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"Delight yourself in the Lord....
...and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4, NIV
| Dig Deep For Your Dreams...Use Your Heart as the Shovel...You May Dig Up a Diamond! |
Ernest Jones Gets Break in Buffalo
--- Sunday, April 4, 2009
TCOB Player Ernest Jones got back to business in March, joining the Buffalo Stampede of the
PBL (Premier Basketball League).
A US Minor League veteran, Jones endured the worst of times as he watched his last two teams
fade silently into the night. Most recently, Ernest fell victim to the folding Orlando Aces of the
ABA (American Basketball Association).
"I spent almost two years trying to find my next team to call home," Jones explained. "The minor
leagues can be so unpredictable. I didn't know if I'd ever get another chance to play
professionally."
Jones spent 2 seasons in the USBL (United States Basketbal League) with the Brevard Blue Ducks
and a season and a half with the Aces of the ABA. This year was his first season away from his
home state of Florida.
Jones joined the Buffalo Stampede on February 21, 2009. He made his debut on March 14th with a
2 minute showing against the Halifax Rainmen. Despite joining a team out of playoff contention
with only 6 regular season games remaining, Jones looked at his opportunity in Buffalo with great
optimism.
"It wouldn't have mattered if there was one game remaining," Jones said. "I just wanted to find a
place to play again."
Jones attended PBL free agent camps in Battle Creek and Buffalo before the start of the 2009
season, but was unable to garner a spot on an opening day roster. He spent nearly 2 years after
the Aces folded trying to find his next break. When the Buffalo situation opened up, he was on the
next flight out.
Ironically, Jones put forth his best effort in the final game of the season against the Battle Creek
Knights. Clearly he had something to prove.
"I really wanted to show Coach Sayre that I could play at this level," Jones admitted. "If you
can't get up for a game against a team coached by a guy who overlooks you as a player, you might
as well pack it up and start a new career."
Jones, who earned his first start of the season, finished with a season high 13 points, 6 assists and
5 steals against the Knights. Defensively, he was burdened with guarding Rashi Johnson, arguably
the best point guard in the PBL.
Stampede teammate Player Chuck Reed loved what he saw from his fellow TCOB Player.
"Having Ernest in the starting lineup gave us a defensive presence we had been lacking all season
long," proclaimed Reed . "if it weren't for his over-excitement and getting into early foul trouble,
I think we could have pulled off the upset that night and ended the season on a great note."
The Knights-Stampede match-up pitted the PBL's best and worst record teams against each other.
Despite the 106-109 loss, Stampede owner Vincent Lesh saw his team finish on a strong note.
"What an exciting finish to the season," Lesh exclaimed. "Ernest played his heart out tonight,
and it seemed like it trickled down to the rest of the team. We should have made better use of
Ernest this season."
Jones hopes to return to Buffalo next season and pick up where he left off. He'll spend a portion
of the off-season back home in Oviedo, Florida, and possibly jet off to Buffalo midway through the
summer to train and prepare for the 2010 season with the Stampede.
--- Sunday, April 4, 2009
TCOB Player Ernest Jones got back to business in March, joining the Buffalo Stampede of the
PBL (Premier Basketball League).
A US Minor League veteran, Jones endured the worst of times as he watched his last two teams
fade silently into the night. Most recently, Ernest fell victim to the folding Orlando Aces of the
ABA (American Basketball Association).
"I spent almost two years trying to find my next team to call home," Jones explained. "The minor
leagues can be so unpredictable. I didn't know if I'd ever get another chance to play
professionally."
Jones spent 2 seasons in the USBL (United States Basketbal League) with the Brevard Blue Ducks
and a season and a half with the Aces of the ABA. This year was his first season away from his
home state of Florida.
Jones joined the Buffalo Stampede on February 21, 2009. He made his debut on March 14th with a
2 minute showing against the Halifax Rainmen. Despite joining a team out of playoff contention
with only 6 regular season games remaining, Jones looked at his opportunity in Buffalo with great
optimism.
"It wouldn't have mattered if there was one game remaining," Jones said. "I just wanted to find a
place to play again."
Jones attended PBL free agent camps in Battle Creek and Buffalo before the start of the 2009
season, but was unable to garner a spot on an opening day roster. He spent nearly 2 years after
the Aces folded trying to find his next break. When the Buffalo situation opened up, he was on the
next flight out.
Ironically, Jones put forth his best effort in the final game of the season against the Battle Creek
Knights. Clearly he had something to prove.
"I really wanted to show Coach Sayre that I could play at this level," Jones admitted. "If you
can't get up for a game against a team coached by a guy who overlooks you as a player, you might
as well pack it up and start a new career."
Jones, who earned his first start of the season, finished with a season high 13 points, 6 assists and
5 steals against the Knights. Defensively, he was burdened with guarding Rashi Johnson, arguably
the best point guard in the PBL.
Stampede teammate Player Chuck Reed loved what he saw from his fellow TCOB Player.
"Having Ernest in the starting lineup gave us a defensive presence we had been lacking all season
long," proclaimed Reed . "if it weren't for his over-excitement and getting into early foul trouble,
I think we could have pulled off the upset that night and ended the season on a great note."
The Knights-Stampede match-up pitted the PBL's best and worst record teams against each other.
Despite the 106-109 loss, Stampede owner Vincent Lesh saw his team finish on a strong note.
"What an exciting finish to the season," Lesh exclaimed. "Ernest played his heart out tonight,
and it seemed like it trickled down to the rest of the team. We should have made better use of
Ernest this season."
Jones hopes to return to Buffalo next season and pick up where he left off. He'll spend a portion
of the off-season back home in Oviedo, Florida, and possibly jet off to Buffalo midway through the
summer to train and prepare for the 2010 season with the Stampede.
