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*** INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE MAIN PAGE ***
 | NPBL PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT ON THE LEAGUE | |
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| |  | How would you asses the season in terms of the overall health of the league? The league is being built on teams being stable and working towards that goal with a five year development plan. No league can be built solid overnight.
Do you think the league is a good opportunity for a small buisnessman? Yes,a small businessman must be willing to make a small investment in their team and the league and grow their business over a five year period. This is a business and it will take time.
Do you think bigger leagues will take notice of you and more players will move up? Yes, they have taken notice already. The big leagues such as the D-league,and the major over seas leagues will take notice once we have mastered our games, be stable in our communities and develop at least one player at a time.
Will you offer games on the net for free to build an interest in the league? Yes, thats being developed for the 2009 season.
Do you think your league is a throw back to the early days of pro basketball when crowds were small and regional rivalaries developed? I dont consider this league a throw back. This league is an opportunity for players,coaches and staff members to strengthen their skills in hopes of an opportunity with the D-league, NBA, and major overseas leagues. Its about everyone,all involved working together. We are going into our 3rd season slow and steady just the way we like it.
What cities do you think might join the league for 2009,are you optimistic about the leagues future? We had a lot of inquiries from cities all over. We plan on where we want teams. Markets outside areas where we would like to be are referred to other leagues to better suit them. We are very optimistic. We know are limitations, strenghts,and weaknesses. What we do well we continue,we recognize are short coming and turn them into strenghts Thats how the big boys tarted out. |
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| IBL Playoff preview | |
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| | | EAST
Elkhart Express
Head Coach: Daimon Bethea
Record: 21-1
Note: Two time defending IBL Champions
Comments: What more can be said about Elkhart? They are the gold standard for the IBL. On and off the court this is a first class organization. Elkhart is lead by their three core players, Tim Pledger, Cedric Moodie and Coleco Buie. This is not just a three man show however. Elkhart is the deepest team in the IBL. Lincoln Glass, Jarrod Lovette, Chris Charles and Will Whittington make major contributions. How do you guard Elkhart? Do you take away the inside game of Lovette, Charles, and
7-2 James Tyler or do you guard the perimeter players, Buie, Pledger, Moodie and three point specialist Whittington? I am glad I don't have to coach against them. I guess this is why they are 21-1 (the lone loss being to Gary) and two time defending IBL champs.
Elgin Racers
Head Coach: Michael Murphy
Record: 8-10
Note: Second place in the Midwest division
Comments: Elgin has been a bit up and down this season. They are 0-3 against Elkhart this season but no game was decided by more than 7 points. The Racers have played very well at times but have never managed to put a long streak together. DeAnthony Bowden has been a nice pick up for Elgin. He is averaging 15 points and 5 boards in eight games. The Racers are lead by guard Brandon Watkins and his 23 points and 6 dimes per game. Keith Gayden provide inside muscle with 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. Parrish Brown and Phil Watson also contribute double figure scoring for Elgin. If Elgin gets a decent draw in the first round and they get to play Elkhart it could be a heck of a game as Elgin knows they can play with Elkhart.
Battle Creek Knights
Head Coach: Terry Sare
Record: 8-11
Note: 2005 IBL Champions.
Comments: It's been a year of roster and coaching changes for the Knights. They have never really found their groove. Terry Sare took over the head coaching duties early on after ownership decided they wanted to move in a different direction. Many roster moves have led to an up and down season. Leading the way for the Knights is Bobby Madison and his 19 points per game and 7 rebounds. He has been the one consistent player this season. Also contributing to BC this season is Rashi Johnson who is averaging 14 points and 5 boards. Nick Zachery, Ryan Edwards, Ed McCants and Jamal Ward all have been contributors but none have played in over seven games. Tough to have a team gel when half the roster is new.
Chicago Windy City Soldiers
Record: 11-15
Note: Second-year IBL Franchise
Comments: What a difference a year makes. Last season the Soldiers finished 0-18-this year they have 15 wins. The Soldiers are lead by a core group of five solid players. 6'9 Eric Rhinehart leads the way with 23 points and 6 rebounds per game. He closely followed by DeMarcus Bolten and his 20 points and 7 boards per game. Rounding out the big five are Barry Bradford, Anthony Spencer and Marcus Jackson. On any given night Windy City can sneak up and beat someone. They are coming into the playoffs on a four game losing skid.
WEST
Vancouver Volcanoes
Head Coach: Theo Evens
Record: 17-6
Note: Second place in the West division
Comment: Aside from Windy City, Vancouver made the biggest turn around in the
IBL. From never winning more than six games in the previous three seasons the Volcanoes have racked up 17 W's this year. Vancouver has flown a little under the radar because they do not have the star power of teams like SnoCo, Portland and LA. It would be a major mistake to underestimate the talent on the Volcanoes roster. Vancouver is lead by a group of seven players who have all played in the vast majority of games this season. Porter Troupe leads the way with 22 points a game, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Close behind is point guard Kevin Tyner with very similar stats as Troupe. Jake Carlisle, Kevin Bloodsaw, Alex Hartman, Brad Lechtenberg, and Josh Jackson all average at least 14 points per game. Vancouver will be a tough out.
Snohomish County Explosion
Head Coach: Randy Redwine
Record: 13-9
Note: Third place in the West Division
Comments: SnoCo struggled to be a .500 team this season after a fantastic first year record of 17-6. Much of the struggle can be attributed to the absence of Rashaad Powell and Justin Murray. Both were playing overseas and just recently rejoined the Explosion. No surprise after playing in two games they are 1-2 in scoring on the Explosion. Aleksey Adediran was a very good mid season pick up and is scoring 18 points a game along with seven rebounds. Jamaal Miller, Chris Weakly and Chris Keller have scored in double figures for SnoCo. With Powell and Murray back SnoCo could make a run in the wild-wild West I would not bank on them winning it.
Central Oregon Hotshots
Head Coach: Joe Becera
Record: 8-16
Note: Charter member of the IBL
Comments: Joe Becera and the Hotshots thought this would be a breakout season.
Some solid returning players and the addition of sharp shooter Jeff Dunn made the season a promising one. Things never clicked and the Hotshots stumbled to an
8-16 record. Dunn left the team at the end of the season sighting he was not having much fun and he promptly signed with the Edmonton Grizzlies. During the season fan favorite Arthur Lewis Jr. only played in four games. He was not only a crowd favorite but an excellent point guard. Central Oregon is lead by Terry Horton who averages 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. Supporting Horton are Jalontae Martin, Cliff White, Chris Nixon and Philip Freeman. All are scoring over 14 points a game. The loss of Jeff Dunn and his 25 points a game will really hurt Central Oregon. They can still score some points but can they score enough to compete with the upper echelon teams?
Bellingham Slam
Head Coach: Rob Ridnour
Record: 16-4
Note: First-year IBL team
Comments: The Slam has made a very smooth transition from the ABA to the IBL.
They, like Vancouver, have flown a bit under the radar because they do not have the 'star players' like some other Western teams. Make no mistake, Bellingham has a load of talent, and they play well together as a team. Guard Ryan Diggs is having an MVP season averaging 26 points 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Diggs receives lots of help from Tyler Amaya, Jacob Stevenson, Lukas Henne, Paul Hafford, Brandon Hartley and Jared Stevenson. All score in double digits and can pass and rebound. For my money there is no better 'team' than Bellingham. They may not have star power, but they have talent, and they play together.
Edmonton Chill
Head Coach: Paul Sir
Record: 12-7
Note: Expansion team
Comments: It's hard to tell who was the better expansion team this season, Gary or
Edmonton? Edmonton head coach Paul Sir recruited an excellent mix of players and it shows on and off the court. Talented guard JR Patrick leads a balanced offensive attack. Patrick is scoring 20 points a game along with dishing out 4 assists. Rashaun Broadus runs the point for Edmonton and has been a very pleasant surprise. Broadus could not make the Portland Chinook roster but has found a home with the Chill. Late season pick up Marco Morgan adds muscle inside and sharp shooter Jeff Dunn, just signed after playing the season for Central Oregon, adds experience and a deft shooting touch. Jermaine Bucknor, another late season pick up may not be available for the playoffs. Lee Scrugs is another valuable inside player averaging 16 points and nine boards per game. If shooter Stepher Sir rejoins the team in time for the playoffs Edmonton can give any team a run for their money.
Portland Chinooks
Head Coach: Terrance Dickens
Record: 14-14
Note: Lost in the IBL finals last year
Comments: Record-wise this season was not nearly as good as last year's 20-7 mark but a large part of this can be attributed to the Chinooks not having the big three all season. David Lucas, Shammgod Wells and David Jackson were not available for large stretches of this season do to overseas commitments. Lucas has played in thirteen games and leads the IBL in scoring at a 36 point a game clip. Shammgod Wells has only played in two games and David Jackson has not played a game yet but will be ready for the playoffs according to head coach Terrance Dickens. Kenny Tate has had a very nice season for Portland averaging 18 points 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Other major contributors are Larry Smith, Chris Stephens, Mark Robinowitz and Dean Browne. If Lucas, Wells, Jackson, Tate and Browne are the starting five like I have been told, watch out for Portland. They could make another run at an IBL title.
Jeff Duncan covers the IBL and minor league basketball. He can be reached at sportsmammal@nwlink.com. |
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| Extra exposure for IBL players in Michigan at Rivertown Sports | |
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| | | Rivertown Sports Basketball Draft League on Friday nights at Rivertown Sports in Grandville, MI. There is a ton of talent that shows up from week to week and a draft is conducted and teams play games. It's only $8.00 and over 20 IBL players have played over the past few weeks. RTS is located at 2605 Sanford Ave. SW Grandville, MI 49418. In the 8th week the games will be recorded for agent purposes and Tyler Recommends any player trying to get noticed to participate. Tyler is the Director of Basketball Operations for the Holland Blast and is currently the all-time wins leader amongst Dir. of basketball ops with over 65 wins and helping over 60 pro basketball players get there start over the past few years. |
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| Shawn Kemp to make a guest appearance at IBL All-Star Classic | |
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| | | Monroe, WA - Six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp (6'10''-F-69, college: Trinity Valley JC) will be wearing a number 40 Explosion jersey while playing for the North squad in the North/South All-Star Classic coached by Slick Watts this Sunday, June 29 at 12:00pm at the Monroe Sports Arena. Former Sonic James Donaldson will also be coaching in the North/South All-Star Classic for the South.
The weekend kicks-off with the 2008 IBL Western Division elimination round on Friday, June 27, followed by semi-final games on Saturday, June 28 at 5pm and 7:30pm (PST). The IBL North/South All-Star Game, 3-Point Shoot-out and Slam Dunk Contest will be followed by the Western Conference Championship game on Sunday, June 29th. The All-Star Classic will tip-off at Noon (12pm PST) followed by the Championship game at 2:30pm on Sunday.
To get your tickets for the North/South All-Star Classic and playoff weekend, call 425-339-BALL (2255) today! The Monroe Sports Arena is located at 17001 Tester Road, Monroe, WA 98272. |
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| IBL West Division Playoffs kick off tomorrow | |
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| | | Monroe, WA - The International Basketball League has announced that six teams will compete for the 2008 West Division crown and the right to host the East Division playoff winner for the 2008 IBL Championship. The three day playoff session will include five playoff games and the North/South All-Star Classicwhich will include a Dunk Contest and Three Point Shootout. The six playoff teams are listed below in order of their probable seed for the tournament.
1 seed- Bellingham Slam (16-4) - the Slam have challenged opponents with a balanced attack all season, but Ryan Diggs has been the catalyst. Diggs leads the Slam in scoring (25.5 ppg) and assists (6.4 apg). Tyler Amaya (21.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg), a member of the Explosion in 2007, was a terrific early-season acquisition for Bellingham.
2 seed- Vancouver Volcanoes (17-6) 2008 has been a surprising turnaround for the fourth-year Volcanoes, who have emerged as one of the leagues top teams after finishing below .250 in each of their first three campaigns. Porter Troupe (23.1 ppg, 5.7 apg) and Kevin Tyner (20.5 ppg, 6.9 apg) have both been outstanding for the Volcanoes this season.
3 seed- Edmonton Chill (12-7) the Chill were tough at home, winning the last 10 games on their home schedule. Sharp-shooting Jeff Dunn (25.9 ppg) joined the team late in the season, giving the Chill the number five scorer in the league. Former Georgetown Hoya Lee Scruggs (16.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg) has been a steady contributor on offense and on the glass all year.
4 seed- Snohomish County Explosion (14-9) the defending West Division champions will look for support from the hometown fans to win the West Divisional Playoffs this year. The Explosion have won their last four straight, and have been bolstered by the return of 2007 IBL All-Stars Rashaad Powell (20.0 ppg) and Justin Murray. Murray (35.0 ppg) posted the highest single game total in the IBL this season with a 58 point outing versus the Jazz of Tacoma.
5 seed- Portland Chinooks (14-14) the Chinooks will rely heavily on the leagues top scorer in David Lucas (36.9ppg , 9.8 rpg) if they are to repeat as West Division Playoff champs. The Chinooks also feature IBL All-Star MVP Kenny Tate (18.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and the pure shooter Larry Smith (20.6 ppg).
6 seed- Central Oregon Hotshots (8-16) the Hotshots were up and down in their fourth IBL season, but have the ability to defeat any of the teams in the tournament. Potential All-Star Cliff White (16.9 ppg, 4.7 ppg, and 5.5 apg) is a complete player with his best feature being his defense. Joining White in the backcourt is mid-season acquisition Chris Nixon (14.8 ppg).
West Division Playoff First Round Friday, June 27
5:00pm Edmonton Chill vs. Portland or Central Oregon*
7:30pm Snohomish County Explosion vs. Portland or Central Oregon*
* If Edmonton wins their final regular season game on Thursday, June 26, they will be the #3 seed and they will play Central Oregon (the 6th seed), making Snohomish County the #4 seed to play Portland (the 5th seed). If Edmonton loses, then Snohomish County will move to the #3 seed (to play Central Oregon). In either situation, Edmonton will play at 5:00pm and Snohomish County Explosion will play at 7:30pm. The top two teams in the West, Bellingham and Vancouver have earned first round byes and an automatic berth into Saturday's final four. Their opponents and tip-off times are contingent upon the results of the Friday games.
West Division Playoff - Final Four - Saturday, June 28
5:00pm TBD vs. TBD
7:30pm TBD vs. TBD
The Saturday games will feature bye teams Bellingham and Vancouver versus Fridays winners. The game times will be known on Thursday night, at 10:30pm because of a final regular season IBL game.
West Division Playoff Championship Sunday- Sunday, June 29
12:00pm North All-Stars vs. South All-Stars*
2:30pm 2008 West Division Championship Game
*In addition to hosting the West Division Playoffs, the Monroe Sports Arena is hosting the IBL's first North/South All-Star Classic. This game will be held on Sunday June 29th at 12:00noon, and feature the top players from the IBL's West and Southwest Divisions. Former Seattle Supersonics Donald 'Slick' Watts and James Donaldson will coach the All-Star teams, and the Classic will also include a Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Shootout. The All-Star Classic tips off at 12:30pm with the Three Point Shootout and Dunk Contest taking place at halftime. The West Division finals will follow the All-Star festivities.
Location of games: Monroe High School in Monroe Washington
Cost to attend: Courtside Seats: Day Pass $25 Weekend Pass $70
Courtside Bench: Day Pass $20 Weekend Pass $55
Reserved Seating: Day Pass $15 Weekend Pass $40
General Admission: Day Pass $10 Weekend Pass $30
For questions: Contact the Snohomish County Explosion
Call (ph) 425-339-BALL and for tickets, hit extension #1 |
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| 2008 IBL Western Division Playoff schedule | |
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| | | Monroe, WA - The International Basketball League has announced that six teams will compete for the 2008 West Division crown and the right to host the East Division playoff winner for the 2008 IBL Championship. The six teams are listed below in order of their probable seed for the tournament.
1 seed- Bellingham Slam (16-4)- the Slam have challenged opponents with a balanced attack all season, but Ryan Diggs has been the catalyst. Diggs leads the Slam in scoring (25.5 ppg) and assists (6.4 apg). Tyler Amaya (21.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg), a member of the Explosion in 2007, was a terrific early-season acquisition for Bellingham.
2 seed- Vancouver Volcanoes (17-6) 2008 has been a surprising turnaround for the fourth-year Volcanoes, who have emerged as one of the leagues top teams after finishing below .250 in each of their first three campaigns. Porter Troupe (23.1 ppg, 5.7 apg) and Kevin Tyner (20.5 ppg, 6.9 apg) have both been outstanding for the Volcanoes this season.
3 seed- Edmonton Chill (12-7) the Chill were tough at home, winning the last 10 games on their home schedule. Sharp-shooting Jeff Dunn (25.9 ppg) joined the team late in the season, giving the Chill the number five scorer in the league. Former Georgetown Hoya Lee Scruggs (16.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg) has been a steady contributor on offense and on the glass all year.
4 seed- Snohomish County Explosion (14-9) the defending West Division champions will look for support from the hometown fans to win the West Divisional Playoffs this year. The Explosion have won their last four straight, and have been bolstered by the return of 2007 IBL All-Stars Rashaad Powell (6'6''-F-81, agency: Tank Sports, college: Idaho) (20.0 ppg) and Justin Murray. Murray (35.0 ppg) posted the highest single game total in the IBL this season with a 58 point outing versus the Jazz of Tacoma.
5 seed- Portland Chinooks (14-14) the Chinooks will rely heavily on the leagues top scorer in David Lucas (36.9ppg , 9.8 rpg) if they are to repeat as West Division Playoff champs. The Chinooks also feature IBL All-Star MVP Kenny Tate (18.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and the pure shooter Larry Smith (20.6 ppg).
6 seed- Central Oregon Hotshots (8-16) the Hotshots were up and down in their fourth IBL season, but have the ability to defeat any of the teams in the tournament. Potential All-Star Cliff White (16.9 ppg, 4.7 ppg, and 5.5 apg) is a complete player with his best feature being his defense. Joining White in the backcourt is mid-season acquisition Chris Nixon (14.8 ppg).
West Division Playoff First Round Friday, June 27
5:00pm Edmonton Chill vs. Portland or Central Oregon*
7:30pm Snohomish County Explosion vs. Portland or Central Oregon*
* If Edmonton wins their final regular season game on Thursday, June 26, they will be the #3 seed and they will play Central Oregon (the 6th seed), making Snohomish County the #4 seed to play Portland (the 5th seed). If Edmonton loses, then Snohomish County will move to the #3 seed (to play Central Oregon). In either situation, Edmonton will play at 5:00pm and Snohomish County Explosion will play at 7:30pm. The top two teams in the West, Bellingham and Vancouver have earned first round byes and an automatic berth into Saturday's final four. Their opponents and tip-off times are contingent upon the results of the Friday games.
West Division Playoff - Final Four - Saturday, June 28
5:00pm TBD vs. TBD
7:30pm TBD vs. TBD
The Saturday games will feature bye teams Bellingham and Vancouver versus Fridays winners. The game times will be known on Thursday night, at 10:30pm because of a final regular season IBL game.
West Division Playoff Championship Sunday- Sunday, June 29
12:00pm North All-Stars vs. South All-Stars*
2:30pm 2008 West Division Championship Game
*In addition to hosting the West Division Playoffs, the Monroe Sports Arena is hosting the IBL's first North/South All-Star Classic. This game will be held on Sunday June 29th at 12:00noon, and feature the top players from the IBL's West and Southwest Divisions. Former Seattle Supersonics Donald 'Slick' Watts and James Donaldson will coach the All-Star teams, and the Classic will also include a Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Shootout. The All-Star Classic tips off at 12:30pm with the Three Point Shootout and Dunk Contest taking place at halftime. The West Division finals will follow the All-Star festivities.
Location of games: Monroe High School in Monroe Washington
Cost to attend: $70 for a weekend pass courtside
$55 for a weekend pass courtside bench
$40 for a weekend pass reserved seating
$30 for general admission
For questions: Contact the Snohomish County Explosion
Call (ph) 425-339-BALL and for tickets, hit extension #1
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| PHIL GIVENS EXPLODES FOR 57 POINTS IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE | |
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| | | courtesy oursportscentral.com Phil Givens scored 57 points to lead the LA LIGHTNING to a 140-124 victory over the Arizona Flame in an IBL game on saturday night at CAL LUTHERAN GILBERT SPORTS ARENA. Givens started fast in the IBL regular season game with 21 first quater points on 9 of 10 shooting. After scoring 26 in the first half, Givens tallied 27 points in the third quater matching the Flames team total for the quater. With the game in control, Phil played limited minutes in the fourth quater scoring only 3 points. In additional news, according to an unidentified scource,USBL OFFICIALS are still unsure if they plan to return for the 2009 season. We hope too have futher word sometime this fall. |
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| AMAYAS 40 POINT NIGHT HELPS SLAM BACK INTO WIN COLUMN | |
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| | | Courtesy oursportscentral.com Tyler Amaya and the Slam avenged their loss to VANCOUVER SATURDAY BY DEFEATING THE portland CHINOOKS 148-137 IN A SPIRITED ibl GAME AT warner PACFIC college on sunday. AMAYA notched a career high 40 points in the victory. Unlike the night before, the Slam were hot early and raced out to an 18 point lead in the middle stages of the first quarter and eventually went into halftime with a 72-66 advantage. Brandon HARTLEY was key for the SLAM in the first half scoring 21 points on 8 for 8 shooting,including five three pointers. Hartley finished with 30 points. |
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| Mike Williams joins Battle Creek Knights | |
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