Breaking Down The Boxscore - FROST HEAVES 111, RAINMEN 105 (OT)

FROST HEAVES 111, RAINMEN 105 (OT)
Rainmen Record:  9W-3L
Oh, those free throws.  The Rainmen free throw struggles continued as the Rainmen came up short on their first game of a three-game road trip.  Halifax was 41.2% from the FT line making only 14 of their 34 free throw attempts in their 111-105 overtime loss to the Vermont Frost Heaves.  The Rainmen came up big in the second half after only scoring 16 points in the second quarter.  Halifax outscored Vermont 54-45 in the second half to force overtime after trailing to Vermont at halftime.  But the missed free throws looked to be one of the biggest decisive factors in this game, with Halifax going 0-9 from the charity stripe in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.  Vermont's Matt Hall made two clutch free throws with only seconds left to play to tie the game at 93 and forced an overtime period where Vermont came out with the win.

For the Rainmen, Tony Bennett led Halifax with 28 points and Eric Crookshank finished with 23 points.  Gary Ervin finished with 20 points but was also 5/13 at the FT line.  Desmond Ferguson had an off night, making only one field goal and finished with a season-low 2 pts.

Vermont had six players in double figures with Jawan Bailey and Dwuan Rice chipping in with 19 pts a piece.  Jared Carter had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Key Notes:

• Glaring Stat of the Night:  Free throw shooting proved to be the deciding factor, Halifax struggled from the line, making only 14 of the 34 attempts. 
• Worst in the PBL:  Halifax is the worst free throw shooting team in the PBL with their 63.2% free throw percentage
• Workin' Overtime:  Vermont outscored the Rainmen 18-12 in the overtime period
• Off night for Moneyball:  This was a season-low scoring night for Ferguson, who scored only 2 points
• Rebounds: Vermont outrebounded the Rainmen 46-44
• Turnovers:  Halifax turned the ball over 16 times compared to the Frost Heaves' 13 
• In other PBL action, the LFS Cavs defeated Puerto Rico and have moved into second place 
• Newest Face:  The newest member of the Rainmen, Taliek Brown was a DNP for the game
• Canadian Watch:  Garry Gallimore - 9 pts, 2 rebounds, Jevohn Shepherd was 0/1 in 3 minutes of play

Post-Game Links:
Our Sports Central

"The Vermont Frost Heaves defeated the Halifax Rainmen 111 - 105 thus afternoon in Overtime. Matt Hall's 2 free throws with 3.7 seconds left tied the game at 93 and Halifax's 3 point attempt at the buzzer came up short."

Next up, the Rainmen face off against the Quebec Kebs on Friday...

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Talkin' Hoops with Halifax Rainmen centre, Marc "Maze" Mazur

Straight out of the state of Michigan, is the starting centre for the Halifax Rainmen, Marc Mazur.  Marc has fit in nicely with the Rainmen lineup and brings the inside presence that the Rainmen were looking for at the start of the season.  He is a basketball vet who brings basketball experience from all over the globe.  He played with the Manchester Millrats last season alongside current Rainmen teammate, Desmond Ferguson, and has also spent some time in Europe and in the NBA D-League.  I had the chance to talk to Marc about his Halifax experience, a little about Michigan native and Rainmen teammate Desmond Ferguson as well as his thoughts on the greatest basketball players to come out of Michigan.

__________

Romy (Haligonia.ca): So off the top, let's get this straight. How do you pronounce your last name? Is it pronounced MAY-ZER? Or MAHZ-OOR?

Marc Mazur:  I'm used to people messing up some part of my name, but my last name is pronounced MAIZE-ER. A lot of people just call me Maze for short.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): First of all, welcome to Halifax. You've had the opportunity to play professional ball all over the place including stops in the NBA D-League and overseas, how has the Halifax experience been like so far?

Marc Mazur: It's been a good experience. The team and the community have been great. I think Halifax has a tremendous fan base and there aren't many places in minor league basketball that have this kind of support. I've played games in the minors, and also overseas, where you can literally count the amount of fans in attendance. So playing in front of a good passionate crowd every home game is certainly a blessing, and as a player, it makes for a great experience. I'm thankful for this opportunity

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Has there been a big transition for you moving to Halifax or have you played in similar cities? Does the Canadian money throw you off with all these loonies and toonies?

Marc Mazur:  I've been living in Southern California for the past four years, so the biggest transition for me has been getting adjusted to cold weather, that's basically it. I've learned to adapt to almost any situation, no matter where I'm at, but it's been easy here in Halifax. Being originally from Michigan, when I was younger, my friends and I would make frequent trips to Windsor, so I am familiar with the loonies and toonies, so it was a smooth transition.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  This Rainmen team is really clicking this year, what have been some of the key factors to this success?

Marc Mazur:  I think the organization brought in a great mix of guys who understand how to play winning basketball, who are unselfish, and who play hard and love to compete. I think we have a good mix of veterans and young players. We have players that are starting to understand their roles and are playing within themselves. With that, I think it allows us to be a very versatile team and it makes us a very difficult matchup for opposing teams. I think we have all the makings of a championship team, but in order to to compete for the championship, we need to be focused every game and concentrate on our execution and continue to keep playing great defense in the second half of the season.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Including your time at the University of Detroit, your career has spanned about 10 years, what has been your greatest accomplishment during this time?

Marc Mazur: Because of basketball, I've been fortunate enough to be able to travel and play in over 18 countries, and each has been a unique experience, it's been great traveling and learning and living within different cultures. You really learn a lot about yourself. Basketball wise, winning two NBDL championships was great. But, I don't think anything can compare to my college experience. I was fortunate enough to play on some great teams at UDM. While I was there we won conference championships, played in the NCAA tournament, advanced to the Final Four of the 2001 NIT, had the nation's longest home winning streak of 41 straight games (undefeated for over 3 years), beat major programs such as UCLA, UCONN, Butler and a few others, and we were constantly one of the best defensive teams in the nation during my four years there. And being named team MVP my senior year was a great personal accomplishment for me because of my role and all the great players we had on these teams.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You've played with your Rainmen teammate, Desmond Ferguson, previously in your basketball career. Do you have any good Desmond Ferguson stories?

Marc Mazur: Good? As in embarrassing? No, I don't have too much on Dez. Most of those types of stories involve former teammates, friends and coaches that we like to make fun of or imitate. We've played with quite a few characters throughout the years. But on the court, I will never forget him hitting 10 three point shots on his senior day at UDM. He was hitting them from a few steps inside half-court. It was one of the best shooting performances I've ever seen.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You were born in Pontiac, Michigan. Who are the top five players to come out of the state of Michigan?

Marc Mazur: I won't list the best, because I'm bound to leave someone great off, so I'll take the easy way out and give you my five favorite: Magic Johnson, George Gervin, Glen Rice, Jalen Rose, Chris Webber.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Were you a big Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" fan growing up?

Marc Mazur: Of course! That was the early 90's, and I'll admit it, I had my "Hammertime" Pistons t-shirts. That was around the time I started gaining interest in basketball. I would watch them every time they were on TV, and I grew up watching that type of basketball and wanting to emulate the "Bad Boys". To this day I can't cheer for the Chicago Bulls, and living in California, I just recently got over my Laker hatred.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Now, who's the best musical artist to come out of Michigan? Is it Kid Rock, Eminem, or am I way off base?

Marc Mazur: I love music, and Michigan has a great musical history, so I have to say that your way off base. I have to go with some of the original Motown artist such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations. They put Michigan/Detroit on the music map. But, I also love artists such as Bob Seger, and as you mentioned, Kid Rock and Eminem.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Has Devon Norris introduced you to the donair yet? If so, let's hear your opinion.

Marc Mazur: You know, I have had different versions of the donair throughout my travels in Europe, but I haven't had the chance to get one in Canada. I heard that Halifax was the originator and has the best donairs. I'll have to give it a try real soon.
__________

Thanks to Marc for taking part in our Q and A, you can find Marc at the Halifax Rainmen home games and at his website MazeBasketball.com

Check out previous Rainmen-related Q and A's:

• Jevohn Shepherd
• Garry Gallimore
• The voice of the Halifax Rainmen, Shaun "Mavs" Gillis
• Desmond "Moneyball" Ferguson
• Devon "Chuck" Norris
• Adris "2 Hard 2 Guard" DeLeon
• Halifax Rainmen DJ, RS Smooth

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Rainmen-Capitanes Game Preview with Puerto Rico Capitanes Guard, Haakim Johnson

The 9-2 Halifax Rainmen has one of its toughest matchups this Friday when they face off against the hottest team in the league, the Puerto Rico Capitanes.  With an 11-1 record, the Capitanes have rolled over opponents in the first half of the season.   They had a strong start, going on a 9-game win streak and then suffered their first loss of the season against the Rochester Razorsharks back on February 15th.  Two of the top five scorers in the PBL are on this Captianes roster, Elias Ayuso (22.4 ppg) and Angelo Reyes (20.6 ppg and a league-leading 16.8 rpg).  Fortunately for the Rainmen, Reyes will not be in Halifax for this upcoming matchup.

Also on this roster is the PBL's 2009 #1 Draft Pick, Haakim Johnson.  Johnson was selected by the Puerto Rico Capitanes back in October, and has averaged 4.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg in his PBL rookie season.  Coming out of Passaic, New Jersey, he played college ball with the Pikeville Bears before playing in Puerto Rico.  I got the chance to chat with Haakim and asked him about about Puerto Rico's success, Friday's Capitanes-Rainmen matchup and what his rookie experience has been like so far.
 __________

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  The Puerto Rico Capitanes are having a remarkable season with an 11-1 record, how has Puerto Rico achieved this success?

Haakim Johnson:  I believe the 11-1 record came from us playing good team ball, everyone on the team plays their role well and that alone brings us success.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  How important is this upcoming matchup with the Halifax Rainmen?

Haakim Johnson:  This matchup is just important to us as any other team, we will continue to do what works for us and that is play our game.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  You were the #1 pick in the 2009 PBL Draft, how has your rookie season been playing in sunny Puerto Rico?

Haakim Johnson:  It was definitely a great feeling being the #1 overall pick and even better that I came to a team with guys like Larry Ayuso, Andres Rodriguez and Jeffrion Aubry who are experienced veterans. They all have been helping to guide my game to make me a better player. I even got to spend some time with Bonzi Wells who also would help me work on my game, so just that alone made my time in P.R. very beneficial.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): What is your role on this team?

Haakim Johnson:  My role on this team I would say is to come off the bench and help out the guards as well as the big man and give positive productive minutes for the time that I'm in.  Also, to work hard in practice so that I get better and also drive everyone else around me to better themselves.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  What will the Capitanes need to focus on as the team pushes closer to the playoffs?

Haakim Johnson:  Like I said before, we have been playing great team ball so we will have to continue that and I believe if we just play our games, we will have a successful rest of the season.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  This will be the first time Halifax fans will get to see the Puerto Rico Capitanes live in action, who are some of the standouts on this team?

Haakim Johnson:  We have a roster full of good players but Larry Ayuso, Jeffrion Aubrey and David Cortes are just a few of the players that have been playing very well for us. These are guys with a lot of experience who know what it takes to win..

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  I've watched some of the Puerto Rico games online, the Capitanes' commentators may be the most enthusiastic and exciting guys in the league. What's the best Spanish expression in terms of basketball, is it "En Fuego!"?

Haakim Johnson:  Yes, they are very into the game and they have a great history of basketball in Puerto Rico.  And yeah, I would say "EN FUEGO" is one of the more popular expressions.
__________

Haakim and his Puerto Rico Capitanes face off against the Halifax Rainmen in what may be the biggest game of the season this Friday night (Game time at 7:00pm), watch it live here on Haligonia.ca!

A huge thanks goes out to Haakim for taking part in our game preview, be sure to check out more about the Puerto Rico Capitanes at their official website.

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Nothin' But A "G" Thing - RAINMEN 147, GREENHAWKS 105

RAINMEN 147, GREENHAWKS 105
Rainmen Record:  9W-2L
The G's, Gary "G-Smooth" Ervin and Garry Gallimore along the rest of the Rainmen flat out dominated the struggling Maryland GreenHawks on Saturday night.  Gary Ervin notched the franchise's first triple double with his impressive line: 14 pts, 12 boards and 13 assists.  Maryland struggled to get their offense going while Halifax on the other hand, had no problem with their offense, putting up a season high 147 points.  Halifax had such a significant lead early on that Coach Berry was able to utilize his bench down the stretch.  Everyone got a piece of the action as Halifax had eight players score in double figures.  Halifax blew the game wide open with a 47-point third quarter.

Halifax's Canadian content looked impressive in the win.  St. FX alum and Ottawa native, Garry Gallimore had his best game of the season finishing with 26 points which included a couple of thunderous jams that sparked a Gallimore flex to the crowd.  Toronto native, Jevohn Shepherd also had a nice showing with his 12 pts, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.  He also had a nasty dunk late in the game that brought the Halifax crowd to their feet.

For the GreenHawks, Byron Mouton led the way with 23 pts while the PBL's 5th leading scorer, Scooter Sherrill, finished with 21 pts, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.  Oh.... and Halifax's favourite player to heckle, Randy Gill, scored 10 points in the loss.

Shaun "Mavs" Gillis and Bill McLean's Player of the Game
Garry Gallimore 26 pts (season high), 4 threes, 3 rebounds

Romy Aquino's Player of the Game
Gary Ervin 14 pts, 12 rebounds, 13 assists (Halifax's first franchise triple double)

Hat-tip to the GreenHawks:
Byron Mouton  23 pts, 8 rebounds

Key Notes:

• Highlight of the Night: This had to be when Heckler's Row (aka Strick's Secret Service) ran out with John Strickland during the Rainmen intros
• Home Dominance:  The Rainmen move to 7-0 at home
• Huge Win:  The 42-point win was the largest margin of victory of the Rainmen season 
• Oh, those Free Throws:  Halifax still struggled from the free throw line, shooting 59.3%
• Dominated Down Low:  Rainmen scored 88 pts in the paint, while Maryland scored just 48
• Big Boards:  Halifax outrebounded the GreenHawks 67-42
• Great D:  The GreenHawks were held to just 46% shooting from the field and 33% from three pt. land
• Bench Depth:  Halifax really displayed how deep this roster is as the Rainmen bench scored 76 of the Rainmen's 147 points
• Canadian Watch:  Gary Gallimore - 26 pts, 3 rebounds, Jevohn Shepherd - 12 pts, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
• In case you missed this game, check out the full replay here, also check out the great post game videos with Mavs and Bill (by far the best one is the video with Maryland's Randy Gill and Heckler's Row)

Post Game Links:
The Chronicle Herald

"Gallimore’s offensive tour de force included 10-of-13 shooting from the floor, four treys in five attempts and a pair of resounding dunks, the first of which came early in the fourth quarter when he stripped the ball from GreenHawk guard Randy Gill at halfcourt and went in for an uncontested slam."

Metro Halifax

"If there was one blemish on the night, it was the fact the Rainmen let the Greenhawks reach the 100-point plateau. The Rainmen, who boast the PBL’s best defence, had only allowed 100 points three times this season. But they did manage to hold the Greenhawks to 20 in the final quarter."

Up next, the Halifax Rainmen have probably the biggest game of the season when they face off against the Puerto Rico Capitanes.  Do the Rainmen have what it takes to defeat the league leaders?

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Rainmen-GreenHawks Game Preview with Maryland GreenHawks GM, Adam Dantus

This Saturday evening, the 8-2 Halifax Rainmen host another home game as they face off against the 2-7 Maryland GreenHawks.  The GreenHawks who are based in Rockville, Maryland have had a rough start to the season, not only starting the season with a disappointing 2-7 record but also faced tragedy when recently signed head coach, Otis Hailey, passed away just 11 days after signing with the team.  The team now looks to move on and plan on getting their season back on track.  The Maryland GreenHawks (formerly the Maryland Nighthawks) changed their team name this season to the GreenHawks in an effort to be the first ever environmentally conscious sports team.

I had the chance to chat with Maryland's General Manager, Adam Dantus.  Dantus, who had started working for the Maryland organization in 2005, moved into the GM role in January of '08.  I asked Adam about the status of his team, his thoughts on the upcoming matchup with the Rainmen and what the "Green" behind the GreenHawks name means.
_________

Romy (Haligonia.ca): First of all, our condolences go out to your team for the loss of your head coach, Otis Hailey. Let's hear a little about Otis and his impact with the team.

Adam Dantus:  As many know, Otis was brought in to replace Rob Spon as head coach. Rob has an impressive resume and experienced a great deal of success last season in the PBL with Manchester, but his style of coaching wasn’t getting it done with the team that we built. We felt it was the right time to make a coaching move and after talking with a few candidates, we felt Otis’s experience and style would be the best fit. Otis came in and from day one he changed the culture, attitude and style of our team. The guys responded and loved playing for him. He was more than a coach and was a mentor to a lot of the players. I only knew Otis for a little over a week, but the attitude he brought to Maryland was like no other.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):   Now the GreenHawks' slogan on the website is "The First Green Professional Sports Team," what's the meaning behind the slogan? And where did this "Green" initiative originate?

Adam Dantus:  I wish I could take credit for this great idea, but it started with our team owner Tom Doyle. What this means is we are the first and only eco-friendly team. Our jerseys are made from recyclable materials, we are working with a company called Carbon Fund which replaces our carbon footprint, working with Nike by collecting used shoes at our games and recycling them to turn them into materials for playground surfaces. Our players are also constantly in schools and in the community talking to the youth about the importance of protecting and conserving our environment. When a child sees a professional athlete come into their school, they listen to what they have the say. We are not militant, but if everyone does one thing to protect the environment, the world will be a lot cleaner and better place to live.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):   The GreenHawks have had a rough start with a 2-7 record, who have been some of the bright spots on this team?

Adam Dantus:   Expectations coming into this season were to win the championship and we still feel like with the talent that we have on this team, we can put our self in a position to fight for playoff spot and make a run. Every team in the PBL this season is talented and no win is an easy win. Our team has shown that we can compete with the best, and as our young players really start to mature and gel with our veterans, we feel like we can have a successful second half of the season.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):   You've faced off against some of the top teams in the PBL, including three matchups with the Puerto Rico Capitanes. Now you have another tough matchup with the Halifax Rainmen, what will your team have to do to prepare for a team like the Rainmen?

Adam Dantus:  Playing these top teams such as Puerto Rico three times, Lawton twice and Rochester on the road, has better prepared us to go up against a team like Halifax. Halifax is a good defensive team that knows how to play team ball. They like to shoot a lot of threes so defending the perimeter is a must. They also know how to get to the line, but like Maryland, must do a better job on taking advantage of knocking down free throws. We are a big team so boxing out Crookshank and slowing down Tony Bennett is essential if we want to walk out with a victory.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):   This will be the first matchup between Halifax and Maryland this season. From your knowledge of the Rainmen, who on the Halifax roster will cause the biggest matchup problem for Maryland?

Adam Dantus:  I have to give credit to everyone on the Rainmen roster for the success that they have been experiencing this year. There is no “I” in team and I see coach Berry is doing an excellent job in utilizing his rotations. Like I said, our bigs must limit Crookshank on the boards especially on the offensive end. Every possession is crucial and we must reduce the number of second chance point opportunities. We have talented young guards who must keep their ground and keep Bennett in front of them so he does not have a big night.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  We're at the midpoint of the PBL season and Maryland has a nice stretch of home games coming up, what will the GreenHawks need to do to bounce back in the second half? Do you foresee more roster moves or are you content with the core group of guys that you have now?

Adam Dantus:  We must protect our home court. We absolutely cannot afford to lose any more games at home in front of our fans. Although I would have liked to have a better record at this point, seven of our 11 remaining games are at home so we really have to take advantage this. Right now I like our roster. We have a talented group of both young players and veterans that have played on the biggest stages in the world. Almost all of them have played at major division one programs so the talent is here, all it is now is being able play together as a team. We’ve been practicing since mid-December, so there’s been time to develop the chemistry, we can’t have any imbalanced equations at this point. By making more moves, it will disrupt this chemistry, but obviously I’m always looking to improve the team and if there’s a player or trade that would greatly benefit us, then we’ll have to consider our options.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  You are one of the youngest (if not the youngest) GMs in the PBL. If you don't mind sharing your age, how old are you? And how did your journey to the GreenHawks' GM take place?

Adam Dantus:  I’m 22 years old, but I look at age as just a number. I’ve been working with the Nighthawks/GreenHawks since 2005 so I’ve learned a lot over the past few years. I started off as an intern, eventually did some work in the Sales and Marketing Department, then communications and just continued to work my way up the ladder. I’ve gained a tremendous amount of experience from many knowledgeable people within the organization and I’m ready to step up to the plate and really take the GreenHawks to an elite level both on and off the court. The majority of my job if done over the phone and via email since I’m dealing with GM’s from other states and countries so the biggest compliment I could receive when people meet me for the first time is, “Wow, your only 22?”

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  I read that you are a Knicks fan, how happy were you to see a Knick FINALLY back in the All-Star game

Adam Dantus:  I was born in New York and became an avid Knick fan back in the early-mid 90’s when they were actually good. The core of Ewing, Oakley and Starks was a very exciting team to watch that gave it their all every game. The rivalry between the Knicks and the Bulls and then the Heat was so intense. I lived and slept orange and blue. I moved down the Washington DC area and later “converted” to a Wizards fan, but they are the laughing stock of the NBA right now...would be interesting to be the GM of the Wizards right now and try to turn the ship around. But it’s good to finally see a Knick back in the All-Star game and also New York well represented at all-star weekend. It’s going to be tough for Andre to top the NBA All-Star game but I know he’s always up for the challenge!

_________

Maryland visits the Halifax Metro Centre on Saturday night to face off against the Halifax Rainmen (Game time at 7:00pm, watch it live here on Haligonia.ca!)  

A big thanks goes out to Adam for taking the part in our Q and A, be sure to check out more about the Maryland GreenHawks at their official website.

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Talkin' Hoops with Halifax Rainmen forward, Jevohn Shepherd

The Halifax Rainmen are lucky to have a Canadian talent like Jevohn Shepherd.  Based out of Toronto, Ontario, Shepherd played with one of the top NCAA Division 1 basketball programs at the University of Michigan which churned out such talents as Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jamal Crawford and Roy Tarpley.  Shepherd is one of many talents off of the Rainmen bench and has already showcased his offensive abilities this season when he scored 24 points against the league leaders, the Puerto Rico Capitanes in Puerto Rico.  Shepherd has also represented Canada at the World University Games where he played alongside fellow Rainmen teammate, Garry Gallimore.

I asked Shepherd about his thoughts on Halifax, his Canadian basketball role models and what fashion trend he was guilty of when he was younger.
__________

Romy (Haligonia.ca): This is your first season in the PBL, how does it feel to be one of the few players representing Canada on the Rainmen?

Jevohn Shepherd:  Definitely a blessing to be a part of a great program and having the opportunity to play
professionally as a Canadian because many are not as fortunate to be doing something they love at this stage in their lives.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): What have been your first impressions with the Halifax Rainmen club and the city of Halifax?

Jevohn Shepherd: I am really impressed with how professionally the team is run, definitely comparable to many of the premier university and professional clubs across the world,which is a testament to the work put in by owner Andre Levingston and Jad along with all the other supporting staff for their efforts. As for the city of Halifax the people are great and I love it, it was a little different at first because I'm use to a big city being from Toronto, but for the most part I'm really enjoying the Scotian hospitality.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You played for the Michigan Wolverines from 2006-09, what was the Michigan experience like? And how fun was it to play in the NCAA tournament?

Jevohn Shepherd:  Playing at the University of Michigan was also a great experience, during this time I learned a whole lot on and off the court. Many memories and relationships were built over the years here, which I am extremely thankful for. The NCAA tournament was something I promised myself I would make before graduating, we came real close my first year (never will forget the feeling watching the selection show and hearing the last final pick and it wasn't Michigan) but with hard work and perseverance in my last season, we did make it and went on to the second round. Again, I am just thankful to have had that experience as many players who dream about such never have the opportunity.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Who were some Canadian players that you looked up to when you were a young baller?

Jevohn Shepherd:  Growing up, I looked up to many players because I was always the "young boy" in the gym working out with guys like Denham Brown, Jermaine Anderson (who played with the Rainmen a couple seasons ago), Patrick Tatham and Kaylan Anderson. Many of these guys have become some of my closest friends and continue to guide me with decisions I make. Even now I look up to the younger generation that I've been around, just watching them play, you're still able to learn and add from their game and experiences. Big congrats to Tristan Thompson and Corey Joseph on their McDonalds All American team selection.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Aside from playing with the Rainmen, have you played with or against any of the other guys on the team?

Jevohn Shepherd:  I've played with Garry Gallimore for Canada when we won the bronze medal at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand a couple years back.  I also played against Adris once and Deandre Thomas a couple times in university.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Are there any nicknames for some of the other guys on the team that fans might not know about?

Jevohn Shepherd: Adris CLAIMS his nickname is "too hard too guard", lol, but other than that we change nicknames for everyone everyday depending on how we are feeling or something you do.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Flashback to you when you were kid. When you were let's say, 10-12 years old, who was your favourite music artist at the time, your favourite basketball player/team and a fashion trend of that era that you were guilty of.

Jevohn Shepherd:  Favourite music artist would have to be Biggie Smalls and Jay-Z. My uncle listened to them 24/7 so I was brainwashed early...to be honest, I didn't really have a favourite team. I hated watching basketball but I loved playing...fashion trends, I am guilty of a couple, tucked my pant legs into my socks but that's all I'm going to share, I don't even want to revisit the others myself, I'm embarrassed.
__________

A big thanks goes out to Jevohn for taking the time to chat. Be sure to check him out at the Halifax Rainmen home games and also keep up to date with Jevohn and the Rainmen at rainmenbasketball.ca

Check out previous Rainmen-related Q and A's:

• Garry Gallimore
• The voice of the Halifax Rainmen, Shaun "Mavs" Gillis
• Desmond "Moneyball" Ferguson
• Devon "Chuck" Norris
• Adris "2 Hard 2 Guard" DeLeon
• Halifax Rainmen DJ, RS Smooth

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

The Pleasure and Pain of the Halifax Rainmen - A Midseason Review

We're at the midway point of the season and you can't ask for much more from the Halifax Rainmen.  With only a 20-game season, every game counts.  Right now, Halifax sits in second place behind the Puerto Rico Capitanes and hold an 8-2 record.  The PBL playoff format only includes the top four teams at the end of the season and Halifax is in position take one of those spots.  What has made the first half of the season a success?  We'll take a look at the highs and lows also known as 'The Pleasure and Pain' of this first half of the Rainmen season.

PLEASURE - The Highs of the First Half

The Core (Eric Crookshank, Desmond Ferguson, Tony Bennett) - A huge part of this year's success has been the play of this core group of guys. Like the Boston Celtics, the Halifax Rainmen have a Big 3. With the return of Eric Crookshank and Tony Bennett along with the addition of former Manchester Millrat and sharpshooter, Desmond "Moneyball" Ferguson, this Rainmen trio has proven to be one of the best threesomes in the PBL. The fact that this core has remained on the roster for the first half has helped maintain the team chemistry that some of the lower tier teams in the league may be lacking.

Guards - Adding to the first half success has been the solid guard rotation of Adris DeLeon, Gary Ervin and Tony Bennett who have been killing opponents.  All three guys are quick, unafraid to attack the rim and can score at any given opportunity.  Unfortunately, Adris has moved on, and will continue his basketball career with the Dominican Republic's national team.  This leaves an open spot at the guard position.

102-99 Win over the Rochester Razorsharks (January 31, 2010) - One of the toughest tests at home for the Rainmen was the matchup against the 2-time PBL champs, the Rochester Razorsharks. Rochester, who was undefeated at the time, had difficulties defending the Rainmen offense as Desmond Ferguson led the way and had 26 pts which included 5 threes. This was a big statement game for the Rainmen, as they displayed to the rest of the league that they were now a force in the PBL.

Game Presentation - Team president and CEO, Andre Levingston and his Rainmen staff have done a great job putting out a good entertainment package for Halifax fans.  This includes an excellent marketing program which encompasses print, radio and internet promotion.  The team also reaches out to the fans via social media mediums like Facebook and Twitter.  As a result of this, Rainmen basketball is becoming more and more apparent in the city of Halifax. The Rainmen games themselves have an NBA feel with everything from R$ $mooth handling the arena music, to the Weather Girls, all the way down to the guys running down the court with the Rainmen flags before and after the games.  And it has really reflected in the attendance.  The Rainmen have had record attendance this season and the schedule is fan-friendly with most of the home games held on the weekends.

Coaching - Les Berry and his staff have done an outstanding job with this year's team.  After walking into the head coach role midway through last season, Coach Berry had the opportunity to come into the season with a fresh start.  The fresh start has helped both Andre Levingston and Les Berry work on a common vision that strives on a common goal of bringing a PBL championship to Halifax.

Defense - The Rainmen defense has been nothing but stellar with opponents only scoring 94 points per game (Halifax is the league leader).  When you have a defensive stopper like Garry Gallimore coming off of the bench and a big body like Marc Mazur down low at the five spot, it's no wonder they are one of the best defensive teams in the league.

Canadian Talent - You have to shoutout the Canadian content on this team.  First of all, you have St. FX alum, Garry Gallimore, and former Michigan Wolverine and Toronto native, Jevohn Shepherd, coming off the bench for the Rainmen.  Both have made significant contributions for Halifax in the first half, and fans can only hope to see more from the two Canucks.  You also have Dalhousie alum and Halifax's own, Devon Norris on the practice roster.  It's just too bad that we probably won't get to see him on the floor anytime soon.

PAIN - The Lows of the First Half

The Frequent Roster Changes - What's minor league basketball without constant roster changes?  We've seen a handful of guys come and go on this roster.  Guys like Mark McCarroll, Shagari Alleyne, Cory Underwood and Antwan Dobie were just a few of the faces that came and went throughout the first half of the season.  Luckily, it hasn't had much of an impact on the team chemistry.  The Rainmen will face its biggest test moving forward with the loss of Adris DeLeon.

Free Throw Shooting - The Rainmen are worst in the league in free throw shooting, making only 66.5% of their attempts.  If the Rainmen ever get into close game situations, especially come playoff time, the Rainmen will definitely need to make improvements.

The 108-101 Loss to Puerto Rico (January 28, 2010) - This game was a bit of a heartbreaker since the Rainmen were in the game up until the closing minutes.  But what made it a tough game to swallow was the fact Eric Crookshank did not make the trip to Puerto Rico as he was awaiting the birth of his baby.  The Rainmen were outrebounded 45-33 in that game and Eric's presence would have had made a huge impact.

What were some of your highs and lows of the first half of the season? Let us know in the comments section...

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

The Home Dominance Continues - RAINMEN 104, MILLRATS 83

RAINMEN 104, MILLRATS 83
Rainmen Record: 8W-2L

Just like the Buffalo Stampede last week, the Manchester Millrats rolled into Halifax with tired legs and a shorthanded eight-man roster.  The Millrats, who had played Saturday afternoon against the Quebec Kebs, came to the Halifax Metro Centre for their second matchup in two days.  Halifax pounced on the Millrats' tired legs and built a commanding 33-17 lead in the opening quarter. 

The Millrats bounced back in the second quarter, going on a 12-0 run to get within seven until Halifax's Tony Bennett ended the run with a three with 2:59 to play in the half. 

The Rainmen regained control in the second half when they outscored the Millrats 55 to 44.  Halifax's offense was too much for the Millrats as they had no answer for Rainmen guard, Tony Bennett.  Bennett finished with season-highs in both scoring and rebounding with 32 points and 8 rebounds. The win over the Millrats was Halifax's sixth straight home win as they still hold an unblemished home record.

Eric Crookshank was impressive on the glass, grabbing 19 boards to go with his 18 points.  And as much as the Millrats defense tried to defend their former player, Desmond Ferguson, Ferguson dropped 14 points on his former team.

For the Millrats, Charles Bronson put together a double double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Dwight Brewington, the league's only deaf player, chipped in with 16 points.

Shaun "Mavs" Gillis and Bill McLean's Player of the Game:
Tony Bennett 32 pts (season-high), 8 rebounds (season-high), 2 assists, 2 steals

Romy Aquino's Player of the Game:
Eric Crookshank 18 pts, 19 rebounds, 4 blocks and a steal

Hat-tip to the Millrats:
Charles Bronson (not to be confused with this Charles Bronson) 20 pts, 12 rebounds, 2 assists

Key Notes:

• Workin' the Glass:  Halifax outrebounded Manchester 59-45
• Points in the Paint:  Rainmen did their thing down low, scoring 58 points in the paint while the Millrats' scored 42
• Horrible FT Shooting: The Rainmen struggled from the FT line, nailing only 10 of 21 free throws (47.6 %) 
• Adios Adris:  At the end of the game, the Rainmen announced that guard, Adris DeLeon, had played his final game as a member of the Rainmen and heads back to his home country of the Dominican Republic.  He will be continue his basketball career with the Dominican national team.  We wish Adris all the best.
• Newest Faces:  The Rainmen's newest faces, Cameron Stanley and DeAndre Thomas, didn't see much floor time on Sunday.  Thomas saw the court for a little over 4 minutes and Stanley played just 3 minutes. 
• Canadian Watch:  Garry Gallimore 6 pts (2 threes), Jevohn Shepherd finished with 0 points, 2 rebounds and an assist
• Public Enemy #2:  The Rainmen now sit with an 8-2 record and are in the second spot behind the Puerto Rico Capitanes

Post Game Links:
The Chronicle Herald

"The Rainmen stayed perfect at home on the PBL season, pushing their second-place record to 8-2 at the halfway mark with a 104-83 win over the Manchester (N.H.) Millrats before an estimated 2,500 fans. It was the sixth straight home win for the Rainmen and third on their current five-game homestand."

Our Sports Central

"Tony Bennett had a huge game for the Rainmen, racking up 32-points, 20 of which were scored in the second half. Eric Crookshank was strong off the boards, pulling down 19 rebounds, while adding 18 points. The Rainmen started fast in Sunday's game with 33 points in the first quarter and never looked back."

Metro Halifax

"The Rainmen are 8-2 and pushing for their first Premier Basketball League playoff spot. The Millrats, a PBL semifinalist last year, are slipping further out of the race at 3-8."

The Rainmen are back in action this Saturday when they face off against the Maryland Greenhawks here in Halifax (Watch it live on Haligonia.ca!)

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Millrats-Rainmen Game Preview with Ian McCarthy, Manchester GM

The Halifax Rainmen (7-2) will celebrate Valentine's Day with a matchup against the Manchester Millrats (2-6) here in Halifax.  Like the Buffalo Stampede's schedule last weekend, Manchester has back to back games in Canada facing off the Quebec Kebs on Saturday afternoon and then heads to Halifax for a Sunday afternoon matchup.  The Millrats have made numerous roster changes since their 107-99 loss to the Halifax Rainmen back on January 24th and will roll into the Metro Centre with a new-look roster. 


I had the chance to to ask Ian McCarthy, Manchester's GM a little about the roster changes, the scouting report on Charles "The Beast" Easterling and his thoughts on the upcoming Rainmen-Millrats matchup.
_________

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  How has the roster changed since the last time the Rainmen and Millrats faced off?

Ian McCarthy:  Since we last played on the 24th, which seems like 3 months ago but it's only been 3 weeks, we've had a lot of changes. In fact only six players remain on our roster from that game.

Replacing Anthony Anderson, Al Stewart, Alexus Foyle, and Jose Guitian has been Charles Easterling, Charles Mason, Charles Bronson, and Julian Allen.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): What’s the scouting report on the new guy, Charles “The Beast” Easterling? What does he bring to Manchester?

Ian McCarthy:  The Beast is a power combo guard. He played for Manchester and Boston back in the ABA in 2007-2008, so I think your fans may remember him. He is very crafty with the ball and strong getting to the basket.

After Anderson left for Venezuela, we played a game against Vermont (a double OT loss), and we only had two ball handlers on our roster, which hurt us. So we have stayed in touch with Charles since our tryout camps and felt he could help be that additional ball handler.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Minor league basketball is known for constant roster changes and you’ve seen it first hand with a few faces leaving the team to pursue other playing opportunities. What’s the rundown on these guys and where did they head to?

Ian McCarthy: It's one of our three missions in what we do. Obviously we want to win a championship, we want to be successful off the court, and thirdly we want to be a place that helps players further their professional basketball career.

This year we have been more successful in the latter two, but we have been competitive every game, and at the end of the day, that's all a coach can ask. Despite helping five players move on in their careers in five weeks, we've been leading in the second half or even the final minute in all of our 7 losses. So yes that can be frustrating on one hand, but to win close games you need to have cohesiveness and veteran leadership, and that has been a challenge this season. I chose to look on the bright side and point out that we have our opponents respect. Also, the season is still young and there are a lot more games to be played.

As for the players who have left, Anthony Anderson went to Venezuela but may be returning next week. Alexus Foyle was named the MVP in Taiwan his first week there. PJ Young has gone to the Dominican Republic, and Jose Guitian to Puerto Rico. Luke Bonner, who left just prior to our last game vs. Halifax, will be suiting up for the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): What will Manchester have to do to prepare for this upcoming matchup with Halifax?

Ian McCarthy:  This is another tough weekend for us due to the travel. We are playing Quebec Saturday afternoon, then driving through the night to Halifax.

On the court, we need to play together, run our sets, and give maximum effort. If we do that we will be fine. Halifax is a great team (with two former Millrats I might add), and they seem to be gelling at the right time.
_________

The Manchester Millrats head to the Halifax Metro Centre this Sunday to face off against the Halifax Rainmen at 4:00pm (watch the game live here on Haligonia.ca!).  A huge thanks goes out Ian McCarthy for taking the time again to answer our questions, be sure to check out more about the Manchester Millrats at their official website.  Also, check out the last game preview with Ian McCarthy here.

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

The Fatigue Factor - RAINMEN 111, STAMPEDE 90

(Shaun "Mavs" Gillis with Tony Bennett post-game)

RAINMEN 111, STAMPEDE 90
Rainmen Record: 7-2

A back to back situation must be tough in the PBL, especially with an eight-man roster and without a head coach to lead the way. This was the case for the Buffalo Stampede who were without key players Mark Price and forward, Damone Brown in their back to back games in Canada. Buffalo pulled out the win against the Quebec Kebs on Saturday night but unfortunately had the tough task of travelling to Halifax the next day for another matchup.  And fatigue was a huge factor for Buffalo in yesterday's game as the Stampede collapsed in the second half resulting in a Rainmen victory, 111-90.  The Rainmen were able to capitalize on the tired Buffalo roster with an 11-0 run early in the third quarter to build a 12-point lead.  From that point on, Halifax let their bench close the game out.

The 21-point margin of victory was impressive but it wasn't exactly a pretty game for the Rainmen as they struggled to make shots early on.  The most glaring stat from the boxscore was how poorly Halifax shot from three point land.  Halifax was an atrocious 7 for 30 from beyond the arc as both Desmond Ferguson and Tony Bennett who are normally deadly shooters were cold from three.  It was the Rainmen defense that proved to be the difference maker as Halifax struggled on the other end.  Halifax held the tired Buffalo team to just 46% shooting with Buffalo committing 19 turnovers.

The Rainmen bench also came up big in this one with 52 points coming from the reserves.  Adris DeLeon was the lead spark off of the bench, leading the Rainmen in scoring with 17 points.  Eric Crookshank finished with the double double with 15 pts and 15 boards.  Rainmen newcomer and former member of the Buffalo Stampede, Cameron Stanley, made his Rainmen debut and finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds.

For the Stampede, Andy Robinson and Greg Gamble led they way with 29 points and 22 points respectively.  Gamble also finished with 11 rebounds.

Shaun "Mavs" Gillis and Romy Aquino's Player of the Game
Tony Bennett 16 pts, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Hat-tip to the Stampede
Andy Robinson 29 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Key Notes:

• Shorthanded Stampede:  Not only were the Stampede short a few players but they were also without a head coach.  Assistant coach Jordan Ellis took over the head coaching duties for Buffalo.
• Huge Third Quarter:  Halifax blew the game open with a strong third quarter, outscoring the Stampede 29-15
• Hustle Board Stats:  Halifax had 8 team blocks and 4 steals.  Buffalo on the other hand, had just 1 block and 0 steals.
• Points in the Paint:  66-40 in favour of the Rainmen
• Canadian Watch:  Jevohn Shepherd 8 pts, Garry Gallimore 4 pts
• Movin' On Up: Halifax moves to 7-2 and holds the second spot in the standings behind the undefeated Puerto Rico Capitanes
• If you missed yesterday's game, watch the replay here.
• The Halifax crowd donned the nickname "Big Country" for Buffalo's Garrett Schmidt, who had a striking resemblance to the former Vancouver Grizzly, Bryant "Big Country" Reeves
• Make sure you check out "Mavs" Gillis' interview with Heckler's Row

Post Game Links:

RainmenBasketball.ca

"The win over the visiting Buffalo Stampede improved the Rainmen’s record to 7-2 on the season, securing the team’s hold on second place in the Premier Basketball League."

OurSportsCentral.com

"The Stampede kept it close till the third quarter when the fresh Halifax team pulled away. The Rainmen were led by Adris DeLeon who had 17 points and Tony Bennett who had 16. Eric Crookshank had a good game for the Rainmen with 15 points and 15 rebounds."

The Rainmen will celebrate Valentine's Day next week with a matchup against the Manchester Millrats at 4pm here in Halifax. 

What did you guys think of the game?  What aspect of this Rainmen team has impressed you so far?  Where do you think the Rainmen can improve?  Let us know in the comment section below!

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Rainmen-Stampede Game Preview with Buffalo Stampede GM, Roosevelt Bouie

The 6-2 Halifax Rainmen face off against the 2-5 Buffalo Stampede this Sunday at the Halifax Metro Centre (Game time 2pm AST, watch it live here on Haligonia.ca!)  Buffalo is fresh off of a 114-111 win over the Manchester Millrats while the Rainmen are also off of a close victory, a three-point win against the defending champs,  Rochester Razorsharks.  Buffalo made their debut in the PBL last season and finishing with a 1-19 record.  This year, they look to make an improvement from last season but have a tough February schedule ahead of them with four of their five games on the road.

Roosevelt Bouie who is originally from New York,  is the GM of the Buffalo Stampede and was also a star centre for Syracuse from 1976 to 1980.  He had an outstanding career at Syracuse before continuing his professional basketball career overseas in Italy.   I had the chance to ask Roosevelt a few questions about the Stampede's matchup with the Rainmen, his thoughts on Cameron Stanley and his thoughts on a famous Canadian basketball family.

_________

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  For those who don't much about Buffalo, who are some of the standouts on this team?

Roosevelt Bouie:  Some of our standout players this year have been: Derick Payne who is no longer with us, Andy Robinson, Markus Price, Kevin Ross and Greg Gamble have all done a great job growing into a team that has confidence when they take the court.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): What does Buffalo have to do to prepare for their matchup against the Rainmen?

Roosevelt Bouie:  That is a good try for a sneak preview, our roster is constantly changing in an attempt to field a confident team. The Rainmen are a very good team and we will have our hands full.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You have back to back games in Canada, first Saturday in Quebec and then in Halifax on Sunday, what does the travel schedule look like for the team?

Roosevelt Bouie: There is always someone who gets a tough shake every now and then, it happened to me in every league and country. We try to worry about things we can control and travel schedule isn't one of them.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Former member of the Buffalo Stampede, Cameron Stanely, recently signed with Halifax. What's your take on Stanley's game?

Roosevelt Bouie: I am extremely focused on our team. At this present time he is on the opposing team. I do not wish to sound rude, this is developmental league basketball. There will be numerous players pass through the doors. As a player, I want them to do well.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): After your time in Syracuse, you went on to have a successful basketball career in Italy. What are your thoughts on how much the international game has grown, especially within the NBA?

Roosevelt Bouie:  The international game has come to the NBA in full force. One of the ways that I personally add value to playing for the Buffalo Stampede is by taking our team to tour Italy in June. I have booked tournaments for our players to be seen and invited GM's, Coaches and Scouts to attend the games. I also send bio information to each of the interested parties so they can do their homework on each player arriving.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You are a Syracuse alumni, what do you think about the Canadian kid at Syracuse, Andy Rautins? Did you ever work with his dad, the Canadian National team head coach Leo Rautins?

Roosevelt Bouie:  Leo and I are ex-teammates at Syracuse. It was his Red Shirt year so he did not play in the games, but he practiced with the team. Years later we met up again in Italy and played against one another for 4 years. We were united again in Spain, where we were teammates again. I have known Andy and all the Rautins boys for most of their lives, his oldest son was born in Rome. Since Syracuse we have met in Italy, Spain and Toronto. From time to time, I travel to Canada to work with some of their promising young big men. I have a room at their house in Syracuse.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Do you ever break out the jersey and shorts and teach some of the players a thing or two?

Roosevelt Bouie:  I break them out from time to time to break a sweat. At that point, I get a few "How To.." requests from the post players.

_________

The Buffalo Stampede come to the Halifax Metro Centre this Sunday to face off against the Halifax Rainmen at 2:00pm.  We want to thank Roosevelt for taking the time to chat, be sure to check out more about the Buffalo Stampede at their official website.

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

Talkin' Hoops with Ray Bala aka @CanBallReport of RaptorsHQ.com

If you need your weekly fix on all things about Canadian basketball, Ray Bala (aka @canballreport on Twitter) will provide just that.  The dude does his thing, keeping the internet hoop heads informed on where the Canadians are playing in the NCAA, what's happening in the CIS and even what's happening with the Canadian PBL teams (i.e. my hometown Halifax Rainmen).  I had the chance to speak with Ray on his love for Canadian basketball, his thoughts on the Raptors and a little bit about his sneaker love.

__________

Romy (Haligonia.ca): You have been one of the biggest supporters of the Canadian basketball scene that I've seen on the net. Whether you're spreading the word via Twitter or on RaptorsHQ, you're definitely keeping people informed. Where does that love for Canadian basketball come from?

Ray Bala:  To tell you the truth, I think it’s really because I love the game of basketball and seeing local guys get out there and represent being a Canadian baller on a higher stage. I’m not the kind of person that has really liked the NBA game like most people do growing up. Now I’m dating myself a little here, but when I was growing up I really didn’t have the amount of basketball available to me. I mean, back in the “early” days of cable TV you really only had whatever the American channels were showing on the weekends and the odd Monday or Thursday night and that meant either NBA or if you were lucky NCAA too. I didn’t have League Pass, live web feeds or stuff like that. All the basketball I watched was either on NBC/ABC/CBS or on the playground.

Now I grew up in Toronto, Scarborough to be exact, and I would hear about local guys all the time who were really good. Sometimes I’d even play against them in the playground or the rec centers and I’d hear that they had scholarships to this or that school so I would just try to follow them since they were local cats, like most people would of their own hometown heroes if you will. So when I would read about guys like Rowan Barrett at St John’s in the early 90s making noise at St John’s or Damien Reid at St Joseph’s and Dale Sawyers at Canisius in the mid 90s I would just feel a sort of affinity to them because they were local guys getting to the next level. Pretty soon it didn’t matter where they were from as long as they were Canadian. The same affinity is still there for the baller from Vancouver to St John. Like Adidas says, this is a brotherhood (or sisterhood) and my love for the game and for Canadians doing big things in and for the game really stems from that. Now it’s just a matter of spreading the good word of our boys and girls doing their thing to people who may not be aware and trying to get that same pride I have of our local ballers into more people.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): We're just a little past the halfway point of the NBA season, break down your thoughts on the Toronto Raptors so far.

Ray Bala:  I think the Raps have been a Jekyll and Hyde team though they have picked it up of late with a couple of timely wins against some big time teams. The team should definitely be playing better against certain opponents but I guess the Raps are still in the feeling out stage for some reason. They seem to be either weak or strong and haven’t really found the middle ground that good teams get to when they are legit threats in the post season. If they can get a consistent effort from role players and extra effort in some key areas from the money players not named Bosh I think the team would be playing better. If certain players can play their games, as they are being paid (read Hedo), and other guys accept their roles and play within them unless needed, we should be good for a deep playoff run.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Steve Nash has done wonders for the Canadian basketball scene, do you see any up and coming ball players that will be able to fill his shoes?

Ray Bala:  I know I’ll hear about it from people but at this point, I don’t think so. There are a lot of good, promising young players playing right now in high school and in the NCAA that can help elevate the profile of the game in Canada but none I would consider right now as the guy to fill Nash’s shoes. There are a lot names of people at many levels that I’ve been hearing about for a few years and I really think that the idea of someone filling Nash’s shoes in terms of a basketball icon in Canada is a little far fetched right now. People are always looking for the next Nash, but Nash is a once in a lifetime player in my mind. He may be the most regular looking, anti-LeBron type guy but managed to become this larger than life basketball god, particularly in Canada. Now don’t let this mean that I don’t think it will happen, because I really hope it does, but no one can fill his shoes any time soon. We had to wait a long time for another Gretzky and the guys who followed him that had promise never came close to touching his legacy. There are many promising players, but none right now with that combo of game, charisma and presence to pull it off.

Romy (Haligonia.ca):  Who is your favorite current Canadian ball player that isn't playing the NBA?

Ray Bala:  Now that’s a tough question. There are a bunch of guys that I could choose from and I was never a guy to play favorites but right now it may just be have to be Tyler Kepkay from Vancouver. Here is a guy who was playing on Canadian National Team for two straight summers and he’s a lights out shooter. This dude can straight stuff a stat sheet! Coming out of high school, he had some low D-1 and D-2 offers but he decided to skip on them a take a chance and play at a Junior College to get to a better school. Crazy right, especially for a 5’10” guard! But he ends up as a JuCo All American, First Team might I add, and lead the country in scoring his second year and gets an offer to play at Utah who at the time had Luke Nevill from Australia there. He starts there in a more subdued offense so his numbers don’t reflect his contribution. This guy is all heart and can flat out play the game. He’s playing in Europe right now and he’s also a great person. I’ve seen him the past few summers at the Canada Basketball training camps and he’s always said hello and stopped to chat. He’s really genuine.

I have other guys in mind like Russell Hicks from Niagara Falls, Tristan Blackwood from Toronto, Jesse Young from Peterborough, ON and Levon Kendall also from Vancouver but Kepkay is the guy right now.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): Gone are the days of Bryant "Big Country" Reeves and Shareef Abdur-Rahim playing in Van-city, do you think we'll ever see a second Canadian franchise in the NBA? What will it take to make it happen?

Ray Bala:  Bring back Big Country, Reef and Lawrence “Poetry in” Moten please!!! But seriously, I’d love to see another NBA team in Canada but I just don’t think that there is that kind of support just yet from a fan base perspective. I mean, if you take a look at the Vancouver situation, everything there was great in terms of what a pro would want in a pro city: climate, facilities, and management. But the fan base still didn’t come out to support the team on a nightly basis. Really, I think the novelty of an NBA franchise wore off after a while and with the team not winning much and seemingly not making any progress towards winning in a big way, the support fizzled.

For another market to be able to support an NBA franchise there would have to be a great, continuous and supportive fan base period. The environment would need to be small town for this big city team if you know what I mean. If another Canadian city could bottle up the energy of a Halifax Rainmen game and fill a stadium of about 18,000 people with that energy and enthusiasm and the franchise to be able to sustain that energy year in, year out for the early part of the franchise than a team would be able to stick around. Well that and a bunch of owners that have deep pockets and aren’t afraid to take a risk.

Romy (Haligonia.ca): I know you're a sneaker buff, what was your favorite pair that you rocked when you were younger?

Ray Bala: Another tough question. Again, I’m dating myself but it would be a toss up between the OG Jordan V Grapes I got the summer of seventh grade on a trip to Florida or the OG Air Flight Huarache basketball in black and purple. Those were my two favorite pairs back in the day when I thought that paying $145 for a pair of ball shoes was just simply nuts! Both were tough kicks and in the case of the Grape V’s, they weren’t being sold in Toronto until two weeks after I got back from my trip so I had older guys just staring at my feet for hours. Both were crazy comfortable and they lasted me almost 12 months each including wearing through snow and rain and in the case of the Huaraches, through one extra year of working the front line of a Wendy’s. I still have the OG boxes for those bad boys and the OG lace locks from the Grapes!

A close second would have to be my only pair of Patrick Ewings. I got those in time for basketball season and they were all black with the only color accent coming in the white of the Ewing stitched autograph on the outside above my ankle. Now I’ll be the first to say it here, I was the first and only dude I knew that rocked Ewings before they started coming in suede and in those crazy colorways. Sorry ‘Trick but those joints were really wack!
__________

A huge thanks goes out to Ray for taking the time to chat.  Be sure to check him out everywhere, he's on RaptorsHQ.com spreading the Canadian hoop word, he's on Twitter as @canballreport and he can also be found at SlamOnline.com writing about Canadian ballers.

Romy Aquino covers the pro basketball game (the Canadian Flavour of the NBA, the PBL's Halifax Rainmen) from a fan's perspective.  He also can be found at NBA hoops blogs, Hip Hoop Junkies (A Member of TheScore.com's Sports Federation) and Hoop Heads North.  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino