Continental Basketball League
Encyclopedia
The Continental Basketball League (CBL) is a professional men's basketball
minor league
in the United States
that began play in April of 2010. The league is headquartered in Florida
.
(CBA), was named the first commissioner of the CBL. Gary Perry, an owner of the Augusta Groove when it was in the Premier Basketball League
(PBL) was named the first director of basketball operations.
On November 2, 2009, the Wilmington Sea Dawgs
were the first team to announce joining the league. On February 16, 2010, the Carolina Cougarz
became the second team to join the CBL. On February 18, 2010, the Savannah Wildcats
became the third team in the CBL. and the Georgia Gwizzlies
left the ABA
to become the fourth. On March 5, 2010, the Birmingham Steel
joined the league.
Two weeks into the 2010 season, the Steel left the league for the World Basketball Association
(WBA) and was replaced by the Birmingham Sabers
On 1 June, 2010, the Georgia Gwizzlies were removed from the league for failure to meet operating standards, after having missed games against Birmingham and Wilmington
The league championship in 2010 was to be decided by a single elimination tournament in June. However, after the removal of the Gwizzlies, the schedule and playoff structure were truncated and adjusted. The playoffs became a one game championship between the first and second place teams, the Sea Dawgs and Wildcats respectively, which was won by the Wildcats 96-86 in overtime.
In July of 2010 the Florida Flight
moved from the WBA to the CBL. In September of 2010, the Miami Stars
and Palm Beach Titans
joined . On March 28, 2011, the Heartland Prowl announced they had left the ABA to join the CBL. In the announcement of the Prowl, the absence of the Carolina Cougarz
as a listed team coupled with their removal from the CBL website indicated that they had folded.
In April of 2011, the Gainesville Galaxy
joined. On 13 April 2011, the Cary Invasion
was added. Sometime between April and early May, the Fayetteville Crossover
was addded. Before the 2011 season was to start, the owners of the Savannah Wildcats
announced the team would be sitting out the season due to a family matter effecting the owners' ability to lead the team. Shortly after this announcement, the CBL announced the addition of the Port City Sharks
as a replacement for the Wildcats in Savannah, Georgia
. The league also removed the Miami Stars
and the Palm Beach Titans
from the team list for the 2011 season. The Port City Sharks failed to play the complete schedule and were replaced in later games by travel teams.
In 2011, the league once again played just a championship game, this time between the winner of the North Division, the Cary Invasion and the South runner-up, the Florida Flight, which was won by the Invasion, 131-101. No official explanation was given why the winner of the South Division, the Heartland Prowl, did not play in the game. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs and the Cary Invasion announced the formation of the Tobacco Road Basketball League
and their membership therein, thus leaving the CBL. The Fayetteville Crossover then announced their move to this league as well.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that began play in April of 2010. The league is headquartered in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
History
In 2009, Dennis Truax, who was previously affiliated with the Continental Basketball AssociationContinental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
(CBA), was named the first commissioner of the CBL. Gary Perry, an owner of the Augusta Groove when it was in the Premier Basketball League
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is a men's professional basketball minor league in the United States that began play in January 2008. The league had ten teams for the 2008 season and thirteen teams for the 2009 season. Nine teams from Canada and the United States...
(PBL) was named the first director of basketball operations.
On November 2, 2009, the Wilmington Sea Dawgs
Wilmington Sea Dawgs
The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a team of the Tobacco Road Basketball League in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Sea Dawgs began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association and later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the...
were the first team to announce joining the league. On February 16, 2010, the Carolina Cougarz
Carolina Cougarz
The Carolina Cougarz were a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Fayetteville, North Carolina which began play in the CBL's inaugural season of 2010. Home games were played at the March F...
became the second team to join the CBL. On February 18, 2010, the Savannah Wildcats
Savannah Wildcats
The Savannah Wildcats are a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2010. They played their games at Alfred E. Beach High School during their inaugural season, but switched to Armstrong Atlantic State University for year two. They won the...
became the third team in the CBL. and the Georgia Gwizzlies
Georgia Gwizzlies
The Georgia Gwizzlies are a basketball team that currently plays in the American Basketball Association. They once played in various men's minor leagues: the Continental Basketball League , the American National Basketball League, and their original stint in the American Basketball Association...
left the ABA
American Basketball Association (2000–present)
The American Basketball Association, often abbreviated as ABA, is a semi-professional men's basketball league that was founded in 1999. The current ABA has no affiliation with the original American Basketball Association that merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976...
to become the fourth. On March 5, 2010, the Birmingham Steel
Birmingham Steel (basketball)
The Birmingham Steel were a team that was scheduled to play in the World Basketball Association based in Leeds, Alabama . They were also a charter member of the Continental Basketball League....
joined the league.
Two weeks into the 2010 season, the Steel left the league for the World Basketball Association
World Basketball Association
The World Basketball Association, often abbreviated to the WBA, is a professional men's spring basketball league in the United States.-History:The WBA was conceived in 2004, with seven teams scheduled to play...
(WBA) and was replaced by the Birmingham Sabers
Birmingham Sabers
The Birmingham Sabers are a team of the Continental Basketball League based in Birmingham, Alabama that began play in 2010The team was born when the Birmingham Steel moved to the WBA.The CBL commissioner, Dennis Truax, announced that Paul Smith would take over as owner of the Birmingham franchise...
On 1 June, 2010, the Georgia Gwizzlies were removed from the league for failure to meet operating standards, after having missed games against Birmingham and Wilmington
The league championship in 2010 was to be decided by a single elimination tournament in June. However, after the removal of the Gwizzlies, the schedule and playoff structure were truncated and adjusted. The playoffs became a one game championship between the first and second place teams, the Sea Dawgs and Wildcats respectively, which was won by the Wildcats 96-86 in overtime.
In July of 2010 the Florida Flight
Florida Flight
The Florida Flight is a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Orlando, Florida which began play in 2010 in the World Basketball Association . In 2011 they will play their games at Avalon Middle School. In 2010, they played at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida....
moved from the WBA to the CBL. In September of 2010, the Miami Stars
Miami Stars
The Miami Stars are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Miami Gardens, Florida which began play in 2011....
and Palm Beach Titans
Palm Beach Titans
The Palm Beach Titans are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in West Palm Beach, Florida which began play in 2011....
joined . On March 28, 2011, the Heartland Prowl announced they had left the ABA to join the CBL. In the announcement of the Prowl, the absence of the Carolina Cougarz
Carolina Cougarz
The Carolina Cougarz were a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Fayetteville, North Carolina which began play in the CBL's inaugural season of 2010. Home games were played at the March F...
as a listed team coupled with their removal from the CBL website indicated that they had folded.
In April of 2011, the Gainesville Galaxy
Gainesville Galaxy
The Gainesville Galaxy is a basketball team based in Gainesville, Florida. They are scheduled to begin play in the Continental Basketball League for the 2011 season. They will play their games at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center....
joined. On 13 April 2011, the Cary Invasion
Cary Invasion
The Cary Invasion is a member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League based in Cary, North Carolina which began play in 2011 as a member of the Continental Basketball League...
was added. Sometime between April and early May, the Fayetteville Crossover
Fayetteville Crossover
The Fayetteville Crossover is a member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League based in Fayetteville, North Carolina which began play in 2011 as a member of the Continental Basketball League. Home games are played at the John D. Fuller, Sr. Recrerational/Athletic Complex.-External links:...
was addded. Before the 2011 season was to start, the owners of the Savannah Wildcats
Savannah Wildcats
The Savannah Wildcats are a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2010. They played their games at Alfred E. Beach High School during their inaugural season, but switched to Armstrong Atlantic State University for year two. They won the...
announced the team would be sitting out the season due to a family matter effecting the owners' ability to lead the team. Shortly after this announcement, the CBL announced the addition of the Port City Sharks
Port City Sharks
The Port City Sharks is a member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2011. Home games are played at the campus of Savannah High School.-External links:...
as a replacement for the Wildcats in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. The league also removed the Miami Stars
Miami Stars
The Miami Stars are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Miami Gardens, Florida which began play in 2011....
and the Palm Beach Titans
Palm Beach Titans
The Palm Beach Titans are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in West Palm Beach, Florida which began play in 2011....
from the team list for the 2011 season. The Port City Sharks failed to play the complete schedule and were replaced in later games by travel teams.
In 2011, the league once again played just a championship game, this time between the winner of the North Division, the Cary Invasion and the South runner-up, the Florida Flight, which was won by the Invasion, 131-101. No official explanation was given why the winner of the South Division, the Heartland Prowl, did not play in the game. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs and the Cary Invasion announced the formation of the Tobacco Road Basketball League
Tobacco Road Basketball League
The Tobacco Road Basketball League is a professional men's basketball minor league in the United States that will begin play in April of 2012...
and their membership therein, thus leaving the CBL. The Fayetteville Crossover then announced their move to this league as well.
Current clubs
| Team | City | Arena | Founded | First season in CBL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Sabers Birmingham Sabers The Birmingham Sabers are a team of the Continental Basketball League based in Birmingham, Alabama that began play in 2010The team was born when the Birmingham Steel moved to the WBA.The CBL commissioner, Dennis Truax, announced that Paul Smith would take over as owner of the Birmingham franchise... |
Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S... , Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
Altamont School | 2010 | 2010 |
| Gainesville Galaxy Gainesville Galaxy The Gainesville Galaxy is a basketball team based in Gainesville, Florida. They are scheduled to begin play in the Continental Basketball League for the 2011 season. They will play their games at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center.... |
Gainesville Gainesville, Florida Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth... , Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center | 2011 | 2011 |
| Heartland Prowl | Sebring Sebring, Florida Sebring is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States, nicknamed "The City on the Circle", in reference to Circle Drive, the center of the Sebring Downtown Historic District... , Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
Sebring High School | 2009 | 2011 |
| Palm Beach Titans Palm Beach Titans The Palm Beach Titans are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in West Palm Beach, Florida which began play in 2011.... |
West Palm Beach West Palm Beach, Florida West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida... , Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center The Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center is a multi-purpose arena on the Florida campus of Northwood University in West Palm Beach, Florida. With a capacity of 1,600 people, it is home to the Northwood University Seahawks basketball and volleyball teams, and also to the Palm Beach Titans of... |
2010 | 2011 |
| Raleigh Rough Riders | Raleigh, North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
TBA | 2011 | 2012 |
| Savannah Wildcats Savannah Wildcats The Savannah Wildcats are a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2010. They played their games at Alfred E. Beach High School during their inaugural season, but switched to Armstrong Atlantic State University for year two. They won the... |
Savannah, Georgia Savannah, Georgia Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important... |
Armstrong Atlantic State University Armstrong Atlantic State University Armstrong Atlantic State University, also referred to as Armstrong Atlantic, Armstrong, or simply AASU, is a four-year public university part of the University System of Georgia. It is located on a campus in suburban Savannah, Georgia, United States... |
2010 | 2010 |
| South Florida Stars | TBD, Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
TBD | 2011 | 2012 |
| Tampa Bay Saints | Tampa Tampa, Florida Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709.... , Florida Florida Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it... |
Mary Help of Christians Center | 2011 | 2011 |
Former Teams
- Cary InvasionCary InvasionThe Cary Invasion is a member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League based in Cary, North Carolina which began play in 2011 as a member of the Continental Basketball League...
- Moved to Tobacco Road Basketball LeagueTobacco Road Basketball LeagueThe Tobacco Road Basketball League is a professional men's basketball minor league in the United States that will begin play in April of 2012... - Fayetteville CrossoverFayetteville CrossoverThe Fayetteville Crossover is a member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League based in Fayetteville, North Carolina which began play in 2011 as a member of the Continental Basketball League. Home games are played at the John D. Fuller, Sr. Recrerational/Athletic Complex.-External links:...
- Moved to Tobacco Road Basketball LeagueTobacco Road Basketball LeagueThe Tobacco Road Basketball League is a professional men's basketball minor league in the United States that will begin play in April of 2012... - Wilmington Sea DawgsWilmington Sea DawgsThe Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a team of the Tobacco Road Basketball League in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Sea Dawgs began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association and later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the...
- Moved to Tobacco Road Basketball LeagueTobacco Road Basketball LeagueThe Tobacco Road Basketball League is a professional men's basketball minor league in the United States that will begin play in April of 2012... - Florida FlightFlorida FlightThe Florida Flight is a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Orlando, Florida which began play in 2010 in the World Basketball Association . In 2011 they will play their games at Avalon Middle School. In 2010, they played at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida....
- Not on the 2012 team list - Miami StarsMiami StarsThe Miami Stars are a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Miami Gardens, Florida which began play in 2011....
- Not on the 2012 team list - Port City SharksPort City SharksThe Port City Sharks is a member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2011. Home games are played at the campus of Savannah High School.-External links:...
- midway through 2011 season.
Historical membership and alignment
See History of Continental Basketball League TeamsHistory of Continental Basketball League Teams
This is the year to year membership and makeup of the Continental Basketball League, including league divisional alignment and the circumstances of teams no longer in the league.-2010:-2011:* Folded mid season-Teams that left the CBL for another league:...
Championship results
- 2010: Savannah WildcatsSavannah WildcatsThe Savannah Wildcats are a charter member of the Continental Basketball League based in Savannah, Georgia which began play in 2010. They played their games at Alfred E. Beach High School during their inaugural season, but switched to Armstrong Atlantic State University for year two. They won the...
defeated Wilmington Sea DawgsWilmington Sea DawgsThe Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a team of the Tobacco Road Basketball League in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Sea Dawgs began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association and later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the...
, 96-86 (OT), June 27, 2010 Joe and Barbara Schwartz CenterJoe and Barbara Schwartz CenterThe Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. With a capacity of 1,800 people, it is home to the Cape Fear Sea Devils junior college basketball and volleyball teams, and also to the Wilmington Sea Dawgs of...
, Wilmington, North CarolinaWilmington, North CarolinaWilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina... - 2011: Cary InvasionCary InvasionThe Cary Invasion is a member of the Tobacco Road Basketball League based in Cary, North Carolina which began play in 2011 as a member of the Continental Basketball League...
defeated Florida FlightFlorida FlightThe Florida Flight is a team in the Continental Basketball League based in Orlando, Florida which began play in 2010 in the World Basketball Association . In 2011 they will play their games at Avalon Middle School. In 2010, they played at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida....
, 131-101, June 24, 2011 Herbert Young Community Center, Cary, North CarolinaCary, North CarolinaCary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...