Cincinnati Cyclones

History of the Cincinnati Hitmen

The Cincinnati franchise, once deemed the “Cyclones,” now referred to as the “Hitmen” has been one of…

History: 418-364

4 playoff appearances

2 Division

1 Conference

Season One

Leaders

Minutes: Jim McCarthy (40)

Points: Jim McCarthy (26.7)

Rebounds: Jim McCarthy (10.3)

Assists: Steve Peterson (9.9)

Steals: Rich Johnson (3.6)

Blocks: Jim McCarthy (3.6)

Team Records

Overall Record: 33-29

Offense: 100

Defense: 94.6

Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

Trades

London gets:

Hick Hiller and Cincinnati's season 2 first & second round picks

Cincinnati gets:

Jim Fox

Cincinnati gets:

Wes Mullen, John Simmons, & Dan Weaver

New York gets:

Charlie Young, Bill Johnson, & Floyd Clancy

Cincinnati gets:

Joe Clark, Curly Whitehouse & Roswell's season 5 and 6 second round picks

Roswell gets:

Joe Devlin

Washington gets:

Al Wood, Joe Clark, Cincinnati's Season 3-1st and 2nd Round picks, and Roswell's Season 5 and 6-2nd Round picks

Cincinnati gets:

Steve Peterson and Washington's Season 2-2nd Rounder

Cincinnati gets:

Dave Booker and Roy Johnson

Berlin gets:

John Simmons, Frank Moore, and Washington's 2nd round pick in season 2

Inaugural Draft

Round One: Jim McCarthy

Round Two: Charlie Young

Round Three: Mike Taylor

Round Four: Al Wood

Round Five: Hick Hiller

Round Six: Rich Johnson

Round Seven: Joe Devlin

Round Eight: Mike Byrd

Round Nine: Don Evers

Round Ten: Bo Coffman

Round Eleven: Frank Moore

Round Twelve: Rich Stafford

Round Thirteen: Bill Johnson

Round Fourteen: Floyd Clancey

Season Overview

The Cincinnati franchise began their quest towards WBA greatness with fortune smiling on their side. Drawing the number three pick in the inaugural draft - the selection virtually assured the franchise a young superstar to spearhead the team to greatness. The man filling these big shoes wore big shoes himself as the team selected the young 19 year old center, Jim McCarthy. Management was known to have been swayed by his “rebounding, defensive presence, and overall offensive skill, combined with his youth.”

This was a great foundation for the young franchise to build upon. But to make that foundation even stronger - the team managed to acquire, star point guard Steve Peterson. Since the addition the team managed to go on a tear winning 8 out of their next 10 games - however, the addition was too little too for that season. As the team did manage to be above .500 it was not enough to secure a playoff spot. Nevertheless, the Cyclones had already proven to become a team to be reckoned with as Jim McCarthy and Steve Peterson would be ranked the #2 and #6 best players in the league according to statistics.

Season Two

Leaders

Minutes: Jim McCarthy (42)

Points: Jim McCarthy (26.3)

Rebounds: Jim McCarthy (12.8)

Assists: Steve Peterson (12.8)

Steals: Steve Peterson (3.7)

Blocks: Jim McCarthy (3.4)

Team Records

Overall Record: 66-14 (#1 Seed)

Offense: 104.1

Defense: 86.8 (3rd Best in League History)

Playoff Result: Conference Finals, Loss to Roswell 4-3

Trades

Albacete gets:

Dave Booker & Cincinnati's season 4 second round pick

Cincinnati gets:

24th pick

Cincinnati gets:

Ernie Barnes

New York Gets:

Steve Felix

Cincinnati gets:

Bert Latham

Winifred gets:

Ernie Barnes & Fred Gumbert

Los Angeles gets:

Mike Taylor

Cincinnati gets:

Ray Walters

Draft

First round, 24: Steve Felix

Season Overview

Their stock rose a lot in the preseason. They had a tough schedule and played very well. They are not a great offensive team but have a tremendous defense. They play a hard nosed slow the game down style so even though they don't score a lot they are very efficient. In the preseason Jim McCarthy looked like he may be the best player in the league. The addition of Bert Latham in the preseason really solidified an already strong team. Prediction: Second in the Midwest and make the play-offs

With a returning cast aided by several new additions the Cyclones predicated their team on defense. Early preseason action immediately showed off what the team was capable of. Commentators noted that “they had a tough schedule and played very well,” and while they were not a great offensive team they were “tremendous on defense.” The style of play also showed through - a characteristic hard nosed slow the game down style based on efficiency. High hopes were ignited throughout Cincinnati.

Accordingly, the team got off to a hot undefeated start and in turn led the league with the best record. Many were impressed by not only the defense but surprisingly, the offense as well. Some argued that they were “the most efficient team offensively,” they had reason to believe so as the team shot over 51% and led the league in assists.

Ultimately this proved to be a glorious year for Cincinnati. Amassing an amazing 66 wins the team secured the first seed in the league but not only that they also achieved one of the best records and the third best defense in league history. The team would make its way to the Conference finals where they would meet a worthy foe in Roswell. The contest was evenly matched making its way to a deciding game seven - where Cincinnati ultimately came up short. Nevertheless, the season was a great success and with a young squad it assuredly would not be the last time they challenged for a title.

Season Three

Leaders

Minutes: Jim McCarthy (42)

Points: Jim McCarthy (18.5)

Rebounds: Jim McCarthy (12.9)

Assists: Wesley Phillips (5.9)

Steals: Rich Johnson (2.3)

Blocks: Jim McCarthy (3.9)

Team Records

Overall Record: 50-30 (#6 Seed)

Offense: 103.1

Defense: 94.6

Playoff Result: First round, Loss to Nebraska 3-1

Trades

Los Angeles gets:

Bert Latham & Don Evers

Cincinnati gets:

London's season 4 2nd & London's season 8 1st

Montana gets:

Jim Fox, Wes Mullen & London's season 4 2nd, (Cincinnati pays for the

salaries of fox and mullen for this season)

Cincinnati gets:

Albecete's season 4 1st, John Welch & Joe Gerlachs (Montana pays 1.25 of his salary season 4)

Nebraska gets:

Steve Peterson, Jo Gerlachs

Cincinnati gets:

SC's 1st Rd. Pick Season 4, NEB's Season 4 2nd Rd. Pick, Alonzo Hatfield, Al McCauley, Bill Mangano, plus 4.6 million dollars in Season 3

Cincinati gets:

Dave Brennan, Gomer Cummings and Albacete's first round pick in season 5

Albacete gets:

Ray Walters, Cincinati 2nd round pick in season

Cinci gets:

Roswell season 5 and 6 1st round picks

South Carolina gets:

Peter Langstroat

Steve Cavallo

Cincinnati gets:

Wesley Phillips, season 6 Indiana 1st, season 5 Indiana 2nd

Indiana gets:

Gomer Cummings, Albecete season 4 1st, cincinnati

Cinci gets:

Greg Lynn

Nebraska gets:

Jim Robinson, Dave Brennan

Cincinnati gets:

Raul Qvevdo

Boston's 2nd rd pick in season 5 and 6

Boston gets:

Roswell's Season 6 first

Draft

No Selections

Season Overview

The moves made during the offseason would have proven “busy” for any team but especially for one who was so close to competing for a championship. Fearing the uncertainty of free agency - several moves were made dealing away many pivotal players. One of these questionable moves was the departure of All-Star point guard Steve Peterson to Nebraska in exchange for 2 draft picks the next season and 3 players whose salaries will be paid by Nebraska. The positive was that these moves opened up huge cap space for the upcoming season even if it meant sacrificing the current season. Although many lambasted the coach for making these moves - they atleast improved the chances of a better future.

As the season progressed - it was clear that Jim McCarthy was still one of the best if not the best player in the league. Indeed, the team managed to win a respectable 50 games - but the offense and especially the defense was never the same. As a result - the team experienced an early playoff exit to the same team that acquired Steve Peterson - Nebraska.

Season Four

Leaders

Minutes: Jerry Sims (39)

Points: Jim McCarthy (20.9)

Rebounds: Jim McCarthy (12.1)

Assists: Wesley Phillips (6.6)

Steals: Rich Johnson (2.7)

Blocks: Jim McCarthy (3.3)

Team Records

Overall Record: 58-22 (#3 Seed)

Offense: 102.1

Defense: 89.1

Playoff Result: Finals, Loss to Washington 4-2

Trades

Rochester gets:

Ron Rubinov & Albecete's season 5 1st round pick

Cincinnati gets:

Jerry Sims

Draft

First round, 11: Webster Hewlett

First round, 17: Ron Rubinov

Second round, 49: Kenyon Maggette

Season Overview

The offseason ended with the assertion that Cincinnati was “loaded with talent,” and once again was a great defensive team. Some even projected that GM Matt Mitchell should receive some votes for Executive of the Year. The “sacrifice” of the previous season saw its fruit with the main addition of the offseason - Jerry Sims. Indeed, Sims would do much to help McCarthy out with the scoring load proving to become a great one-two combo.

The reputation of Cincinnati also reached an all-time high during this point. Esteemed writer Ron Chambers would write his franchise rankings and place Cincinnati as the number three team overall.

The team was geared for another great season and indeed managed to win 58 games. This record was good for a #3 seed in the playoffs but Cincinnati would make the most of it eventually reaching the WBA Finals! Here Cincinnati squared off against Boom Boom Casey and the Washington Monuments. It was a battle of the Titans - Jim McCarthy and Boom Boom Casey the leagues two best heavyweights. However, Casey just seemed to have the better supporting cast - with Aaron Black and Parker Mason providing excellent play and eventually securing the series four games to two. Nevertheless, any season in which a team can make a trip to the finals should be considered a success.

Season Five

Leaders

Minutes: Jerry Sims (40)

Points: Jim McCarthy (24.8)

Rebounds: Jim McCarthy (11.4)

Assists: Jim Glenn (6.3)

Steals: Roger Bradshaw (1.9)

Blocks: Jim McCarthy (3.8)

Team Records

Overall Record: 59-21 (#3 Seed)

Offense: 103.6

Defense: 93.4

Playoff Result: Second round, loss to Cancun 4-3

Trades

Varese gets:

Pick #49

Cincinnati gets:

Gannon Moore and $1.5 in seasons 5 & 6

New York gets:

Alex Galizkikh, Nick Bavos & Cinci Season 6 1st

Cincinnati gets:

Jerry Dickenson & Tony Wills

Draft

First round, 18: Steve Vernie

Second round, 34: Alex Galizkikh

Season Overview

Season five for the Cincinnati franchise would constitute the last of the early glory years. This season saw much of the same results as the year before. With Jim McCarthy and Jerry Sims leading the way - each increasing their scoring average from the prior season. The season also saw the further development of the prior season's draft selection - Webster Hewlett. The team also retained their characteristic hard-nosed defense and expectedly won a similar number of games increasing their win total by one. The team was ready to avenge the prior season's playoff loss but a new foe had now entered the spectrum led by a familiar player - Parker Mason.

Indeed, Cancun's acquisition of point guard, Parker Mason virtually made the team into championship contenders and it was not good for Cincinnati that they shared the same division. The two went neck and neck for the whole season with Cancun eclipsing them by two games. With the eyes on the same prize - the two would inevitably meet in the playoffs. Indeed, the showdown occurred sooner than expected in the second round of the playoffs. Led by Parker Mason, Kent Mercer and Scott Nicholson Cancun and Cincinnati battled it out fiercely with the series going seven games eventually coming down to the home-court advantage and the two games that separated the teams. Cancun, with the home-court advantage taking the decisive game. The blow would be one so severe that Cincinnati is still recovering from it to this date..