Frisco’s finest hoopsters, the Texas Legends, have concluded their 2013-2014 season. From the thrilling acquisition of key players, to the agony of an extensive losing streak, the Legends persevered through the highs-and-lows of the 50-game D-League grind—and ultimately ended the year on a high note.
L Texas Legends (23-26) Vs. Sioux Falls SkyForce (31-19)—121-135
Right out of the gates, the Texas Legends hung with the Sioux Falls SkyForce point-for-point, and entered the second quarter all tied up, 34-34. Nevertheless, the second quarter is when Sioux Falls, the Central League’s fourth-seeded playoff team, pulled away for good.
A 19-point advantage entering the third quarter proved too much for the Legends to overcome, despite outscoring Sioux Falls 36-31 in the game’s final quarter.
Mickey McConnell posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 assists, and P.J. Hairston led the Legends in scoring with 26 points—highlighted by shooting 50% from beyond the arch (6-12). Melvin Ely (23 pts) and Ricky Ledo (24 pts) both crossed the 20-point threshold and Booker Woodfox chipped in 9 points off the bench.
W Texas Legends (24-26) Vs. Idaho Stampede (24-26)
For the second consecutive game, the Texas Legends put up thirty or more points in the first quarter. However, this time, the Legends kept the opposition from doing the same.
Up 32-19 after the first quarter, the Legends took a 18-point lead into halftime, up 65-47 over the Idaho Stampede.
The Stampede flipped the tables in the second half, outscoring the Legends 77-68, but the double-digit halftime advantage was still too much for Idaho to overcome.
Once again, Mickey McConnell notched a double-double (15 pts, 12 assts) and P.J. Hairston paced the Legends scorers with 33 points. Melvin Ely was a terror on both sides of the ball, scoring 25 points and cleaning the glass to the tune of 15 rebounds. Ricky Ledo’s 26 points added a nice finishing touch to the conclusion of his rookie season.
Player Spotlight: P.J. Hairston
Hairston, the much-ballyhooed baller from the University of North Carolina was signed by the Texas Legends in January, after he decided that a stint in the D-League might enhance his 2014 NBA Draft Status.
You have to think he made the right decision.
In 26 games with the Legends, Hairston averaged 21.8 points per game and was one of the D-League’s most consistent shooters from the charity stripe, hitting free throws at an 87% clip.
Although the jump from the D-League to the NBA is no small feat, and it’s hard to forecast how a shooter’s ability to score will translate, you have to think that Hairston’s sample of success with the Texas Legends will be rewarded with at least a second-round nod in the upcoming draft.
