Central Basketball Association

Last updated
Central Basketball Association (CBA)
Central Basketball Association.jpeg
Sport Basketball
Founded2013
Inaugural season2013
No. of teams7
Country United States
Continent FIBA Americas (Americas)
Most recent
champion(s)
Indianapolis Blaze (2019)
Most titlesFort Wayne Flite (3)
Official website www.playCBA.com

The Central Basketball Association (CBA) is a semi-professional men's basketball league that began play in the spring of 2013. The league schedule typically begins in March and ends in May.

Contents

History

The four charter members are Bowling Green Hornets, Middle Tennessee Storm, River City Panthers, St. Louis Hawks (all formerly of the Central Basketball League).

Three teams (Chattanooga Rail Runners, Fort Wayne Flite and Memphis Soul Kings) were added for the 2014 season. After the second CBA season St. Louis Hawks ceased operations. An original member of the league, St. Louis went 10-7 over two regular seasons, capturing the first-ever CBA championship.

For 2015, CBA added three expansion teams: Indianapolis Briks, Mississippi Eagles and Springfield Sentinels. [1]

After the 2015 season Memphis Soul Kings ceased operations. Chattanooga Rail Runners relocated to Memphis. Expansion teams Columbus Condors and Indianapolis Blaze were added for the 2016 season.

Teams

TeamCityArenaFoundedFirst season in CBA
Baltimore Shuckers Baltimore, Maryland Anne Arundel Community College 20112017
Bowling Green Hornets Russellville, Kentucky Logan County High School 20132013
Fort Wayne Flite Fort Wayne, Indiana Horizon Christian Academy20142014
Indianapolis Blaze Indianapolis, Indiana Shortridge High School 20152016
Jackson Eagles Jackson, Tennessee Lane College 20142015
Memphis Rail Runners Memphis, Tennessee JIFF Center20142014
Middle Tennessee Storm Nashville, Tennessee Fisk University 20142014

Rail Runners [2] The first head coach was Rodney English (2014-2015), with the current head coach being Paul Gaffney (2015–present). [3] Gaffney is a 17-year veteran of the Harlem Globetrotters. [4] He founded the Rail Runners as a way to provide local players yet one more opportunity to realize their professional dreams. [5]

Former teams

Champions

SeasonChampionRunner-upResult
2013St. Louis HawksBowling Green Hornets107-96
2014Middle Tennessee StormSt. Louis Hawks (CBA)106-103 [6] [7]
2015Bowling Green HornetsFort Wayne Flite97-95
2016Fort Wayne FliteMiddle Tennessee Storm110-83 [8]
2017Fort Wayne FliteIndianapolis Blaze95-92
2018Fort Wayne FliteIndianapolis Blaze98-95 2OT
2019Indianapolis BlazeFort Wayne Flite83-82

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References

  1. "Central Basketball Association Expands To 9 Teams For 2015 Season". The Chattanoogan. 10 December 2014.
  2. "Chattanooga Rail Runners – Better Know A Team". Spor Report. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  3. "Memphis Rail Runners". Central Basketball Association. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  4. Branton, B.B. "Chattanooga Rail Runners Open Hoops Season". The Chattanooga. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  5. Wiedmer, Mark. "Wiedmer: Rail Runners a chance to prolong hoop dreams". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  6. "Middle Tennessee Storm are 2014 CBA Champions". CBA. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  7. "USBasket.com All-CBA Awards 2014". USbasket. 30 August 2014.
  8. "Fort Wayne Flite capture CBA title". 21 Alive. 22 May 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016.