For the first time in forty years, a professional basketball team in Buffalo has won a home playoff game. The game was played at the The Burt Flickinger Athletic Center (21 Oak St. Buffalo) on April 9. Buffalo 716ers’ win against the Jamestown Jackals (92-87 in the first round of Premier Basketball League playoffs) was enough to get fans’ blood pumping and imaginations soaring. After all, Buffalo is not exactly considered the basketball hotbed that it once was – remember The Buffalo Braves? But alas, basketball is back in a form that can be appreciated by those who understand what it takes to sustain elevated, organized, professional hoops.
The American Basketball Association expansion club team, founded in October 2012, is both owned and coached by Buffalo native, Tawan Slaughter, who noticed the need many former college basketball players feel here (see more).
Up next, the 716ers will face the Razorsharks in the PBL North East championship in Rochester on Sunday, April 17th at 2 pm*. To up the ante, Buffalo’s Mayor Brown has accepted a ‘friendly wager’ from Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren. Mayor Brown is soundly predicting that the 716ers will come out on top over the Rochester RazorSharks. The wager? If Buffalo wins, Mayor Brown will be treated to a Garbage Plate from Nick Tahou Hots. If Rochester wins, Mayor Warren will be treated to a plate of Anchor Bar wings.
“Our RazorSharks have won 16 straight games, are undefeated at home over the past two seasons and have six titles in all, so I think this is a safe bet,” said Mayor Warren. “I love Buffalo wings and I am sure this will be a competitive and exciting game.”
“Buffalo is looking forward to an action-packed playoff game on Sunday between our Buffalo 716ers and the Rochester RazorSharks,” said Mayor Brown. “Whether on the field or off the field, Buffalo sports teams always make us proud and we’re confident that our Buffalo 716ers will prevail. I thank Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren for this friendly wager between two of New York’s greatest cities and I look forward to having a delicious Garbage Plate.”
The winner of the semi-final playoff game, scheduled to tip-off at 2:05 p.m. at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Downtown Rochester, will advance to the Premier Basketball League playoff finals.
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