Week 5 in the American Basketball Association (ABA) Central Region Blue Division is almost here, and we’ve got some good matchups on tap! Let’s check ’em out.
According to the ABA website, the Naptown Pirates (2-1) are idle this weekend. They were originally supposed to host a game this week against a team that folded right before the season began. We are still in the process of verifying with the Pirates organization that they haven’t picked up an opponent for Week 5.
Steel City Yellow Jackets (1-0) at Rochester Reapers (4-2)
The defending Blue Division champ, the Steel City Yellow Jackets, hit the road for New York to battle the Rochester Reapers out of the ABA East Region on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. ET.
The Yellow Jackets finally got their 2026-27 ABA season started — through no fault of their own — last weekend with a nice home win over the Akron Aviators. In that game, Terrance Holloway had a fantastic outing with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 steals, earning him Player of the Game honors.
Meanwhile, the Reapers got themselves a HUGE acquisition this season when John Ivy joined the team after being a major part of the Buffalo eXtreme’s ascension to the ABA Championship Game last season.
We met John in Atlanta this past April during Championship Weekend, and we’ve seen him play twice in person. Super nice guy off the court. A true nightmare for opponents on the court.
It comes as no surprise to us that John is the leading scorer for Rochester and either leads the team or is among the team leaders in a whole bunch of other stats. Steel City will have a big challenge in front of them trying to deal with John Ivy.
We’re not aware of any livestream plans, but several Reapers games have been streamed on YouTube by various providers, so that would be a good place to search.
Southland Saints (2-2) at #8 Indiana Lyons (4-1)
The Indiana Lyons lost on the road in Week 2 to the defending ABA Central Region Champions, the Nashville Aces, and after that game, Lyons co-owner and head coach Tyrone Brown told us, “We’re still learning how to play.”
Since then, they have strung three wins together, including two in hostile territory last weekend, and have climbed up to the top of the Blue Division standings and to #8 in the ABA Power Rankings. It appears they’ve learned how to play.
They have a doubleheader at home this weekend, starting on Saturday, Nov. 14 at home in the Lyons Den. Keep an eye on the Lyons’ Facebook page on game day for a potential live stream.
Neshawn Brooks is blossoming into quite a rookie acquisition for the Lyons this season. After five games, he leads the team in scoring and assists and is third on the squad in rebounds and steals. He dropped 38 points on the St. Louis Spirits last week.
The Southland Saints are from Chicagoland and the ABA Central Region Black Division, and they only have one of their game’s stats posted on the ABA website. In that game against the Chicago Rebels, Patrick Rucker had 27 points, Duke Hardin had 23, and Chris Winters had 15. Points were the only statistics recorded.
Tipoff is at 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT at Bosstick Gym in Danville, Indiana.
River City Gamblers (0-4) at Indiana Legends (2-1)
The River City Gamblers from St. Louis and the ABA Central Region White Division travel to Indiana for a weekend doubleheader, and their first stop is at the Indiana Legends in Church Street Gym in New Castle, Indiana for a game on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT.
As with last week’s Legends game, we expect a shootout in this one. Lonnel Johnson leads the Gamblers in scoring by a mile and a half, and he has a stupendous shooting percentage on three-pointers, hitting 22-of-31 (71%).
Meanwhile, the Legends counter with Mike Saunders, Jr. who dumped a 50-burger on the Louisville Pros last weekend. His ridiculous average of 44.7 points per game is good for #3 in the entire American Basketball Association.
The nets on each end of the court will be busy in this one!
We will be live streaming that game for free on our YouTube channel.
As a warning to viewers, we’ve had a lot of trouble getting a signal out of Church Street Gym so far this season. We have purchased even more equipment to try to resolve this issue, but we won’t know if Plan C works until we’re on the air.
In the event the live stream is unwatchable, we record every game, and we’ll post the recorded version once we get home.
Indiana Shuckers (0-4) at Hoosier State Instigators (1-2)
The Hoosier State Instigators had a nice home win last week against the Naptown Pirates to get into the win column, and they look to add to that success on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. ET at Best Choice Fieldhouse in Fishers, Indiana.
Neither team posts game statistics on the ABA’s website or on social media.
We are unaware of any plans to livestream the game.
Windy City Inferno (1-2) at Indiana Shuckers (0-4)
The Windy City Inferno come down from Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT at Crossroads Community Church in Bedford, Indiana, to take on the Indiana Shuckers.
The Inferno, who are members of the ABA Central Region Black Division, have a lot of new players on their roster this season, and they’re still trying to find their footing.
After opening the season with two tough road losses against the #14-ranked Middletown Maulers and the #8-ranked Indiana Lyons, the Inferno got into the win column last weekend with a home victory over the Chicago Rebels.
Inferno veteran Jarvae Tate will be a problem for the Shuckers, as he leads the team in every statistical category and has had multiple double-doubles. Robert Stanford and Isaiah Fleming are two more versatile vets who will inflict considerable damage on offense and defense.
The Shuckers do not post their game statistics on the ABA website.
We are unaware of any plans to livestream this game.
River City Gamblers (0-4) at #8 Indiana Lyons (4-1)
The second half of the River City Gamblers’ road doubleheader and the second half of the Indiana Lyons‘ home doubleheader takes place on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT. at Bosstick Gym in Danville, Indiana.
Keep an eye on the Lyons’ Facebook page on game day for a potential live stream.
