IBA: Legends Beat Splash in Coffino's First Game as Head Coach

The Albany Legends are still in first place after beating the Gary Splash 127-114 at CBA on Friday night in John Coffino's first game as head coach of the team.

The undefeated Legends faced up against the Splash, who had the second best record in the IBA behind Albany. Lloyd Johnson, Kyle Downey, E.J. Gallup, Tadre Sheppard, and Kenny Tribbett were the starters for the Legends. A jumpshot by Tribbett, a layup by Johnson, and a 3-pointer by Kyle Downey put the legends up 7-0 to start the game. However, the Splash went on a 17-6 run and were up by 4 with three minutes left in the 1st quarter. A layup by Sheppard tied the game at 17-17 with a 1:30 left and the quarter ended with the game tied 21-21.

The Legends and the Splash continued to go head-to-head in the 2nd quarter. Midway through the period, the Legends led 43-40, but the Splash came back and went up 56-53 at halftime.

The second half started with a 5-0 run by the Splash, but the Legends responded with an 11-2 run and went up 64-63 after a 3-pointer by Johnson. Later, back-to-back baskets by Gallup put the Legends up 77-73. Albany led 89-80 at the end of the 3rd.

The Legends continued to pull away in the 4th quarter. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Gallup put the Legends up 110-93 and they never looked back. Late in the game, an alley-oop from Zachary Bye to Guy Dupuy left a Splash player posterized and the crowd going crazy (Unfortunately, it happened when I wasn't filming). The Legends ended up winning 127-114.

Player of the Game: Lloyd Johnson (37 points, 8 steals, 6 assists, 4 rebounds). He has emerged as the team's leader and go-to guy.

Tadre Sheppard also had a great game and scored 33 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. He also made 14 out of 22 field goals and shot over 60% from the field. E.J. Gallup finished with 15 points and led the Legends with 7 assists. Kyle Downey had a good all-around game and finished with 16 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Marcus Snipes and Emanuel Mayben were in street clothes and didn't play. Snipes is probably still recovering from whatever injury caused him to miss last series. Mayben was suspended.

I like John Coffino. He seems like a cool guy and I'll think he's going to do well as head coach of the Legends. He's gotten off on the right start by winning his first game with the team. Then again, the Legends have won every game with every coach they've had this season.

Random Highlight of the Game: A missed dunk by the Gary Splash leads to an alley-oop from Lloyd Johnson to Tadre Sheppard.



The Legends (6-0) will play the Splash (8-2) again today at 7:00 pm at CBA to conclude the series. Regardless on whether the Legends win or lose, they will stay in first place.

(Sources: Times Union, http://ibaball.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/4-20-2012-legends-vs-splash.pdf)

Have any thoughts on the Legends beating the Splash? What do you think of John Coffino? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think.