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“We can’t risk being expelled from the best basketball league going right now for what is basically a bragging rights game.” -Pepper
It was early in the afternoon when Trotters owner, Milan Pepper got the call from league commissioner Barry Bradford. He communicated to Pepper that even though the Trotters official season was over they are still prohibited from playing or fraternizing with rival leagues. The IBA League is growing and has plans to expand in the region and feels association with smaller leagues are not necessary and does not serve their goal of expansion.
Team owner Pepper expressed regret at not being able to put up the Trotters’ squad against the CBL St. Louis Hawks but told this reporter, “We can’t risk being expelled from the best basketball league going right now for what is basically a bragging rights game.” It was to be the bragging rights game of the decade too here in St. Louis but due to IBA league rules the St. Louis Trotters are restricted from playing or fraternizing with rival leagues. Unable to be reached for comment the coaching staff and front office of the CBL, St. Louis Hawks, were notified of the cancellation as soon as Pepper got the call.
“We know how much St. Louis would really like to see this game take place and our plan is to petition the league to allow it at some point but for now we are concentrating on our Better Family Life 2013 Peace Fest Youth Tournament and Community Outreach events,” says DeWarren Smith, Director of Operations. He may be right also because the response from this game in just one weeks time was pretty substantial. The St. Louis Showdown may have been cancelled but one thing is for certain the St. Louis Trotters are not looking back and are ready for take off.
