Kings head to Tijuana to face Piranas
- Updated: March 5, 2020
2020 SAN DIEGO KINGS BASKETBALL
Special to EastCountySports.com
EL CAJON – The San Diego Kings will have one more test before they host the Far West Division Playoffs next weekend; a showdown in Mexico with the Tijuana Piranas.
The Kings are riding a huge momentum going into Thursday’s matchup, coming off a 140-65 win over the Las Vegas Royals in the Kings’ final home game of the season.
Manny Perez led the Kings in scoring with 30 points and six rebounds. He believes that the Kings have everything it takes to win an ABA Championship.
“It would be a very big accomplishment for our guys, considering everything we have gone through this season,” Perez stated Wednesday after practice. “Losing our head coach, losing a few players throughout the season. It’s been difficult at times but we’ve weathered the storm and now we are hosting the playoffs for our division.
Perez is referring to the Kings making numerous changes with their roster throughout the season including their three new signings with Spencer Mattox, B.J. Mathews, and Davion-Cole Johnson.
The team also made a change with their head coach. Coach Raynell Mills took over for Davion Famber in the last game against the Royals. He has been an assistant with the Kings for the entire season and will lead the team into the showdown with the Piranas, as well as, the playoffs next week.
“It means a lot that the Kings trust in me to lead the team into the playoffs,” Mils explained after practice Wednesday. “We have a lot of momentum going into the playoffs, but we have to take care of business tomorrow first.”
When asked about the game plan for tomorrow, Mills said that their size and strength will play a key factor in getting the win over the Piranas.
“Hancock, Sampah, and Bell all have to impose their will because we will have the size advantage against them,” said Mills. “We have to play inside out, screen away and find the mismatches in the defense. If we share the ball like we normally do and play solid defense like we normally do, we will get this win.”
In other news from the Kings, their superstar big man James Hancock was selected as an All-Star for the ABA All-Star game that will take place in New York on April 19, 2020. Hancock averaged 23 ppg and 14 rpg this season, including a monster 28-point, 28-rebound performance in January.
The San Diego Kings are on the chase for the title. They have one more game tomorrow to prepare for the ABA Playoffs on March 14 and 15 in an action-packed weekend.
Make sure you all get your tickets to witness the best professional basketball team in San Diego. Visit SDKingsBasketball.com to get the latest news and ticket information about the playoffs next weekend.
