By: Joe Miller
Date: April 14, 2013
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville Giants vs.North Dallas Vandas
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| Vandals (Orange) vs. Giants (Blue) |
"The Citizens of Jacksonville better head on down to the Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena today, or they will miss one of the most exciting games in ABA history. The City of Jacksonville, Florida, has never held a National Basketball Championship, or for that matter, has even had a team compete for a National Basketball Championship here in Jacksonville." - Ron Sholes, Team Owner of the Jacksonville Giants, 2012 National ABA Champions.
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My brother, David, says that ABA basketball is "street basketball." For years, the ABA has been the recipient of unfounded criticism.
I say it is real basketball with undiscovered talent on the court and true character off the court surrounded by family entertainment that equals what the NBA has to offer. The Giants have surpassed any other professional team in Jacksonville, Florida, with their participation with charitable fundraisers and especially with regard to promoting education. Over the past three years, the Giants have mentored or advised most of the students in Duval County through their school visitation and promotions. In the first year alone,the State of Florida recognized the Giants for its contributions to education and gave the team the State Education Award that only two other companies in Jacksonville have been awarded. It is long overdue for the City of Jacksonville and its surrounding areas to show the Giants the support the team so richly deserves.

If you missed last night's GAME ONE of the 2013 ABA National Championship, then you missed a truly amazing game. Unlike the NBA, the ABA has scoring rules which allow a team to establish scoring records with over 100 points. Even still, you have to earn those points. Undoubtedly, those points are not easy to attain. And, every game is truly exciting and entertaining. I guarantee that you and your family will leave as Giants fans.
The speed and agility of ABA players is unmatched. What the NBA calls the "fast-break" is ABA basketball. ABA players continuously run, shoot, and score. And, in the case of a National Championship, they push and shove just short of fouling. Both teams want to win and will do just about anything to achieve this goal. The 2013 Championship has gotten extremely physical, which gives it the "WOW" factor. A little shove or push to a player running a 6 second 50 yard dash who is airborne could spell disaster but it happens over and over.
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Giants Play by Play broadcaster Richard Miller
and Team Owner Ron Sholes (r) |
I have been associated with the Giants ever since Team Owner Ron Sholes told me he was starting a team and asked me to help get it started. He told me he had hired Head Coach Kevin Waters, but, at that time, that was the extent of our staff. When I asked Sholes about when he planned to buy a team, he replied that he had just signed the paperwork. I thought, "What? Who would attempt such a feat with no safety net?" Later, after planning the details with Sholes and Waters, my answer was definitive: "Ron Sholes!"
Sholes said Coach Waters had "a special formula" which might deliver a National Championship team in one year. I thought to myself, "Yeah right. I should leave right now." But, Sholes' convincing attitude made me stay for the show. It turned out that Coach Waters' "secret recipe" worked, and the Jacksonville Giants made it into the Final Four and then competed for the 2011 ABA National Championship its first year. In 2012, the Giants won the 2012 ABA National Championship.
After the Giants won the 2012 National Championship, the prospective recruits who showed up at our door to try out for Season Three had talent beyond our imagination. With so many players possessing such talent, we knew that the selection process would be highly difficult. In the end, it was sad to see so many players from our 2012 National Championship team leave, but the roster size does not allow for a team of 60 players. Several of the 2012 players moved to a Giants practice squad, but the remainder moved on to other teams or left the ABA altogether.
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MR. BIGGS (MASCOT OF GIANTS) PROMOTES OUR NEWEST SPONSOR ACUVUE CONTACT LENS
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In last night's battle between the Jacksonville Giants and the North Dallas Vandals, the Giants lost one of their top forwards and former NBA player Damone Brown. Sadly, Brown retired to stretcher after the half when he tore an Achilles tendon. This injury takes Brown off the roster for today's game. Brown's facial expression showed his physical pain, but mostly his disappointment in not being able to compete with his teammates.
The Jacksonville Giants (named for first season's players Jermaine Bell (7'0") and former Giant Jason Bennett (7'4")) are now flush with additional Giants like Gertavian Blake (6'11"), Bernard Toombs (6'10"), Damone Brown (6'9"),Terry Martin (6'6"), and Courtnay Brown (6'4"). But, it is the six-foot or less players like Anthony Jackson, Ed Horton, and Tony "Super" Hooper that make what you see on the court - magic. Horton is a machine - a piece of work that astounds the viewer. He is one of the only Giants players who wears a mouth guard, and it is fortunate for him. In nearly every game, his face and head come crashing down on the court after a slip attempting to steal a ball or after a purposely placed shove. This fall would send most players to the bench, but Horton leaps back up, shakes it off, and gets back into the fray.
The Giants acquired Anthony Jackson after he thrilled the stands as a competing player at the 2010-2011 season ABA All-Star Game. No one has ever told Jackson and Hooper that they cannot dunk on any BIG GUYS so they continually thrill and amaze with HUGE dunks and artistic self-styled scoring. The taller players just stand stunned at the raw talent of Jackson and Hooper. Their speed accelerates as they move toward the hoop and mysteriously place the ball in the hoop. Don't take your eye off their movements for one second or you'll miss their scores.
Jermaine Bell, the Giants tallest player, not only dunked his way to one of the top three high-scorers of the game, but he was hitting his 15, 20, and 25 ft. shots with such ease that it made it look easy. Bell just loves the game and his newborn son. His happiness is obvious when he cuddles his son after the game.
The break-out player of the night for the Giants was Bernard Toombs. After every score, he would strike a muscle pose or pretend like he was eating the Vandals. You could tell that basketball is his passion and that he was enjoying this exciting moment in time.
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NORTH DALLAS VANDALS - 2013 ABA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS
(L-R BACK ROW) SARAH GAYLOR
(SECOND FROM RIGHT - BACK ROW) HEAD COACH TYLER GATLIN |
Coached by a 25-year old Tyler Gatlin and more surprisingly Sarah Gaylor, a woman assistant coach (unusual for the ABA), the North Dallas Vandals (21-2) did not arrive at this Championship without weapons. In fact, it was the Vandals that delivered the Giants only loss this season. Its roster is stuffed full of outstanding talent who can dunk and hit those three-pointers. This talent was demonstrated when they scored 17 points against the Giants in just six minutes to come up just one point shy of a tie and two points short of the win.
Though this is the Vandals' first time competing for the National Championship, everyone knows that teams find extra strength and motivation to knock out last year's National Champions and take the title.
Today's game will be played in the outstanding Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena at 5:00 p.m. Get there early to get the best seat, and let the young ones play in the free bouncy houses in front of the Arena.
The basketball court will be adorned with several beautiful new court decals provided by the Giants newest sponsor and television broadcast partner Vistakon Acuvue. Its management team was not just impressed by the Giants but also by the talented dance team directed by Miss Pam Masters and her Showtime dance company and the extraordinary Giants Mascot MR. BIGGS.
If the Jacksonville Giants win tonight, the team will be named the 2013 ABA National Champions. If the Vandals win, the tournament will continue, and a third game will be played in the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Monday night.
Either way, you do not want to be that person in your office on Monday morning that listens to others discuss the fabulous Giants vs. Vandals game that took place on Sunday night. Join the Giants and bring your friends and family for this 2013 showdown.
At today's game, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts in full uniform will be admitted free of charge.
MILLER ON SPORTS WITH HOST RICHARD MILLER will discuss the details of the Championship on Tuesday night on 1010XL from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
The Game will be televised LIVE on CW17 with Richard Miller providing the play by play.
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