SURF’S DEFENSE SMOTHERS TALLER L. A. SLAM The Surf dealt a crushing blow to the much taller more experienced Los Angeles Slam, averaging close to 4 inches taller at each position. Ttraphe much younger, newly formed Surf squad were, nevertheless, unrelenting in their defensive attack, controlling the game to a 78 – 76 upset. This was the San Diego Surf’s first game in the newly formed ABASPBL, American Basketball Association Summer Pro Basketball League, playing all their games at the Next Level Sports Complex in Garden Grove. Six teams are entered in this two month league with games every Tuesday evening trhough July and August. Besides the Surf and L.A. Slam, there is a draft team, a team sponsored by a sports agent firm from Temecula, a Japanese team and a CBA, China Basketball Association, team playing in the U.S. for the first time. Head Coach, David Reichner, formerly coach of the new Katherine University in San Diego, San Jose State and Ramona High School remarked that he felt the Surf controlled the game with their defensive energy, especially from the start of the first half when they erased the Slam’s lead to take control, giving the Slam’s offensive fits with their trapping and steals, over 20 in the game. Coach Dave has Martin Knezevic as Assistant Coach, who is also does scoutingn for the NBA. Although, the Surf hade only 3 returning players from last season, the Surf put together a very fast, defensively aggressive team proving that they can score when needed no matter what size their opponents are. 5’10” Ryan Wetherell, formerly playing for USC was outstanding in running the point. His brother, Taylor, also plays with the Surf and played for Pt. Loma College last year. The Surf style of play was strictly a team effort with R. Wetherell, Banks and Tolliver leading all Surf Scorers. In addition, Kris Brooks, Andrew Green, Craig Jackson, Ross Davidson, Rich Walker and Pat Cleveland all played a solid game. The Surf made over 20 steals and forced turnovers with everyone on the floor contributing equally on them as well as rebounding. The “Rocket”, a several year veteran with the Slam, was their leading scorer converting lots of fowl shots. Former 6’10” NBA player, Tony Farmer, along with the Slam’s other big men. were big bodies in the center but not very effective against the faster Surf players. The next Surf game will be against the sponsored pro team next Tuesday at the Next Level in Garden Grove. GO SURF !
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 21:06:54 +0000
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