The Steel City Yellow Jackets completed a sweep of their games over the weekend and as a result they were able to move up to the number 23 team in the country with a record of 9-7. They are up two spots from last week's rankings and are looking to make a final late season push for the American Basketball Association playoffs.
As the American Basketball Association season winds down the Steel City Yellow Jackets are making a last second push for the ABA playoffs. They helped out their cause this weekend with two big wins as they defeated the Imperial National Crusaders 153-116 and then came back and defeated the WNY Thundersnow by the score of 135-107. The two wins put their record to 9-7 on the season and gave them momentum heading into two big home games this weekend.
The Yellow Jackets came into the 2016/2017 season ranked as the number 23 team in the country in the American Basketball Association pre-season power rankings and that is where they currently sit this season up two spots from their number 25 ranking last week. The Yellow Jackets have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and are looking to make it for the third season in a row and compete for the American Basketball Association championship.
Both of the wins over the weekend were team wins as the Yellow Jackets used everyone on the team in both games. On January 28th they put up a season high 153 points and received contributions from everyone on the team against the Imperial National Crusaders. Antonio Reddic would lead the crew in this one with a season high 40 points on the night and eight of the eleven available Yellow Jackets players would score in double digits on the night. The collective team effort moved the Yellow Jackets to 8-7 as they set out on the road to try and improve upon their 2-4 road record.
With a final score of 135-107, they would do just that in Niagara Falls, New York as they took care of the WNY Thundersnow. It was another team effort in which the Yellow Jackets would get big contributions from their bench. Juan Franklin lead the team in scoring with 26 points off the bench and four other Yellow Jackets would finish in double digits on the day. Reddic's streak of scoring 30 or more points in a game came to an end, but the Yellow Jackets claimed their second game in a row and improved their record to 9-7 on the year.
The two wins came as a team effort and the most impressive thing was the Yellow Jackets were down two of their top three scorers as Lawrence Baker and Gilmore Cummings both were not in either game. It showed just how deep this Jackets team really is and sets them up for success not only down the stretch but for next season and beyond. Coach Ace has a lot of experience coaching teams who have had success and his motivation has helped his guys fight against adversity and pick up two much needed wins.
However, the Yellow Jackets still have a lot of work to do coming down the stretch as they have four more home games left at the Neighborhood Academy, where they have played very well this season with a record of 6-3, and four road games, where they are 3-4. This team has heart and determination and that is what will help to lead them right to another playoff run in 2016/2017.
Once again the top of the ABA power rankings features the undefeated DMV Warriors who sit at 12-0 so far on the season and the South Florida Gold who once again occupy the second place spot at 15-2. The rest of the top 10 in the power rankings looks like this:
1. DMV Warriors (12-0)
2. South Florida Gold (15-2)
3. Windy City Groove (10-0)
4. Orlando Waves (12-2)
5. Salina Saints (10-0)
6. Austin Bats (12-1)
7. Chicago Fury (12-2)
8. Jacksonville Giants (8-2)
9. Chicago Stream (9-2)
10. Atlanta Coast Cardinals (8-1)
The Steel City Yellow Jackets will take on the West Michigan Lake Hawks this weekend as they look to build on their recent success. The game will be played Saturday February 4th at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students.With only four games left it's time for Pittsburgh to rally together and come on out and Catch the Buzz.
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