Springfield Sting

The Springfield Sting were a franchise in the American Basketball Association playing in the Northeast Division. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, the team began play in the 2016-17 ABA season. During the team's inaugural season, the Sting played their home games at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The team had split home venues between Springfield Technical Community College and Agawam High School. The move allowes the Sting to offer more capacity for fans, as the crowds surrounding the court at the Basketball Hall of Fame were often an issue for the Sting in their inaugural season.[1]

Springfield Sting
Founded2016
LeagueAmerican Basketball Association
DivisionNortheast
Based inSpringfield, Massachusetts
ArenaSpringfield Technical Community College, Agawam High School
OwnerZach Baru
Championships0
Playoff berths1
DancersSting Dance Team

History

The team name was announced the Springfield Sting on July 22, 2016 at a press conference in Downtown Springfield, Massachusetts on the steps of City Hall. The owner is Springfield-area teacher Zach Baru. Baru was joined by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Senator Eric Lesser (D - Longmeadow), Representative Carlos Gonzalez (D - Springfield), City Council President Michael Fenton and City Councilor Kateri Walsh.[2]

During the initial press conference, Steve Sobel was announced as the franchise's first General Manager and Head Coach, who previously was involved with the last minor league basketball team in Springfield - the Springfield Armor.[3]

On October 25, 2016, the team announced its roster with several notable local players and former NCAA talent, including former 7'0'' UConn center Charles Okwandu.[4]

2016-2017 Season

On November 5, 2016; The team tipped-off its inaugural season at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame against the New Jersey Express, where they won 128-116 in front of a sold out crowd. Additional standing-room only seating had to be added, and fans lined the court several rows deep.[5]

Roosevelt Lee, led the team with 37 points.[6] Later on the Springfield Sting defeated the New York Court Kings 118-103 to improve the team's record to 3-1.[7] On March 5, 2017; the team earned a slot in the post-season in their inaugural season after defeating New England 154-117 and finishing the regular season 11-3.[8]

The Sting finished the season as the No. 2 seed in the Northeast Division. To allow for additional seating during the playoffs, home playoff games were played at Agawam High School in Agawam, Massachusetts. The Sting hosted the New York Court Kings in the first round of the 2016-17 ABA Playoffs game on March 11, 2017.[9] The Sting advanced to the second round, thanks to Jerry Buchanon having a great game, posting 43 points, while Roosevelt Lee added 30.[10] In the next evening's second-round game, the Sting defeated the Poughkeepsie-area based Atlantic Coast Cardinals 146-126 to reach the ABA Northeast Division Final. Roosevelt Lee lead the Sting again with 48 points.[11]

2017-18 Season

The Springfield Sting announced their second ABA season will tip off on the road on Dec. 2 at Worcester and will run through Feb. 25 at New England. Brian Stasaitis was named the franchise's second head coach. Stasaitis also serves as the head varsity girls basketball coach at W.F. Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury, Connecticut.

The Sting announced they will split home venues during the 2017-18 season between Springfield Technical Community College and Agawam High School. The move will allow the Sting to offer more capacity for fans, as the crowds surrounding the court at the Basketball Hall of Fame were often an issue for the Sting last year.[12]

The team was sold and became the West Mass Zombies.

2016-2017 roster
Roster listing
Springfield Sting 2016-2017 roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
F/C 1 Buchanan, Jeremy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Elms College
F/C 20 Easterling, Charles 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Weaver HS
F/C 10 King, Andre 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Westfield State University
F/C 2 King, Diedrick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Globe University
F/C 10 Lee, Roosevelt 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 0 lb (0 kg) New Britain HS
F/C 3 Lovejoy, Alex 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Commerce HS
F/C 5 Lynch, Kadir 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Elms College
F/C 9 Martell, Chris 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Sci-Tech HS
F/C 7 Okwandu, Charles 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 0 lb (0 kg) UConn
F/C 25 Robitaille, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Eastern Connecticut State
F/C 4 Samuel, Steve 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 0 lb (0 kg) St. Peter's College
F/C 0 Skevas, Petey 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Plymouth State
F/C 15 Starks, Phil 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Western Connecticut State
F/C 6 Watson, Darius 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 0 lb (0 kg) Albertus Magnus
Head coach
  • Steve Sobel
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Past History Stats

Season by season
Season League Division Finish Wins Losses Pct. Postseason Results
Springfield Sting
2016-2017ABANortheast2nd113.786Lost in Northeast Division Final
Regular season113.7862016–present
Playoffs21.6672016–present

Coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2016-17 season.

Name Term[b] GC W L Win% GC W L Win% Achievements/Notes
Regular season Playoffs
All-Time 2016–present 14 11 3 .786 3 2 1 .667
Steve Sobel 2016-17 14 11 3 .786 3 2 1 .667 9-0 at home during regular season

Reached Northeast Division Final

Brian Stasaitis 2017–present 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000

Notable players

On October 25, 2016, the Sting announced former 7'0'' UConn center Charles Okwandu would be joining the team.[13]

References
  1. "Springfield Sting announce 2017-18 schedule and venues, new head coach for second season". masslive.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  2. "Springfield Sting announced as name of new Springfield ABA basketball team (PHOTOS)". masslive.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  3. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2016/11/springfield_sting_season_start.html
  4. "Springfield Sting announces roster, including former UConn center Charles Okwandu, local stars". masslive.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  5. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2016/11/springfield_sting_tip_off_seas.html
  6. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2016/11/springfield_sting_tip_off_seas.html
  7. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2016/11/springfield_sting_defeat_new_y.html
  8. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2017/03/springfield_sting_roll_over_ne.html
  9. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2017/03/springfield_sting_to_play_firs.html
  10. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2017/03/springfield_sting_defeat_new_y_1.html
  11. http://www.masslive.com/sports/2017/03/roosevelt_lee_scores_48_as_spr.html
  12. "Springfield Sting announce 2017-18 schedule and venues, new head coach for second season". masslive.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
  13. "Springfield Sting announces roster, including former UConn center Charles Okwandu, local stars". masslive.com. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
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