By BRIAN WOODSON
BECKLEY — Desmond Cambridge stole a pass in the backcourt, and then connected on a 3-point shot. That increased the Nashville Broncs lead by four.
Confused? Don’t be. Under the rules in the American Basketball Association, when a turnover is caused in the backcourt, a revolving 3-D light is turned on and any points on that possession count for an extra point.
That’s just part of the unique experience that basketball fans from across the region got during their first glimpse of the ABA during the West Virginia Blazers home opener on Sunday at the Raleigh County Armory.
While the Blazers dropped a 112-82 decision to Nashville — the second ranked team in the ABA — it was a history-making day for West Virginia and professional sports.
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WVa., who served as the “13th man” for the Blazers, addressed the small crowd at halftime, pleased to have pro sports in the Mountain State.
“It makes me extremely proud to have a professional basketball team in my area,” Rahall said. “I think they’ve got to keep the faith, they’re a young team and it’s just going to take a lot of patience and persistence and I am very proud of them.”
West Virginia, which dropped to 0-7 on the season, was led by Desi Crisp with 22 points and 19 from Maurice Davis, but the Blazers were outscored 65-28 in the middle two quarters, falling behind by 47 on Cambridge’s three-pointer-turned four-point play.
Tony Webster, West Virginia’s head coach, understood when the Blazers were formed by the Bluefield Housing Authority that the first season would be a learning experience for his 14-man roster, all of whom are signed to one-year contracts for minimal pay.
“This is all new to me and all new to them so we knew this year was going to be a real hard year. Now I know what type of guys we have to have to be competitive in this league,” Webster said. “That’s why this is a one-year contract, and we’ll see what we have.
“We’ll hopefully get through this year without getting anybody hurt or anybody injured. We’re going to play each game one game at a time and try to get us a win.”
The Blazers will return to Beckley on Wednesday and Thursday to play the New Jersey Express. Both games start at 7:30 p.m. West Virginia lost twice in New Jersey last week, falling by 3 and 13 points.
Ranked second among 48 ABA teams across America, the Jan van Breda Kolff-coached Broncs were aggressive from the start, led by Johnny Cooperwood, who had 19 of his game-high 27 points in the first half.
Cooperwood hit five of Nashville’s 11 3-pointers, while Curtis Lewis added three and finished with 13 points. Patrick Chambers tossed in 14, while former University of Tennessee product Jereme Hendrix canned 22. Marquis Patton added 10.
“That is a real good Nashville team... they’re probably one of the best in the ABA,” said Webster, whose Blazers lost at Nashville 128-107 in the team’s first-ever game on Dec. 12. “We’ve got to get four quarters in all the time.
“Right now we’re not playing four quarters and until we can do four quarters, then we’re not going to win many ball games. I think if we continue and get things right we’re going to be all right.”
West Virginia trailed just 19-16 after one quarter, but the Broncs went on a 28-13 second period run to take a 47-29 lead into the break. Nashville outscored the Blazers 37-15 in the third period to push the margin to 40 at 84-44.
“They pushed the ball and we knew they were very athletic young men,” Webster said. “A lot of them played ball at Kentucky and places like that so if I’m going to lose to one that is this bad I’m glad it’s one of them at the top.
“I’m not giving up on this team. We’re going to play, we’re going to work hard and we’re going to come out Wednesday and play New Jersey and see what we can do.”
Despite the lack of wins, Crisp is definitely proud to play for the Blazers.
“I actually think we’re coming together since the beginning of the season, but right now it’s a work in progress,” Crisp said. “The more we play together the more it is going to come so we’re just going to fight.
“It’s our first season so we’ve got to take what we can get. I’m lovin’ it though, I’m really lovin’ it.”
While the result wasn’t what the Blazers wanted, Rahall said the fact that the team played its first home game was a reason for celebration.
“I thought it was a good turnout, certainly the fans are to be commended for their support of the team and it certainly is a great program with the net profits going to intervention programs and prevention programs,” Rahall said. “I think all the sponsors deserve applause for their sponsorship, I think it’s going to take some time, I’m very happy for them.
“Although they didn’t win this game and their record is not that great so far, everybody is a winner though. It is all for a winning cause.”
Crisp agrees. He’s one of the few Blazers not from the local area. He played at North Carolina-Pembroke, and has since suited up for ABA clubs in North Carolina and Texas. He’s glad to be in West Virginia, helping the Bluefield Housing Authority to raise funds for programs to be used for at-risk children in Mercer County.
“I’m really enjoying it for the cause we’re doing it for, I’m really loving it,” Crisp said. “I came down here to help them out and hopefully they can help me out as well. I really like what they’re doing and that’s what one of the reasons that got me to come down here.”
In addition to an entertaining basketball game, the crowd was entertained at halftime by West Virginia native and Nashville recording artist K.K. Smith, who also sang the National Anthem.
All military personnel and veterans were also honored during the game.
“I really think the crowd came out and supported us real well,” Webster said. ‘I’m not real pleased with what happened on the court, but it’s going to take a while to get all this together.”
Joey Preast and Melvin Rodgers scored nine points apiece for the Blazers.
*****
at Raleigh County Convention Center
NASHVILLE (112)
Curtis Lewis 5 0-0 13, Josh Cooperwood 11 0-0 27, Desmond Cambridge 2 (+4) 6, Patrick Chambers 5 4-7 14, Jereme Hendrix 5 11-14 22, Marcus Kinzer 3 2-2 8, Marquis Patton 4 2-2 10, LaKory Daniels 2 0-0 4, Terrance Woods 1 5-5 8. Totals 38 11 112.
WEST VIRGINIA (82)
DeNelle Hale 1 0-1 2, Chawn Martin 1 0-0 3, Cedrick Brown 3 2-4 8, Corey Love 2 1-1 6, Desi Crisp 10 0-0 22, Maurice Davis 6 7-12 19, Neil Rasnake 0 0-0 0, Justin Bennet 0 0-0 0, Chris Nichols 1 0-0 2, Brian Kidd 1 0-0 2, Joey Preast 2 3-5 9, Melvin Rodgers 4 1-2 9. Totals 31 14-25 82.
Nashville..........................19 28 37 28 — 112
West Virginia...................16 13 15 38 — 82
3-point goals: NV 11 (Cooperwood 5, Lewis 3, Woods 1, Hendrix 1, Cambridge 1); WV 6 (Preast 2, Crisp 2, Love 1, Martin 1). Total fouls: NV 22; WV 25. Fouled out: n/a (In ABA rules, players don’t foul out).
