Rhinos Take on the Aces for Their First Ever Game

Highlights :

Written by Lynne LaMaster

Saturday, 06 December 2008 15:08

Want to talk about exciting? You should have been at the Rhinos game Friday night at Bradshaw Mountain High School. Although they didn't come away with the 'W', they played well and they played hard in their first official game as a new franchise in the American Basketball Association.

The Arizona Rhinos were up against the Los Vegas Aces, and in the first half, it looked as if the Aces had total domination over the local Rhinos. By halftime, the score was 52-68, and there were many concerned fans in the bleachers. But, once halftime was over, the Rhinos seemed to have a new-found confidence and they came out with a will to make this a game.

With 29.4 seconds left to go in the 4th quarter, the Rhinos had pulled within 3 points of the Aces, bringing the score to 123-128. But, the Aces were just too hard to overcome, and by the time the final buzzer rang, the score was 128-134.

Afterwards, Kisha Spellman-White, the team owner, said that she was so excited in the last few minutes, she about came out of her shoes. Noting that it was the team's first official game, and there are a lot of rookies on the Rhinos, Spellman-White said she thought the team did quite well. "But, what I'm really amazed at," Spellman-White said, as she gestured at the stands, "is the support the community showed for us in coming out tonight. I appreciate so much seeing them all here."

Spellman-White emphasized that in choosing the team players, they looked carefully at each one's character and willingness to be ambassadors in the community, in addition to their athleticism and ability to play basketball. She said that the players have to be excellent "representatives both on and off the court."

Coach Orlando Woolridge, in speaking about the game, said, "It was entertaining, and I wanted it that way. I thought it was an exciting game. I thought my guys came out a little lethargic at first, because I think they were a little nervous, because I've got a lot of guys that are rookies. But once they kind of got their feet wet, and once they accepted the challenge, I thought they responded real well. We picked up defensively, gave us an opportunity to get out and run, and they showed me something the second half. I really feel we have the chance to be really good."

Woolridge spoke about a few of the players that stood out, "I thought Rudy played really well the second half - a lot of the guys stepped up. Antonio did a really good job, I thought Cliff Washington, when he came in defensively, got us a spurt and got us going. Devon Green played exceptionally well. So, that's the type of team we have. We have a lot of guys who at different times could step up and get us the win, and that's what's got to happen."

Next game is Friday, December 12, 2008, at the Bradshaw Mountain High School Gym. Tickets are $15.

We're including some photos below in case you weren't able to be there, but stay tuned! Photos from photographer extraordinaire Matt Santos will be on display soon.