Jackets Pick Up First Win of Season in Win Over Wizards

The Steel City Yellow Jackets picked up their first win of the season tonight as they defeated the Reading Wizards by the score of 114-105. It was a close game late, but the Yellow Jackets defense held strong and improved the Yellow Jackets record to 1-1 on the season.

The Steel City Yellow Jackets concluded their opening weekend festivities tonight as they took on the Reading Wizards for their second game of the season. After falling to the Kentucky Enforcers in their opening game of the season, the Yellow Jackets looked to bounce back in tonight's game. They were able to do just that as they defeated the Reading Wizards by the score of 114-105.

The Reading Wizards were playing their second game of the season as well and came into this contest with a 1-0 record after defeating the Philadelphia Cannon by the score of 106-99. The Yellow Jackets, however, dropped their previous game to the Kentucky Enforcers by the score of 131-124 as they were looking to get back to .500.

The Yellow Jackets offense was shooting on all cylinders early on in this game in front of a crowd of about 50 people at the Barack Obama Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.The offense managed to score 36 points in the opening quarter thanks to hot hands from both Davont Jackson and Marcus Smith. Jackson had a team high 13 points in the first quarter including a three pointer, while Smith tacked on seven points in the first quarter of play.

The Yellow Jackets would score a total of 36 points in the first quarter to jump out to a 36-19 lead. However, the Wizards would finally get their offense going in the second quarter as they ended up outscoring the Yellow Jackets 29-26 cutting into the Yellow Jackets half-time lead making it 61-48, and the Yellow Jackets would lead at half-time for the second straight game.

The Jackets shot 24 for 54 from the floor in the first half including seven for 24 beyond the arc. Jackson and Baker lead the team in scoring at half-time with 13 points each. The Yellow Jackets would have to hold on to their lead in  the second half if they wanted to come out on top. They would be helped in the third quarter by the three point shot, which was on fire for the Yellow Jackets all night long.

Lawrence Baker started the third quarter on an incredible hot streak from beyond the arc as he made four straight three point shots in a row to drive his scoring total up to 25 points on the day. However, the Jackets would once again be outscored in the quarter and their lead was again cut down to 86-82 with one quarter of basketball left to play. The fourth quarter was where the Jackets lost their first game of the season, and on this night they weren't going to let it happen again.

The Yellow Jackets would use the free throw line to their advantage as they made 76% of their free throws,13 of their 17, in the second half  and put 27 points up in the fourth quarter to the Wizards 23 to hold on to the 114-105 victory. It was the second straight day in  which the Yellow Jackets scored 100 plus points and they were able to even their record to (1-1).

The Yellow Jackets were lead offensively on the day by Lawrence Baker who put up a team high 29 points on the night while pulling in seven rebounds and eight assists. The Yellow Jackets had a total of five players score in double digits including Jackson (13), Gilmore Cummings (14), Antonio Reddic (12), and Lamont Wright (10). Reddic lead the Jackets defensively as he pulled down a team high nine rebounds on the day.

Steel City Yellow Jackets Player of the Game: Lawrence Baker

Lawrence Baker picks up the player of the game honors for game two of the 2016/2017 season for his efforts against the Wizards where he scored 29 points with eight assists and seven rebounds on the night. It was Baker's hot hand from the three point line in the third quarter that helped lead the Jackets to victory as he sank four straight three point shots and added a free throw in that quarter as well. Baker's 29 points puts his total through two games to 53 points on the season which leads the team.

Up Next:

The Steel City Yellow Jackets (1-1) return to action on Saturday November 12 when they face off against the York Bucaneers (0-2) at the Barack Obama Academy gymnasium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Yellow Jackets will look to go over .500 for the first time this season as they make a push for their third straight playoff appearance. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults and five dollars for children. Be sure to come on out and Catch the Buzz.

Jackets Drop Back and Forth Game to Enforcers

 

The Steel City Yellow Jackets kicked off their 2016/2017 season last night in a game against the Kentucky Enforcers. The Yellow Jackets put up 124 points on the night but it wasn't enough as they lost at the Barack Obama Academy by the score of 131-124.

The Steel City Yellow Jackets kicked off their 2016/2017 season yesterday as they took on the Kentucky Enforcers in their opening game of the American Basketball Association season. The Jackets played a competitive back and forth game, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Kentucky Enforcers by the final score of 131-124.

The Yellow Jackets unveiled their new home court at the Barack Obama Academy located at 515 N. Highland Ave in front of the home crowd. The Yellow Jackets have made the playoffs in each of their first two seasons in the ABA, and are looking to get there for the third straight season in the 2016/2017 season. As part of the 50th season of ABA play, the ABA expanded to over 100 teams and the Kentucky Enforcers were one of those new teams.

The Yellow Jackets were lead on the court by their starting five in Juan Franklin, Jonathan Logan, Gilmore Cummings, Marcus Smith, and Lawrence Baker. The Yellow Jackets controlled the ball game for a majority of the time, but a late comeback by the Enforcers dropped the Yellow Jackets to (0-1) on the season.

The Yellow Jackets took the early lead in this one taking their largest lead of the ball game when they lead by 10 with 4:55 to go in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets would end up leading 32-30 after one quarter of play. They would continue this lead into half time as they outscored the Enforcers 31-29 and went into half time leading by the score of 63-59.

The Enforcers would turn it up in the second half, however, as the Jackets would be outscored for the first time in the contest when the Enforcers scored 32 points, and the Jackets held on to a one point lead sitting at 92-91. The fourth quarter would prove why this was a match-up between the number 22 and 23 teams in the ABA.

The Enforcers would turn it on scoring 40 points in the quarter and building up an 11 point lead with :14 seconds to play. The Jackets would try to come back in the game, making the final Field Goal of the game with :04 seconds left, but it wasn't enough as the Jackets would fall by the final score of 131-124.

The Jackets played an exciting game in front of the home crowd to start out the 2016/2017 season. Juan Franklin lead the Yellow Jackets on the day scoring a game high 32 points and playing a total of 28:54. He was also six for seven from the free throw line. Antonio Reddic saw the most playing time for the Jackets as he played 31:13 seconds and scored 14 points. Marcus Smith lead the team in rebounds with six on the day.

For the Enforcers, they were lead by two 20 point days from Aaron Miller, team high 26, and David Mann, 22. Jeff Robinson saw the most action on the court for the Enforcers playing 42:34 of the game, and they were lead in rebounds by Miller and Ray Chambers who each grabbed nine rebounds in the contest.

Yellow Jackets Player of the Game: Juan Franklin

Juan Franklin grabs the Steel City Yellow Jackets player of the game award for the first game of the 2016/2017 season. He scored a game high 32 points in the contest in 28:54 of action. Franklin shot 50% from beyond the arc, two for four, and shot 86% from the free throw line, six for seven, on the day. He finished out the day pulling in two defensive rebounds to help the Yellow Jackets effort.

Up Next

The Steel City Yellow Jackets (0-1) return to action tonight as they continue their opening weekend when they take on the Reading Wizards at the Barack Obama academy. Tickets for the game are 10 dollars for adults and five dollars for children, plus if you purchased the 15 dollar weekend pass you have access to today's game as well. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. as the Yellow Jackets look to capture their first win of the season.

Game Notes: Kentucky Enforcers vs. Steel City Yellow Jackets

The Steel City Yellow Jackets open up their regular season schedule tomorrow night with a match-up against the Kentucky Enforcers. The Yellow Jackets are coming off of a season in which they made the playoffs for the second year in a row before falling to the eventual ABA Championship runner up he Windy City Groove.

The leaves begin to fall, there is a chill in the air, and the days have started to become shorter. These are all signs that fall is here and for the Steel City Yellow Jackets it means that another season is upon us. This is the Yellow Jackets third season in Pittsburgh as a part of the American Basketball Association and they will be looking to make another championship run in the 2016/2017 season under new ownership and in a brand new facility.

The road to another championship run begins this Saturday when the Yellow Jackets take on one of the new expansion teams in the American Basketball Association this season the Kentucky Enforcers at 7 p.m. The Yellow Jackets will be showing off their new home court as well as they will be playing at the Barack Obama Academy gymnasium located at 515 N. Highland Ave. in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

The American Basketball Association is entering its 50th season in the 2016/2017 season and, as a result, has expanded to over 100 teams in the league spread out across the country. The Kentucky Enforcers are one of those new teams looking for a jump start season to their ABA career.

They will already be starting in good standing in the ABA as they come into this season as the number 22 team according to the pre-season top 25 power rankings. They are the only expansion team to crack the list showing that they have a lot to play for this season. They are lead by their co-owner/head coach Dustin Driskell.

The Steel City Yellow Jackets will look to dampen the spirits of the Enforcers in their inaugural game in the ABA. The Yellow Jackets come into the year ranked just behind the Enforcers in the ABA top 25 poll as they sit at number 23. The Yellow Jackets have made the playoffs in each of their first two seasons in the ABA and are looking to do that again here in the 2016/2017 campaign.

The Yellow Jackets finished the 2015/2016 campaign with a record of 10-7 and ended the regular season winning five of their last seven games Including two 20 plus point victories over the Grand Rapids Danger and the York Buccaneers. The Yellow Jackets would then loose a heart breaker in the first round of the ABA playoffs as they fell to the Windy City Groove by the score of 112-91.

The Yellow Jackets are lead by third year head coach/owner Averill Pippens, also known as coach Ace. Coach Ace has lead the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons and has had a track record of success including helping the 2006 Penn State McKeesport Men's Basketball team win a championship. 

The Yellow Jackets return some veterans to the court who helped them in years past such as Tone Reddic, Lawrence Baker, and Gilmore Cummings while adding some new faces to the team such as Bobby Swartout, Luke Kochka, and Khari Bess. They will all try to come together to help the Yellow Jackets this season.

Tip-of for Satruday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Obama Academy gymnasium located at 515 N. Highland Avenue. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults and 5 dollars for children. Also, for opening Weekend, the Yellow Jackets are offering a special weekend pass for 15 dollars that includes admission to both games. Come out and support your 2016/2017 Steel City Yellow Jackets and be sure to Catch the Buzz this season.

Bess/Kochka Back Together on Yellow Jackets

The 2016/2017 Steel City Yellow Jackets are trying to make the playoffs for the third straight season since their development in 2014. This years team is a mix of veterans and rookies to the American Basketball Association, but two of this years Yellow Jackets rookies have played together in the past.

Hard-work, Trust, and Dedication are all things that successful teams have that make them as good as they are. You see it in every championship team from the 1988 San Fransisco 49ers who featured Jerry Rice and Joe Montana to the 1990's Chicago Bulls featuring Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippens. All of these teams had one thing in common and that's that the players trusted each other and new exactly what the other one was going to do and exactly when he was going to do it.

That is something this year's Steel City Yellow Jacket team will try to do to build upon their first two seasons of existence in which they have reached the playoffs each year. They have gone through some tough times being a new team in the Pittsburgh area, but they have persevered and never failed to put a quality product on the court.

This year's Yellow Jacket team is a mixture of veterans who have been with the team since the beginning like Tone Reddic and Lawrence Baker to some new faces on the team for the 2016/2017 season. Two of the newest Yellow Jackets on this years team have played together before and look to help propel the Yellow Jackets to another championship run.

Forward Luke Kochka and Guard Khari Bess have been through the long grind of a season together before as they both were a part of last years Division III Thiel Tomcats Men's Basketball team. The pair lead the Thiel Tomcats to the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship Playoffs where they would eventually fall in the first round to the Bethany Bison by the score of 69-60. In that game Bess scored a team high 14 points and Kochka added nine of his own.

Bess had his best statistical season for the Tomcats during the 2015/2016 season where he started all 26 games for Thiel. He finished the year racking up 402 points, averaging 15.5 points per game, to go along with 145 assists and a career high 96 steals. He also racked up 16 blocks on the season.

Bess's 145 assists lead all of the Presidents' Athletic Conference during the 2015/2016 season and he also lead the PAC in steals with 96 and was eighth in the league in blocked shots with 16. Bess is a steals machine as he was honored as the Division III statistical leader in steals for the 2015/2016 season with 3.69. The next closes player to Bess in all of Division III Men's Basketball was Anthony Jerigan of Johnson & Wales University who average 3.55.

Bess finished his college career with 292 steals which set a record for the most steals in Thiel Tomcats history. And, 2015/2016 wasn't even his best years in steals per game as in the 2013/2014 season, Bess would end up collecting 3.70 steals per game.

Offensively, Bess set a career high in points scored during his final regular season home game with the Tomcats where he put up 27 points against the Saint Vincent Bearcats in what would end up being a 82-67 loss for the Tomcats. The 402 points he ended the 2015/2016 season with were a career high for him and he will look to build on that for the Yellow Jackets this season.

Bess's teammate, and current Yellow Jacket, Luke Kochka enjoyed a successful season as well in which he started 25 of the 26 games he appeared in scoring 454 points, averaging 17.5 points per game, to go along with 68 assists and 25 steals on the season. He shot 75% from the free throw line finishing the year making 75 of his 99 free throw attempts.

Kochka was an offensive machine for the Tomcats during the 2015/2016 season and that showed on the stat sheet. He lead the Presidents' Athletic Conference in scoring with his 454 points and was second in the league in points per game with his 17.5 mark. He also finished sixth in the league in free throw percentage with .758 and third in the league in three point field goals made with 61.

Kochka was no slouch on defense as well as he finished the year in the top 10 in rebounds in all of the PAC with 173. Kochka was an all-around athlete for the Tomcats and looks to bring that skill set to this year's team.

Both Bess and Kochka received honors for their efforts in the 2015/2016 season as both were named to the Presidents' Athletic Conference First Team. They were voted in by a group of the ten coaches from around the PAC. 

Both Bess and Kochka have great skill sets that they bring to the table this year for the Yellow Jackets. They will look to take those skills and gel with both the veterans and the other new faces on the team to help lead the Yellow Jackets to another championship run in 2016/2017.

You can see Bess, Kochka, and the rest of your 2016/2017 Steel City Yellow Jackets in action this Saturday at their home opener against the Kentucky Enforcers. The game will be played at 515 N. Highland Avenue in Pittsburgh. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults, five dollars for children, and a 15 dollar weekend pass that includes Sunday's game against the Reading Eagles. Tip off is at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 5:30 on Sunday.

With the 2016/2017 season fast approaching it is almost time once again to Catch the Buzz.

Steel City Yellow Jackets Ready For An Exciting 2016/2017 Season

The Steel City Yellow Jackets are back and ready to once again fight for an American Basketball Association Championship. They are in their third year in the ABA and feature a new owner, new players and staff, and a brand new facility to call home.

For Pittsburgh fans who are looking for some exciting basketball action, turn no further than the home town team the Steel City Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets are entering their third year playing in the American Basketball Association with some exciting new features coming for the 2016/2017 season.

The Yellow Jackets enter their third year in the American Basketball Association where they have seen success in their first two seasons. Last year, they would finish the year with a record of 10-7 and their second consecutive trip to the ABA playoffs. They would eventually lose to the ABA champion Windy City Groove ending their season. However, 2016/2017 looks to bring another exciting championship run for the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets return three stars from last years team including Guard/Forward Antonio Reddic, Guard Gilmore Cummings, and Power Forward Lawrence Baker. All three players have been a part of the Yellow Jackets since their founding in 2014 and have helped lead the team to the playoffs in each of the their first two seasons. 

Reddic, an Aliquippa, Pennsylvania native, is entering his third season with the Yellow Jackets being signed in their inaugural 2014 season. He averaged 18 points per game and shot 75% from the Free Throw Line during the 2015/2016 season. He is considered by many to be one of the best defensive players in the ABA. Baker, a Detroit, Michigan native, lead the Yellow Jackets offensively a season ago averaging 28 points per game.

The Yellow Jackets are lead by third year Owner/General Manager/Head Coach Averill Pippens. Coach "Ace", as he is called, has had a track record of success over his coaching career. He started out as an assistant coach at David B. Oliver high school before coming on as an assistant and eventually a head coach for the Penn State McKeesport Men's Basketball team where in 2006, he lead the team to a Men's Basketball Championship. Pippens has lead the Yellow Jackets to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as head coach. Coach Ace is helped out on his coaching staff by assistants Wayne Copeland and Milan Tyler as well as Team Managers Jason and Dante Pippens and Michael Woods.

The Steel City Yellow Jackets will open up their 2016/2017 season with their first home game on Saturday November 5th against the Kentucky Enforcers at 7 p.m. as they try to make another championship run in 2016/2017. They will follow that up with a game the very next day on November 6th against the Reading Wizards at 5:30 p.m. The games will be played at the Barack Obama Academy Gymnasium located at 515 N. Highland Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Adult tickets are 10 dollars and student tickets are five dollars. There is also a special weekend pass which includes admission for both games.

The Steel City Yellow Jackets are ready to roll this season, so the only question is are you ready to Catch the Buzz.