Jersey Express Aces Tests, Starts Season 5-1

They say a change of scenery can sometimes invoke a change in mindset and performance.

For the Jersey Express, this season’s change has worked wonders.

The American Basketball Association team is off to a 5-1 start in the 2012-13 campaign, it’s first playing home games at Hackettstown’s Centenary College.

To reach that mark, the team faced its first true test of the season recently, facing off in back-to-back games against local rivals.

The Express headed to Staten Island Saturday to take on the Vipers. The team spoiled the New York squad’s home opener, beating the Vipers 113-101. The test wasn’t complete, as the Express took the court Sunday afternoon at home against the New Jersey Bullets.

The contest wasn’t much of one, as the home team took down the Bullets 126-81, led by Ja’Shon Mixon’s game-high 29 points.

‘I’ve been very pleased with our play thus far,” said head coach Ray Ortiz in a statement. “We have been playing much like a team. We are getting better motion on the offensive end, and we are getting better at recognizing our defensive assignments. We will get even better as the season progresses.”

The Jersey Express now sits at No. 17 in the ABA Power Rankings and prepares to host the New York Wizards Saturday at 6 p.m.