The Atlanta Aliens of the ABA pose before a game recently. Griffin native Alan "Duck" Richards (green shirt), the head coach and general manager of the Aliens, is holding the basketball with Aliens owner Adrian Provost. (Submitted photo)
A slimmed-down Richards talks to his team during a timeout. (Submitted photo)
Both teams traded baskets in the first quarter with little defensive pressure, keeping the score pretty even. Midway into the first quarter, Richards decided to switch gears by inserting his bench — affectionately known as the “Goon Squad” — into the game to apply more pressure on defense. At the end of the first quarter, the Aliens took a 42-12 lead which extended to an 84-37 halftime lead. In the second half, the Aliens were in cruise control and won handily to begin the season at 1-0.
“It’s always good to get the win but there’s a few other things we still must work on this week in practice,” said Richards.
The Aliens recorded 38 steals against the Lions, led by Griffin native Sidney Harris with 10. Lovejoy native Mike Sloan and Alonso Davis also had five steals each. On the offensive end, nine players managed to score in double figures. Sloan led all scorers with 24 points, followed by Griffin native Jay Brown with 22, Rashad Faust (16), Joshua Jones (15), Harris (13), Demetrice Williams and Alonso Davis (11) and Samuel Goodman and Steve Cunningham (10).
Sherard Reddick added 6 points and 10 rebounds and David Lawrence chipped in 4 to complete the scoring. The Atlanta Aliens’ next regular-season game will be Nov. 25 against the Phenix City Bombers in Phenix City, Ala. Prior to that game, the Aliens will play the And 1 Mix Tape Crew in an exhibition game at Clayton State University in Morrow on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m.
For all the latest information about the Atlanta Aliens, go to www.iHigh.com/AtlantaAliens.
Post a Comment