A new minor league basketball team in Middletown opened its inaugural season with a victory.
The Middletown Maulers, founded and co-owned by Middletown natives and cousins Kevin S. Aldridge and Kevin L. Aldridge, played their first game Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr. Community Center.
The Maulers, named for Middletown’s steelmaking heritage, defeated the Louisville Pros 135-78 in their debut.
The team competes in the American Basketball Association, a men’s professional basketball league with more than 100 teams across the United States.
“It was a great game on Saturday,” Kevin S. Aldridge said. “We had a pretty good turnout.”
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He estimated about 75 people attended the game, including Middletown Mayor Elizabeth Slamka and Vice Mayor Jennifer Carter, who presented the team with a proclamation before tipoff.
City leaders recently voiced their support for the franchise during a city council meeting.
“This is absolutely great ... so much fun,” Slamka said. “This family-friendly atmosphere is so important to Middletown residents.”
“I just love the whole idea,” Carter said.
“This is an incredible thing,” Council Member Paul Lolli said. “I think it’s wonderful for the community.”
Kevin S. Aldridge said the team was encouraged by the reception it received in its first game.
“We were excited about that and just really encouraged by our first foray into Middletown with this venture,” he said.
The Aldridge cousins also co-own the Ohio Kings, a Cincinnati-based basketball team. Kevin S. Aldridge said the Kings will move to a higher level of competition and shift to a spring schedule rather than playing during the winter season.
“We already owned the market reservation for Greater Cincinnati with the (American Basketball Association),” he said. “Instead of just giving that up, we came up with the idea of trying to do professional ball in Middletown.”
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He said they are not yet announcing which league or level of competition the Ohio Kings will join.
For the Aldridge cousins, bringing professional basketball to Middletown is personal. Both were born and raised in the city and played for the Middletown Middies.
“We’ve seen some of the things that the city is trying to do to revitalize Middletown,” Kevin S. Aldridge said. “Obviously, we care about the city, and we wanted to be a part of that positive momentum and not just talk about or complain about what Middletown is or isn’t.”
After the season opener, Kevin S. Aldridge said he is optimistic about the team’s future.
“We’ve just scratched the surface in terms of getting out and creating more awareness in the community,” he said.
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The Maulers’ 10-player roster includes several Middletown athletes, including Johrdon Mumford, Jayden Bennett, Tywan Hall and Charles Singletary. Most are recent college graduates in their early 20s.
The team’s head coach is Vic Hunter.
Tickets for Maulers games are $10 for adults, while season tickets cost $75. Children younger than 18 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Making the games free for kids is important to the Aldridge cousins.
“Gas prices are high, food prices are high … people are trying to make ends meet,” Kevin S. Aldridge said. “We didn’t want any kid to be able to come to our game because of a financial hardship.”
The Maulers return to action Saturday, Oct. 24, against the Windy City Inferno. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Middletown Middle School Gym, 551 N. Breiel Blvd.