Tri-City All-Stars looking forward to new season

The season can’t begin soon enough for the organizers and partners of the newest entry into the American Basketball Association, the Tri-City All-Stars.

Coached by San Antonio Spurs legend Johnny Moore, the team will open its inaugural season Nov. 3 with a 4 p.m. clash with the San Antonio Blaze at their home court at Northeast Lakeview College in Universal City.

With one tryout already in the books and about a half-dozen players on the roster, the All-Stars plan a second tryout in October just weeks before the season begins. “We’ve had one tryout, we’ve invited back six players to a veterans camp in October. We’ll have another tryout in October as well,” said Sharon Blacknall, All-Stars general manager and managing partner.

The All-Stars will play a 20-game season, with their 10 home games at Northeast Lakeview.

Moore, a point guard for the Spurs for nine seasons from 1980 through 1990, said the talent hunt will continue nationwide for players to round out the roster. “We look at players from all over the country, but because of the nature of this league, we want more local and regional players,” Moore said.

“We’re looking for a local player, someone who the community can identify with, which is always good for the team. But we’ll have players who will come from as far away as North Carolina, Michigan, Florida … there’s talent everywhere, and they all want to play,” he added.