THE CALGARY CRUSH WIN THE FIRST ANNUAL CANADA VS US SERIES

The Calgary Crush didn't finish the 2012-2013 season with a perfect record but proved to the rest of the ABA that basketball can succeed north of the boarder. The Crush had a rough start to the Final Round of the Canada vs US Series but came together in the deciding game to win 114-104 over the visiting Jersey Express.

The Crush had a quick start to Game 3 but the Express battled back to tie up the score after the first quarter. The Express continued a strong half court defense but the Crush showed composure and execution in the half court by making the right decisions and minimizing turnovers. The Express could not get to the offensive glass as the Crush front court showed a strong presence in the paint.

Up by only 3 at halftime the Crush flew out of the gate in the second half with energy and intensity. It would have been nice to listen in on Eddie Richardson's halftime speech to feel the sense of urgency in his calm and confident demeanor. The Crush held off multiple runs by the Express in the 4th quarter with great energy from Joseph Atangana above the rim and clutch shooting from the Crush bench including a couple of deep 3 pointers from Keenan Milburn.

Tyler Fidler tossed in 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to go along with a couple of nice dunks in the lane. Duncan Milne capped a 20/10 night with a breakaway dunk and monster block that sealed the win for the Crush and brought the trophy home to Calgary. A great season for the Crush as they finish with a 16-1 record and now make plans to expand the sport of basketball throughout our great city. Congrats and stay tuned Calgary!

CRUSH FORCE PIVOTAL GAME 3

With the series on the line last night the Calgary Crush forced a deciding game 3 with a 94-83 win over the Jersey Express. The Crush continued to struggle on the offensive end but made the shots that counted in the 4th quarter. The Crush will have a chance tonight to take Round 2 and win the First Annual Canada vs US series.

The Crush opened up game 2 with passion and determination but struggled on the offensive end for a second straight game. The Crush shot 42% from the floor and added another 20 turnovers to go along with 25 from game 1. With 20+ turnovers in back to back games the Crush are fortunate to have an opportunity to take the series tonight.

A poor shooting performance from the Crush provided fuel for Jersey's uptempo style. The Express displayed a strong screen and roll defence that gave the Crush troubles in the half court and help force the them into quick decisions and hurried passes. John Riad led the Crush in scoring again with a solid 17 points and 7 assists and Duncan Milne chipped in on the glass with 9 rebounds.

The Crush had great looks last night but couldn't find the bottom of the rim until late in the second half. The Crush need to get back to playing the style of basketball that guided them to a perfect 14-0 record to start the season. I have a feeling the shots will start falling tonight in Game 3 but the outcome will rest on protecting the defensive glass and executing in the half court. Game 3 starts at 7:00 pm at SAIT. Come and support your Calgary Crush as they try and bring home the trophy.

THE CRUSH FALL TO THE JERSEY EXPRESS

The Calgary Crush were handed their first loss of the season last night at SAIT with a 82-89 defeat at the hands of the Jersey Express. The Crush had an undefeated season on the line but could not put the pieces together in the 4th quarter and now face elimination tonight in game 2.

The Crush could not find an answer to a stifling defence displayed by the Express as they turned the ball over a total of 25 times. An uncharacteristic game from the Crush and a low scoring affair. After a month layoff between games the Crush did not have the same jump in their step and failed to make the big shots in the 4th quarter.

John Riad led the Crush with 14 points and Jermaine Campbell had 9 rebounds in the loss. The Crush miss bench contributions from Kelly Lundgren and Hidesh Bhardwaj as they were both sidelined for game 1. The second game of round 2 of the Canada vs US series takes place again tonight at 7:00 pm.

I have a feeling tonight will be a different story as the Crush now have a chip on their shoulder and are looking to redeem themselves from a sub par performance. Come and support the Calgary Crush as they look to extend the series and bring the First Annual Canada vs US Series trophy to Calgary on Sunday night.

CANADA VS US ROUND 1 - CALGARY CRUSH VIDEO

KEENAN MILBURN IS PROOF THAT SMALL TOWN BALL HAS NO LIMITATIONS

Keenan Milburn may be one of the youngest members of the Calgary Crush but his basketball journey is not a story of limitations it's a tale of triumph. The Crush is comprised of the best basketball players the City of Calgary has to offer and may boast the deepest bench in the American Basketball Association. A big part of this 14 man roster is a young man who would never take no for an answer and has transformed his game into a perfect portrait of a small town hero.

Royston, with a population of around 1200 is where Keenan developed his passion for hoops. If it was battling his older brothers for bragging rights or soaking up knowledge from his father's Sunday Rec League, Keenan quickly developed his affection for the game. With a family hungry to share their love for the game Keenan could feel a passion and warmth for the sport well before he slipped on his first uniform.

Although Keenan did not receive many invitations to pursue basketball after high school he did not give up on his goal of playing professional basketball. His two older brothers Dalton and John never had the opportunity to play university basketball. Keenan's passion and ambition to pursue his dreams would be fueled by the fallen dreams of his lifelong teammates. “My brother told me not to miss my opportunity and if you get the chance take it,” said Keenan.

 

Keenan would soon get his chance to show his skillfulness and intelligence for the game when he received an offer to attend SAIT. With the support of his entire family Keenan decide to seize his opportunity to prove he can succeed at the next level. His parents who would never miss a game in high school were now excited to travel to support their starting guard. Calgary may have been a new city but Keenan could sense his dream was within his grasp. He went on to start every game in his rookie season at SAIT and would be named rookie of the year.

Keenan understood the value of labour and would constantly ask his coaches what he needed to do to succeed and accomplish his goals. “I would talk to my coach and ask him what I can do to get better and what I can do in the summer to improve my game," stated Keenan. "They were amazed that whatever they said I would try to perfect." Keenan would play his final two years at the University of Calgary before joining the Calgary Crush in 2012. “I put in a lot of hard work to get were I am today," said Keenan. "I only had one window of opportunity every time I was stepping up."

 

Keenan now has the opportunity to play professional basketball in the ABA and has become an integral part in the success of the Calgary Crush. The greatest asset the Crush bring on a nightly basis is a strong and well balanced attack. Keenan's contribution off the bench has help lead the Crush to a perfect 14-0 record with visions of a Round 2 victory in the First Annual Canada vs US Playoff Series. With a solid shooting touch and steady fundamentals you can tell he is a coach's son. His mild manner attitude on and off the court is only a glimpse into the true competitiveness and composure that lives within this small town kid unwilling to succumb to limitations.

 

His father Kent has been a big influence on Keenan's dominance on the basketball court and has been coaching his son since he was old enough to crawl to the hoop. He was not only Keenan's coach in Elementary and Middle school but has been a guiding voice and mentor for Keenan throughout his basketball career. “I might give him a hard time but I will always listen to what he has to say and try to use his advice,” said Keenan. "I can't thank him enough."

Keenan has not only taken his father's advice but is now following in his foot steps. Keenan has recently become an assistant coach at SAIT and has the opportunity to continue his father's example and create hope for young players chasing a dream. “I love being around a team and being around younger guys and watching them grow.” said Keenan. He now has a new stage and a new challenge to pursue as he helps mold and develop a growing basketball community in Calgary.

At the age of 23 Keenan's basketball journey is far from over. He has dreams of playing professional basketball overseas and would relish the opportunity to prove himself one more time. "I would love to play overseas," stated Keenan. "Even if it was just for one year I would love the chance." For now Keenan will continue to prove his skills on the basketball court in Calgary and guide a Crush team into a new era of basketball. Keenan's journey may have found a home in Calgary but the dreams of a small town kid will live on as he finds his next challenge and begins to write his next chapter.

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER PIKE (@Chris_Pike3)

CRUSH WIN ROUND 1 IN THE FIRST ANNUAL CANADA VS US PLAYOFF SERIES

The Calgary Crush capped an intense weekend of playoff basketball with a 109-96 victory over the San Diego Surf on Saturday night. The Crush win Round 1 of the First Annual Canada vs US Playoff Series and remain perfect in 2012-2013. The Surf proved to be a reputable opponent for a first round match up but couldn't slow down a confident Crush team comprised of the best ballers Calgary has to offer.

After a game winning dunk in Game 1 Duncan Milne continued to show his strength and skill in the paint with a quick 5 points to start the Crush on a path towards a First Round victory. Duncan finished an MVP like performance on Saturday night with 22 points and 12 boards to go along with 2 blocked shots. Jermaine Campbell secured a 49-48 Crush halftime lead with a blocked shot at the horn that could only be described as a mix of pure emotion and determination.

With another intense battle on the court the Crush showed great composure as the Surf started to dismantle in the second half. Unable to solve a balanced Crush attack the Surf started to waver under a strong flood of jump shots and quick rotations from the Crush sidelines. The intensity in the gym reached an all time high when Alix Petit-Frere was tossed in the 3rd quarter for arguing a call and throwing a ball towards an official. Unfazed by the drama the Crush continued to force the tempo and put pressure on an undermanned Surf bench.

Calling for energy on the Crush bench Eddie Richardson III could sense a victory was in their grasp. Tyler Fidler had another strong outing with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists including a sweet dish to Duncan Milne in the 4th quarter for a much needed bucket. Sean Peter and Jermaine Campbell also added 10 rebounds a piece leading the Crush to a 61-31 rebounding margin over the Surf. John Riad led the Crush with 6 assists and Jordan Rose found his outside touch late with 3 big shots from deep to seal the victory and lead the Crush to Round 2.

The Crush remain undefeated in their inaugural season with a 14-0 record and now prepare for Round 2 of the Canada vs US Playoff series. It was a great weekend of basketball in Calgary and Crush Nation did not disappoint. From chants of 403 to heckling the Surf bench the crowd in attendance provided great energy and added a perfect backdrop for a successful weekend. Bring on the next one!

THE CRUSH WIN THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME

The Calgary Crush edge out the San Diego Surf with a thrilling 96-90 victory last night in the First Annual Canada vs US Playoff Series. With an undefeated season on the line the Crush did not disappoint the ruckus crowd in attendance. From the opening tip you could feel the energy in the building and the see the intensity slowly dripping from the faces of a focused Crush bench. The Crush battled threw a slow start but found a rhythm late in the 2nd quarter and trailed by only 1 point heading into a tension filled second half.

The Surf showed great athleticism with a pesky pressure defense and a shocking display above the rim. Michael Purdic stunned the crowd with a rim kissing alley oop in the 1st quarter and Justin Brownlee attacked the hoop with a couple of devastating dunks in the lane. Shooting guard John Riad who missed the first half confidently walked into the gym late in the 2nd quarter underneath the cheers of a spirited crowd. If I didn't know better I would think it was 1970 and I was sitting court side at the garden.

From the outset you could sense this game was going 12 rounds but the Crush had a strong corner man in Eddie Richardson III. With a calming voice on the sidelines and some great halftime adjustments Coach had his troops prepared in the second half. The Crush opened up a solid 14 point lead with a strong zone defense that minimized the athleticism of a strong Surf attack. Jordan Rose brought the crowd to their feet with a killer crossover late in the 4th forcing the Surf back court to look to the sidelines for an ankle brace.  

Tyler Fidler continued his sharp shooting from beyond the arc and also pulled down 10 rebounds in the win. Duncan Milne tossed his hard hat on in the second half and dominated the paint with 3 monster blocks. Duncan finished with 20 points and 5 rebounds but it was his relentlessness above the rim that sealed the game for the Crush. With 30 seconds left on the clock Duncan climbed the wave of Surf players and tossed in the game winning dunk to ignite the crowd.

It was a great night of basketball in Calgary with the First Annual Canada vs US Series and tonight's match up should be another epic battle. With a win tonight the Crush will send their American competition packing across the boarder with nightmares of a notorious Calgary team crushing the waves of the surf in San Diego. Join us tonight at 7:00 pm at SAIT to watch professional basketball at its best. Bring the noise Calgary!

ARE YOU READY TO SHOW AMERICA WE CAN BALL CALGARY?

 

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE FIRST ANNUAL CANADA VS U.S. SERIES STARTING ON MARCH 29, 2013

 

CALGARY CRUSH VS SAN DIEGO SURF

 

JOIN CALGARY'S BASKETBALL REVOLUTION

IT'S OFFICIAL: THE CRUSH WILL REPRESENT CANADA

The USA vs Canada schedule has been announced and the Calgary Crush will test their talents against the San Diego Surf in the 1st Round of the first ever USA vs Canada series. The Crush will have home court advantage in a 3 game series starting on Friday, March 29.

The Calgary Crush will put an undefeated season on the line against the 4th ranked team in the American Basketball Association. A tough match up for a 1st Round series but the Crush are prepared to prove they are an elite team in the ABA.

With a successful and undefeated inaugural season the Crush are now faced with the expectations of an entire city. A city ready to experience playoff basketball and support their local hero's. It's time to show the rest of the ABA that sports north of the boarder is more than frozen ponds and fancy stick work.

It's now time to prove what team basketball can accomplish. Come support your Calgary Crush on the weekend of March 29. Together we can show the ABA what real sports fans can accomplish when we cheer as one city, one voice and one team. Join Calgary's Basketball Revolution!

CALGARY CRUSH PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS