A Battle of North and South in the Dakotas
Casey Owens begins head coaching career in Bismarck; Dave Joerger takes over in Sioux Falls.

<<Continued from page one

Leading is something that Joerger knows how to do as well, and the Skyforce hopes he can lead them back to the ranks of CBA greatness.

In three seasons as a CBA head coach, Joerger has compiled a 91-45 (.669) record, ranking him 4th all-time on the CBA's Coaches Top Winning Percentage List.

He is just behind CBA greats George Karl (.727), and father-son duo Bill and Eric Musselman (both at .689), while he is ahead of former Skyforce coach, and current Minnesota Timberwolves Head Coach Flip Saunders (.649).

However, when the season starts, it is all about the task at hand, which is winning games, and not thinking about trying to climb a records list.

"I do not think it is something that you focus on as a goal," remarked Joerger. "We just try and win as many games we can, and we really had things cooking up there in Bismarck. It is a nice thing, though, and it is quite an honor to be mentioned with those guys. But you just focus on, especially right now, trying to put a good team on the floor. Really, after the season is over, I guess then maybe you have some time to reflect on it."

Though he may not be thinking about it, you can expect Joerger to continue to climb the ranks of the CBA's coaching greats.

He has signed 2004 CBA Defensive Player of the Year DeSean Hadley, along with 2004 CBA Rookie of the Year David Bailey and 2004 All-League Second Team member David Jackson. They join former first-round NBA Draft pick John Thomas and former Skyforce player Randy Livingston, who ranks 17th all-time in CBA assists with 1,280.

"Randy is our starter at point guard right now, and he is a guy that will find some people that need shots, and will pass the basketball," said Joerger. "He is one of the best passers I have ever been around."

The Skyforce has not reached the postseason in either of the past two seasons, after having earned seven straight playoff berths from 1995 through 2002.

Returning to the postseason and getting the excitement back in Sioux Falls is one of the challenges that Joerger looked forward to when he accepted his position with the team.

He is also looking to further his career in the process.

"They have a great tradition here, and it was an opportunity for me to have a winner again here," added Joerger. "The ultimate goal for us in the CBA is to be in the NBA, and hopefully I can show, from a personal standpoint and a personal resume, that we were able to do what we did in Bismarck and then come down here and get this thing going again in Sioux Falls. Everything here is in place to win and get it turned around so it just felt like the right time, and it was the right place.

As a new era begins in Joerger's CBA career, what better way for it to start then with a game at the Bismarck Civic Center, against his old team, facing his former understudy.

"It is going to be fun," said Joerger. "I think there will be a big crowd there, with a lot of emotion. I am excited about it and it is going to be a fun deal celebrating last year and kind of putting a ribbon on that deal.

"I am looking forward to it."

 

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