Rochester RazorSharks

Last updated
Rochester RazorSharks
RazorsharksPBL.PNG
Leagues American Basketball Association
2005–2007
Premier Basketball League
2008–2017, 2020, 2022
North American Premier Basketball
2018
Founded2005
Folded2018
HistoryRochester RazorSharks
2005–2018
Location Rochester, New York
Team colorsGray, blue, and black
Championships8 (2006 ABA, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 PBL)

The Rochester RazorSharks are an inactive professional basketball team based in Rochester, New York. The RazorSharks were founded in 2005 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). They remained in the ABA until 2007, leaving the league to become founding members of the Premier Basketball League (PBL). The RazorSharks have won eight championships to date – the 2006 ABA championship and PBL titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. The team joined the new North American Premier Basketball for the 2018 season and planned to play in The Basketball League in 2019 before the team decided to sit out the season. [1]

Contents

The RazorSharks announced in August 2019 that the team would return in a re-launched PBL for the 2020 season with the franchise rights acquired by Mooreland Productions, LLC, a local entertainment company, and have stated they will play in a new venue. [2] The ownership opened a new recreation center called Fast Break Sports for the team to play home games in late 2020, while the team also joined the Pro Basketball Association (PBA) for the 2021 season. [3] [4]

History

2005–2006

The Rochester RazorSharks were founded in 2005 as an American Basketball Association expansion team. The RazorSharks had much success during their first season, as they finished their inaugural regular season at 26–4, ranked #1 in the ABA Pit Bull Power Rankings, and were named as one of ProBasketBallNews.com's Top 10 Minor League teams. They also led the ABA in attendance. Their regular season high was 6,192 against Indiana. Due to their success at the gate, Rochester hosted the 2006 ABA Great Eight Tournament. On March 26, the RazorSharks won the ABA championship, defeating the SoCal Legends 117–114 in front of a then franchise record crowd of 6,377.

The RazorSharks won a league title in their first season, which continued a Rochester basketball tradition: a league title in a team's first season. The Rochester Royals won the 1950–51 National Basketball Association championship and the Rochester Zeniths captured the 1978–79 Continental Basketball Association title.

2006–2007

During the team's first off-season, the RazorSharks re-signed head coach Rod Baker. The deal was a two-year contract, keeping the 2005–06 ABA Coach of the Year in Rochester until the end of the 2007–2008 season. Despite the loss of 2006 ABA MVP Chris Carrawell, the RazorSharks reloaded by signing key players such as C/F Mike Mackell and including the mid-season pickup of G/F Ricky Price.

The team opened the season with two wins on the road, returning to Rochester for their 2006 home opener on November 16, a 107–93 win over the rival Buffalo Silverbacks. Two days later on November 18, ABA Commissioner John Salley presented the players and staff with their championship rings, and helped hoist the 2005–06 ABA Championship banner to the rafters of the Blue Cross Arena. A 124–114 win over the Maryland Nighthawks followed the ceremony.

On December 28, the RazorSharks beat the Cape Cod Frenzy 92–88. The win was the franchise's 24th consecutive home victory, eclipsing the local pro basketball record set by the 1949–50 Rochester Royals and the 1978–79 Rochester Zeniths. The announced attendance of 7,858 was not only a franchise high, but a local high for a pro basketball game. The RazorSharks finished the regular season with an 18–0 home record, extending their home win streak to 35 consecutive wins in the process. It had been over a year since the franchise's last home loss. The Niagara DareDevils had beaten Rochester on November 24, 2005.

On March 22, the RazorSharks announced they were leaving the ABA to help form the new Premier Basketball League. [5]

2008

The team's first year in the PBL was very successful, finishing with an 18–2 record and the top seed in the league playoffs. Following first and second-round byes, they defeated the Reading Railers 100–76 for a berth in the championship game. Rochester's success came despite a large turnover of players, as there were only four holdovers from the 2007 team (James Reaves, John Halas, Demond Stewart, and Keith Friel).

On March 30, the RazorSharks won the PBL's inaugural championship, defeating the Arkansas Impact 142–112. Another notable incident in the title game was forward Sammy Monroe grabbing the rim for a rebound and shattering the backboard in the process. The glass shrapnel injured teammate James "Mook" Reaves and delayed the game for 45 minutes while the backboard was replaced and medical staff tended to Reaves' injuries. For the championship game Rochester had a record crowd with 9,717 in attendance, a record which still stands today.

2009

Reaves, Friel and Jerice Crouch returned to the Sharks in 2009, along with role players Ron Rollerson and Steve Hailey. Chris Iversen was promoted from the front office to assistant coach during the off-season.

The team struggled early, losing three of their first four games. On January 19, the Vermont Frost Heaves ended Rochester's 48-game home winning streak. However, the RazorSharks won all 15 remaining regular-season games to finish the regular season 17–3, winning the league's Eastern Division and the second seed in the PBL playoffs. The PBL semifinals pitted the RazorSharks against the third-seeded Manchester Millrats. The teams split the first two games of the best-of-three series, the visitor winning each game. Back at the BCA, the Sharks won Game 3 110–103 to advance to the PBL championship series.

Due to arena difficulties in Battle Creek, the PBL announced that the planned three-game series would instead be a single game held on April 19 in Rochester. [6] The RazorSharks won the game easily 152–115. Sammy Monroe shattered the backboard again delaying the games for 45 minutes in the first quarter.

2011

After starting the season 2–6, the RazorSharks finished the season 12–8, good for a third-place finish in the league. Rochester defeated Quebec and Lawton-Fort Sill in three-game series for the franchise's fourth title in six seasons. [7] [8]

2013–14

In 2013–14 the RazorSharks would win their first PBL championship title in three years after finishing 17–1 during the regular season and defeating the Indianapolis Diesels two games to one. Jerice Crouch would be named the Playoff MVP.

2015

In a strong effort to win their first set of back-to-back titles since 2008 and 2009, the RazorSharks added new head coach, former scout of the Cleveland Cavaliers and 2010–'11 PBL Coach of the Year, Robert Spon. Also Chris Iversen, who has been with the RazorSharks every year since inception, minus the 2013–14 season will be returning as an assistant coach. The RazorSharks would go on to complete the perfect season after going undefeated (15–0) in the regular season and sweep the Lake Michigan Admirals in a close series to win the league's 2015 PBL Championship. This would mark the team's fifth Premier Basketball League title and sixth overall in history.

2016

In 2016, Rochester was able to turn around a disappointing 2–2 start by promoting long time assistant, Chris Iversen to the head coaching position. Iversen went undefeated for the remainder of the season, winning 16 straight regular season games, plus three postseason match-ups, finishing with a sweep of the Lake Michigan Admirals in the best of three PBL Championship Series. The 2016 title was the third straight PBL Championship for the RazorSharks, and their seventh total in team history.

Since 2018

The team joined the new North American Premier Basketball for the 2018 season and planned to play in The Basketball League in 2019 before the team decided to sit out the season. [1]

The RazorSharks announced in August 2019 that the team would return in a re-launched PBL for the 2020 season under the ownership of Mooreland Productions, LLC, a local entertainment company, and stated they will play in a new venue. [2] That did not happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ownership opened a new recreation center, Fast Break Sports, in Batavia, New York, for the team to play home games in late 2020, while the team also joined the Pro Basketball Association (PBA) for the 2021 season. [3] [9] The team also did not play that season.

On September 1, 2021, the team announced that it rebranded as the Fast Break Fury, but Mooreland Productions later issued a press release stating that there would be no rebranding, that the agreement with the RazorSharks would not be renewed, and the Fast Break Fury would be a separate franchise. [10]

Year-by-year results

The RazorSharks have made the championship series every year of their existence besides (2007). They boast a record of 7–3 in the championship.

YearW-LSeason finishPlayoff finishAverage attendance
2005–0626–41st ABA BlueABA Champions3,241
2006–0724–62nd ABA Northwithdrew4,177
2007–0818–21st PBL EastPBL Champions3,383
2008–0917–31st PBL EastPBL Champions4,044
2009–1016–42nd PBLRunner-up4,699
2010–1112–83rd PBLPBL Champions5,592
2011–1217–21st PBL EastRunner-up4,717
2012–1317–21st PBLRunner-up2,220
2013–1417–11st PBL EastPBL Champions2,039
2014–1515–01st PBLPBL Championsn/a
2015–1618–21st PBL NortheastPBL Championsn/a
2016–1712–21st PBLPBL Championsn/a
2017–1811–187th NAPBDid not qualifyn/a
2018–19Did not participate
2019–2011–32nd PBLCancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic n/a

Retired numbers

Rochester RazorSharks Retired Numbers
NoPlayerPositionCareerNumber retirement
3 Lazarus Sims G2005–2007January 24, 2008
13 Keith Friel G2005–2013April 10, 2016
U2 Orest Hrywnak Co-owner2005–2014January 29, 2017

Coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2020 season.

#NameTerm [b] GCWLWin%GCWLWin%Achievements/Notes
Regular seasonPlayoffs
1 Rod Baker 2005–201218414836.80425187.7204 championships, 3x Coach of the Year
2 Cliff Levingston 201319163.842422.500
3 Lawrence Moten 201421192.944321.6671 championship
4 Robert Spon 2015171701.0002201.0001 championship, Coach of the Year
5Chris Daleo2016422.500000N/AFired mid-season
6Chris Iversen2016–2018514013.754761.8562 championships, 2x Coach of the Year, fired after 10 games in 2018 (2–8)
7Clay Pittinaro20181899.500000.000Took over for Chris Iversen
8Troy Jackson2019–20202201.000000.000Fired beginning of season
9Terry Nowden2020–present1293.75000.000Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic, 2nd seed in PBL when cancelled
All-TimeAll-Time2005–201829624256.812413011.7328 Championships

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry</span>

The Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry was a professional basketball team based in Lawton, Oklahoma. They played in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) after having been in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). They have one PBL championship and also were the two time champions of the CBA. The original team was known as the Oklahoma City Cavalry, which competed in the CBA in Oklahoma City from 1990 to 1997 – when they were league champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Condors</span> Defunct professional basketball team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Condors were a professional basketball team in the original American Basketball Association (ABA). Originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers, they were a charter franchise of the ABA and captured the first league title. The team played their home games in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington GreenHawks</span> Team of the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League

The Washington GreenHawks were a team of the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League (ACPBL) based in Washington, D.C. As the Maryland Nighthawks they were formerly part of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and a founding member of the Premier Basketball League (PBL), in which they later played as the Maryland GreenHawks. The team began play in the fall of 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Basketball Association (2000–present)</span> Semi-professional basketball league

The American Basketball Association (ABA) is an American semi-professional men's basketball minor league that was founded in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester Zeniths (basketball)</span> Basketball team in Rochester, New York

The Rochester Zeniths were a professional basketball team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). They played in Henrietta, New York, a suburb of Rochester at the Dome Arena and in downtown Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. They existed for six basketball seasons, winning two league titles and generally had great success on the basketball court before they disbanded after the 1982/83 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rain or Shine Elasto Painters</span> Philippine professional basketball team

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association owned by Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. It debuted in the league in the 2006–07 PBA season after acquiring the franchise rights of the Shell Turbo Chargers in 2006, which disbanded after the 2004–05 PBA season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yeng Guiao</span> Filipino basketball player, coach, and politician (born 1959)

Joseller "Yeng" Medina Guiao is a Filipino professional basketball head coach, politician, commentator and sports commissioner. He is currently the head coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association. He previously served as the interim head coach of the Philippine national team. Guiao won seven PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in the early 1990s. He is a former Philippine Basketball League commissioner from 1997 to 2000. He was also the Vice Governor of the Province of Pampanga from 2004 to 2013, serving three different Governors, Mark Lapid, Eddie Panlilio and Lilia Pineda. He is a former congressman, representing the 1st District of Pampanga from 2013 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilmington Sea Dawgs</span> Minor league professional basketball team in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a professional basketball team and founding member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League. The team is based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association. The team later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the Continental Basketball League. In 2013, they will play at Blizzard Athletics, having previously played at the Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center on the campus of Cape Fear Community College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halifax Rainmen</span> Former basketball team in Halifax, Canada

The Halifax Rainmen were a professional basketball team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. They played in the Atlantic Division of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) and their home games took place at the Scotiabank Centre, formerly known as the Halifax Metro Centre. Andre Levingston was the owner of the Rainmen since he helped establish the team in 2006. The team played their first season in the American Basketball Association (ABA). However, after becoming unhappy with the ABA, they moved to the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for the next three seasons. In 2011, they joined the NBL Canada as one of the original seven teams. Despite showing success in the four seasons they spent in the Canadian league, making two Finals appearances, the Rainmen filed for bankruptcy in July 2015. The team was coming off a controversial loss in the 2015 NBL Canada Finals against the Windsor Express and forfeited Game 7 after taking part in a pre-game brawl. The Halifax Hurricanes, with a larger ownership group than the Rainmen's single owner, replaced the Rainmen in NBL Canada for the 2015–16 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Austria</span> Filipino basketball player and coach

Leovino R. Austria is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player. He last served as the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premier Basketball League</span>

The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is an American professional men's basketball minor league that began play in January 2008. The league folded after the 2017 season. It was announced that the league would be revived under new management for the 2020 season. The league announced due coronavirus outbreak the season would be put on hold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint John Riptide</span> Canadian professional basketball team based in Saint John, New Brunswick

The Saint John Riptide were a Canadian professional basketball team based in Saint John, New Brunswick, that had home games at Harbour Station. They were a member of the National Basketball League of Canada in the Atlantic Division. The team was one of two professional basketball teams from the province of New Brunswick, the other being the Moncton Magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Stampede</span>

The Buffalo Stampede was a basketball team in the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League (ACPBL) that started as a franchise in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) in the 2009 season. The team was originally the NexxNow Buffalo Dragons The team was first owned by NexxNow Inc. However, Vincent Lesh, the owner of the modern American Basketball Association Buffalo Sharks folded that club, left the ABA, and bought the Dragons from NexxNow, renaming them the Buffalo Stampede.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Panthers (PBL)</span> American minor-league basketball team

The Detroit Panthers are an American minor-league basketball team in the Premier Basketball League. Formerly a member of the American Basketball Association, the team was previously known as the Detroit Dogs and the Detroit Wheels. The Panthers were one of the charter franchises of the ABA and won the league's first championship as the Detroit Dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montreal Sasquatch</span> Basketball team in Montreal, Quebec

The Montreal Sasquatch were a team of the Premier Basketball League (PBL) that played in the 2008–09 season under two different ownership groups.

Jayson Castro William is a Filipino professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). His moniker is "The Blur" for his speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabe Freeman</span> American basketball player

Gabriel DeAndre Freeman is an American professional basketball player for the Halifax Hurricanes of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL). He previously played for the Rochester Razorsharks of the Premier Basketball League (PBL) in the United States. Freeman also has experience with the London Lightning in the NBL Canada and steered them to a 2012 Finals victory. He won the ASEAN Basketball League championship with the Philippine Patriots in 2009 and led the San Miguel Beermen to a 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference title earlier that year. On August 14, 2018, Freeman was traded to the St. John's Edge in exchange for Alex "Superman" Johnson, a 2018 First Round Draft Pick, and Future Considerations.

The Bloomington Flex were a professional minor league basketball team based in Bloomington, Illinois. The Flex last played in the Midwest Professional Basketball Association (MPBA) in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shreveport Mavericks</span> American minor-league basketball team

The Shreveport Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Shreveport, Louisiana that plays in The Basketball League (TBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midwest Professional Basketball Association</span>

The Midwest Professional Basketball Association (MPBA) was a professional men's basketball league that began play in January 2015. The six charter members were: Bloomington Flex, Champaign Swarm, Chicago Force, Gateway Steam, St. Louis RiverSharks and Windy City Groove.

References

  1. 1 2 "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - RazorSharks Update". Rochester Razorsharks. December 3, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Rochester RazorSharks have a new owner, new coach". Rochester First. August 12, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Court Time for Rent at Fast Break Sports, Home of the Rochester Razorsharks". Spectrum News. February 24, 2021.
  4. "PBA Dec 24, 2020, Facebook Post". Facebook. December 24, 2020.
  5. George, Rachel (2007-03-24), Sea Dawgs are unlikely hosts, Wilmington Star News, retrieved 2009-12-17
  6. "Final Showdown Game Set for Sunday". 15 April 2009.
  7. [ dead link ]
  8. [ dead link ]
  9. "PBA Dec 24, 2020, Facebook Post". Facebook. December 24, 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26.
  10. "Fast Break Fury – Basketball". Fastbreakfury.com. Retrieved 23 June 2022.