#halifax rainmen

[sethramsey]

Kevin Young (Oil on canvas, 11"x14")

[nblcanada]

Halifax Rainmen: How Well Do You Know Your Teammates?

With so much time spent together on the road, Audley Stephenson AKA @TheAudman decided to check in with players from the Halifax Rainmen to find out how well how well they knew one another.

THAT’S HOW WE BALL!!

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Audley Stephenson AKA The Audman is an author, speaker and one of the founders of the popular NBA podcast,The Breakdown with Dave & Audley. He also serves as a member of the media and publicity team for the NBLC’s Oshawa Power.

[nblcanada]

Power Flexing Muscle In NBLC!

posted by Dwayne Wynter

A mini two game win streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon after the Oshawa Power lost a tough and hard fought game 105-104 to the Halifax Rainmen at home, having their record fall to 6-5 on the season.

Led by Papa Oppong (19 points, 9 rebound) and Jushay Rockett with yet another double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds), the Power weren’t able to keep the streak alive as they head inside the Halifax MetroCentre on Dec.7 for part two of the home and home with the Rainman.

It’s been a thrilling roller coaster ride for the Power so far, who’ve found themselves on top of exciting wins and the victim of some one-sided losses.

However as of late, the Power have gained a definite surge in momentum and a cohesiveness that’s translated into entertaining play, an energetic home atmosphere and most importantly wins.

Though they, along with the rest of the NBL, have struggled mightily against unbeaten powerhouse and defending NBL champions, London Lightening, the Power have played well against the rest of the league including blowout wins against the Montreal Jazz and Saint John Mill Rats.

Contributing to such wins is a well-balanced attack that through 10 games has seven Power players scoring 10 or more points per game. Leading the pack, Nick Okorie leads the team in scoring and is tied for third in the league averaging, 18.4 points per game, while shooting a sizzling 53 and 40 per cent from the field and 3-point line respectively.

With their running game in full effect the second place Central Conference Power currently sit second in league scoring averaging an astounding 106 points per game, but it’s their lack of ability to consistently stop teams, giving up 108 points per game-last in the NBL, that has them just over .500 in the standings.

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Dwayne Wynter is the Editor-in-Chief of TDOTLIVE.COM and continues to write on a variety of issues that initiate discussion. Working also as a freelanced journalist and Basketball Colour Commentator with the National Basketball League of Canada, he’s constantly typing away. Follow him on twitter @TDOTLIVECOM

[nblcanada]

The Express open with a win but struggle shooting in their second game

posted by Josh MacDonald

Windsor’s first weekend of professional basketball was an exciting one as The Express experienced their first victory followed by their first loss at the WFCU Centre.

The first test came against the Halifax Rainmen. With a home crowd of over 3,000 people, Windsor controlled Halifax for the majority of the game and sealed the win with less than three minutes to go in the fourth.

Guard Mike Helms was a beast for the Express netting 25 points and dishing out seven assists to go along with four rebounds and a block. The Oakland University guard is not shy when it comes to pulling the trigger taking a team high 19 shots including nine bombs from downtown.

Windsor led by four at half and can credit stingy defence to their opening night success.  Halifax shot under 50 percent from the field and 27 percent from three point land. The Express struggled shooting, but not from behind the arc making 10 threes in the game on their way to scoring 31 points in the fourth quarter.

Victor Morris was two for three from long range and Raymond Kraemer chipped in with 17 points. Banging three triples and going four for four from the foul line. Former Windsor Lancer Greg Surmacz was eight for 10 from the charity stripe and finished with 16 points. Anthony Johnson had 20 points on five of seven shooting from the floor.

Eddie Smith dropped 27 for Halifax shooting over 50 percent from the field and prefect from the line. Brandon Robinson was a rebound shy of a double, netting 22 and snatching nine rebounds for The Rainmen.

Shot selection seems to be Windsor biggest issue shooting 48 percent from the field, missing more shots than they made. Work must be put in on the offensive glass as well. A rebound on offence means easy put backs or wide open shots.

Seven offensive rebounds will not cut it if Windsor wants to get some gravy points.

In the second game of the weekend Windsor took on The Oshawa Power. The Express were monsters on the offensive glass with 21 rebounds compared to eight by their opponents. But this stat may be tainted considering the amount of shots Windsor missed. In the first half they shot 27 percent from the field, going an astounding 14 for 51.

All was almost forgiven as Windsor made a miraculous fourth quarter comeback.  After trailing by 16 to end the third quarter, the Express came within one of Oshawa losing 84 -83. Surmacz had 16 points, 11 rebounds, a steal and a block in the loss. Anthony Johnson got his double double snatching 11 boards to go along with 12 points.

Windsor seems to be working the rust off and considering this is a new franchise there has to be time for growth. It’s shocking that Windsor turned the ball over 20 times in the contest, shot five for 10 from the foul line in the second half and only lost by one.

Leading scorer from game one Mike Helms netted 15 in the game but struggled percentage wise like the rest of the team, shooting three of 11 from behind the arc and 5 of 19 from the floor. Windsor looks to get back on track with a rematch in Oshawa on November 11.

(photo via the Windsor Star)

Josh MacDonald is a converge journalist from Fall River, Nova Scotia. Since the age of five a basketball obsession has fed his brain the knowledge needed to form opinions and allows him to continue to live his hoop dreams. Follow him @WexpressJMAC and check out his YouTube channel Sackvegas23

[nblcanada]

Rainmen Training Camp featuring Josiah Turner

The Halifax Rainmen have officially began training camp in Halifax. With only 1 player- Canadian guard Joey Haywood- returning from last seasons roster, the Rainmen camp is filled with fresh faces who will look to make the team and make an impact in the NBL Canada.

Perhaps most exciting is the news that 20 year old point guard Josiah Turner is trying out for the Rainmen. Turner, a 6’3 Californian, was the 11th overall ranked prospect in the class of 2011 according to Rivals.com. Turner was a high profile recruit to Arizona University where he averaged 6.8 points per game over 29 games in his freshman season. However, he was suspended twice by Arizona Coach Sean Miller and announced his intention to transfer. Turner was then recruited by NBA Hall of Famer Larry Brown, the new coach at Southern Methodist University. However, Turner recently announced he would withdraw from SMU and pursue a professional career. Turner spent a month playing in Hungary but now will look to make the Rainmen roster, and with point guards Taliek Brown, Chris Hagan and Christian Upshaw departing, could have an opportunity to become the Rainmen starter.

Turner is a pure point guard with great court vision, athleticism and good size for his position. Turner still has NBA dreams, and considering he is only 20, there is still a possibility of him being selected in next years draft; imagine how great it would be for the Rainmen and the NBL Canada if Turner becomes their first player drafted into the NBA from the NBL Canada.

Allan April is a university student and basketball fanatic from Halifax. A proud member of Celtics Nation and also works as a statistician for the Halifax Rainmen. Follow him @RainmenTweets

[nblcanada]

Rainmen Off-Season Report: Change is Comin’ to Halifax

The Rainmen off-season continues to be filled with high profile transactions, as the team recently announced that they traded 2012 NBL Canada All-Star point guard Taliek Brown to the Laval Kebs in exchange for a 1st Round pick in the 2013 draft.

Brown is a 6’1 playmaker who won an NCAA Championship in 2004 as a member of the UConn Huskies. He is a pass-first point guard whose flashy dribbling and passing skills mixed with supreme court-vision make him a highlight waiting to happen. Brown was also the second longest tenured Rainmen, as he was with the team during their final season in the PBL (2010-2011), and returned last season to play 34 regular season games with the team, scoring 13 PPG on 49% shooting, and averaging 5.7 assists per game (3rd) and 1.7 steals per game (4th). Brown also played a huge role in the Rainmen playoff run, however late in the season he was replaced as starting point guard by rookie Chris Hagan, a physical and exciting floor-general that the Rainmen protected and definitely hope to resign for this upcoming season.

Trading Taliek Brown came just two days after Andre Levingston announced that the Rainmen wouldn’t be bringing back Eric Crookshank for the upcoming season. Crookshank is one of the most popular players in Rainmen history, as he had been with the franchise since they started in 2007 and was the one constant presence for a team that has been through three different leagues and five head coaches in its five-year history. The 6’8 power forward, once nicknamed “Air Canada”, was a two time PBL Defensive Player of the Year, but came off the bench for the Rainmen last season and provided instant energy through his tenacious rebounding and defence. Although he played just under 20 minutes per game in 33 regular season appearances, Crookshank averaged 7.7 points per game, shooting 59% (2nd), and led the Rainmen in rebounds with 6.6 per game (13th) along with 0.9 blocks (9th).

Going into the second NBL Canada season there are still a lot of question marks with the Rainmen roster. The Taliek Brown deal is the third Rainmen trade of the off-season. On the day of the NBL Canada draft, the Rainmen traded All-Star PF Tyrone Levett and PG Christian “T-Bear” Upshaw to the Moncton Miracles in exchange for the #2 overall pick. With the #2 pick the Rainmen selected Anthony Johnson, a 6’8 forward who played Division 1 for East Tennessee State, and more recently in the NAIA with Azusa Pacific University. Then with the 15th overall pick the Rainmen drafted 6’2 guard Courtland Bluford, who actually played 19 games with the Saint John Mill Rats last season, averaging 7.7 points and 2.1 assists.

The Rainmen also traded their 2013 1st Round Pick and cash considerations to the Oshawa Power, in exchange for last seasons NBL Canada leading scorer and Rookie of the Year, swingman Brandon Robinson. Robinson, a 6’6 shooting guard, is one of the most exciting and efficient scorers in the league, as he led the league 19.9 points per game last season on his way to winning Rookie of the Year as well as being named to the All-NBL Canada Second Team. Robinson also put on a show in the first NBL Canada All-Star Game, as he rained 3’s and threw down highlight reel dunks on his way to 38 points and All-Star MVP honours. At only 23 years old, the Rainmen hope that Robinson is a future superstar in this league.

The Rainmen certainly do seem to be getting younger this offseason- gone are veterans Crookshank (33 years old), Levett (32) and Brown (30). Newcomers Robinson (23), Johnson (23) and Bluford (24) join the lone player the Rainmen have confirmed is returning- 6’1 shooting guard Joey Haywood, last seasons Canadian of the Year. In 35 regular season games last season the exciting 28-year-old rookie averaged 13.9 points per game on 52% shooting, along with 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Haywood got a late start on professional basketball, as he used to be a professional streetball player by the name of “King Handles”. If you watch Haywood play, you will see how appropriate that nickname is, as Haywood’s blazing foot speed can only be matched by his ridiculous ball handling skills. Following an extremely successful CIS career at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Haywood joined the Rainmen early last season after attempting to make the NBA D-League. He is a great scorer from mid-range, and his lightning quick first step makes him a threat to get to the hoop (or free-throw line) at any time. Although he struggled with inconsistent shooting in the NBLC Playoffs, Haywood will look to build on his amazing rookie season, as he was named an All-Star Team Captain, Canadian of the Year and Second Team All-Defence. The Rainmen have also protected two of major midseason additions from last year: 23-year-old PG Chris Hagan and 27-year-old PF Darnell Hugee. While they haven’t announced an agreement with either player yet, the Rainmen definitely look to be putting a young, exciting team together for this upcoming season.

SIGNED

Joey Haywood 6’1 SG- 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 52% FG (4th)

Brandon Robinson 6’6 SG- 19.9 PPG (1st), 6.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG (6th), 33% 3FG

DEPARTED

Taliek Brown 6’1 PG (Traded to Laval)- 13 PPG, 5.7 APG (3rd) , 3.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG (4th)

Tyrone Levett 6’8 PF (Traded to Moncton)- 14.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1 BPG (8th), 86% FT (1st)

Eric Crookshank 6’8 PF (will not return) 7.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 0.9 BPG (9th), 59% FG (2nd)

Christian Upshaw 5’11 PG (Traded to Moncton)

Richard Anderson 6’7 C (retired)

PROTECTED BUT UNSIGNED

Chris Hagan- 5’9 PG- led Rainmen in playoff scoring with 17.3 points/g

Darnell Hugee- 6’7 PF- 9.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.8 BPG, 52% FG (16 G w/ Rainmen)

DRAFTED

#2 Anthony Johnson- 6’8 Forward #15

Courtland Bluford- 6’2 Guard

Allan April is a university student and basketball fanatic from Halifax. A proud member of Celtics Nation and also works as a statistician for the Halifax Rainmen. Follow him @RainmenTweets

[nblcanada]

DRAFTED - Who drafted who at last night's NBL Canada draft

posted by Romy Aquino

(Photo via Chuck Miller)

We're closing in on another NBL Canada season and a new crop of NBL rookies were drafted last night at the Renaissance Hotel in Toronto.  The Windsor Express had the first selection on the night, drafting 6'10"centre, Robert Curtis.  However, it was the Mill Rats who landed the #1 pick, trading their fifth overall pick, Michael Helms, and Mississauga native, Isaac Kuon to the expansion team, Windsor Express.

The Halifax Rainmen made a splash on draft night as well, trading all-star forward, Tyrone Levett and Halifax native, Christian "T-Bear" Upshaw to the Moncton Miracles for the #2 pick, Anthony Johnson.  Halifax also made another draft night trade, picking up Oshawa's Brandon Robinson for cash and a future 2013 draft pick.

Summerside picked up six players on draft night, including three first round draft picks: Brandon Hassell, Chad Gillaspy and Avery Smith. 

The second NBL Canada season starts on November 2nd.

Check out how the rest of the draft played out:

First Round

Windsor Express – Robert Curtis – 6’10”/Centre

Moncton Miracles – Anthony Johnson – 6’8/Forward

Summerside Storm – James Hassell – 6’11/Centre

Oshawa Power – Chad Gillaspy – 6’7/Forward

Saint John Mill Rats – Michael Helms – 6’2/Guard

Laval Kebs – Adrian Moss - 5’10/Guard

Summerside Storm (Acquired from Halifax Rainmen) – Avery Smith – 6’4/Guard

Moncton Miracles (Acquired from London Lightning) – Kamar Burke – 6’5/Forward

Second Round

Windsor Express – Kevin Loiselle – 6’6”/Forward

Moncton Miracles – Terance Licorish – 6’9”/Centre

Summerside Storm – Reginald Robinson – 6’1/Guard

Oshawa Power – Amani Daanish – 6’8/Forward

Saint John Mill Rats – Darin Mency – 6’2/Guard Laval Kebs – Travis Cohn – 6’2/Guard

Halifax Rainmen – Courtland Bluford – 6’2/Guard

London Lightning – Jerome Richardson – 6’5/Forward

Third Round

Windsor Express – Wayne Portalatin – 6’9/Centre

Moncton Miracles – Collin Whitely – 6’6/Forward

Summerside Storm – Michael Norwood – 6’6/Forward

Oshawa Power – Jamaal Smith – 5’11/Guard

Saint John Mill Rats – Taneiko Robinson – 6’6/Forward

Laval Kebs – Emmanuel Trinquieur – 6’4/Guard

Summerside Storm (Acquired from Halifax Rainmen) – Brandon Bush – 6’6/Forward

London Lightning – Obinna Agomo – 6’3/Guard

Who made out the best on draft night?  Send me a tweet and let me know! @romyaquino

  Romy Aquino covers the the National Basketball League of Canada including his hometown Halifax Rainmen.  He also can be found at pro hoops blog, Hip Hoop Junkies (covering the Toronto Raptors/NBA) and liveblogging at Halifax Rainmen home games for Sportstream.ca  Follow him on Twitter: @romyaquino

[blackschleep-blog]

Teddy Bear - Hometown

Teddy Bear (@t_bear5) - Hometown

video by @Shiquan

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G'yeah, off the court and into the booth... Halifax Rainmen and MGP native, T Bear reppin'