The Boston Frenzy of the American Basketball Association are doing surprising well despite competing for the fan’s dollar with the likes of the Celtics, Patriots, and the AHL’s Providence Bruins and Worchester Ice Cats.

Of course, some star power can’t hurt things. The Frenzy are led by well-known streetball star John “Helicopter” Humphrey of Middle Tennessee State University, and also by local talent, including former UMASS captain Shannon Crooks and Troy Brown of Providence College, who is leading the fledgling ABA in rebounding. The Frenzy are currently 3-6, in their inaugural ABA season. The ABA has expanded from 7 to 33 teams, and the Frenzy are in the hunt for a berth in the 16 team playoff tournament.

The coach of the Frenzy is none other than Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, former NBA star, and father of Kobe Bryant. Jellybean coached the Las Vegas Rattlers during the 2003-2004 season. The Frenzy’s GM, Dan Savage, was also an assistant coach of the Rattlers. Savage and Bryant enjoy this season with Boston much more than their season with Vegas.

“The Massachusetts team has been a great time. Las Vegas had a lot of management problems and no one was paid. This team has been a great group of guys and the community has backed us. The weather is the only negative,” says Savage.

The Frenzy have been playing their home games at Francis Tripp Athletic Center, located at UMASS-Dartmouth. According to Savage, opening night attendance was “around 2,000.” The Frenzy have also had some tough games as well. Sometimes playing at the same time as the Patriots, the Frenzy have still managed to pull in about 500 fans per game during those games.

Despite rather low attendance numbers, the Frenzy fan base is quickly growing. “The local community has started to really take interest. Also, the local papers sometimes bump the Patriots and Celtics to put us on the front page. We understand that it takes time to build a fan base. One thing in our favor is that every home game has been exciting and full of action,” states Savage.

Also, the Frenzy website, www.BostonFrenzy.com, is very well put together, and has a message board where fans can discuss the team, chat with front-office personnel, and offer suggestions. “The message board and web site design have helped us a lot. Matt, from Central Mass Web Design has done a great job running the boards. It is a great way to keep fans from around the world updated on our activities”, Savage continued.

So, while many other teams in the often unstable ABA are having tough times attracting fans, it appears the Frenzy’s hard work is paying off, and the fan base is growing. The team definitely seems deserving of fan support.