The Canadians in the PBL
Saint John Mill Rats
Current Record: 1-3 (last in the PBL’s East Division)
This is the Mill Rats first year in Saint John after spending their first few seasons in Manchester, New Hampshire. As the first professional basketball franchise to play in Saint John, the team now plays in Harbour Station that has a seating capacity of 6,600, a step up from the facilities in Manchester. The team became the third Canadian franchise in the Premier Basketball League joining the Halifax Rainmen and Quebec Kebs as the other Canadian PBL franchises.
The Mill Rats have had a slow start to the 2011 PBL season, with just one win in their first four games. The Millrats recently lost to the top team in the PBL, a 117-94 loss to the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry. The Cavalry, who are the defending PBL champs, beat the Halifax Rainmen earlier in the week. The leading scorers for Saint John have been Marc Egerson (20.5 ppg) and forward, Terry Martin (17.75 ppg). Egerson, the former Georgetown Hoya, was drafted fourth overall in the 2010 PBL Draft.
Saint John is coached by Jaren Jackson, a former NBA Champion who played with the San Antonio Spurs, when they won a championship back in ’99.
The Canadian Content on the Mill Rats
On this roster is University of New Brunswick alumni, 6-3 guard, Mike Anderson. Anderson is averaging 3.25 ppg for the Mill Rats this season. Also, on Saint John is 6-11 Forward-Centre, Jeffrey Ferguson, out of Toronto, who is averaging 7.7 ppg.
Up Next
Saint John faces off against the Rochester Razorsharks this Friday and then will play their Maritime rival, the Halifax Rainmen, on January 29th.
Quebec Kebs
Current Record: 3-2 (2nd in the PBL’s East Division)
The Kebs, who were 4-16 last season, look to be much improved this season. Under a new coach, Rob Spon, the Kebs have had three early wins in their first five games. Spon has previous PBL coaching experience with the Manchester Millrats and Maryland GreenHawks which included playoff experience with the Manchester Millrats.
With wins over Vermont, Dayton and Saint John, the Kebs’ goal will be looking to secure a playoff seed in the East division. Quinnell Brown has been impressive for the Kebs as the leading scorer with 19.8 ppg to go along with his 7.8 rpg, 4.6 apg and 2.8 spg.
The Canadian Content on the Kebs
The Kebs have a few Canadian players on the squad with guys like Samuel Audet-Sow (Laval), Cordell Jeanty (Toronto) and Kebs veteran, Jonas Pierre (Montreal).
Up Next
Quebec plays twice this week at home. First, against the expansion Dayton Air Strikers on Saturday and then they face off against the Rochester Razorsharks on Sunday.
