Backs Against the Wall - CAVALRY 108, RAINMEN 104

CAVALRY 108, RAINMEN 104
Playoff Series:  CAVS lead the series 1-0
An 11-2 run by the Cavs in the second quarter proved to be the difference maker in the Halifax Rainmen's first-ever playoff game. 

The first round playoff series between the Rainmen and the Lawton Fort-Sill Cavs was played in Halifax on Thursday night, where the Rainmen have played well all season with their 8-1 home record.  But the Rainmen struggled to protect their home court when the Cavalry capitalized on the Rainmen's struggles in the second quarter. 

Tim Ellis of the Lawton Fort-Sill Cavs got hot in the second when he scored 13 of his 29 points and the Cavs outscored the Rainmen 31-14. Halifax went shot poorly in the second quarter when Gary Ervin, who has been a integral part to the Rainmen's offense, went 0-6 from the field.  Things also got physical towards the end of the half when Ervin got into the face of Cavs' guard Tim Ellis after an Ellis foul.  This sparked a bit of a shoving match between both teams which ultimately led to double technicals on both Ervin and Ellis along with Tony Bennett.  The Cavs capped off the half with a 14-point lead.

But the Rainmen bounced back.  Gary Ervin took control in the second half, as the Rainmen pushed their way back into the contest.  A Rainmen run in the final four minutes got this Rainmen team as close as three points.  Unfortunately, this was as close as it got.  The Rainmen defense struggled to make key stops down the stretch and made a couple of pivotal turnovers to give the strong LFS Cavs a 1-0 series lead.

The Cavs were led by 6'5" forward, Tim Ellis, who scored 29 points.  The Rainmen had no answer for the forward who played 44 minutes.  Jamaal Davis chipped in with 20 points and guard, Eddie Smith, scored 21 points.

For the Rainmen, even though Gary Ervin struggled in the second quarter, he was also the driving force to get the Rainmen back into the game in the second half.  Ervin had 26 pts, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.  He was also 14/15 from the free throw line.  The face of the Rainmen franchise, Eric Crookshank, struggled in his playoff debut, finishing with just 7 points.  Desmond Ferguson nailed 5 triples throughout the night and had 25 points.

Shaun "Mavs" Gillis and Bill McLean's Player of the Game
Jamaal Davis 20 pts, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal

Romy Aquino's Player of the Game
Tim Ellis 29 pts, 9 rebounds, 4 assist, 2 steals

Hat-tip to the Rainmen
Gary Ervin 26 pts, 7 rebounds, 9 assists

Key Notes:

• Glaring Stat of the Night:  20 turnovers for Halifax to the Cavs' 9
• Points in the Paint:  58-40 for the Cavs
• Battle of the Boards:  Halifax had the edge, rebounding-wise, outrebounding the Cavs 47-44, LFS had the edge on the offensive boards 13-7
• No MVP?  DeAnthony Bowden, the LFS Cavs' leading scorer with 17.2 ppg (and also a PBL MVP candidate), was not on the Cavs' roster due to passport issues
• Matchup of the Night:  The most entertaining matchup of the night had to be Strick and Oliver Miller, there's nothing like watching two almost-40 year-olds battle it out in the paint.  The matchup alone is worth the price of admission.
• Canadian Content:  Garry Gallimore sat this game out with an injury, while Jevohn Shepherd played only 23 seconds in the closing minutes.
• Did you miss the game?  Watch a full replay of the game here

Post Game Links:
Metro Halifax
"The Rainmen put up a season-low 14 points in the second quarter and — despite holding the edge in three other stanzas — were unable to recover in a 108-104 loss to the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry in the opener of the Premier Basketball League best-of-three semifinals before a crowd of 1,925 at the Metro Centre on Thursday."

The Chronicle Herald
"Four times in the final 2½ minutes, Ervin drew the Rainmen to within three points but each time the Cavs answered with a basket of their own. After he shaved the deficit to 105-104 by making a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left, the Cavs closed things out by knocking down three foul shots and forcing a turnover on Halifax’s final possession."

Game two of this first-round series is on Sunday in Lawton, Oklahoma. It's make it or break it time for the Rainmen!

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-Cavs Battle it out in OT - LFS CAVS 104, RAINMEN 98 (OT)

LFS CAVS 104, RAINMEN 98 (OT)
Rainmen Record:  11W-6L
Another overtime game and another overtime loss. 

The Halifax Rainmen are now winless in their overtime matchups this season, losing their first home game to the Lawton Fort-Sill Cavalry 104-98 in a hard fought battle last night.  Halifax quickly built a 9-point lead late in the fourth quarter with three consecutive three balls from Desmond Ferguson, Tony Bennett and Gary Ervin that brought the Halifax Metro Centre to their feet.  But Halifax's 9-point lead at the 3:31 mark quickly turned into a one-point lead in a matter of 90 seconds.  Lawton Fort-Sill made a couple of quick steals and baskets to get back into the contest.  Eddie Smith's basket with 11 seconds to play forced the overtime period.

In overtime, the Cavs' Eddie Smith and Brandon Dean made a couple of key baskets to keep Halifax at bay.  Smith led the Cavs with 25 points and proved to be one of the difference makers in the matchup.  Halifax went 4 for 10 from the field in the overtime period.

For the Rainmen, 2010 PBL All-Star, Gary Ervin, continues to impress leading the Halifax Rainmen with 26 pts, 11 rebounds and 6 dimes.  Eric Crookshank had a huge double double with his 17 points, 18 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Bill McLean and Ryan Dickison's Player of the Game
Eddie Smith 25 pts, 6 rebounds, 2 assists

Romy Aquino's Player of the Game
Elvin Mims 20 pts, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals

Hat-tip to the Rainmen
Gary Ervin 26 pts, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

Key Notes:

• Glaring Stat of the Night:  LFS bench outscored Halifax's bench 45-9
• Rebounds:  The Cavs won the rebound battle 64-52, LFS worked it on the offensive glass, outrebounding Halifax 26-15
• Points in the Paint:  The LFS bigs got it done down low, scoring 50 points in the paint

• Remember Oliver Miller from back in the day?  Oliver Miller, the former NBA baller who played with the Phoenix Suns back in the 90's was in attendance as a member of the LFS Cavs, "The Big O" finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks
• Canada Watch:  Garry Gallimore 2 pts
• PBL All-Stars:  The game was full of 2010 PBL all-stars which included the two 2010 All-Star coaches (Berry, Richardson), two LFS players (Dean, Mims), four Halifax players (Ervin, Ferguson, Crookshank, Bennett)
• Watch the full replay of last night's game here

Post Game Links:
The Chronicle Herald
"It was the fourth time in six games that they’ve lost in overtime, putting in peril a playoff berth that seemed secure only a month ago, before the Rainmen, 9-2 at the time, embarked on a three-game road trip in which they lost all three in extra time."

ThePBL.com
"Unfortunately, in spite of a valiant effort, the Halifax Rainmen couldn’t overcome the Cavalry. The Rainmen trailed by various margins throughout the game, including 13-spread when the Cavalry went on a 19-4 tear to start the second quarter, that built up a 40-27 midway through the quarter."

Next up, the Rainmen head back on the road in an important matchup against the Vermont Frost Heaves on April 2nd...

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 Big Payback - RAINMEN 102, CAVALRY 92

RAINMEN 102, CAVALRY 92

Rainmen Record: 4W - 1L

4 in a row.

The Halifax Rainmen got their revenge on the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry last night at the Halifax Metro Centre defeating the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry 102-92.  Tony Bennett took over in the final quarter where he scored 12 of his 24 points as Halifax won their fourth game in a row since their lone loss against the Cavs back on January 3rd. 

Halifax came out strong and built a 12-point lead after the opening quarter but quickly went cold in the second as the Cavs got back into the game with a 14-2 run to start the second quarter.  By the half, the Cavs had knocked down the Rainmen's 12-point lead to just three points.  Halifax traded the lead with the Oklahoma team in the third quarter until Halifax closed it out in the final 12 minutes.

Gary "G-Smooth" Ervin, a former NBA D-Leaguer and starting point guard for Halifax, had an impressive performance for the Rainmen, scoring a season-high 18 pts but also pulled down a whopping 16 boards, which was another season-high for the guard.  Desmond Ferguson scored 22 points and drained 5 threes to help the Rainmen raise money for Haiti disaster relief (the team donated $300 for each Rainmen three-pointer from last night's contest).  Halifax made 13 threes which accounted for $3900 going toward the cause.

For the Cavs, Shaun Fountain led the team with 20 points followed by Tim Ellis who scored 17 points.  DeAnthony Bowden, who was the Cavs' leading scorer was held to just 11 points.

Cavs' Michael Ray Richardson was comical to watch from the sidelines as the animated coach made no attempt to ignore the Halifax hecklers.  Richardson kept the spectators entertained as he continued to talk to the crowd (and John Strickland, who played for Richardson with the Albany Patroons) throughout the game.

Shaun "Mavs" Gillis & Ryan Dickison Player of the Game:

Gary Ervin 18 pts, 16 rebounds, 3 assists

Romy Aquino's Player of the Game:

Tony Bennett 24 pts, 6 assists, 5 rebounds

Hat-tip to the Cavs:
Tim Ellis  17 pts, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks

Key Notes:

• Big Boards: With double digit rebounding games from both Ervin (16) and Crookshank (18), Halifax won the rebounding battle 57-40
• Off the Bench:  Halifax stuck mainly with their starters as the Rainmen bench scored just 15pts while the Cavs' bench scored 44 pts
• Droppin' Dimes: The Rainmen starters did a great job sharing the ball, accounting for 17 of the Rainmen's 20 assists
  
• New Faces:  Marc Mazur looks to be fitting in well with his new team, Mazur scored 10 pts as the Rainmen starting center.  DeAndre Thomas (aka "Baby Strick") on the other hand, has yet to make an impression with Halifax.  Thomas had 0 pts, 3 rebounds and 3 fouls in just three minutes of play.
  
• Canadian Watch:  Garry Gallimore scored 4 pts while Jevohn Shepherd dressed but was a DNP
  

Post Game Links:

The Chronicle Herald

"...But Friday night’s victory in front of 3,262 spectators at the Metro Centre was especially sweet, avenging a season-opening road loss to the Cavalry."

Metro Halifax

"Point guard Gary Ervin had another big game, hauling down a whopping 16 rebounds to go along with 18 points, while Eric Crookshank had yet another double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds. Desmond Ferguson hit four of his five three-pointers in the first quarter en route to a 22-point outing and Marc Mazur logged some key minutes at centre and had 10 points."

PBL.com

"The team also struck 13 three-pointers, good for $300 a piece for Haiti disaster relief, for a total donation of $3,900 by Team Owner Andre Levingston."

Next up:  The Rainmen are on the road for two games.  Once against Manchester (this Sunday) and then again for a game against the undefeated Puerto Rico Capitanes (next Thursday) before returning back home Sunday to face off against Rochester. 

Will the Rainmen go 2-0 on the road? 1-1? 0-2? 

Post your thoughts 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

Halifax Rainmen (3-1) vs. Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry (3-1) Game Preview

Halifax Rainmen (3-1) vs. Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry (3-1)

Halifax Metro Centre, Game Time 7:00 pm AST

Live online coverage here on Haligonia.ca!

The Rainmen have a tough test ahead of them, as they face off against the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry Friday night in Halifax.  Halifax's lone loss came against the Cavalry when they faced off earlier in the season.  This will be the Rainmen's last home game before they head on the road for two games, one against the Manchester Millrats and another against the undefeated Puerto Rico Capitanes.

Halifax played the Cavalry in their home opener when Halifax lost 102-87 in Oklahoma.  The Rainmen struggled from three-point land in that game, where they shot a miserable 4 for 25 from three.  Brandon Dean scored 19 pts and Wayne Marshall scored 18 for the Cavs.

Halifax will look to win their fourth game in a row after defeating the Vermont Frost Heaves 119-109 last Saturday evening.  The Cavs on the other hand,  are fresh off of a loss as they blew their 20-point lead against Puerto Rico, losing 101-94.  It was their first loss of the season.

Keep an eye on...

• Leading scorer:  DeAnthony Bowden 17.2 ppg
• Leading rebounder:  Elvin Mims 6.8 rpg

OTHER RAINMEN NEWS:

• Well here comes more roster moves.... Halifax released centre Gordon Malone and point guard Antwan "Antifreeze" Dobie
• Andre Levington on Malone: “We decided to release Gordon Malone because we needed a more versatile player in that role”
• The Rainmen also traded a 2011 second round draft pick to the Manchester Millrats for 6'7" forward, Marlowe Currie
• Latest tweet on Currie:"Direct quote from Levingston on Currie: “He can step out and hit the three so he’s a mismatch for a lot of other forwards.” (via @metrorainmen)
• Currie was on the PBL All-Playoff Team last season with Halifax's Desmond Ferguson (formerly of Manchester)
• Also, check out Haligonia's Q and A with Halifax's own, Devon Norris
  

Can the Rainmen continue their hot streak against the Cavs?  What do you think of the latest roster changes?  Post your thoughts 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

Breaking Down the Boxscore – CAVALRY 102, RAINMEN 87

CAVALRY 102, RAINMEN 87

Halifax Rainmen Record: 0-1
The Rainmen made their regular season debut on Sunday against one of the newest teams to the PBL, the Lawton-Fort Still Cavalry. The Cavalry, formerly of the CBA and located in Oklahoma, displayed an excellent showing Sunday as they defeated Halifax 102-87. The Rainmen on the other hand, were short-handed as they were without recently released forward Mark McCarroll and guards, Lonell Jones and local flavour, Devon Norris, who did not make the trip to Oklahoma.  The leading scorer for the Rainmen was Tony Bennett with 17 points, 4 assists and 5 boards.