WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
DANVILLE, IN – The Indiana Lyons, Hendricks County’s own professional basketball team, embark on their third season in the American Basketball Association (ABA) this fall and winter with sights set squarely on bringing home a league championship.
The team begins its preseason schedule on Oct. 10 with a home game against the Chicago Knights, followed by hosting its annual First Responders game on Oct. 17 as well as home games against the Ohio Kings on Oct. 31 and the Kentucky Enforcers on Nov. 7. The regular season begins shortly thereafter and runs into March, when the ABA playoffs tip off.
Home games are played at Bosstick Gym, located within Danville Town Hall at 49 N. Wayne Street in Danville. The gym is affectionately known as the Lyons Den.
The Lyons finished the 2019-20 season with a 20-4 record and ranked #8 in the ABA, out of more than 150 teams. The squad was set to host a playoff game in March when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the ABA to cancel the postseason.
With that gnawing feeling of unfinished business driving them, the Lyons signed some new players for the 2020-21 season, implemented safety protocols for game days to keep everyone healthy on the court and in the stands, and are fired up and laser-focused on winning an ABA title.
Owned by Avon businessman Tyrone Brown and his wife, Deborah, the Lyons are a family-friendly organization that are heavily involved in the community. Lyons players come from all over the country and have a wide variety of college and international basketball experience. Players interact with fans before and after games, and every contest ends with a group photo of players and fans at center court.
ABA rules are designed to create exciting, fast-paced, high-scoring games. The most noticeable and unique aspect of ABA basketball is the 3D light – a flashing red light that is most often triggered by a team losing possession of the ball in their own backcourt. While the 3D light is flashing, the opposing team earns an extra point for any field goal made.
Today’s ABA is a resurrection of the original ABA that brought about many current NBA players and teams, including the Indiana Pacers. One of the cofounders of the original ABA and the Pacers is a cofounder of the modern-day ABA. The league is headquartered in Indianapolis, and current ABA teams are located throughout the United States, Mexico, Australia, and Japan.
Tickets for Indiana Lyons games are just $10 per person and are available for advance purchase through www.IndianaLyons.com. For more information visit their website or find them on Facebook.
