The general manager and head coach of Halifax’s professional basketball team says the season has so far exceeded expectations.

Augey Jones tells our newsroom, the Halifax Hoopers are not only on a 14-game winning streak but have secured a venue where they were “welcomed with open arms”.

“It’s really kind of a community recreation centre, so that was very much a win for us. Then, I think we just brought in the type of player that was going to connect with the community and play good basketball,” says Jones.

Jones says, for months after the team was signed, players created a team atmosphere communicating and sharing training photos.

“And it’s paid off. We’ve won 14 games in a row,” adds Jones.

This, he says, is an anomaly no matter what sport it is.

“There hasn’t been a lot of teams out of Halifax or even in Canada that have won 14 games in a row in a pro league and not expected to win those 14 games. We’re right now ranked number four in the league out of 37 teams across North America,” says Jones.

Local players

Halifax has had three other professional basketball teams before the Hoopers that didn’t pan out – the Windjammers, Rainmen and Hurricanes.

Making light of the situation, Jones says he was a fan of those teams, but “we’re kind of like the person who was in some bad relationships.”

He says, they have to prove they are worth coming out to see and made some “early adjustments” such as having local players.

They include Tyler Scott who played at Halifax West, CJ Bennett who played in Cape Breton but teaches at a junior high in Dartmouth and Azaro Roker who played at St. FX in Antigonish.

Gaining momentum

The Sportsplex arena can hold 3,300 fans.

The opening night they had 1,800 but that has dropped a bit, pulling in about 1,000 spectators the other night.

Jones says, they still see this as a success, it still always feels full, and ticket sales are way up.

“Now that the buzz is happening, I think that more people will come,” says Jones.

But he says, they still keep it in perspective and are thankful to those who have come to see them play.

Community connection

After every home game, the Hoopers make an effort to meet the fans.

Jones says the lineups for autographs has gotten longer and longer.

“Our players are there 90 minutes after the game, still signing autographs and taking pictures,” adds Jones.

He says that’s been really positive and encourages the community to “get over” the other three teams before them and come out.

“Come out and bring your family and enjoy two hours of fun. Just try it out,” says Jones.

The next home game is Sunday at 3 p.m. against the New York Phoenix.