| Savannah Spirits | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leagues | Continental Basketball Association |
| Founded | 1986; 39 years ago (1986) |
| History | Detroit Spirits 1982–1986 Savannah Spirits 1986–1988 Tulsa Fast Breakers 1988–1991 Tulsa Zone 1991–1992 Fargo-Moorhead Fever 1992–1994 Mexico City Aztecas 1994–1995 San Diego Wildcards 1995–96 (Disbanded mid-season, January 5, 1996) |
| Arena | Savannah Civic Center |
| Location | Savannah, Georgia |
| President | Reginald Henderson |
| Vice-presidents | General Manager, Robb Larson |
| Head coach | Charley Rosen |
TheSavannah Spirits were a professional basketball team that played for two years in theContinental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1986 to 1988, amassing a total regular season record of 42 wins and 60 losses for a total of 306.5 points. The team originally began play in the 1982–1983 season as the Detroit Spirits, after Agustin Arbulu acquired the franchise, compiling a record of 26–18, winning the Central Division title; they defeated theRochester Zeniths for the Conference title and theMontana Golden Nuggets for theCBA title. After their initial season Agustin Arbulu agreed to sell the franchise to Reggie Henderson. The Spirits did not qualify for the postseason in their first year inSavannah, Georgia. In their second and final year in Savannah, they were eliminated by theAlbany Patroons in the first round, four games to one.
Future late-night talk show hostCraig Kilborn served as the team's radio play-by-play announcer. It was the first broadcasting job of his career.
On May 24, 1982, Continental Basketball Association (CBA) spokesperson Fran Greenburg announced thatDetroit,Michigan had been awarded an expansion franchise by the league's board of directors.[1]
The Detroit Spirits set a CBA record for team rebounds with 80 during a 107–101 loss to theOhio Mixers on January 4, 1983.[2]
There was a 37-minute delay during a game in Detroit, Michigan between the Detroit Spirits and the Albany Patroons on January 16, 1983, after spirits forwardFrancois Wiseshattered a backboard on a baseline dunk at the 11:24 mark of the third quarter. Wise suffered "minor cuts" as described by theUPI and was ejected from the game.[3]
Spirits forwardMarvin Barnes was suspended two games and fined $100 on February 19, 1983, for what the CBA determined was a flagrant elbow against Ohio Mixers forwardDeWayne Scales. Barnes was ejected from the game at which point he removed his jersey and threw it on his bench while exiting the floor. According to Barnes he only threw the elbow in retaliation to Scales striking him in the back. A week later Barnes was suspended by the team for the rest of the season after missing two scheduled practices according to Spirits general manager Sam Washington who told the UPI, "I suspended him the rest of the season so he won't be obligated to be at practice and games and we won't be obligated to look for him [...] He's complained about the leg since the surgery, and we set up a program for him [...] He went two or three times. [...] He's just not dependable [...] and I'm sick and tired of it. [...] The problem is with Marvin, as with a lot of athletes, that in high school, college and even the pros, he's had people cater to him [...] That's what he wants and, I guess, expects." Barnes responded telling the UPI, "I was at the house taking care of some other things [...] Sam [Washington] and I are friends and there are no hard feelings".[4][5]
In April 1985 Spirits owner Reggie Henderson told theMichigan Chronicle that he was looking to re-locate his franchise toMuskegon, Michigan;Flint, Michigan; orToledo, Ohio. Henderson said that the lease on their facilities was too high and a smaller market could accommodate his team better. He claimed the spirits lost $700,000 during the 1984–85 season. The team averaged 800 spectators at home games during the season.[6] In spite of this team vice president Robb Larson announced on July 3, 1985, they were close to finalizing a lease to use theUniversity of Detroit'sCalihan Hall.[7]
After relocating toTulsa, Oklahoma and changing their name to the Tulsa Fast Breakers, the team won the 1988–89 CBA Championship under Head CoachHenry Bibby. The franchise would have a name change to the Tulsa Zone before they eventually moved again to Fargo, North Dakota. Another move would send the team to Mexico City where they became theMexico City Aztecas and the on to San Diego. The team would fold during the 1995–1996 season while playing as theSan Diego Wildcards.
| Season | Games | Wins | Losses | Win % | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–83 | 44 | 26 | 18 | .591 | [8] |
| 1983–84 | 44 | 26 | 18 | .591 | [8] |
| 1984–85 | 48 | 23 | 25 | .479 | [8] |
| 1985–86 | 48 | 24 | 24 | .500 | [8] |
| 1986–87 | 48 | 20 | 28 | .417 | [8] |
| 1987–88 | 54 | 22 | 32 | .407 | [8] |
| 1988–89 | 54 | 28 | 26 | .519 | [8] |
| 1989–90 | 56 | 31 | 25 | .554 | [8] |
| 1990–91 | 56 | 34 | 22 | .607 | [8] |
| 1991–92 | 56 | 24 | 32 | .429 | [8] |
| 1992–93 | 56 | 18 | 38 | .321 | [8] |
| 1993–94 | 56 | 25 | 31 | .446 | [8] |
| 1994–95 | 56 | 19 | 37 | .339 | [8] |
| 1995–96 | 21 | 4 | 17 | .190 | [8] |
