The PBL was formed in 2007 after a number of disagreements between several former member teams of the modern American Basketball Association (ABA) and ABA CEO Joe Newman. Eight of the initial ten PBL teams either played in or were slated to play in the ABA.
 Rochester wins title Team records fell like the glass from the shattered backboard Sunday at the Blue Cross Arena. The Rochester RazorSharks won their second league championship in three years in a rout, setting a scoring record with the 142-112 victory over the Arkansas Impact in the first ever Premier Basketball League championship in front of an announced crowd of 9,717. With two minutes to go in the first quarter, the backboard shattered when Sammy Monroe attempted a slam dunk. Thick glass showered the court, and on forward James Reaves and Monroe. Medical and emergency staff quickly attended to both Monroe and Reaves, an Edison graduate. The Blue Cross Arena staff took 30 minutes to replace the backboard. With bandages across their foreheads and necks, both Reaves and Monroe returned game when play resumed. "There was a lot of pain  a lot of pain  but it's all worth it," Reaves said. The former All-Greater Rochester player finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. After the game, Reaves went to get stitches for some of the cuts. "It was kind of scary, because the glass got in my eyes, but I couldn't not play in that game," said Reaves. Their gallant efforts to return to the game after the frightening accident spurred the team, and the Sharks doubled their lead in a six-minute span, going up 41-29 with 9 minutes left in the first half. Monroe led all scorers in the first quarter with 11. The Sharks, who have 47-game home win streak, attacked the Impact from beyond the arc in the second quarter, led by Keith Friel, who was 5-for-8 from the 3-point line. Rochester's 73 first-half points set a team record. It also put a dagger in the hearts of Arkansas' players. "I don't think we have ever shot the ball like we shot the ball today," Sharks coach Rod Baker said. "We do that, and guard well, you're going to win." Rochester maintained a 30-point advantage almost the entire second half. Friel capped the season with his best offensive performance of his RazorSharks career. Friel set a season record for points in a game with 35. He set his previous record of 30 in Maryland Feb. 24. He also tied his own record of seven 3-pointers. "To share another championship with the city of Rochester is really something special and something I don't think words can really describe," Friel, the game's MVP, said. "I'm elated. Everything that we have worked for, all the hard work, all the sprints, they have really paid off." Friel, Reaves and Demond Stewart were all a part of the 2006 American Basketball Association championship team. "The way this town has gotten behind us, they deserve this championship," said Baker. Courtesy of Democrat and Chronicle
Player of the Year: Bobby Anderson (6'6''-G-79) of Quad City Guard of the Year: Bobby Anderson (6'6''-G-79) of Quad City Forward of the Year: James Reaves (6'8''-F-82) of Rochester Center of the Year: Aaron Williams (6'8''-C/F-85) of Reading Coach of the Year: Rod Baker of Rochester 1st Team Ryan Edwards of Quad City James Reaves of Rochester Bobby Anderson of Quad City Jeremy Bell (6'0''-G-83) of Arkansas Aaron Williams (6'8''-C/F-85) of Reading 2nd Team Marlin Johnson (6'4''-F-75) of Rochester Anthony Lumpkin (6'1''-G-78) of Jacksonville Charles Ward (6'7''-F-79) of Wilmington Reggie George (6'10''-C-85) of Rockford Tayron Thomas (6'3''-G) of Reading Honorable Mention Brian Greene (6'5''-G/F-84) of Jacksonville Stanley Thomas (6'5''-F-80) of Chicago Jermaine Williams (6'7''-G/F-79) of Wilmington Jared Mills (6'6''-F-81) of Reading Frank Richards (6'2''-G-82) of Rockford |
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