Vermont’s Heaves advance to the elite eight

By Chris Fells | Special to the Vermont Guardian

Posted March 19, 2007

BARRE — In front of a capacity crowd at the Barre Auditorium the Vermont Frost Heaves posted a convincing 103-75 victory over Strong Island to advance in the American Basketball Association playoffs.

Tyrone Levitt poured in a game-high 23 points while Antoine Hyman had 12 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Frost Heaves, who now move on to the ABA’s “elite eight” taking take on the Bellingham Slam Wednesday at Burlington’s Memorial Auditorium.

The Frost Heaves came out slowly, hitting only 24 percent of their shots but led by five at quarter’s end.

The Heaves caught fire in the second quarter going on a 20-7 run and held a 20-point lead at the break. Hyman was dominant on the glass as he dominated the Sound on the inside. Hyman picked up a couple of nice rebounds and put-backs that helped stretch the Heaves’ lead.

After the game Heaves coach Will Voight said, “We didn’t underestimate Strong Island. We wanted to keep the tempo high, which is our ballgame.”

In the third, things got a bit interesting and chippy. With about five minutes to go in the third, Vermont’s Markus Austin and Strong Island’s Gregory Plummer got tied up under the Strong Island basket; both players exchanged punches with the melee being broken up quickly. Both players were ejected from the contest.

A few minutes before the incident, the Heaves Kelvin Parker was hit with a technical foul for shoving Strong Island’s Aaron Williams, and then a very questionable flagrant foul was called on the Heaves’ Tyrone Barley. The calls seemed to play out as they have all season —officials not calling the game both ways. In this case, it was much to the disdain of the Barre faithful and coach Voight.

With the game well in hand, the “13th man” had a chance to enter the game. The 13th man is another one of the fan-friendly quirks of the ABA rules that allow each team to pick someone to sit on the bench and be eligible to play.

During the season, the Heaves’ have picked Burlington High School coach Matt Johnson, a 12-year-old girl who was noted for her community services, and a fan the Heaves’ faithful know as “the Sweeper.” On Sunday night the 13th man was former Randolph High School and University of Vermont star Jen Niebling. Niebing, who is currently the head coach of the Saint Michael’s College women’s team, entered the game to a standing ovation and hit two of three shots from the field.

After the game Coach Voight joked that Niebling is now the all-time leading 13th man scorer in Heaves’ history.

Notes: For the game, the Heaves dominated on the defensive end with Strong Island shooting only 29 percent from the floor. The Sound was out rebounded 64-50 and the Heaves hit 11 three-pointers compared to five for Strong Island.

TICKET INFORMATION

All I-89 and Exit 14 Heaves Heaven and I-89 Roadside season-ticket holders may purchase tickets with a major credit card beginning at noon today by calling the Frost Heaves’ office at 860-0082.

Subscribers will be entitled to the same seats they occupied all season long, but must call today by 5 p.m. to purchase them or their seats will be released for sale to the general public. Subscribers can also send an e-mail to info@vermontfrostheaves.com with a phone number and the team will call back.

All Exit 14 Roadside and Exit 7 Roadside and Heaves Heaven season-ticket holders my purchase tickets after noon today by calling the Flynn Regional Box Office at 86-FLYNN, but will be offered a limited selection until Burlington reserved season-ticket holders have had their exclusive window to purchase their accustomed seats.

After today, all remaining tickets will be made available to the general public beginning tomorrow at 10 a.m. by calling 86-FLYNN, or by going to flynntix.org, or in person at 153 Main Street in Burlington or 159 Pearl Street in Essex.

No tickets will be mailed out. Those purchased in advance by phone or over the Internet will be held for pick-up at will call on game night.

On Wednesday any remaining tickets will be available through the Flynn beginning at 10 a.m. The doors of Memorial Auditorium will open two hours prior to tip-off on game night to accommodate fans picking up will-call tickets or purchasing any tickets remaining for sale.

Prices, including tax, facilities fees and Flynn service charges, will be $17.50 for reserved seats; $12.75 for adult general admission; $10.75 for student general admission; and $8.50 for children general admission. There are no Flynn service charges for season-ticket holders and in-person purchasers.