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War Dawgs are a success despite playoff loss
The War Dawgs were atop the ABA rankings for nine consecutive weeks. (Courtesy: Timothy Jones)

War Dawgs are a success despite playoff loss

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (BVM) — With a successful American Basketball Association (ABA) season in the books, Timothy Jones, owner of the North Alabama War Dawgs, had some reflecting to do. Ahead of the organization’s second season, its goals were to connect with the city, grow the fan base and most simply, win. 

While the War Dawgs weren’t able to come away with a championship, an objective that came well within their sights as the season moved along, they hit on all three of their pre-season targets. They won, making a Final Eight appearance before losing to the St. Louis Spirits in a 135-131 overtime thriller. They held the ABA’s No. 1 spot in the power rankings for nine consecutive weeks. 

But when the going got tough, the War Dawgs limped into the playoffs. Key contributors up and down its roster were playing banged up or injured, with Darrion Leslie reinjuring his knee early on in their playoff loss and Chris Burge breaking his ankle just two weeks out from the finish line. 

In its playoff loss, War Dawgs’ Dallas Jones scored 37 points. (Courtesy: Timothy Jones)

In a back-and-forth game, the War Dawgs jumped out to a first quarter double-digit lead. The Spirits responded and came all the way back, hitting what it thought was a buzzer-beating game-winner, but the shot clock had gone off before the ball was released. The two teams went into OT where two bad possessions in a row down the stretch led to the Spirits’ capitalization and ultimately, their victory. 

“We were playing small most of the game, we got outrebounded, there were a lot of things we can learn from,” Jones said. “We didn’t have the depth that we normally beat teams with…but it was a good experience for us getting to see the other teams play and see what we need to rebuild. Now we know what to look for and go get; what to be prepared for coming into season three.”

Season two is not to be overlooked, though. The team’s growth within the Huntsville area, despite COVID-19, was something Jones was happy to see. The winning ways attracted more fans to the arena on a nightly basis with some crowds surpassing 200 fans. The War Dawgs also got involved in the community, linking up with the local Boys and Girls Club and the Harris Home for Children. 

Now that the War Dawgs’ name is out in the community, season three will be all about marketing.

“We won the Southeast Regional Championship, so we got that on our resume when we go out there for sponsorships and marketing and that,” Jones said. “And with the ABA doing Operation Upgrade, I already talked to one of the guys about doing marketing stuff with our team. It’d be a nice blessing for us to get some extra funds in to pay for another quality big to come in or our veteran players, give them a little stipend for games and stuff like that.”

The War Dawgs were the Southeast Regional Champions in this year’s ABA season. (Courtesy: Timothy Jones)

Operation Upgrade is a program the ABA will be running to ensure that all of its teams have a standard in social media, uniforms and game day operations. This consistency will be the next step in offering intrigue to fans. 

The War Dawgs are the perfect example of this growth in the ABA. As the league makes efforts to reassert itself across the country, other teams should follow their model as it’s led to them becoming one of the best in just two years. 

But Jones and his staff will not be complacent. They’ve already had their end-of-season meeting to recap the season and talk preparations for next. They hope to host some tryouts in search of another frontcourt player as they continue to ascend in the ABA rankings.