April 18, 2006 > Ballers win opening game

by Ivan A. White

The Tri-City Area's new professional basketball team playing out of Newark Memorial High School won its opening game of the season on Friday, April 7defeating the previously undefeated Portland Chinooks 126-113. After playing out of San Jose last year in the International Basketball League (IBL), the Ballers moved to the Tri-City Area this season.

Following a back and fourth battle in the early going, the Ballers were able to pull away as the defense started to take control of the game turning Portland's turnovers into exciting steals and high-flying fast break dunks featured by Anthony (Tone) Johnson. Scoring was led by Rock Winston with 24 points, Anthony (Tone) Johnson with 22 points, Anthony Lacky with 17 points and William Walker with 14 points. The Ballers had a balanced scoring attack with six players in double figures.

Tri-City's second home game against the Chico Force scheduled for Saturday, April 8, was postponed and will be rescheduled. The Force has three returning International Basketball League All-Stars on their roster: Chris Gonzales, Will Bonner and Ed Madec.

The Ballers then were to play at Chico last Saturday, the 15th, with no result posted by press time.

On Saturday, April 22, the Ballers host the Central Oregon Hotshots, playing out of Bend, on the Newark Memorial Campus, followed by another home game on Friday, the 28th, against the Oakland Slammers. Both tip-offs are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Admission to the games are $10.00 for adults and children 13 and up and $5.00 for children 12 and under.

Come and check out this fast-paced, high scoring version of basketball which is played in around two hours or less.