Facing playoff elimination, Rogues say they plan to be back in St. John's next year
For the Rogues to succeed, says owner Tony Kenny, the team needs 'all hands on deck.' (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)
Down two games to none in the playoffs, the Newfoundland Rogues are back on their home court Friday night in St. John's to take on the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans — fighting for their place in the finals and fighting to keep their place at the Mary Brown's Centre next year.
The Rogues are the only professional sports franchise left in the province, following the folding of the Newfoundland Growlers hockey team in April. The basketball team's owner says whatever happens in the playoffs, they plan to be back next season.
"As everyone knows, it's been a hard year for professional franchises in the province," Tony Kenny told CBC News on Thursday. "Our plan is to return to the Mary Brown's Centre next year."
Kenny says community support is the most crucial element in maintaining the franchise, and he put out a call for members of the downtown business community, city council and the provincial government to come to Friday's game, which he called the biggest game in franchise history so far.
"See what the Rogues can offer the province as a whole, I'm sure you won't be disappointed," he said. "In order for the Rogues to succeed, we need all hands on deck."
Support from fans
Coach Jerry Williams hopes hometown support will keep the Rogues in the game Friday night.
"We're happy that we're here in front of our fans," said Williams.
Coach Jerry Williams says the team needs to refocus on scoring if they're to win Friday's game. (Jeremy Eaton/CBC)
Williams says the team needs to focus on what they do best: scoring, which they found tough in Sunday's 118-96 loss to the Titans in the second game of the best-of-five series.
"We just couldn't put the ball in the basket for whatever reason," said Williams. "We're the No. 1 scoring team in the league."
Community support
Power forward Lewis Djonkam, in his first season as a pro, says he has jitters going into Friday's game.
"As a team, we just gotta give it all we got," he said.
Djonkam also says he appreciates the love and support from the fans. "Just hearing them chant, hearing them send their screams, like just seeing the love, it means everything to us."
Guard Omega Harris says the last two losses have pulled the team together. He also thinks that the team being at home is an advantage.
"Being on the road, we don't really get as many shots as we usually do when we're at home," said Harris.
Game 3 tips off in St. John's at 7 p.m. NT.
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