic |
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ATOMERŐMŰ: Meszaros 11/3, Murry 12/6, Kiss 2, Csaplar-Nagy E. 4, Robert Gulyas (213-C-74) 21, Horvath Z. 7, Gray 9/6, Panta 3/3, Coach: Sabali Balazs |
Three games of the 13th round were played yesterday night, and in the first of them Benetton Treviso defeated Legea Scafati 74-64, pointing on the good offensive of Reece Gaines (198-G-81, college: Louisville), who scored 23 points and dished 4 assits. Mario Austin (206-F/C-82, college: Mississippi St.) added 17 pts and 12 boards in the win, while Frank Williams (191-G-80, college: Illinois) was the best scorer in at the losing side with 16 pts and Marco Killingsworth (203-F-82, college: Indiana) the main performer with 14 pts and 7 rebs. Air Avellino took the win over Eldo Napoli 89-77 in an very emotional regional deby, after that the score had been balanced for more that 25 minutes. Devin Smith (196-G/F-81, college: Virginia) led the Greens with 22 pts, 9 rebs and 2 assists, Nikola Radulovic (207-F-73) added 20 pts and 2 rebs, while Chris Monroe (191-G-81, college: George Washington) led Napoli scoring 23 in losing effort. In the last meeting of the night, Tisettanta Cantu upset Upim Bologna 77-69 on the road, taking advantage from the bad night of Horace Jenkins (186-G-74, college: William Paterson). Scoring 15 pts and grabbing 6 rebs, Stefano Mancinelli (202-F-83) was the last to surrender in Bologna, while Canadian Denham Brown (198-F-83, college: Connecticut) led all the scorers with 20 pts for Cantu, DaShaun Wood (180-G-85, college: Wright St.) showed another time more to be in a great season with 17 pts, 6 rebs (!) and 6 steals and Rodolfo Jr. Valenti (198-F-80) was the main rebounder with 9 carooms, adding also 11 points, 2 steals, 1 assist.
See complete boxscores at www.legabasket.it
Zdravlje Actavis signed contract with 20-year old point guard Ivan Jovanovic, who started the season in B league team Sloboda Uzice.
Young guard Ognjen Samardzija (-86), who grew up with BC Beovuk 72, joined currently the leading team of B league, Tamis Petrohemija from Pancevo.
Power forward Vladimir Vuksanovic (205-F-78, agency: Interperformances) agreed terms with participant of Serbian A Vizura from Belgrade. Ex player of FMP, Atlas, Mornar Bar, Himki, PAOK moved from Kalev Tallin to newcomer in Serbian best division due to private reasons.
2008 TEXAS BASKETBALL LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON FACT SHEET
DEVELOPING TALENT
The Texas Basketball League is developing talent from across all the state of Texas and the rest of the country. In 2008, Texas Basketball League drafted
97 players from across the country to Texas Basketball League team affiliates:
Player TBL Team / Draft Status
Desi Crisp* Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
EJ Johnson Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Steven Bennett Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Jamaal Burney Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Gregory Ward Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Rashad McGee Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
David Johnson Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Willie Barnes Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Micheal Thomas Team Lakers / Carolina Draft
Herman Moore* Team Suns / October Draft
Bryan Mars Team Suns / October Draft
Tristian Gower Team Suns / October Draft
Jabari Britt Team Suns / October Draft
Joshua Daniels Team Suns / August Draft
Robert Delane Jr. Team Suns / September Draft
Detroit Pendergraf Team Suns / June Draft
Jamar Finnie Team Suns / September Draft
Maurice Smith* Team Celtics/ August Draft
Lamar Powell Jr. Team Celtics/ October Draft
Victor James Team Celtics/ August Draft
Equale “Q” Lacey Team Celtics/ August Draft
Kenneth Sherman Team Celtics/ August Draft
Stanley Reyes Team Celtics/ June Draft
DeNelle Hale Team Celtics/ August Draft
Tony Hola Team Celtics/ August Draft
Derrick Washington Team Bulls / August Draft
Errol “Chase” Brown Team Bulls / August Draft
Jamal Brown Team Bulls / August Draft
Curtis Williams Team Bulls / December Draft
Jarryd Knight Team Bulls / April Draft
Corey Banks Team Bulls / April Draft
Cody T Swanson Team Bulls / September Draft
Dale “DJ” Perkins Team Mavericks / October Draft
Christopher Sessions Team Mavericks / October Draft
Jermaine Wilson Team Mavericks / August Draft
Bruntavius “BJ” Willimas Team Mavericks / October Draft
Lamarcus Epps Team Mavericks / September Draft
Willie Nunley Team Mavericks / October Draft
Joseph Meyers Team Mavericks / SeptemberDraft
Wendell Lamonte' Balous* Team Spurs / December Draft
Keith Howell Team Spurs / December Draft
John Davis Team Spurs / October Draft
Randell Williams Team Spurs / September Draft
Kyile Byrd Team Spurs / April Draft
Steve Guerra Team Spurs / October Draft
Joe Martinez Team Spurs / October Draft
Brandon Payton* Team Knicks / December Draft
Johnney Mason Jr. Team Knicks / September Draft
Dovonan Nelson Team Knicks / September Draft
Kelvin Williams Team Knicks / October Draft
Leonard Frank Team Knicks / September Draft
Udeze Akuchie Team Knicks / October Draft
Charles Jefferson* Team Pistons / December Draft
Johnny Cox Team Pistons / April Draft
Robert Durham Team Pistons / October Draft
Joe Swain Team Pistons / August Draft
Coy Bell Team Pistons / August Draft
Edrick Williams Team Knicks / October Draft
Jonathan Patton Team Knicks / septemberDraft
There were 24 former WBA, ABA, and IBL players currently on 2008 Texas Basketball League teams. In addition, 17 former WBA basketball players have started
at least one game during the 2006-07 WBA season.
Every referee hired by the Texas Basketball League since 2007 is affiliated with the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) .
All Texas Basketball League's coaches have won basketball championships from other basketball organizations such as (ex. FIBA and Division II basketball)
in the past 5 years as mandated by the league front office.
THE GAME
Listed are the Texas Basketball League teams that played will play in the 2008 season and the head coaches
who can serve as assets for marketing and publicity efforts:
o Team Spurs (Southwest Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Mavericks (Southwest Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Lakers (Southwest Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Suns (Southwest Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Bulls (West Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Knicks (West Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Celtics (West Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
o Team Pistons (West Division) - TBA - head coach, TBA - assistant coach
Rosters are composed of 10 players. Rosters can expand to 12 if the Texas Basketball League players are on assignment.
Teams play a 24-game regular season schedule beginning in early February and ending mid May.
The Texas Basketball League conducts a league-wide Draft every month during the off-season. To be eligible for the draft,
a player must have attended a Texas Basketball League Tryout.
Each team holds a training camp during the month of December. In order to participate in team training camp, a player must have been a member
of the team during the previous season, been drafted by the team during the Texas Basketball League Draft, been allocated to the team
by the league or been selected to attend camp from a local team tryout.
PLAYERS
Players sign a contract with the league and not with teams. The Standard Player Uniform Contract obligates players for one season.
Teams are required to have at least three first-year professionals on the roster at all times.
Teams do not have injured reserve lists.
THE COMMUNITY
The Texas Basketball League and its teams participate in Boys and Girls Club “Sports Buddies” program, and will executing almost
50 reading-related programs and activities during this season, including Welcome Back to School
The Texas Basketball League High School Sportsmanship Program honors a high school basketball team as sportsmanship winners on or
around March 5, which is National Sportsmanship Day.
The Student Achiever program runs throughout the school year and rewards students for various achievements such as perfect attendance, straight A's or improving in academic areas and is highlighted at games.
TBL TV
Approximately 24 games aired on TBL TV in 2008.
TBL TV also airs a bi-weekly highlight and features show throughout the season.
Three half-hour segments on Time Warner Public Access Channel 2 that will aired beginning in mid-February,
giving viewers an all-access look at life inside of the Texas Basketball League, the official semi-pro basketball of Texas.
TEXAS BASKETBALL LEAGUE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Player Development Orientation
Introduces players to topics that will assist them in their transition into the Texas Basketball League. Special emphasis is placed on topics such as the Business of Basketball, Player Development programs, basketball operations, public relations, media training, marketing partners, community relations and cultural adjustment issues.
Players Awareness Meetings
Players Awareness Meetings (TAM) promote the development of personal and professional skills deemed necessary for basketball and life success on topics such as:
Nutrition, Money Management, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Sexual Health/Sexual Harassment Career Planning, High Risk Situations, Scout Feedback Panel and Motivation.
Continuing Education and Life Skills Programs
Assist players in completing their college degrees and assist them in returning to school, including offering online business communication and life skills certificate learning programs from University of Texas at Arlington.
For the 2008 season, over 25 % of Texas Basketball League players were involved in continuing education program initiatives.
Job Placement Program
Provide career counseling resources and skills development opportunities in areas such as career coaching sessions, career assessments, resume writing, interviewing skills and job search strategies.
Mentoring Program
The mentor program matches a high potential player with a retired NBA player or a successful local business man who have successfully accomplished
what this player is seeking to achieve in sport or life.
The mentor assists the player mentee in acquiring valuable basketball and career related information in an effort to prepare the mentee for the challenges
of the semi-pro basketball or the business world.
Texas Basketball League's coaches also served as mentors for the 2008 season are Benjamin Brinkley and Jim McClory to name a few.
TEXAS BASKETBALL LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2008 IN DALLAS, TEXAS
Southwest Division and West Division Leading Coaches will served as head coaches for the Addias Texas Basketball League All-Star Game in association with LA Fitness, which was held at TBL All-Star Jam Session at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas on April 1st.
2008 TEXAS BASKETBALL LEAGUE AWARDS
2008 SPORTS IMAGE INC. ALL-TBL BASKETBALL LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Listings: Position Player Team
2008 TEXAS SPORTSINGS GOODS ALL-TBL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Listings: Position Player Team
2008 ALL-TBL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
Listings: Position Player Team
Texas Basketball League Sportsmanship Award: This award will be name after the first recipient of this award
Texas Basketball League Defensive Player of the Year Award: This award will be name after the first recipient of this award
Texas Basketball League Rookie of the Year Award: This award will be name after the first recipient of this award
Texas Basketball League Coach of the Year Award: This award will be name after the first recipient of this award
Texas Basketball League Most Valuable Player Award: This award will be name after the first recipient of this award
Women News
*****************************************************Finnish Cup Final, Vantaa, Energy Arena: Catz (Lappeenranta) - Espoo Team 69-57 (38-28). Quarters: 23-14, 15-14, 12-13, 19-16. Catz winning first time ever Finnish Cup. Team's lead was nine pts already after the first quarter. Espoo Team came close (57-51) during the 4th quarter, but Catz won even that quarter by three and the contest by 12 pts. Elena Reshetko (185-C-86) led Catz with 21 pts. Canadian Tamara Tatham (185-F-85, college: Massachusetts) added 16 pts and American Kirbria Lewis (168-G-84, college: Texas A&M - C.C.) 11 pts. Yelena Solovyeva (189-C-75) re-signed with Catz before the game the contract for seasons 2008-2010 and was once again key player for Catz: 12 pts and 13 rbs. Espoo Team had two players in double figures: Mirka Jarchovska (173-F-72) 20 and Yolanda Jones (185-F-84, college: La-Lafayette) 11 pts.