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Jersey Express

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For the soccer club, see Jersey Express S.C.
Jersey Express
Founded2005; 20 years ago (2005)
LeagueABA
DivisionBlack
RegionEast
Team historyNewark Express
2005–2008
Jersey Express
2008–2021, 2024–present
Garden State Warriors
2021–2024
Based inNewark, New Jersey
ArenaYMCA of Newark
Colors     
Red, black, silver
OwnerMarsha Blount
Head coachTyrone Pullins
Division titles5 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2025)
Websitejerseyexpressaba.com

The Jersey Express are a basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. The team competes in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a member of the Black Division of the East Region.

The team was formed in 2005 as the Newark Express, and later became the Garden State Warriors. Marsha Blount, executive vice president of the ABA and CEO of the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA), is owner of the team.

History

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Shaheen Holloway playing for the team during their inaugural season in January 2006

The team was co-founded by Marsha Blount and Jacqueline Halyard, playing as the Newark Express at Essex County College.[1] Darryl Dawkins was the team's first head coach for their inaugural 2005–06 ABA season.[1] Former Seton Hall Pirates standout Shaheen Holloway was signed as their star player.[2] The team finished its regular season with a record of 14-16 before falling to the Rochester RazorSharks in the playoffs.[3]

Ron Moore replaced Dawkins as head coach for the 2006–07 ABA season but left shortly into the campaign, leaving Marsha Blount to take over coaching duties herself.[4] Blount's team went 2-21 and failed to make the playoffs. The team rebranded as the Jersey Express for the 2007–08 ABA season and moved their games to Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, but struggled financially as many clubs in the ABA folded mid-season.[5] In the 2008–09 ABA season, the team went 14-8 under new coach Jerry Reynolds before falling in the playoffs to the Nashville Broncs.[6]

The team moved to East Orange Campus High School in East Orange, New Jersey beginning with the 2009–10 ABA season.[7] Assistant coach Quaasim Austin was promoted to head coach beginning with the 2009–10 season, but was replaced mid-campaign by assistant Cassandra Smith.[6] Smith led the 12-4 team to its first division title and a playoff appearance.[8][9]

After the team went 8-6 during the 2010–11 ABA season and failed to make the playoffs, Terry Dehere was originally announced as head coach for the 2011–12 ABA season before he left due to a dispute with ownership.[10] Assistant coach Joseph Amador took over, leading the team to a 5-7 record at their new home of Jersey City Armory, but was replaced after the 2011–12 season by assistant coach Ray Ortiz.[11][12] The team then moved to Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey for the 2012–13 ABA season, where the 9-3 team won its third division championship and made the playoffs.[13]

The club returned to Newark for the 2013–14 ABA season, playing its games at Malcolm X Shabazz High School.[14] A fourth division title was captured in 2013–14, with the team going 9-2 and making the playoffs.[15]

Team owner Marsha Blount was named CEO of the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) in 2017.[16] She also founded a team in that league, the Jersey Expressions, and they captured consecutive WABA championships in 2017 and 2018.[17] Blount was later named executive vice president of the ABA in 2022.[18]

From the 2021–22 ABA season through the 2023–24 ABA season, the team was rebranded as the Garden State Warriors.[19]

The team returned to its Jersey Express moniker for the 2024–25 ABA season under new head coach Tyrone Pullins, where they captured a fifth division championship with a 11-2 record and advanced to the 2025 ABA playoffs.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Newark Express schedules press conference". OurSports Central. October 17, 2005. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  2. ^ Sullivan, Tim (August 18, 2006). "HOLLOWAY ON HALL'S STAFF". New York Post. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  3. ^ "RazorSharks Host Newark in Playoffs". OurSports Central. March 13, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  4. ^ "Express names Marsha Blount head coach". OurSports Central. December 1, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Star-Ledger, Lawrence Ragonese/The (January 24, 2008). "Jersey Express schedule cut as ABA struggles". nj. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Lockhart, Jason (August 12, 2009). "Express name Austin head coach". nj. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  7. ^ Santiago, Katherine (August 27, 2009). "Jersey Express to play at East Orange high school gym for upcoming season". Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  8. ^ "American Basketball Association 2010, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  9. ^ "Express Guard Ahmad Mosby Named Aba Rookie Of The Year". OurSports Central. April 19, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  10. ^ Journal, Adam Maher/The Jersey (November 5, 2011). "Jersey Express begins training camp, but coaches Terry Dehere and Luther Wright are no longer with the team". nj. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  11. ^ Maher, Adam (November 21, 2011). "Jersey Express win first Jersey City Armory homestand, move to 1-1". nj. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  12. ^ Prezioso, Andrew (February 12, 2013). "Jersey Express requires sacrifice to extend basketball careers". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  13. ^ Rowan, Tommy (November 11, 2012). "Centenary College future home to New Jersey Express semi-pro basketball team". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "ABA Jersey Express to Hold FINAL Player Tryout, Saturday @1pm, in Newark". PRLog. August 15, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  15. ^ "American Basketball Association 2014, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. April 16, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  16. ^ "Marsha Blount Named CEO of WABA". US Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  17. ^ "Jersey Expressions are your 2018 Champions!". US Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings. October 29, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  18. ^ "MARSHA BLOUNT NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ABA". ABA Basketball – Official Website of the ABA. July 21, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  19. ^ "About the Jersey Express". HomeTeamsONLINE. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
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