Wikipedia

Buffalo Stampede

(Redirected from Buffalo Dragons)
For the roller hockey team, see Buffalo Stampede (RHI). For the film, see The Thundering Herd (1933 film).

The Buffalo Stampede were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for two seasons in 2009 and 2010, and in the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League (ACPBL) for the 2010–11 season before suspending operations.

Buffalo Stampede
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Folded2011; 13 years ago (2011)
LeaguePBL
2009–2010
ACPBL
2010–2011
Team historyNexxNow Dragons
2008
Buffalo Dragons
2008
Buffalo Stampede
2009–2011
Based inBuffalo, New York
ArenaKoessler Athletic Center
2009–2010
Daemen College
2010–2011
ColorsOrange, black, white
     
OwnerTodd Wier
2008
Vincent Lesh
2009–2011
Head coachRichard Jacob
2008
John Fitzpatrick
2009
Aaron Clark (interim)
2009
Jim Condill
2010
Vern Hall & Jordan Ellis
2010
Herb Richmond
2010–2011
General managerRichard Jacob
2008
Roosevelt Bouie
2009–2011
CaptainMark Price
2010
Overall record11–43 (.204)
DancersStampede Dancers
2009

History

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2008: Franchise acquisition and sale

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Todd Wier had previously co-owned the Buffalo Silverbacks franchise of the American Basketball Association with Dan Robbie from 2005 to 2007. They sold that team to local concert promoter Vincent Lesh in September 2007, having lost $700,000 in their two seasons of ownership.[1]

In Wier's final season of ownership, the Silverbacks were eliminated from the 2006–07 ABA playoffs by the Beijing Aoshen Olympians, a traveling team from China who played their games at Felix Events Center in Azusa, California.[1] He was intrigued by the Olympians, as their games were broadcast live on CCTV-5 in China and watched by an average of 15 million people.[1][2]

Wier sought to duplicate the success of the Olympians with the Buffalo Dragons, a team which would be based in Buffalo, New York and feature predominantly Chinese players.[3] The team, also referred to as the NexxNow Dragons, was unveiled in April 2008 as an expansion franchise of the Premier Basketball League that would play at Burt Flickinger Center for the 2009 season.[3] However, Wier was unable to secure a television contract with the Chinese government through his NexxNow shell corporation, and the project became financially unsustainable.[4]

Vincent Lesh abandoned his plans to relaunch the Silverbacks as the Buffalo Sharks, and instead purchased the Dragons franchise from Wier in September 2008, renaming it the Buffalo Stampede.[5] The staff and players Lesh had recruited for the Sharks were brought over to the Stampede, including Richard Jacob as both head coach and general manager.[6] Roosevelt Bouie was announced as assistant coach in October 2008.[7]

2009: Inaugural season and instability

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Head coach and general manager Richard Jacob resigned two weeks prior to the inaugural season, along with assistant coach Bob Bateson.[8] John Fitzpatrick was hired to replace Jacob as head coach, with Roosevelt Bouie promoted to general manager.[9]

The team played the 2009 PBL season in the Eastern Division, with home games at Koessler Athletic Center.[10] Their inaugural game was a 98–95 home victory over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs in front of 650 fans on January 3, 2009.[11]

Players and coaches reported problems with Vincent Lesh making payroll, resulting in a high turnover rate.[12]

Fitzpatrick was fired in March 2009 after the team started 1–16, with assistant coach Aaron Clark promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[13] The team finished with a 1–19 record and failed to make the playoffs.[10]

Tyrone Rayson was named to the 2009 All-PBL Team after leading the club in scoring and rebounding.[10][12]

2010: Second season and dismissal from PBL

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Jim Condill was hired as the team's new head coach for their second season.[14] Local players were signed in an effort to increase home attendance at Koessler Athletic Center, including Damone Brown and Frank Turner.[15]

Derick Payne was named PBL Player of the Week after scoring 25 points to end the team's 22 game losing streak in their 124–114 victory over the Maryland GreenHawks on January 16, 2010.[16]

After falling ill during a team road trip to play the Puerto Rico Capitanes, Jim Condill resigned as head coach in February 2010.[17] Vern Hall was promoted from assistant coach as his replacement for the remainder of the season, with assistant coach Jordan Ellis filling in for Hall when needed.[17][18]

The team finished with a 3–17 record and failed to make the playoffs.[19] Kenneth Massey ranked the team 7th overall out of 9 teams in his final PBL ratings of the season.[20]

Corey Herring and Kevin Ross were named to the 2010 PBL All-Star Team after Herring led the club in scoring, and Ross led the club in rebounding.[19][21] Herring was also named to the 2010 All-PBL team for his performance during the season.[19]

The Premier Basketball League removed the team in May 2010, citing its failure to meet the league's operational standards.[22]

2010–2011: Final season in ACPBL

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The team joined the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League for their third season in August 2010.[23] Herb Richmond was hired as the team's new head coach in October 2010.[24]

Daemen College was chosen as the team's new venue, and their season opener was a 132–114 home victory against the Hudson Valley Kingz on December 4, 2010. [25]

At mid-point of the 2010–11 season, the Stampede were tied for first place with a 5–2 record.[26] However, the team lost five of their last seven games, finishing with a 7–7 record and failing to make the playoffs.[27]

Charles Walker, Greg Gamble and Marcus Hall were named to the 2011 ACPBL All-Star Team and the 2011 All-ACPBL Team.[27]

The Stampede ceased operations and was replaced in the ACPBL by the Buffalo Warriors, a team that folded midway through the 2011–12 season.[28] Warriors owner Franklin Jackson would go on to found the Buffalo Blue Hawks.

Personnel

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2009

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Buffalo Stampede roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
PG 10 Jones, Ernest 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1981-08-20 Florida State
PF 19 Norwood, Michael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1985-07-06 Coppin
SF 11 Payne, Derick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1983-01-08 Bowie State
PG 3 Price, Mark 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1980-08-02 Siena
PF 42 Rayson, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1980-07-31 East Central
SG 1 Reed, Chuck 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1983-10-03 Park
C 25 Ross, Kevin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1979-07-08 Cleveland State
PG 7 Yahn, Ricky 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) ????-??-?? Wheeling Jesuit
C 33 Yeoman, Adam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1987-05-07 Genesee CC
Head coach
  • Aaron Clark (interim)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 28, 2009

2010

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Buffalo Stampede roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 24 Battle, Jonathan 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1985-??-?? Madonna
G 10 Gamble, Greg 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1987-04-11 SUNY Buffalo
SF 19 Hall, Marcus 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) ????-??-?? Robert Morris
C 42 Harrison, Aaron 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 285 lb (129 kg) 1983-04-11 OPSU
G/F 23 Herring, Corey 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1983-07-03 Canisius
G/F 13 Norwood, Michael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1985-07-06 Coppin
PF 11 Payne, Derick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1983-01-08 Bowie State
G 3 Price, Mark (C) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1980-08-02 Siena
G 1 Robinson, Andy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1987-07-15 SUNY Buffalo
PF 25 Ross, Kevin 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1979-07-08 Cleveland State
G 7 Sims, Antoine 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1977-05-?? Johnson C. Smith
G/F 15 Walker, Charles 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) ????-??-?? D'Youville
Head coach
  • Jim Condill
Assistant coach(es)
  • Vern Hall
  • Jordan Ellis
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 6, 2010

Season-by-season record

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League champions Conference champions Division champions Playoff berth
Season Conference Finish Division Finish Wins Losses Win% GB Playoffs Awards Head coach Ref.
2009 — — Eastern 4th 1 19 .050 — Did not qualify. Tyrone Rayson (All-PBL) John Fitzpatrick
Aaron Clark 		[10]
2010 — — — — 3 17 .150 — Did not qualify. Corey Herring (All-Star, All-PBL)
Kevin Ross (All-Star) 		Jim Condill
Vern Hall
Jordan Ellis 		[19]
2010–11 North 3rd — — 7 7 .500 — Did not qualify. Charles Walker (All-Star, All-ACPBL)
Greg Gamble (All-Star, All-ACPBL)
Marcus Hall (All-Star, All-ACPBL) 		Herb Richmond [27]

Game log

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2009

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Regular season

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2008–09 game log
Total: 1–19 (Home: 1–9; Road: 0–10)
January: 1–6 (home: 1–2; road: 0–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 January 3 Wilmington W 98–95 Edmund Rainey (22) Kyle Cuffe (6)
Tyrone Rayson (6) 		Charles Easterling (4)
Nick Perioli (4) 		Koessler Athletic Center 1–0
2 January 10 @ Rochester L 100–120 Tyrone Rayson (22) Tyrone Rayson (9) Lamar Castile (6)
Mark Price (6) 		Blue Cross Arena 1–1
3 January 17 @ Augusta L 124–135 Lamar Castile (26) Kyle Cuffe (11) Kyle Cuffe (1)
Lamar Castile (1) 		Richmond Academy 1–2
4 January 18 @ Wilmington L 95–103 Edmund Rainey (24) Michael Norwood (10) Mark Price (2) Schwartz Center 1–3
5 January 24 Halifax L 108–112 Tyrone Rayson (24) Tyrone Rayson (15) Mark Price (10) Koessler Athletic Center 1–4
6 January 25 @ Halifax L 94–105 Tyrone Rayson (29) Kyle Cuffe (8)
Tyrone Rayson (8) 		Anthony Slater (6) Halifax Metro Centre 1–5
7 January 31 Wilmington L 82–92 Tyrone Rayson (24) Dain Swetalla (16) Mark Price (7) Koessler Athletic Center 1–6
February: 0–5 (home: 0–3; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
8 February 6 @ Manchester L 107–116 Karl Rainey (43) Tyrone Rayson (14) Mark Price (5) SNHU Fieldhouse 1–7
9 February 7 Vermont L 91–119 Mark Price (21) Tyrone Rayson (9) Mark Price (6) Koessler Athletic Center 1–8
10 February 14 Augusta L 119–129 Tyrone Rayson (30) Tyrone Rayson (14) Chuck Reed (13) Koessler Athletic Center 1–9
11 February 21 Manchester L 93–114 Tyrone Rayson (23) Kevin Ross (10) Chuck Reed (8) Koessler Athletic Center 1–10
12 February 27 @ Battle Creek L 90–114 Tyrone Rayson (18) Kevin Ross (10) Dereck Payne (2)
Mark Price (2) 		Kellogg Arena 1–11
March: 0–8 (home: 0–4; road: 0–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
13 March 7 @ Augusta L 113–126 Mark Price (24) Tyrone Rayson (8) Chuck Reed (2)
Michael Norwood (2) 		Richmond Academy 1–12
14 March 8 @ Wilmington L 96–122 Tyrone Rayson (25) Tyrone Rayson (19) Mark Price (4) Schwartz Center 1–13
15 March 14 Halifax L 94–96 Derick Payne (24) Tyrone Rayson (12) Mark Price (11) Koessler Athletic Center 1–14
16 March 15 @ Vermont L 94–120 Tyrone Rayson (28) Derick Payne (10) Ricky Yahn (4) Barre Auditorium 1–15
17 March 20 Rochester L 100–132 Tyrone Rayson (31) Derick Payne (6) Chuck Reed (12) Koessler Athletic Center 1–16
18 March 22 @ Rochester L 111–156 Tyrone Rayson (30) Tyrone Rayson (11) Chuck Reed (5) Blue Cross Arena 1–17
19 March 27 Rochester L 92–123 Tyrone Rayson (37) Tyrone Rayson (11) Ernest Jones (8) Koessler Athletic Center 1–18
20 March 28 Battle Creek L 106–109 Tyrone Rayson (37) Derick Payne (15) Chuck Reed (12) Koessler Athletic Center 1–19

2010

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Regular season

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2009–10 game log
Total: 3–17 (Home: 1–9; Road: 2–8)
January: 2–5 (home: 1–2; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 January 2 @ Quebec L 85–100 PEPS 0–1
2 January 9 Rochester L 104–133 Derick Payne (27) Mark Price (7) Koessler Athletic Center 0–2
3 January 10 Maryland L 87–101 Andy Robinson (22) Koessler Athletic Center 0–3
4 January 16 @ Maryland W 124–114 Derick Payne (25) Mark Price (9) Thomas S. Wootton Athletic Center 1–3
5 January 23 @ Rochester L 110–131 Cameron Stanley (25) Kevin Ross (10) Blue Cross Arena 1–4
6 January 25 @ Puerto Rico L 89–114 Coliseo Manuel Iguina 1–5
7 January 30 Manchester W 114–111 Mark Price (22) Kevin Ross (13) Koessler Athletic Center 2–5
February: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
8 February 6 @ Quebec W 119–103 Kevin Ross (24) Kevin Ross (12) PEPS 3–5
9 February 7 @ Halifax L 90–111 Andy Robinson (29) Greg Gamble (11)
Kevin Ross (11) 		Halifax Metro Centre 3–6
10 February 13 Vermont L 90–99 Andy Robinson (22) Damone Brown (14) Koessler Athletic Center 3–7
11 February 21 @ Lawton L 80–139 Andy Robinson (26) Great Plains Coliseum 3–8
12 February 27 @ Rochester L 91–105 Andy Robinson (19) Blue Cross Arena 3–9
March: 0–6 (home: 0–4; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
13 March 6 @ Vermont L 90–126 Burlington Memorial Auditorium 3–10
14 March 12 Puerto Rico L 85–111 Koessler Athletic Center 3–11
15 March 13 Lawton L 96–164 Koessler Athletic Center 3–12
16 March 18 Rochester L 109–120 Frank Turner (21) Michael Norwood (10) Frank Turner (11) Koessler Athletic Center 3–13
17 March 20 @ Manchester L 108–145 SNHU Fieldhouse 3–14
18 March 27 Quebec L 94–127 Michael Norwood (20) Corey Herring (9) Corey Herring (8) Koessler Athletic Center 3–15
April: 0–2 (home: 0–2; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
19 April 3 Halifax L 105–124 Corey Herring (34) Koessler Athletic Center 3–16
20 April 10 Lawton L 101–156 Corey Herring (23) Corey Herring (9) Koessler Athletic Center 3–17

2010–2011

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Regular season

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2010–11 game log
Total: 7–7 (Home: 6–4; Road: 1–3)
December: 2–1 (home: 2–1; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 December 4 Hudson Valley W 132–114 Marcus Hall (27) Marcus Hall (7) Daemen College 1–0
2 December 11 Garden State W 103–100 Charles Walker (23) Charles Walker (8) Daemen College 2–0
3 December 18 Hudson Valley L 92–110 Daemen College 2–1
January: 3–1 (home: 2–1; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 January 8 New York W 90–75 Daemen College 3–1
5 January 15 Garden State L 84–90 Daemen College 3–2
6 January 22 @ Westchester W 114–104 4–2
7 January 29 Hudson Valley W 84–79 Chris Gadley (21) Chris Gadley (8) Daemen College 5–2
February: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
8 February 5 @ Garden State L 78–99 5–3
9 February 12 Hudson Valley W 104–102 Daemen College 6–3
10 February 19 New York L 113–122 Daemen College 6–4
11 February 26 @ New York L 108–124 6–5
March: 1–2 (home: 1–1; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
12 March 5 New York L 91–105 Daemen College 6–6
13 March 12 Hudson Valley W 106–100 Daemen College 7–6
14 March 19 @ Garden State L 7–7

Player statistics

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2010

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

After all games.[29]

Buffalo Stampede statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Greg Gamble 10 – 25.1 .571 .000 .667 4.7 3.9 0.9 0.0 8.6
Marcus Hall 18 – 11.6 .424 .154 .667 2.7 0.6 0.5 0.3 2.9
Aaron Harrison 13 – 22.1 .472 – .500 4.9 0.7 0.3 0.2 7.4
Corey Herring 19 – 31.0 .469 .342 .823 6.3 2.6 1.2 0.1 16.4
Michael Norwood 15 – 27.4 .469 .000 .543 5.4 0.7 0.5 0.1 12.2
Mark Price 14 – 33.1 .418 .327 .690 1.6 4.6 1.0 0.0 12.4
Andy Robinson 12 – 34.2 .455 .460 .746 4.1 4.0 2.2 0.4 19.5
Kevin Ross 16 – 30.9 .432 – .551 8.1 1.9 0.4 0.2 12.2
Garrett Schmidt 10 – 11.9 .464 .000 .478 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 3.7
Charles Walker 18 – 15.1 .386 .323 .778 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.1 6.2


‡Waived during the season
†Traded during the season
≠Acquired during the season

References

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  1. ^ a b c McKissic, Rodney (July 11, 2008). "IS TWO A CROWD?". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Pierson, David (April 2, 2006). "Growing Their Games Chinese Players Learn Lessons, Make Strides From Year Spent in U.S. League". Washington Post. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "NexxNow Brings Professional Basketball Back to Buffalo". OurSports Central. April 30, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Robinson, David (January 3, 2024). "Call a foul on basketball investment?". Buffalo News. Retrieved July 6, 2008.
  5. ^ McKissic, Rodney (2008-09-18). "New minor-league basketball team will be called Stampede". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  6. ^ McKissic, Rodney (September 19, 2008). "Teams merge to form Stampede". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Roosevelt Bouie Named Buffalo Stampede Big Man Coach and Radio Color Commentator". OurSports Central. October 31, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "BASKETBALL: Jacob resigns as coach of Buffalo hoops team". Niagara Gazette. December 16, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "Buffalo Stampede Hire John Fitzpatrick as Head Coach". OurSports Central. December 26, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d "Premier Basketball League 2009, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Skurski, Jay (January 4, 2009). "Stampede takes opener". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  12. ^ a b McKissic, Rodney (January 3, 2024). "Stampede survives first year, starts planning for 2010". Buffalo News. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
  13. ^ Fitzpatrick out as Stampede coach after 1-16 start, The Buffalo News, 2009-03-22, retrieved 2009-03-26
  14. ^ "Buffalo Stampede Announce New Coach". OurSports Central. October 12, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  15. ^ Rodriguez, Miguel (January 11, 2010). "Stampede hopes wins will draw fans Local players fill roster of 0-3 minor league team". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "Buffalo Stampede's Derick Payne Named PBL Player Of The Week". OurSports Central. January 18, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Stampede coach Condill resigns, Buffalo Sports Daily, 2010-02-04, archived from the original on 2011-11-24, retrieved 2024-01-06
  18. ^ "The Fatigue Factor – RAINMEN 111, STAMPEDE 90 – haligonia.ca". haligonia.ca. February 8, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d "Premier Basketball League 2010, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. May 12, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  20. ^ "Massey Ratings". April 27, 2010. Archived from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "Buffalo Stampede Vs Quebec Kebs". OurSports Central. March 23, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  22. ^ "Premier Basketball League Reorganizes". OurSports Central. May 24, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  23. ^ "Buffalo Stampede Join the ACPBL". OurSports Central. August 10, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Stampede Hire Herb Richmond as Head Coach, Buffalo Sports Daily, 2010-10-22, archived from the original on 2010-12-29, retrieved 2024-01-06
  25. ^ Buffalo Stampede Start Season With Win, Buffalo Sports Daily, 2010-12-04, archived from the original on 2010-12-07, retrieved 2024-01-06
  26. ^ Stampede Take Share Of First in ACPBL, Buffalo Sports Daily, 2011-01-30, archived from the original on 2011-11-24, retrieved 2024-01-06
  27. ^ a b c Trailblazers., the (March 28, 2011). "Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League 2010-2011, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Dill's Warriors pull out of league". royalgazette.com. April 18, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  29. ^ "Individual Leaders". Archived from the original on 2011-08-28. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
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