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1/19/12
Wizards Win 122-92
The Wizards beat a game Jaguar squad without ever trailing once in the game. In a match-up of two Northern Division opponents the Wizards used their size and depth to hold off the Jaguars and keep an outstanding home record in tact that has them loosing only once at home in 3-years.
"Winning on the road is difficult" Stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo "The Jaguars are a good shooting club, and we knew if we could keep this game from being a 3-pt shooting contest it would be in our favor"
That is exactly what the Wizards did holding the Jaguars to only 1 3-pt shot for the entire game and blocking off the middle with their size (Zephyr, Abraham, and Lawley)"
"Our bigs were the difference tonight" Continued Cerillo "We were able to challange 3-pt shooters and seal the paint from drives. This team is game and truly only a few players away, not an unusual case for an expansion team, from giving people fits."
The Jaguars were lead by John Youngmans 21 points!
The Wizads big front line of Tim Zephyr (17 points 11 reboundss 1 block) Jermaine Abraham (14 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks) and Brandon Lawley (20 points 10 rebounds 2 blocks) proved difficult for a shorter Jaguars club.
In addition the Wizards depth supplied 49 bench points to aid the club.
"Our guards are always our strenght" Continued Cerillo "Yet our guards are also great team players. Aubin Scott (17 points) Jason Romer (7 points) Eric Ferguson (7 points and 4 steals) and Tamien Trent 16 points) knew the way to beat the Jaguars was not to attack their strong guard play but try and take advantage of our size."
The Wizards stand 2-1 in league play at this point in the season.
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1/10/12
Wizards Add 2 Players To A Strong Line-Up
The New York Wizards have added 2 proven scorers to an already explosive line-up in an effort to strengthen their roster for a Championship push!
“This is unusual for us” Stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo “We have always been a tall, very tall lineup and normally we shy away from big time scorers because of their tendency to not be able to play in a team concept. These two outstanding young men are different though, very different.”
The player’s Coach Cerillo is speaking of is Gerald Carter out of Marist College and Rob Hampton out of Norfolk State!
Both former Division I players Carter averaged over 30 PPG in the EBA two seasons ago and Hampton, a rookie, was a double digit scorer at Norfolk State for 2 consecutive seasons after transferring from Drexel as a Sophomore.
“What impressed me both with these young men was their ability to defend multiple positions, their desire to play within a team concept, and their character” Continued Cerillo “One can also not dismiss the fact that we may have just added two more explosive offensive players to an already explosive lineup”
The Wizards also anticipate the announced signing of another big man by weeks end!
Both Carter & Hampton are expected to be in uniform for the Wizards home contest at 7 PM on 1/14/2012 against the NYC Jaguars at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park. Fans can listen to the game Live on Internet Radio by clicking onto the below link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sportsrantzradio/2012/01/15/test-1
Gerald Carter 2011
Rob Hampton 2011
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12/19/11
Wizards Even New York Rivalry at 1 Each
The New York Wizards hosted the previously unbeaten Hudson Valley Hype at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park on Saturday 12/17 and led the game from the opening tip eventually winning a hard fought contest 112-102.
For the 200+ fans in attendance they got to see the Nassau Community College Kick Line, Deer Park Cheer, music by DJ Swing, another outstanding performance by Long Island Dance Force, and of course a New York Wizards Win!!!
"I can not even begin to describe the heck of a job Allen Pickett has done to place a championship caliber club in Northern New York" Stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo "It was only a few years ago this club had talent that bordered on mens league or worse. Allen kept pushing, recruiting, and working. The Hypes guard combination is excellent and will make things difficult for many teams in our league."
How far have the Hype come in just two short years? Last season upon Picketts take over of the bench and increased front office presence, the Hype were forced to utilize a Wizards reserve guard who could not get any time with the Wizards. That player averaged double digits for the former struggling Hype squad. That same player did not see a minute of action in Saturday's contest. The Hypehave come a long way!!!!!
The Wizards on the other hand continue to prove their earned position as one of the better teams in the league. Two consecutive Final Four appearances have placed a "target" on the Wizards and often have other teams measuring them self against their standards.
"Truly this is one of the most unselfish teams I have ever coached" Stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo "We have guys like Greg Lott & Jermaine Abraham totally give up their offensive games on Saturday to concentrate their efforts on assisting Brandon Lawley in keeping Hype scoring machine Lloyd Clinton in check."
Last game Clinton dropped 36 on the Wizards this game 14. Leading the way for the Hype was Keyodi Ayeni out of St. Francis with 26 points.
"You have to always, always, always watch Clinton: stated Cerillo "You can hold this guy down for only so long. He can drop 20 on you in a half."
To match the dangerous guard combination of the Hype (Labase & Jones) the Wizards went with Aubin Scott, Jason Romer, Eric Ferguson, and Tamien Trent, all former Division I college players.
Aubin Scott still proved to be an impossible match-up for most EBA guards. Coming off last seasons MVP campaign Scott torched his opposing guards with 30 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Jason Romer added 11 points while Trent and Ferguson (3 3-pt shots in the game) added 13 & 16 respectively. That gave the Wizards guard combination 70 points. Difficult to match!!!!
Credit had to be given though to the 2 Wizards "big men" Tim Zephyr (19 points and 10 rebounds) and Brandon Lawley (10 points and 11 rebounds) who received most of the front line minutes, both posted a doubl/double, and both challanged Hype interior shots all evening long.
"Zephyr and Lawley were big for us this game" stated Coach Cerillo "No pun intended. These two players are so skilled, play great defense, make their free throws, and are two great team players. This game was filled with a lot of skill and a lot of talk. I prefer to say little in regards to trash type talk. The true measure of this season will be all the teams remaining at he end. The Hype may very well be there, and if they are I have a feeling they will be looking at us! I know each team faced the other on their home court slightly short handed. We have one more game in this matchup this season and I truly have a sense that the team which comes with their full roster has the best chance."
Stay tuned fans for the continue battle of these two beasts from the east!
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12/1/11
It’s Time To Play
New York Wizards Vs HudsonValley Hype
Place: Robert Frost Middle School
450 Half Hollow Road in Deer Park NY 11729
Date: December 17th 2011
Tip Off: 8 PM
Ticket Prices at the Door: $8
Don’t miss an exciting evening of professional basketball and entertainment! The evening will include:
- Toy Drive to benefit the Deer Park Community Center (Please bring a new un-wrapped children’s toy – boy or girls
- Live Radio Broadcast by Frankie The Sports Guy Maniscalco
- Music by DJ Swing
- Cheerleading exhibitions by Deer Park Cheer
- Dance Team performances by Long Island Dance Force & Nassau Community College Kick Line and Dance Team Choreographer Sharon Kraemer
- And more!!!!!
E-Mail: betterball@optonline.net to see how your team and/or organization can earn money by attending a Wizards game!
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11/10/11
Its Tip Off Time – Listen On The Radio
Fans of the EBA, Hudson Valley Hype, New York Wizards, or basketball in general will once again be provided a unique experience for the seasons Tip Off contest between the Hudson Valley Hype & New York Wizards on Saturday 11/12/2011 at 3:00 PM!
The game will be covered Live on Internet radio by the New York Wizards and their very own announcer Frankie “The Sports Guy” Maniscalso. All Wizards home games are covered by Frankie and broadcast Live, but this is a treat for the Wizards fans and family because this season opener road game will also be covered.
So sit down at your computer and listen to all the action as 2010/2011 League MVP Aubin Scott leads his defending Northern Division Champion Wizards squad into the home arena of a much-improved Hype squad under the leadership of Coach Allen Pickett!
Don’t miss a minute of the action and tune in to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sportsrantzradio/2011/11/12/ny-wizards-basketball-from-hudson-valley
At 3:00 PM!!!!!!!
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11/7/11
Wizards Hold Last Pre-Season Scrimmage –
Appear Ready For Season Opener
The Wizards finished up the regular season preparation’s with their Annual White/Black (color of the Wizards uniforms – Home/White & Black/Road) Scrimmage on Saturday 11/5/2011. If the outcome was any indication of what the season holds, fans have a lot to look forward to for the upcoming 2011/2012 season!
“We need to be good, very good” stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo “We open with the Hudson Valley Hype under the leadership of Allen Pickett. Allen has done a tremendous job since taking over the program, and the Hype just might challenge for the Division title.”
The Wizards scrimmage took place behind “closed doors” (after all no secrets should be let out at this late date) at the beautiful FST – Fundamental Sports Training Center on Merrick Ave in Westbury, practice facility for the NY Wizards.
Final Score Black Team 128 – White Team 85. The black team represents the Wizards guaranteed roster players while the White Team has practice team players and those Wizards players looking to round themselves into shape!
“At this point our practice team may just be the best team in the area ready to play us, other then the Hype” Stated Cerillo
For the few in attendance they were able to see a real show! In only about ½ a game Wizards Captain and 20/20/2011 League MVP Aubin Scott scored 26 points and dished out 11 assists. Wizard’s fans and the Coaching Staff come to expect nothing less than this type of outstanding performance for Aubin!
“Aubin was the best player in the league last season and he has gotten even better” Stated Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo “Aubin is singularly focused on the championship and nothing but the championship. Our season will begin and end with the ball in Aubin’s hands, and I am very comfortable with that.”
3 Rookies dominated the night’s performance. Jermaine Abraham 6’7” out of Farmingdale State scored a dominating 34 points with 11 rebounds and 5 assists. People need to remember this young mans name. His game is pure power and athleticism. Play him to low and he will dunk right on you. Challenge him tight and he will run over you! Leave him open and he will shoot on you! How good is Abraham – As a rookie he will start at the power forward position, on a club loaded with big men, on a Southern Division Champion – Final Four club.
Tim Zephyr 6’9” out of Division I Norfolk State! Tim will start at the Center position for the Wizards and Saturday’s performance just reinforces the reason why. Tim dropped 30 points in the scrimmage with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocked shots. What is most impressive about Tim though is he may be one of the fastest big men in the league. Tim’s incredible athleticism and a real soft mid range jump shot are his strong suits and clearly both can allow him to play the 4 or 5 spot for any team in any division in the US or abroad!
Brian Fustin 6’9” at of Division II Goldey Beacom. A former star player on Long Island Brian is playing very very competitive basketball and getting quickly into pro shape! Brian put up 12 points 8 rebounds in Saturday’s contest with an array of post up moves in the paint!
Greg Lott 6’5” out of Division II Lane College. Lott was a big time scorer at Lane (over 1,000 career points in just 3 years), and Saturday was no different. Lott put in 30 points with a variety of jump shots and power moves that left the team dressed in white scratching their heads. Just as impressive was Lott’s ball handling! Lott dished out 6 assists during the game and should provide the Wizards multiple options at the 2 & 3 spots!
Greg Cerillo Jr 5’11” Suffolk Community College. After a few injury filled seasons the Wizards look to round this pure shooter back into shape! In just under ½ a game on Saturday this player put up 18 points and added in 5 assists. Cerillo can eliminate double teams on the post with 1 stroke of the right arm! Shot 2 of 3 from the 3-pt line on Saturday. Pretty much the standard for a player who holds the season 3-pt shooting mark in the EBA at 55%!
Among the stars already mentioned one player continued to shine throughout Saturday’s scrimmage. 6’8” Levy Mwanza off the Zimbabwe National Team scored 28 points and added 7 rebounds for the White uniformed dressed squad.
“Levy’s game is pure hard work and hustle” Continued Cerillo “With all the great players we have on our club, Levy’s hard work just stands out. I was not sure if he would be on the opening day roster, but Saturday he may just have secured a position among the top 12.”
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10/31/11
Wizards Players Continue to be Popular Overseas –
Nigel Byam Inks Overseas Deal:
Wizards Power Forward Nigel Byam signed a contract to play overseas in Bahrain for the Bahrain Premier Basketball League and a team called Issa Town!
Nigel Byam appearing for St. Francis in
white uniform
“Unfortunately for us Nigel never got a true chance to show what he could do against EBA competition” Stated Wizards head Coach Greg Cerillo “Nigel was a standout player at D-I St. Francis, tore up our Pre-Season Exposure Camp, and has just been a beast at all our workouts.”
“Our ability to identify talent is what will keep us strong” Continued Cerillo “Director of Basketball Operations Eddie Simmons and Assistant Coach Greg Barry have done a great job bringing in talent, so we should be OK! We have lost 3 projected starters to overseas contracts: Darren Townes to Finland, Darrell Wonge to Canada, and now Nigel. Yet that is exactly the advantage of being a Wizard! Players who make the commitment to play for us win, move up and move on. Overseas Coaches who have contacted us love our style of play, the professionalism of our staff and game day operations, the fact that we practice and practice at a quality facility, and the character of the people we recruit! I think this is just another thing that sets the Wizards apart from other leagues and clubs.”
Clearly any players looking to take their talent to the next level benefit from the agents, GM’s, and Coaches who continually attend Wizards practices!
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10/21/11
Deer Park Falcon Cheerleading Joins Wizards beginning 2011/2012
The New York Wizards are pleased to announce that the Deer Park Falcons Cheerleading Team will join their entertainment lineup beginning with the first home game of the upcoming 2011/2012 EBA Season!
“Our organization has always been dedicated to providing an evening of entertainment to everyone attending one of our basketball games” Stated Wizards head Coach and Owner Greg Cerillo Sr. “DP Falcon Cheerleading is exactly what we were looking for to enhance our current entertainment lineup which includes Dance Team Performances by our incredible chorographer Sharon Kraemer, Live Radio Broadcasts of our home games by Frank Maniscalco, and music and entertainment supplied by DJ Swing”
Fans will not want to miss one of the best minor league basketball teams in the country as they pursue their 3rd consecutive Division Title and hopeful 1st EBA Championship!
Wizard’s home games will take place at Robert Frost Middle School at 450 Half Hollow Road in Deer Park beginning Saturday 12/17/2011! Check the Wizards Schedule for additional details.
For information on how you can get your child involved with Deer Park Cheerleading you can contact Tami Hernandez at the Falcon Web Site at www.leaguelineup.com/falc or via e-mail at tamihernandez@remax.net!
Check out the Falcons in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT7vMmrYcfA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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9/30/11
New York Wizards Have 2 Players Playing Vs NBA
The New York Wizards of the EBA (Eastern Basketball Alliance) have had 2 of their players selected to participate in an All Star Game on October 6th in Harrisburg PA against a team of touring NBA players.
It pays to be a Wizard!!!! In just 3 seasons of Minor League Basketball the New York Wizards have: Played At Madison Square Garden, won 2 consecutive Division Titles, appeared in 2 consecutive EBA Final Fours in Washington DC, have had 4 players signed to paid overseas contracts, implemented a Home Game Profit Sharing plan for their players, secured 10+ players full or part time employment, established a fan base of 200-400 people per home game, and more......
Because of all that has already been mentioned, and certainly because of the quality of their players, 2 New York Wizards players have been selected to appear in this showcase event! The players - 2010/2011 EBA Player of the Year and Team Captain Aubin Scott our of LIU & West Hempstead, and Guard Jason Romer also from LIU will stack their talent against some of the players from THE LEAGUE!.
The Wizards are preparing to begin their league play which begins in November this year with a 2 League Game Basketball-Fest in Pine Bush NY. Home games will be played at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park. If you need the Wizards for a fundraising event or want to learn more you can go to the wizards web site at newyorkwizards.com or E-Mail betterball@optonline.com!
Nba Stars Coming To Harrisburg
Harrisburg stands to benefit from the NBA lock-out. With the league in a lock-out mode since July 1, many of its stars have taken to the road to play and their next stop will be the Kimber Gym at Harrisburg High on Thursday, October 6th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Basketball fans in the Harrisburg area will be able to watch John Walls' razzle-dazzle play from very affordable and up-close seats.
Dick Anzolut, President of the Eastern Basketball Alliance's Harrisburg Horizon, said, "We're delighted to have the opportunity to bring this level of talent to town to play our Harrisburg Horizon and EBA All-Stars. The lock-out has made it possible for fans, who previously were unable to attend games, to watch the action in their own hometown."
Expected to play for the Superstars are John Wall, Washington Wizards; Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats; Jeff Green, Boston Celtics; Michael Beasley, Miami Heat; and DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings. More superstars are to be added.
Scheduled to play for the Horizon/EBA are Makal Stibbins, Anthony Frazier, Aubin Scott, Dan Joyner, Trey Sharpe, Mike Cuffie, Tysheed Carr, and Jason Romer. Additional players to be announced.
Tickets are priced at $20.00 for general admission and $10.00 for kids 12 and under. No advance ticket sale. Doors will open at 5:00PM.
Several hundred VIP Courtside seats will be sold in advance and at the gate for $50.00 each. Call 986-0499 for VIP ticket information.
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09/12/11
Pro Exposure Camp A Big Success
26 players from areas as far away as South Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Washington DC, and the immediate Tri-State area, converged at the beautiful Multi Sport Training Facility in Westbury NY called FST (Fundamental Sports Training) for Scenic Sport Group LLC’s first Pro Basketball Exposure Camp!
And the results are in! Success! A Big success!!!!!
In addition to drills and skills evaluations players who attended participated in 3 full court officiated scrimmages with certified EBA officials explaining rules differences to aspiring pro players and differences to those who may never have played under pro rules before! EBA Coaches Allen Pickett from the Hudson Valley Hype & Greg Cerillo Sr. from the NY Wizards coached players to pro expectations insuring that all players in attendance received their best opportunity to shine and show their capabilities! These were real players! No YouTube sensations! No self-promoting players listing themselves as a pro because they had their own web site! These were legit pro players!
“I though it was a great event, the level of professionalism was at a high quality, from how Coach Cerillo conducted the NBA style of drills to his introducing the attendees to everyone involved with the camp. I especially thought his pre and post camp talks regarding what it takes to get to the next level in their careers was very thought provoking and inspirational. I thought the actual nuts and bolts of the camp the in game scrimmages was very competitive with a high degree of basketball being played, something that coaches from any professional league once viewing the film of the camp would be very impressed, there were definitely players there who would represent any league be it the EBA or any professional league overseas very well.
I had a blast being a part of the initial pro-exposure camp given by Scenic Sports Group in conjunction with Coach Greg Cerillo and The EBA.”
Martin Braxton
EBA Staff Referee
“ My Son Keith said that the competition was what he expected. He had a great brief stay there and is looking forward to coming back soon. All he talked about yesterday was the tryouts. I'll stay on him and keep pushing him to do his best.”
Keith Curry Sr. - Ohio
“What will be most valuable here to any player looking to play professionally is the game footage, 3 hours of it, showing their ability to play against this level of competition. The more tape one has playing against high levels of competition the easier it is to be evaluated to play at the next level”
Terence Blake
Scenic Sports Group LLC
“I was pleased, very very pleased with the turnout. Some talented players turned out for this event and even with them all in the gym, the level of play from the experienced EBA players who showed up just stood out. I think these EBA players in attendance showed exactly what it takes to play at this level, and certainly some of the aspiring players there rose to this challenge!!! I personally will sign at least two players from this camp and have recommended a 3rd to some of our Southern Conference Teams because the player lives in the Washington DC area. In addition the 2 agents present seemed to find a vast array of new talent to add to their client pools. The EBA players who stood out during the camp in my mind and to the agents and coaches in attendance were: Beniot Bekono, Darrell Wonge, Aubin Scott, Darren Townes, and Tim Cass!”
Coach Greg Cerillo Sr.
EBA - New York Wizards
“I think the camp was a success. Some of the players in attendance may never get an opportunity like this again! To be able to play with players all at a pro level, with pro officials, and pro coaching is a game type opportunity, that does not come up everyday.”
Allen Pickett
EBA – Hudson Valley Hype
All players in attendance will receive access to the 8/6/11 Pro Exposure Camp game day taped scrimmages provided by Scenic Sports Group LLC & Gamble Sports Management, and certainly fans can expect to see some of these players in EBA and other professional uniforms for this upcoming season!
I just wanted to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Greg Cerillo and the NY Wizards for the recent Pro Exposure Camp that was held on Saturday August 6th in Merrick NY. One of my recent graduates was invited to attend and got the opportunity to not only play against upper echelon talent and competition, but meet Professional Coaches, Agents and Scouts from various overseas markets. Incredible opportunity and showcase for all. Thanks.
Anthony M. Calabrese
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Berkeley College
Players Receiving An A Rating at this camp (A meaning ready immediately for professional play) are as follows:
Benoit Bekono -U. Cal 6’7”
Nigel Byam - St. Francis 6’8”
Darren Townes - Hofstra 6’7”
Darrell Wonge – Winston Salem 6’7”
Aubin Scott - LIU 6’1”
James Smith – Marist 7’
Joshua Inadagbo – St. Paul’s 6'6"
Keith Curry – 6’1”
Contact Information on these players may be obtained by E-Mail: betterball@optonline.net