May 6, 2004

Blue Ducks to take on ValleyDawgs

Last chance to see Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins in Brevard this season

First 250 kids get FREE pair of Blue Ducks collectable Thunderstix

Melbourne, Florida –Brevard Blue Ducks fans will get their last chance to see Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins in Brevard this year as the Blue Ducks take on his Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs at 7:00 PM on Friday at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

The colorful Dawkins, who was his generation’s Shaquille O’Neal, delighted much of the crowd last night with his colorful remarks and playful demeanor. The Blue Ducks however, were not so delighted.

A night after their thrilling 116-115 overtime victory over the visiting Florence Flyers, the Blue Ducks felt ready to get on a roll – before being flattened by the Dawgs 124-110 last night. Pennsylvania showed why they’re in first place, taking control down the stretch of a game that was even through the middle of the 4th quarter.

The Ducks fell to 2-6, despite placing seven players in double figures, led by Nat Burton with 22 points.

“We’re scoring points,” said Ducks coach, Robert Reid. “That’s not the problem. We’ve just got to get our act together defensively.”

And with a 13-day, 6-game Midwest road trip looming after Friday night’s contest, they won’t have much time to figure things out.

DUCK NOTES: New guard Tony Bland was impressive in his Blue Ducks debut. Bland, who was claimed off waivers from Westchester earlier in the day, flew into Brevard in the morning, was activated by the afternoon and played in the game the same evening. He netted 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting during only 16 minutes of action. He might just be what the Blue Ducks are looking for to solidify their guard position.

Last night was billed as “Chocolate vs Chocolate” as Brevard pitted their famed street basketball player, Randy “White Chocolate” Gill against Pennsylvania’s coach Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins. Gill was not a factor, playing only 5 minutes with no points. Friday’s contest is being billed as “Thunder vs Thunder” as the Ducks will try to combat Chocolate Thunder with a little of their own by handing out collectable Brevard Blue Ducks Thunderstix to the first 250 kids attending the game.

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