Wednesday, March 10, 2004
|
Wednesday, March 10, 2004 |
| ‘Lightning’ strikes PTC By J. FRANK LYNCH Peachtree City’s new minor league professional mens basketball team has a name that sounds familiar to anyone familiar with the area’s youth soccer program. The Southern Crescent Lightning, a unit of the World Basketball Association, will serve as a developmental team, providing opportunities for players with up to five years of professional basketball experience and recent college graduates to enhance their skills, team officials announced in a press conference Friday. Starting April 30, the team will play 11 home games at Starr’s Mill High School, according to team officials, but administrators at Starr’s Mill could not confirm that schedule. The Lightning Youth Soccer Club is based in Fayetteville, but Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown said he didn’t anticipate any confusion having two Lightnings in the area. “We’re excited about the opportunity to host a professional-level basketball team in the South Metro area,” said Brown at Friday’s news conference. “The team owner and staff have developed a strategy that not only provides for quality sports entertainment, but also offers a commitment to our recreation leagues and schools throughout the Southern Crescent counties and I support their efforts.” The team will act as a developmental feeder for players interested in furthering their careers in the NBA, American Basketball Association, Continental Basketball Association (CBA) or international leagues. NBA veteran and University of Georgia star Litterial Green has been named general manager and head coach of the team. “I think this opportunity brings my career full circle,” said Green, a Fayette County resident. “What better way to continue your experiences than by helping other players improve their skills? Also, as a Fayette County resident, I’m looking forward to bringing the wonderful people of the Crescent an exciting form of family sports entertainment,” Green said. The 20-game season will include 11 home games played at Starr’s Mill between April and June. More information on player tryouts, additional coaches and ticket sales is pending. Ed Harris, who owns the team, was originally going to base it in Montgomery, Ala. “We wanted to show our commitment to the area and therefore named the team Southern Crescent Lightning to honor the counties that will support us and are integral to our success,” said Harris.
| ||