Back in February, with the Albany Patroons on hiatus, and the New York Phoenix’ new season not starting yet, my winter basketball minor league experience seemed closed.
Then I received a phone call that the Saratoga Racers – a team in the American Basketball Association – needed an announcer for their games.
Ah, why not. Help someone out.
And it meant a return to the American Basketball Association, a league whose best description I can give is, well, it’s basketball. I announced six games for the Racers, which saw the team go 5-1 and reach the ABA postseason. I saw exciting plays from the team’s top talent.
I also saw opponents that looked about as coordinated as a game of competitive 52-pick-up. One opposing squad showed up with only five players. Another squad only did road games because the team’s finances couldn’t handle the expense of renting a home court. Rag, meet tag.
Still, through all that, the Racers finished the season with an 11-5 record and a top ranking in the ABA’s mysterious power rankings. The postseason is just around the corner. Let’s make this happen.
And what did the ABA do? They seeded the Racers as #3 in the “Blue Division,” setting them up with a first-round matchup against the #2 team, the Vermont Coyotes.
I should note that the Racers beat Vermont three out of the four times both teams met this year. I should also note that the Racers had a better winning percentage than Vermont.
That being said … some genius at the American Basketball Association decided to seed the Racers below Vermont, and scheduled the game for Sunday night in Barre.
Sunday night with a 7:00 p.m. start.
Seriously?!?
And this is a one-and-done knockout playoff system, so one loss and you’re out of the playoffs. Yeesh.
Well, last Sunday night there was one loss.
And it wasn’t the Racers.
Saratoga defeated the Vermont Coyotes 148-114, in a game that wasn’t even THAT close.
Next up will be another road trip for Saratoga, as they face the New England Sharks of Pawtucket, Rhode Island next Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
In Pawtucket.
Somewhere in Pawtucket.
And if I follow the cockamamie ABA playoff system, at some point the winning teams from the playoff brackets will face off in a single-elimination NCAA-style matchup in Atlanta.
So … yeah. I would love to see the Racers pick up a championship.
It sure would be nice to actually SEE this happen, though.
Chuck The Writer 