The ABA CRUSADERS
One of the newest teams in ABA uniforms, are the Crusaders, based in Louisville, KY started the season against the Bisons in a pre-season game. The Owensboro Sports Center probably has the cleanest floors in the league...after they mopped the floor with the Crusaders, including a 4-point shot at the buzzer over Crusader guard Anthony LeFevers.
"It was great seeing the players again" said Cliff Todd, head coach of the Crusaders. "Ive known most of them for some time. They put together a good team." When asked about three of his regular players missing Cliff said "That doesn't matter. You can always make an excuse for a loss, but frankly, there is no excuse for a loss. You either win with what you have, or you lose with what you have. If someone says something like we lost because three players were missing, you can counter with, if the ones we had scored twice as many points, it wouldnt matter. You either win or lose with what you have."
The game, played in front of about 300 people, was exciting. Brandon Stockton shot his usual "threes". "I think that Brandon did miss a three" said Thom McQueen. "Unfortunatly for the Crusaders, that miss was about four years ago. Seriously, Brandon is one of my favorite people in basketball and its good to see him do well."
With a new name, new players, new uniforms and a new mission, the Crusaders are on the road for the ABA. www.abacrusaders.homestead.com
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TRAVEL TEAMS
Travel teams are precisely what the name indicates; they have no home court, don't play home games, nothing that a regular team would do...but they are some of the most important teams in a league. Looked down upon by most teams that DO have a home, these "orphaned" teams make the adopted "official" teams look good.
When an opponent does not show up for a game, under whatever circumstances, be they legitimate or simply poor management, do the fans care ?
No !
The fans care that they paid to see their team play a game and thats what they want. Suddenly, these orphans are incredibly important. The travel team steps in to save the day and becomes the opponent.
The travel teams have a history of "not having the best players"; of showing up with half a team and no coach. One former travel team did not even have uniforms. All of that has changed now. The travel teams that have been put together for the ABA are fully stocked with some of the best players around.
As we go through the months ahead, we will feature a travel team in each edition and you will be introduced to the players & coaches.
One of the newest teams in ABA uniforms, are the Crusaders, based in Louisville, KY started the season against the Bisons in a pre-season game. The Owensboro Sports Center probably has the cleanest floors in the league...after they mopped the floor with the Crusaders, including a 4-point shot at the buzzer over Crusader guard Anthony LeFevers.
"It was great seeing the players again" said Cliff Todd, head coach of the Crusaders. "Ive known most of them for some time. They put together a good team." When asked about three of his regular players missing Cliff said "That doesn't matter. You can always make an excuse for a loss, but frankly, there is no excuse for a loss. You either win with what you have, or you lose with what you have. If someone says something like we lost because three players were missing, you can counter with, if the ones we had scored twice as many points, it wouldnt matter. You either win or lose with what you have."
The game, played in front of about 300 people, was exciting. Brandon Stockton shot his usual "threes". "I think that Brandon did miss a three" said Thom McQueen. "Unfortunatly for the Crusaders, that miss was about four years ago. Seriously, Brandon is one of my favorite people in basketball and its good to see him do well."
With a new name, new players, new uniforms and a new mission, the Crusaders are on the road for the ABA. www.abacrusaders.homestead.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TRAVEL TEAMS
Travel teams are precisely what the name indicates; they have no home court, don't play home games, nothing that a regular team would do...but they are some of the most important teams in a league. Looked down upon by most teams that DO have a home, these "orphaned" teams make the adopted "official" teams look good.
When an opponent does not show up for a game, under whatever circumstances, be they legitimate or simply poor management, do the fans care ?
No !
The fans care that they paid to see their team play a game and thats what they want. Suddenly, these orphans are incredibly important. The travel team steps in to save the day and becomes the opponent.
The travel teams have a history of "not having the best players"; of showing up with half a team and no coach. One former travel team did not even have uniforms. All of that has changed now. The travel teams that have been put together for the ABA are fully stocked with some of the best players around.
As we go through the months ahead, we will feature a travel team in each edition and you will be introduced to the players & coaches.
