ABA’s Compton Cobras Flatten California Beach Ballers!

Compton, California (December 10, 2009) – The venomous Compton Cobras brought their “A” game to a blazing match-up against the California Beach Ballers. Although a wet and rainy Thursday night limited the crowd to less than 1,000 in the stands, BET Comic View comedian Dexter Smiles announced the game, and kept the crowd thoroughly entertained. During team and media time-outs, Smiles delivered a bagful of side-splitting jokes and improvised as a “human beat box” and “DJ” to continue the thrilling momentum.

In their second home game, the Cobras got off to a slow start as the Ballers fast-paced, big man offense set a 12-3 run within the first three minutes, startling the Cobras defense. Ballers Power Forward Tony Farmer shot 5-for-6 from downtown and led his team during the first half of the game with 20 pts. Ballers Guard and All-State athlete Vince Camper charged the post as well as hit a number of impressionable jump shots and gained 10 points.

Once the Cobras defense set a zone defense to stump Farmer’s hot hands, the snakes then attempted to poison their opponent’s defense. Cobras Guard Curtis Small hustled to the paint in a number quick, fake pivot outside jump shots and inside lay-ups that pulled the Cobras up from a five-point deficit. Small led the Cobras with 12 points for the first half and shot 1-for-5 from the 3-point range. Shooting Guard Isaac “Ice” Burton chilled the crowd, shooting two buckets, going 2-for-2 from the Free Throw line and hitting1-for-1 from downtown.

The long-range shootout continued when Cobras Guard Diamond Johnson hit two-for-two from downtown and another outside jumpshot before heading to the line, where he shot 1-for-2. While Cobras Forward Jamar “J-Ball” Cramer was bounced to the Free Throw line for the better part of the first half, he didn’t upset his bench or the crowd by stinging the net with 5-for-5 at the line. The half-time buzzer was a clincher when the Ballers missed a swift lay-up. Fans were left on the edge of their seats gazing at the Cobras narrow lead of 59-58.

The steady excitement continued during half-time as the event turned into a mock rendition of the TV game show Jeopardy. Cobras Announcer and comic Dexter Smiles led a hilarious series of trivial questions for audience members to win Herbal Life gift bags. Thanks to the Cobras other sponsors New Haven Trucking Co., Rodgers Protection Group, Wing Stop, The CREATERRY Printing Co. and Jump 4 Fun Bouncing Co.; fans enjoyed a number of delicious samples and pre-Christmas hand-outs. The season of giving continues through the Cobras Care Program as the team is now collecting unwrapped toys during this week’s game for a special toy drive. Next Saturday, Dec. 19, the team will help distribute Christmas trees and toys to specially-awarded area students and their families in need from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Compton Center Main Gym. On Christmas Eve, the Cobras players will play Santa’s elves again and hand out turkeys at the gym beginning at 10 a.m.

Going into the second half with a tight lead, the Cobras attempted to continue a zone defense set around the Ballers hotshot outside shooter Farmer and menacing Guard Camper. After five points from two quick perimeter shots, Farmer got into a scuffle that led to an ejection from the game. With Ballers leading scorer Farmer out for the night after earning 25 points, Ballers Guard Terrell Hendricks turned up his game, hitting four shots in the paint, seven assists, one steal and ending the night with 14 points. Guard Mike Martin, who was hot in the first half with three downtown shots, went hard at the post, where he had 8 defensive rebounds, went 2-for-2 at the Free Throw line, and ended his evening with 15 points. But, by the end third quarter, the Cobras had taken a safe lead of 96-87.

Cobras Shooting Guard Isaac Burton was the Cobras leading scorer for the night with 25 points, 5 assist, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. In his usual “go hard” fashion, Guard Small had another double-digit night with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. The double-double for the night was made by Center Willform, who had 20 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. As the Cobras slyly slithered around the Beach Ballers, the exciting night ended with a poisonous sting to the Ballers in a 128-113 clincher.

The Compton Cobras are now 2-1 for the season and their next game is Saturday, Dec. 13 when they play at home in the El Camino College Compton Center Main Gym against the San Diego Surf at 7 p.m.