No one is happier to see February flee than the Texas Legends, who went a woeful 1-11 during Cupid’s favorite month. March couldn’t be better however, as the Legends remain undefeated while pushing their winning streak to four games.
W Texas Legends (18-22) Vs. Bakersfield Jam (13-23)—109-106
The Texas Legends have found that the best way to erase the bad vibes brought about by a losing streak is to simply string together some wins. With Wednesday’s victory over the Bakersfield Jam, the Legends have fashioned their first winning streak since way back in December.
Even though Bakersfield boasted the game’s leading scorer—Dwight Buyoks with 28—the Legends controlled the tempo thanks to double-doubles by Damion James (24 pts, 14 rebs) and Ricky Ledo (18 pts, 12 rebs). P.J. Hairston added 18 from the bench.
W Texas Legends (19-22) Vs. Iowa Energy (21-14)—126-119
On the strength of a 40-point outburst in the second quarter, the Texas Legends drained Iowa’s Energy to push their win streak to four games.
With the win, the Legends swept their four-game home stand and moved themselves within striking distance of third place, just 4.5 games behind the Sioux Falls SkyForce.
Damion James picked up a double-double with 34 points and 19 rebounds, and Ricky Ledo had yet another solid start, knocking down 21 points with 9 rebounds.
Player(s) Spotlight: Bernard James and Jae Crowder
Bernard James and Jae Crowder are two names that will forever be linked in history. Both were early second round picks in the 2012 NBA Draft—James went 33rd and Crowder 34th—and both were traded that same night to the Dallas Mavericks. Last Thursday when they were penciled in to start for the Texas Legends against the Los Angeles D-Fenders, they both had games so profound, that people will be talking about it for years to come.
With 38 points and 18 rebounds, Bernard James was an unstoppable force during last week’s slump-busting beat-down of the D-Fenders. The former Florida State star was a 28-year-old rookie last year, but he is more than making up for any lost time.
Out of high school, James, the 6’10” native of Savannah, Georgia, put his hoops dreams on ice to serve his country with the Air Force. As dominant as James was last week, Jae Crowder might have one-upped him.
Crowder unleashed a triple-double on the D-Fenders, picking 23 points, grabbing 18 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists. Crowder, just 23 years old, has had an interesting path towards professional basketball.
Undersized in high school, Crowder was not heavily recruited by colleges, and played his first year South Georgia Tech. In that one season, he led them to their first-ever NJCAA National Tournament appearance. Prior to the next season, he transferred to Howard College and led the Hawks all the way to the NJCAA National Championship.
By this time, Crowder had grown in to his 6’6” physique and began fielding multiple offers from a bevy of Division I teams, before finally settling on Marquette. While there, he was the Big East Player of the Year his final season, before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Upcoming Texas Legends Games
The Texas Legends hit the road for a quick one-game set with the Tulsa 66ers (18-21), then it’s six days off before heading up to the east coast to battle the Maine RedClaws (16-22) on Friday March 14. All games can be enjoyed from the comfort of you own home via the Texas Legends’ official YouTube Channel.