APBL Marquee Match-up as Division Leaders Battle
Game: Palmieri Jeans Destroyers (9-1) at Bay Area Shuckers (5-3)
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Kilby Center, Annapolis Area Christian School, 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, Maryland
Last Game: Shuckers evened their road record to 2-2 with a hard fought 122-118 win over the Nova Hawks in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, January 19th. The Destroyers topped the North Jersey Pros 110-95 on the 19th to win their sixth straight.
Common Opponents: Record: Shuckers 4-0, Destroyers 4-0, Points for: Shuckers 124, Destroyers 116.75, Points against: Shuckers 113.5, Destroyers 103.5.
Career Series: Destroyers lead the series 2-1. The Destroyers won the last match-up in a shoot-out in Philadelphia, 152-138, on April 14, 2012.
Shuckers Player to Watch: #3 G Joe Addis (6’1”, 175, CCBC-Essex), #23 Ameer Ali (6’6”, 250, Morgan State), #1 Jabril Bailey (6’4”, 193, Slippery Rock), #45 F Gus Chase (6’5”, 250, Georgetown College), #5 G Rocky Coleman (6’3”, 180, Towson), #11 G Terry Hosley (6’, 160, Maryland Bible), #15 G Mike McKenzie (6’1”, 170, Delaware State), #14 G Lamarr Shorts (6’2”, 205, Bryan College), #24 G Gerald Stansbury (6’2”, 190, Marymount), #33 F Anthony Thomas (6’6”, 212, American International), #32 F Danny Thompson (6’7”, 230, Mount St. Mary’s) , #21 F Perry Wright (6’4”, 190, Widener), #34 Teon Knox (6’9”, 290, Pikeville).
Destroyers Players to Watch: F Fahreed Cheatham (6’6”, Cheyney State), F Sherman Brittingham (6’6”, California U of PA), G Jesse Fells (6’1”, Fayetteville State), F Akil Moody (6’6”, Bridgeport).
Shuckers Snapshot: The Shuckers, who have led their division since the first game of the season, upped their record to 3-0 in the Colonial with a 122-118 win over the Hawks. They enter this contest at 5-3 as they begin a six-game home stand. Balanced scoring, led by Terry Hosley continues to be the Shuckers strong point, as this past weekend five Shuckers players scored in double figures: Hosley (27), Danny Thompson (26), Gus Chase (20), Rocky Coleman (18), and Jabril Bailey (18). The entire roster also played a significant role as Joe Addis, Ameer Ali, Teon Knox, Mike McKenzie, Lamarr Shorts, and Anthony Thomas all played roles in the win.
Destroyers Snapshot: After being division rivals of the Shuckers last season the Destroyers have moved to the Northern Conference and become a dominant force winning nine of their ten games to date; their only loss coming to the Hudson Valley Kingz on December 1st (109-106).
Outlook: The Shuckers received a huge boost from their road win last weekend against the Hawks, evening their road record to 2-2 this year, after being 1-5, including a second round playoff loss in Hartford, Connecticut last season. They are also just one win away from their win total (6) in their inaugural season in 2011-2012. While the Shuckers are a relative new kid on the minor basketball league block, the Destroyers, founded in 1998, are one of the longest running basketball teams in the minors. They have four league championships to their credit, but are looking for their first in the APBL. In their lone meeting last season at the Kilby Center, the Shuckers handed the previously unbeaten Destroyers, who were riding a 7-0 streak, a 133-123 loss on February 18, 2012. Conference bragging rights are on the line as the Southern Conference Colonial Division leading Shuckers take on the Northern Conference Gateway Division leaders, the Destroyers. To date the Shuckers are 2-0 against the North, while the Destroyers are 1-0 against the South.
For more information on the Bay Area Shuckers please visit www.BayAreaShuckers.com. Mini season ticket packages may also be purchased on-line at the team’s web site.
