NABL Revives

The NABL League News

	North American Basketball Alliance Revives National AAU League in Five Cities

	Las Vegas, NV....The National Alliance Basketball League (NABL) has been formed by five Elite AAU Mens Basketball teams, to begin play December 28th. It is the revival of the former National AAU Basketball League, which operated in the 1960's and 1970's. Since then, AAU Elite teams have played touring schedules exclusively. The five teams operating this year are the Evansville (IN) Orbits, the Owensboro (KY) Showboats, the Frankfort(KY) Cattle Barons, the Kentucky (Lexington) Coyotes, and the Charleston(WV) Bombers. Also included in the league are the Akron (OH) Wingfoots, the Ohio Valley Bulldogs, and the Dayton (OH) Aeros. These AAU touring teams will play NABL teams this year and then join the league next year when they can arrange a full schedule of home games at their local arenas. AAU Mens Basketball is the oldest continuous organized basketball in the world. The first AAU National Mens Tournament was started by Dr. Naismith in 1894. The New York Knicks won the tournament in 1898 and 1900, when peach baskets were still used! Famous AAU teams that played in the NABL or its predecessor leagues were the Akron Wingfoots, Peoria Cats, Phillips 66ers, Firestone Non Skids, Seattle Buchan Bakers, and Marathon Oilers. Kentucky, historically a hotbed of AAU basketball, will have three teams in the NABL. Historically, the Marathon Oilers and Jerry's Restaurants were two legendary AAU teams that played in the NABL. Frankfort and the Kentucky Coyotes, based in Lexington, replace these historic teams and are joined by the Owensboro Showboats. Players in the NABL are the equivalent of second division international players. They are for the most part collegiate stars looking to continue their career either in the NBA or International basketball. The purpose of the NABL is to develop these players for eventual placement in pro basketball. The NABL will play a 20 game conference schedule beginning December 28th and ending March 14th. A conference postseason tournament will follow, with winners advancing to the 97th Annual AAU Mens Basketball Tournament April 11-16 in Sacramento. The Charleston Bombers, who play at the Charleston Rec Center, are a long time AAU team sponsored by Dave Spurlock. They have recently completed a six game schedule against collegiate teams and a foreign trip to Brazil. The Kentucky Coyotes play at the home of their sponsor, the Kentucky Basketball Academy. The Coyotes began their history with a victory over Kentucky State and are considered the 'prototype' 21st century NABL organization. The Frankfort Cattle Barons play at the Farnham Dudgeon Civic Center and are sponsored by Boardwalk Records. They also opened up in November against college teams. The Owensboro Showboats play at the historic Owensboro Sports Center and are sponsored by Seamco Sporting Goods and the Owensboro Basketball Academy headed by former NBA star Kenny Higgs. The Evansville Orbits will play at the historic Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Coliseum and are sponsored by Orvin Watches. The Orbits opened with a college schedule to prepare for the NABL season. The NABL office is located in Las Vegas under the direction of NABL Executive Director Tom Ficara. Ficara is a former Promotions Director of Athletics at Temple University and Coordinator of Electronic Media at LSU. He is also the owner of the old TVS Television Network and Mizlou Television Network libraries and seven historic record labels. For more information on the NABL and its teams please contact: nablbasketball.com www.evansvilleorbits.com www.owensboroshowboats.com www.frankfortcattlebarons.com www.kentuckycoyotes.com www.charlestonbombers.com