The Steel City Yellow Jackets split their opening weekend games losing 131-124 on Saturday night and coming out victorious 114-105 on Sunday night. The Yellow Jackets are now (1-1) on the season as they continue their track to making the playoffs for the third straight season.
We are through one week of play as we begin the American Basketball Association's 50th season of play and the Yellow Jackets would end the opening weekend coming out with a record of (1-1). Their first game of the season featured a match up with the Kentucky Enforcers in which they lost by the final score of 131-124.
The Yellow Jackets would lead that game through half time by the score of 63-59. However, the Enforcers would fight back in this one, however, tying the game at 91 going into the final quarter of play before they pulled ahead for good eventually winning the game by the score of 131-124 and handing the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the year.
In the game. Juan Fanklin would lead the team with a season high 32 points to go along with five assists and two rebounds on his way to winning the Steel City Yellow Jackets player of the game. Franklin was also clutch at the free throw line shooting 85% on the night, six for seven, in the Yellow Jackets opening loss. Lawrence Baker (24), Marcus Smith (24), Antonio Reddic (14), and Isaiah Prince (13) would also score in double digits for the Jackets on the night.
It was redemption night for the Yellow Jackets on Sunday when they took on the Reading Wizards for their second game of the 2016/2017 season and they would do just that. The Yellow Jackets offense once again jumped out to a big lead of 36-19 after one quarter of play and would take that lead into halftime for the second straight night as they lead 61-48. Baker had a hot hand from beyond the arc in the third quarter as he hit four straight three point shots on the way to helping the Yellow Jackets pick up their first win of the season 114-105.
Baker was the leader of the Yellow Jackets on this night as he scored a season high 29 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds as he picked up the player of the game honors. Baker was almost automatic from beyond the three point line where he drained 66% of his shots, 8 for 12. Baker was the only Jacket to go above 20 points on the night, but he was helped out by four other double digit efforts in the Jackets victory.
The Jackets had great fan support on both nights as Yellow Jacket nation came out to support their team and see some exciting basketball at the Barack Obama Academy Gymnasium. The Jackets lead at halftime in each game and showed some great offensive ability as well as the ability to play solid defense.
One particular area that the team shined at this weekend was from the free throw line. They made 77% of their free throws over the weekend, 34 made in 44 attempts, and those points went a long way to helping the team secure its first win of the season. They also showed an ability to shoot from beyond the three point line, especially in game two when Baker, Logan, and Jackson each hit three pointers on a consistent basis.
One thing the Jackets will look to work on going into the second week of play is being able to finish ball games. Th Yellow Jackets had a half time lead in both games this weekend, and they also saw the opposition come back late. In Saturday's ball game the surge was too much for the Jackets to handle, while they were able to hold off the charge on Sunday to pick up the victory.
Steel City Yellow Jackets Player of the Week: Lawrence Baker
Your Steel City Yellow Jackets player of the week award for week one goes to Lawrence Baker. Baker got his season started scoring a combined 53 points which currently leads the Yellow Jackets team. He also piled on 11 rebounds and nine assists for the weekend. He got the Yellow Jackets offense going shooting 60% from beyond the arc, 15 for 25, including four straight three pointers in the third quarter of Sunday's game.The Yellow Jackets will return to action this Saturday when they take on the York Buccaneers at 7 p.m. at the Barack Obama Academy Gymnasium. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults and five dollars for children. Be sure to come out and catch the Buzz as the team looks to improve upon their 1-1 record.
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