Holmes posts 48, Yellow Jackets cruise in exciting return to ABA, 166-68

by Thomas Leturgey At the very beginning of the Steel City Yellow Jackets vs. Port Huron Cougars game, the home team looked to be on its heels. A large crowd was on hand to watch the American Basketball Association (ABA) team return to A Giving Heart Community Center after a one-year hiatus. Port Huron’s Aron “Skeez” Smith and Rob Robinson jumped ahead to a 4-0 lead with about a minute and a half in the game. Steel City newcomer Jay Washington hit a jumper, was fouled and connected on a free throw to get Ace Pippens’ team on the scoreboard. The Cougars’ Xander Mylan answered with a shot to extend the Michigan team’s lead to 6-3. And then the Yellow Jackets’ Kenny Holmes got the ball. He hit a three pointer and tied the game 6-6 with 8:17 to go in the quarter. Another newcomer at guard, Job Brown, hit his first jumper in Black and Gold. The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 8-6. That’s the closest Scott Moncrief’s team would come to the returning Yellow Jackets. At the end of the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets took advantage of some poor Cougars’ shooting but added pressure with outstanding...