ABA’s 12th-Ranked Compton Cobras Drown in Match-up Against San Diego Surf!

Compton, California (January 11, 2010) – On Sunday night, the ABA’s Compton Cobras hit the road and headed south for their third match-up against the San Diego Surf. But after burying one of their team leaders, standout Cobras Shooting Guard Diamond “DJ” Johnson, on Saturday afternoon nearly half the squad remained home a day later still grieving from the tragic loss.

In the two previous contests, the Cobras won both games. However, tonight the tide turned and the Surf came out on top, winning 117-98. During the first half of the game, the (6-2) Cobras played with the fire and zeal of a contender team on a mission to make it to the championships. While, the Surf played like a championship team patiently calculating its takeover of the game. The Cobras’ lightning transitions to the opposite post after scoring kept the Surf trailing by as much as 10 points. Guard Calvert Wright led the team in field goals in the first half with 8 points, including one basket once the “3D” rule went into effect. The “3D” rule is in effect when turnovers are made in the backcourt, creating an opportunity for any shot to be worth three points, and a 3-pointer is worth four points!

Two other Cobras players took advantage of this opportunity with Guard Yemi Wells and Power Forward Deon Marcus both hitting from downtown and lengthening the Cobras lead. “The first half was pretty good. Our energy was high and we were pretty efficient in our offense,” says veteran Cobras Guard Calvert Wright. When the half-time buzzer went off, the Cobras had the lead 59-50.

“In the third quarter, we kind of ran into a wall,” Wright adds. “We started losing energy, and I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that we only had seven players.” With only two players coming off the bench, the Cobras became weak and lost steam on both ends of the court. “We started getting beat on the transition and press breaking,” Cobras Guard Yemi Wells says the team’s slow rotations left the Surf’s best shooters open.

The Surf then went on an 18-2 run, with Surf hometown Guard John Clark, an All-CIF and All-Western League MVP hitting from downtown. The long-range shooter went 5-for-5 during that segment and lit the match that set off the Surf’s resurgence. “The Surf caught fire in the third quarter and the ‘fat lady started singing,’” adds Wright. “The Surf started hitting all their shots and never looked back.” The final score was 117-98 with the Surf as the big winners for the night.

For the Cobras, this was an unexpected defeat that occurred during one of the most difficult weeks of the season. “A lot of the team is still devastated over the loss of Diamond. So, they’re dealing with it in their own way,” Wright reflects about the loss of his teammate. Wells adds, “With Diamond’s loss, it was a big impact. He was always the guy on the bench who would motivate us and keep our heads in the game. Now, we have to find another way and motivate each other like DJ used to do.”

With only their second loss in the season, the Cobras must now go home and work on defense transitions, rebounds and offensive boards. But more importantly, the team will discuss how to overcome an incident that has shaken the team’s foundation. Both Wright and Wells are optimistic. Wells puts it, “I think as a group, we’ll come back this Thursday against the SLAM. We’ll work on some things during practice this week, talk about what’s going on as a team, and work things through.”

The Compton Cobras will have several days of rest and practice before, Thursday, January 14, when they play at home game against friendly rivals LA SLAM led by star player and Rapper “THE GAME.” The two ABA teams are 1-1 in their matches and the contest takes place in the El Camino College Compton Center Main Gym at 7 p.m. This Thursday night also marks the first “Thursday Night Live Nights,” where all game ticket prices are discounted by 50 percent.

Compton Cobras Leading Scorers:
(G) Calvert Wright, 18 pts, 0 in 3’s, 3/5FT’s, 7 FG’s, 1-3D went into effect in first half, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 steals,

(G) Yemi Wells, 17 pts, 3/6in3’s but 1-3D, 4/9FG’s, 1/2FTs, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 blocks, 2 steals, 3 turnovers

(PF) Deon Marcus, 16 pts, 2/6in3s and 1-3D, 5/13FGs, 3/6FTs, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 0 turnovers

*(F) Jamar Cramer, 11 pts, 1/7FGs, 2/8in3s, 3/3FTs, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 steals,

*Had a double-double for the night.