News
Email
Print
Minor-league Storm to begin play tonight
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: November 14, 2008
Bryan Short says that putting together a minor-league basketball team is the hardest thing he has ever done.
"I never thought it would be this hard," said Short, the general manager and coach of the Winston-Salem Storm. "We are dealing with so many different variables."
The Storm, a member of the 28-team American Basketball Association, will open its first season tonight in Tennessee against the Nashville Broncs, then will play the Knoxville Thunderbolts on Saturday night and Sunday. The Storm will play the Broncs in its home opener, Nov. 21 at 7:30 at Winston Salem State's Gaines Center.
Short started as the general manager and then was named the coach when the leading candidate decided not to take the job. "It's just me," he said, "but it's been fun finding out what kind of team we have."
Many of the players on the Storm's roster played at area high schools or colleges. Included in the group are: Travis Holcomb-Faye (Reynolds High, East Carolina); Norman Carter (Winston-Salem State); Ray Bristow (Parkland, UNC Greensboro); Walt Baxley (North Forsyth, Mars Hill); and Philip McCandies (Parkland, College of Charleston).
"We wanted to have some players who local fans would know," said Short, who is also a sports agent.
Players, most of whom hold other jobs, will make $250 for each game they play. To hold down costs, Short said, the team will travel with 11 players and have nine in uniform. The team has been practicing twice a week at the Gateway YWCA.
Short said that the Storm will play an up-tempo style, with an emphasis on defense.
"What's unique about this league are the defensive rules, where you can actually get a steal in the backcourt and make a 3-pointer and it would actually be worth four points," Short said.
The Storm's most prolific scorer could turn out to be Devin Davis, a 6-5 guard who didn't play college basketball. "He can really score," Short said. "And with our style, he's going to get his share of shots."
The Storm, which is owned by Wes Mason, and WSSU have agreed to a five-game deal for the Gaines Center, and the university will reassess the contract after the five games. WSSU will get a portion of the ticket money, and the most expensive ticket will be $10.
Short also said that the team would give away about 500 tickets at local elementary and middle schools in the days leading up the first home game.
"We really want this to be family entertainment at a reasonable price," he said. "It's something that's new to this area and we are excited about it."
■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at
jdell@
wsjournal.com.
Email
Print
