Central Basketball Association
 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| First season | 2013 |
| Ceased | 2019 |
| No. of teams | 7 |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | FIBA Americas (Americas) |
| Last champion(s) | Indianapolis Blaze (2019) |
| Most titles | Fort Wayne Flite (3) |
| Official website | www.playCBA.com |
The Central Basketball Association (CBA) was a semi-professional men's basketball league that began play in the spring of 2013. The league schedule typically began in March and ended in May.
History
The four charter members are Bowling Green Hornets, Middle Tennessee Storm, River City Panthers, St. Louis Hawks (all formerly of the Central Basketball League).
Three teams (Chattanooga Rail Runners, Fort Wayne Flite and Memphis Soul Kings) were added for the 2014 season. After the second CBA season St. Louis Hawks ceased operations. An original member of the league, St. Louis went 10-7 over two regular seasons, capturing the first-ever CBA championship.
For 2015, CBA added three expansion teams: Indianapolis Briks, Mississippi Eagles and Springfield Sentinels.[1]
After the 2015 season Memphis Soul Kings ceased operations. Chattanooga Rail Runners relocated to Memphis. Expansion teams Columbus Condors and Indianapolis Blaze were added for the 2016 season.
Teams
| Team | City | Arena | Founded | First season in CBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Baltimore Shuckers
|
Baltimore, Maryland | Anne Arundel Community College | 2011 | 2017 |
| Bowling Green Hornets | Russellville, Kentucky | Logan County High School | 2013 | 2013 |
| Fort Wayne Flite | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Horizon Christian Academy | 2014 | 2014 |
| Indianapolis Blaze | Indianapolis, Indiana
|
Shortridge High School | 2015 | 2016 |
| Jackson Eagles | Jackson, Tennessee | Lane College | 2014 | 2015 |
| Memphis Rail Runners | Memphis, Tennessee | JIFF Center | 2014 | 2014 |
| Middle Tennessee Storm | Nashville, Tennessee | Fisk University | 2014 | 2014 |
Rail Runners [2] The first head coach was Rodney English (2014-2015), with the current head coach being Paul Gaffney (2015–present).[3] Gaffney is a 17-year veteran of the Harlem Globetrotters.[4] He founded the Rail Runners as a way to provide local players yet one more opportunity to realize their professional dreams.[5]
Former teams
- Columbus Condors (2016)
- Illinois Coal Miners (2017)
- Indianapolis Briks (2015)
- Memphis Soul Kings (2014)
- Peoria Panthers (2013)
- Springfield Sentinels (2015)
- St. Louis Hawks (2013)
- Washington Stars (2017)
Champions
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | St. Louis Hawks | Bowling Green Hornets | 107-96 |
| 2014 | Middle Tennessee Storm | St. Louis Hawks (CBA) | 106-103 [6][7] |
| 2015 | Bowling Green Hornets | Fort Wayne Flite | 97-95 |
| 2016 | Fort Wayne Flite | Middle Tennessee Storm | 110-83 [8] |
| 2017 | Fort Wayne Flite | Indianapolis Blaze | 95-92 |
| 2018 | Fort Wayne Flite | Indianapolis Blaze | 98-95 2OT |
| 2019 | Indianapolis Blaze | Fort Wayne Flite | 83-82 |
References
- ^ "Central Basketball Association Expands To 9 Teams For 2015 Season". The Chattanoogan. 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Chattanooga Rail Runners – Better Know A Team". Spor Report. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Memphis Rail Runners". Central Basketball Association. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Branton, B.B. (2 March 2014). "Chattanooga Rail Runners Open Hoops Season". The Chattanooga. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Wiedmer, Mark (19 May 2014). "Wiedmer: Rail Runners a chance to prolong hoop dreams". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Middle Tennessee Storm are 2014 CBA Champions". CBA. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ "USBasket.com All-CBA Awards 2014". USbasket. 30 August 2014.
- ^ "Fort Wayne Flite capture CBA title". 21 Alive. 22 May 2016. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016.