SHREVEPORT, LA – The Potawatomi Fire improved to 2-0 on the young season after beating the Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks 119-108.
The Fire struggled to find their rhythm in first half but came out in the second half strong outscoring the Mavericks 40-26 to take a 96-75 lead into the 4th quarter. The Fire couldn’t rest in the fourth though as Shreveport went on a couple of runs and cut the 21-point lead to single digits. The Fire were ultimately able to close the game out with a couple of clutch baskets in the closing minutes.
“It wasn’t our best game, but we got the win and that’s the most important thing on the road,” said Fire head coach Mark Dannhoff. “We did not play well in the first half but came out in the 3rd quarter and played our style of basketball. We were able to turn our defense into offense and that helped. It’s never easy playing Shreveport and I’m happy we got the win tonight.”
K.D. Moore led the Fire in scoring with 30 points. He also had 9 rebounds on the night. Chuck Guy had another double-double for the fire with 28 points and 10 assist. He also grabbed 6 boards, recorded 2 steals, and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Guy also played all 48 minutes on the night. Fire newcomer Jachai Simmons had a very good game scoring 21 points on 8-14 shooting. He was 5-9 from three. Simmons also had three big blocks for the Fire. Deshawn Munson had 12 points, 8 rebounds and three assists. Off the bench, Ricardo Artis II finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“We had some strong performances tonight,” said Dannhoff. “K.D. was great tonight and showed his ability to score from all three levels. Chuck was great again and led the team. Simmons and Ricky were both very good as well and were active on defense.”
A full box score of Thursday’s can be found here.
Up next, the Fire continue their road trip as they take on the Texas 7ers tomorrow, Friday, March 8. Tipoff from the Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy in Greenville, Texas is set for 7 PM. The game will be broadcast on TBLTV.tv or hear Chris Cox’s call of the game on KGFF Radio (100.9 FM/1450 AM/KGFF.com).
Be sure to follow the Fire on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) to stay up to date with all the latest information on the Fire.
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The Potawatomi Fire are the first professional basketball team owned by a Native American tribe (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) in Oklahoma. The Fire compete in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL), a men’s professional basketball league, now with 38 teams across the U.S. and Canada. Along with winning the TBL championship in 2023, the Fire organization was named the 2022 winner of the Jim Koch Award as TBL’s Best Ran Business. The dance team of the Fire, the Fire Girls, were named TBL’s 2022 Best Dance Team and Central Conference Best Dance Team in 2023.
The TBL season begins in February and runs through June, concluding with a championship playoff tournament. The players that make up the rosters of the TBL teams are former NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA athletes. Many have played in the NBA’s developmental G-League and/or professionally overseas.
Story by Chris Cox / Photos by Gaven T. Hammond