EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 2/1/2008
Copyright © 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
*****************************************************Geoplini Slovan dismissed coach Aleksandar Sekulic due a bad results and immediatelly replaced him with Croatian Rudolf Jugo. . . . . .
. .Union Olimpija finally agreed to terms with guard and ex-player Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency), who has recovered from a serious knee injury. Ozbolt and Olimpija agreed to part ways when the player got injured. He did not receive any money, but part of that deal was when he recovered the team would sign a new contract with him, which happened on Wednesday. The new contract will keep Ozbolt in Olimpija until the end of the season and he expects to be in a game shape at the beginning of March.
(208-F/C-79, college: Villanova) allowed the visitors to gain a 24:11 lead late in the starting stanza. However Zoran Planinic (198-G-82) scored a trey and Splitter hit a jumper as Spanish team cut the gap to 8 points after 10 minutes. Tau toiled on their way back in the second quarter with Igor Rakocevic (191-G-78) and Mirza Teletovic (205-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) sinking important buckets. The hosts fueled a 13:0 rally midway through the frame to step in front 37:33. Tau kept Zalgiris scoreless for about 5 minutes before Marcus Brown (192-G-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Murray St.) hit a trey and Zalgiris trailed by 5 points at the end of the first half. Now it was Zalgiris turn to fall into some kind of offensive slumber as they continued to miss open shots and Tau reached a 9-point advantage early in the third frame. Spanish side kept a firm hold of the lead and finished the third stanza with an 8-point cushion. The fourth term brought another scoring draught for Zalgiris as they unable to post a single point for 5 minutes and fell too far away from Tau to hope for a positive result. The draw for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens (July 14 - 20) took place on Thursday. The German National Team will face Cape Verde and New Zealand in Group B. All in all 12 teams participate in the tourney and will battle for three tickets to the Olympics in Beijing. The two finalists and the 3rd placed team will make the trip to China. Check out the complete schedule on fiba.com: click
The last time Germany met New Zealand was at the 2006 World Championships in Japan, when Germany won 80:56. The most know members of the 'Tall Blacks' are former ALBA Berlin-player Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) - now averaging 23.7 points for NBL-side New Zealand Breakers - veteran Pero Cameron (199-F-74, agency: Duran International), who spent some years in the British BBL, the Turkish D1 and is a member of Gold Coast Blaze (NBL) in this season, Craig Bradshaw (207-F/C-83, college: Winthrop) of the Brisbane Bullets and Phill Jones (196-G-74), who played in the Italian Serie A for years and went back to the fifth continent for this current campaign joining the Breakers as Penney's teammate. Also Mark Dickel (187-G-76, college: UNLV), who left the Brose Baskets Bamberg just recently, played for his home country in the 2007 Oceania Championships and could meet some familiar faces when taking on the Germans.
Cape Verde has never been an opponent of the German NT in an official game yet. The archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean near the western coast of Africa. Some Cape Verdean players are suiting up for teams in Portugal, some play college-basketball in the USA, including Ivan Almeida (197-F-89), a talented Wing who enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College and Aldevino Lima (203-C-86), a freshman at Northeastern University (NCAA 1). In the 2007 African Championships Cape Verde finished on third place. Key players in that tournament were leading scorer and rebounder Rodrigo Mascarenhas (198-F-79), who grew up in Portugal and was named the Eurobasket.com All-Portuguese League Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007. He spends the current season with Desportivo 1. De Agosto Luanda from Angola, one of the best African club-teams. Other starters of Cape Verde's NT in 2007 were Marques Houtman (190-G-79, college: Stonehill), who also has a past in Portugals first division and is now a member of De Agost Luanda as well. Other players to watch are Mario Correia (189-G-78, college: Bryant), a former standout at NCAA D2-school Bryant University, and Tony Barros (193-F-84, college: Mass.-Boston), the 9th best scorer (23.5 ppg) of the NCAA Division 3 in 2006-2007 and also ranked 8th in the nation in steals per game (3.2spg).
Cecil continues their dominance. Cecil community college of North East Maryland is the #1 ranked D-II JUCO and has been atop of the NJCAA ranks for the past three years and are now working on their fourth. National Champions in 2006, have won the region XX championship five of the last nine years. While sending 30 players to division I school and many others to D-II and D-III school. Cecil has not lost a league game in the past three years, while competing in the highly competitive MDJUCO which consist of teams such as Allegany College (Steve Francis's school before Maryland), Hagerstown, and always tough Prince George's County and is undefeated once more this year in and out of conference. They have played six D-I JUCO and have bet the all handily. They have posted no less 31 win per season since the 04-05 season and look to be heading to another 30 plus win year, as they are 19-0, with their last win coming over Dundalk 99-72 on, January 26th. Antonio Haymon (6'5' SF) led the way with 23 point. Haymon is averaging 14 point and 7 rebound per game while shooting 65% from the field and 77% from the free throw line. Coach Bill Lewit, will be looking to se if Haymon and the rest of his talented squad can head back to the national tournament and bring yet another title back to North East, Maryland.
(208-F/C-79, college: Villanova) allowed the visitors to gain a 24:11 lead late in the starting stanza. However Zoran Planinic (198-G-82) scored a trey and Splitter hit a jumper as Spanish team cut the gap to 8 points after 10 minutes. Tau toiled on their way back in the second quarter with Igor Rakocevic (191-G-78) and Mirza Teletovic (205-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) sinking important buckets. The hosts fueled a 13:0 rally midway through the frame to step in front 37:33. Tau kept Zalgiris scoreless for about 5 minutes before Marcus Brown (192-G-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Murray St.) hit a trey and Zalgiris trailed by 5 points at the end of the first half. Now it was Zalgiris turn to fall into some kind of offensive slumber as they continued to miss open shots and Tau reached a 9-point advantage early in the third frame. Spanish side kept a firm hold of the lead and finished the third stanza with an 8-point cushion. The fourth term brought another scoring draught for Zalgiris as they unable to post a single point for 5 minutes and fell too far away from Tau to hope for a positive result. Various sources reported that Damon Stoudamire (5'11''-G-73, college: Arizona) is going to sign with the San Antonio Spurs sometime this week. Damon Stoudamire became a free agent after buying out his contract and was considering some options before choosing the Spurs. The most obvious were the Toronto Raptors and the Phoenix Suns. However it seems the 34-year-old veteran decided to join forces with the defending champs. San Antonio desperately needs some reinforcement at point guard spot with Tony Parker (6'0''-G-80) being sidelined by Gregg Popovich . French point guard was ordered to cure his heel completely before returning to court.
Meanwhile the action continued yesterday with 10 games scheduled. LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) was once again a lonely soldier in the field but it was just enough to overcome Portland 84:83 on the road. LeBron James poured in 37 points and pulled down 14 boards in the 25th win for the Cavs. LeBron James outscored the whole Trail Blazers team 17:15 in the fourth period to carry the visitors to an impressive victory. Brandon Roy (6'6''-G-84, college: Washington) and LaMarcus Aldridge (6'11''-C-85, college: Texas) scored 16 points apiece in a loss.
Minnesota posted an 83:67 win over Chicago. Al Jefferson (6'10''-F-85) gave more food for thought about him being a new superstar producing another massive double-double of 26 points and 20 boards en route to the 9th win for the Timberwolves. Ryan Gomes (6'7''-F-82, college: Providence) added 20 points and 10 boards for the winners. Kirk Hinrich (6'3''-G-81, agency: Octagon, college: Kansas) and Thabo Sefolosha (6'5''-G-84, agency: ACMT) scored 14 points each for the Bulls as the visitors sank just 33% from the field and committed 22 turnovers. The Bulls were still missing Ben Gordon (6'2''-G-83, college: Connecticut) (sprained wrist), Luol Deng (6'7''-F-85, college: Duke) (injured Achilles) and Joe Smith (6'10''-F-75, college: Maryland) (flu).
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Panama international Gary Forbes (201-G/F-85, college: Virginia) had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead UMass to a 94-80 win over Duquesne last night in Pittsburgh. Ricky Harris and Etienne Brower scored 21 points each for the Minutemen (14-6, 3-3 Atlantic 10), who had lost their last two but won a matchup between two of the top eight scoring teams in the nation. Kieron Achara and Kojo Mensah had 14 points apiece for the Dukes (13-6, 3-3), who had won seven of nine. UMass led by nine points at halftime but opened the second half with a 13-4 run to take an 18-point lead. |
Coaches of top 2 Philippine Cup teams to handle All-Star teams in Bacolod
Reigning MVP Willie Miller seems to be having another good year. But he's not the only one who is drawing attention in the on-going SMART PBA Philippine Cup.
Kerby Raymundo, James Yap, Kelly Williams, Nelbert Omolon, Jeffrey Cariaso, Cyrus Baguio, Mick Pennisi, Arwind Santos and Nino Canaleta also have made a big splash in the league's centerpiece event worthy of being named All-Stars.
Beginning Friday, February 1, fans can vote to decide who among the league's cream of the crop deserves to form the starting unit of the North and South Teams for this year's edition of the PBA All-Star Game.
Fans can cast their votes during gamedays or through the league's website at www.pba.ph.
PBA Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios said coaches of the two teams which will advance to the Finals of the SMART PBA Philippine Cup will be given the privilege to call the shots in this year's All-Star Game set in Bacolod this summer.
The champion mentor in the season-opening conference will coach the host South team while the runner-up mentor will handle the North squad.
Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao and Purefoods counterpart Ryan Gregorio are currently battling it out in a best-of-seven series for the right to advance to the Finals, with Alaska chief strategist Tim Cone and Sta. Lucia tactician Boyet Fernandez squaring off in the other semifinal pairing, also a best-of-seven affair.
Last year in Baguio City, Barangay Ginebra's Jong Uichico steered the North squad to a thrilling 145-142 come-from-behind win over the South, handled by Cone.
'As a form of reward for a job well done in a conference considered the most coveted in PBA history, we deemed it best to reward the two coaches who will make the Finals of the Philippine Cup with the opportunity to call the shots for this year's All-Star game,' Barrios said.
The mid-season spectacle, made possible through the efforts of Bacolod City mayor Evelio Leonardia and West Negros College president Suzette Agustin, is set from April 24-27.
Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra and Miller of Alaska were named co-MVP in last year's All-Star Game as they teamed up to rally the North from as much as 22 points down on the way to the stirring victory.
The North team holds a 4-3 edge over the South since the North-South format was formally adopted in the annual classic seven years ago.
Side events such as the slam dunk contest, three-point shootout, obstacle challenge, the trick shot contest, the Legends shootout and the Rookie vs. Sophomore Blitz duel will again be included as part of this year's All-Star Weekend.
KG Canaleta of Air21 won an unprecedented third straight slam dunk title a year ago, Miller repeated in the obstacle challenge, San Miguel's Dondon Hontiveros reigned as Three-Point shootout king while the Rookies finally ended the Sophomores' winning tradition by way of a 122-107 victory. (DBC)
SOURCE: PBA.PH
Geoplini Slovan dismissed coach Aleksandar Sekulic due a bad results and immediatelly replaced him with Croatian Rudolf Jugo. . . . . .
. .After watching Boyd Anderson trail South Broward through most of the first quarter, it was easy for fans to think the Cobras were in for quite a challenge against the Bulldogs.
With a 29-point performance in the second quarter, Boyd Anderson quickly killed that idea.
The Cobras, ranked No. 1 in state in Class 6A, opened the 2008 BCAA Boys Big 8 Tournament with a convincing 85-49 win Wednesday night at Fort Lauderdale.
Boyd Anderson quickly fell behind to start the game as a three-pointer by Iran Hollis gave South Broward a 12-6 lead midway through the first quarter. The Cobras were finally able close the gap when Bryan Bynes hit a three to tie the score at 12. Bynes then forced a steal and quickly passed to Martavious Irving, who drove to the basket for the layup, giving the Cobras a 14-12 lead.
''They came out flat and I couldn't figure it out,'' Cobras coach Eugene Richardson said. ``Everybody loves to play in this tournament and they wanted to come out and get off to a good start.''
The momentum carried over to the second quarter for Boyd Anderson as Frank Gaines got the period started with seven consecutive points. Following two consecutive baskets by Ivan Aska, Gaines got the crowd going with a powerful dunk to make the score 36-19.
But it was the Cobras defense that powered the run. The Bulldogs scored only seven points in the quarter, and were held without a field goal until the final minute.
''We try to pride ourselves on defense,'' Richardson said. ``We try not too give up too many points to the good teams. They came out and got 17 against us so we knew we had to shut them down in the second.''
Entering the second half down by 25 points, the Bulldogs started the third quarter off on an 11-0 run, and holding the Cobras scoreless until the midway mark. From there, Boyd Anderson got back into a rhythm, outscoring South Broward 16-9 in the final 3:30.
BA (21-1): Ferguson 2, B. Bynes 11, Irving 14, Gaines 18, Mills 9, Davis 2, C. Bynes 4, Flood 10, Aska 12. SB: T. Hall 3, D. Hall 9, Pascal 16, Hollis 9, Brown 2. Halftime: BA 49-24.
RONALD CHARLES BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE
Friday Feb. 1, 2008
6:00 p.m. Hoyas vs. Icebreaker (13-15)
7:00 p.m. Ballers vs. Tribe (13-15)
8:00 p.m. More Fire vs. Lakers (13-15)
Saturday Feb. 2, 2008
2:30 p.m. Lakers vs. Working Together (7-9)
3:30 p.m. Boys Dem vs. Tribe (7-9)
4:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. Lakers vs. Boys Dem (10-12)
6:30 p.m.
Women News
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