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Naturally Good.
The CBA Has Realigned Their Conferences And Some Natural Rivalries May Surface.

Ray Z. Perea

Boise, ID-6.24.02- The oldest minor basketball league will have some changes this coming season. Two teams that participated in the CBA 2001-02 campaign have been shut down.

The Saskatchewan Hawks and the Fargo-Moorhead Beez are history.

In step, the Idaho Stampede and 2000-01 CBA Champions Yakima Suns. The Yakima outfit moved from Topeka (Sizzlers) in 1991. The team took one year off, but was still in operation.

The two new teams will be part of the leagues National Conference this season.
Yakima and Idaho will also pick one-and-two in this years CBA Annual College draft in September.

The Yakima Sun Kings will pick first. The result of a coin flip that took place earlier this month.

Another trick up the CBA's sleeve is an All-Star Showcase. For the first time since 2000 the CBA will orchestrate a midseason contest on January 14.

Last year an All-star Team was named on paper. The unavailability of a venue prevented a run.

The game will pit the best of the American Conference versus the best in the National.

For the third time in franchise history (1996 & 2000) the Sioux Falls Skyforce will host the CBA All-star Classic.

Both the American and National Conference have been set up to develop natural regional rivalries.

“The geography of each conference should allow for the teams to create some good rivalries and that will be healthy for the league”, says Director of Media Relations Bryant Keuchle.

The CBA is growing stronger and stronger and the owners of the league have a pulse on what makes minor league basketball work.

Look for the league to strive in 2002-03 on and off the floor.

2002-03 Conference Alignment.

American Conference
Flint Fuze
Gary Steelheads
Grand Rapids Hoops
Rockford Lightning

National Conference
Dakota Wizards
Idaho Stampede
Sioux Falls Sky force
Yakima Sun Kings

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