|
|
*** INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE MAIN PAGE ***
 | Chill To Release Former Blue Devil | |
|
| |  | COURTESY oursportscentral.com The Edmonton Chill announced that they have decided to release former Blue DEVIL Sean Dockery. The 6-2 point guard had been recovering from a knee injury he suffered while playing this winter in his hometown of Chicago and had been slated to join the club when the Chill traveled to the Chicago area for their seven game road trip in June. In additional IBL news the Chill continued their winning ways sunday night as they dropped an avalanche on the Central Oregon HotShots cruising to a 165-138 win that wasnt close. The Chill were really hitting on all cylinders as they dropped 22 three pointers,dished out 36 assits and out rebounded commissioner Mike DULIAOS CLUB 51-34. tHE chill dominated the game from the opening tip,as they built a 7-0 lead on their way to a 37-20 lead after 12 minutes. It would get no better for the visitors,as the Cill poured in 45 points in the second quater and led 82-55. From there the hometown team went into cruise control but still managed a franchise best scoring half with 83 points in the final 24 minutes. |
|
|
| Steelheads guard charged with Nine Felonies | |
|
| | | courtesyoursportscentral.com Gary Steelheads guard DeAnthony Bowden, was one of two men charged wednesday with nine felonies for allegedly breaking into the home of his childs mother and beating up her current boyfriend according to a probable cause affidavit. Bowden 27,of Hammond, faces three counts of felony criminal confinement and one count each of bulgary,intimadation battery,pointing a firearm and residental entry for the april 29th incident records show. GARY RESIDENT Quincy Taylor,27,was also charged with the same nine felonies records show. THE TWO MEN BROKE INTO THE WOMANS HOME THROUGH A WINDOW, HAMMOND POLICE said. |
|
|
| Only 2 undefeated teams remain in an ultra-competitive 2008 IBL season beginning! | |
|
|
| | | The Holland Blast and the defending Champion Elkhart Express are the last remaining undefeated teams in the IBL this year among the 18 participating franchises.
The Holland Blast at 8-0 have taken off in the first half of their 2008 season. The IBL's scoring leader is averaging over 150ppg so far this year,running teams off the court at a frantic pace. The team is led by All Star and IBL great, Dennis Springs (5'8''-G-82, college: Ferris St.) and his 30+ppg. Springs has shown a multitude of talents to go along with his scoring like high quality assist numbers and intense defensive pressure. Longtime Holland Blast contributor Dominick Melton (6'6''-F, college: Wisc.-Parkside) has also begun this season with a bang putting in shutdown defensive efforts along with 20ppg/10rpg/5apg type production on the offensive side of the ball when needed as well. Duane Bosma (6'9''-C, college: Hope (MI)) has regained his youthful exuberance and started the season off amazingly to the tune of 20ppg and 10rpg as well. All Star Jared Bledsoe (6'3''-G-81, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: Minnesota St. Univ.) has been nothing short of dominant on the wing and at the point at times. Bledsoe is averaging right around 30ppg 5rpg 5apg in an attack that is sure to have the Holland Blast in title contention for some time.
Elkhart has been taken their usual seat on the top shelf of the IBL with a 6-0 beginning to the 2008 campaign. With the signing of maybe the best PG in the IBL in kjhg Mike Brownlee (6'2''-G-75, agency: Huss Sport Agency, college: Charleston) and possibly its best shooter in Will Whittington (6'3''-G/F, agency: 540 Sports, college: Marist),Elkhart is in rare form. Then you add in the fact that Tim Pledger (5'9''-G-76, college: Belhaven) and Cedric Moodie (6'2''-G-78, college: Indianapolis) are still playing with their usual passion in Elkhart and the frontline additions of James Tyler (7'2''-C-88, agency: Rice and Rice), Chris Charles (7'0''-F/C-81, agency: Edge Sports, college: Villanova), Mike Adams (6'11''-C, college: Youngstown St.) and O'Neal Mims (6'10''-F-83, college: Angelo St.) and you have a level of talent rarely,if ever, seen in the IBL. The road to the Championship still goes through Elkhart and quite possibly ends there.
The initial clashing of the two IBL titans is scheduled for May 3rd in Elkhart!!!!!!! |
|
|
|
| BELLINGHAM SLAM SLAM SIGN EX-viking tyler amaya | |
|
| | | courtesyoursportscentral.com The Bellingham Slam have added another familiar face to their roster,signing former Western Washington Viking and local prep star Tyler Amaya to a contract today. Making the announcement was Slam general manager Robert HOFSTETTER. Amaya 25,played two seasons at WWU averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Amaya played for a german team this past winter. The Slam will be in action this friday. For ticket information log on to www.bellinghamslam.com. |
|
|
| Las Vegas Stars unveiled | |
|
|
| | | The IBL.team named Las Vegas Stars have been unveiled yesterday. The team will be coached again by Daniel Savage , who is its second year coach, and Miss Alexis Levi-Scott will serve again as the Stars CEO and GM. The Stars debut on Thursday, April 24, on the road vs. the Windy City Soldiers. Listed below are the first nine players on the active roster.
Eddie Shelby (6'3''-G-82)
Willie Hall (6'0'-G)
Hollis Hale (6'1'-G-79, college: Concordia (OR))
Mohammed Camara (6'11''-C-83, agency: Promotex, college: San Diego St.)
Trevor Lawrence (7'0''-C-82, college: N.Mexico St.)
Elliott Magee (6'7''-F, college: Texas A&M)
Demario Butler (6'3''-G/F-85)
Keena Payton (6'2'-G, college: Fresno CC)
Demetrius Orme (6'5''-G/F-83, college: CSU Bakersfield) |
|
|
|
| Racers bolster interior with addition of Marcus Smallwood | |
|
|
| | |
Elgin, IL - The Elgin Racers have announced the addition of Marcus Smallwood (6'6''-F-82, college: N.Illinois) to the team's roster. Smallwood, a 6'6' forward is an energetic rebounder and defender with a connection to the area.
Smallwood is a 1999 graduate of Elgin High School and a 2003 graduate of Northern Illinois University where he starred for the Huskie basketball team. During the 2001-2002 season, Smallwood averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds (313 for the season) per game, earning him team MVP and 1st Team All Mid American Conference honors. Joining him on the All-MAC first team were Chris Kaman (Central Michigan/LA Clippers) and Antonio Gates (Kent State/San Diego Chargers).
Smallwood's senior season produced much of the same, with averages of 14 points and 9.7 rebounds per outing. After graduating from NIU, Smallwood played professionally overseas in Poland (Astoria Bydgoscyz) where he averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds per contest and for two teams in Finland: Pyrbasket Tampere and Forssa Fokopo where he averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds and 19 points and 11 rebounds per game respectively. Additionally, Smallwood is no stranger to the IBL, having played for the Windy City Dawgs in the leagues inaugural season.
Elgin Racer President and Head Coach Michael Murphy on the addition of Smallwood: 'I am thrilled that Marcus will be a part of our squad. He has a nose for the ball as evidenced by the staggering rebounding figures he accumulated during his collegiate career - three hundred rebounds in a single season for a player of his size in a league that is as competitive as the MAC is quite an accomplishment. We expect him to shore up any rebounding deficiencies we previously had immediately.'
This week, Elgin travels to Gary, Indiana to take on the Steelheads on Sunday, April 20. The Racers' home opener is on Saturday, May 10 against the Holland Blast. All Racers' home games will be played at Judson University (1151 N. State Street, Elgin, IL). For ticket information, contact the Racers at (847) 208-1766, or visit the Racers' team page at www.iblhoopsonline.com |
|
|
|
| EXPRESS TO APPEAR AT MALL OF CHAMPIONS | |
|
| | | courtesy oursportscentral.com The two time IBL champion Elkhart Express ARE TO APPEAR FROM 1-3PM at the 'Mall of Champions,' event at Concord Mall. The Locomotion,the Expess dance team,will perform. There will be exhibitions in gymnastics,cheerleading,taewando,karate,and more. In additional news,the Vancouver Volcanoes extended their IBL winning streak to nine games sunday defeating the Portland Chinook 107-103 at portland despite playing without one of their leading scorers in Kevin Tyner. |
|
|
| IBL Weekend In Review | |
|
| | | IBL WEEKEND REVIEW
I am not sure what to make of the IBL season so far. Many teams are still waiting to play their first games and others are waiting for star players to finish playing over seas. The two teams I picked to play in the western finals, SnoCo and Portland, are off to slow starts due to missing key players. Rashad Powell and Justin Murray have yet to play a game with Snohomish County and David Lucas, David Jackson, and Shamgod Wells have not suited up for the Chinooks.
The Snohomish County Explosion (SnoCo) has a roster loaded with veteran minor league talent, even without a few key players, but has struggled to a 5-4 start. Jamal Miller, Donald Watts, Chris Weakley and Jermaine Blackburn are playing well but the Explosion still lack that killer instinct they had last year. Maybe part of the problem for SnoCo is they are still waiting for Rashad Powell and Justin Murray to join the team.
The Vancouver Volcanoes are a prime example of a team upgrading talent. The Volcanoes have taken advantage of SnoCo and Portland not having full rosters yet, but Vancouver is playing very well right now. Brad Lechtenberg, Kevin Bloodsaw, Ported Troupe, and Kevin Tyner are leading the way for the 8-1 Volcanoes. Vancouver has played SnoCo three times, beat them twice, and also beat the short handed Portland Chinooks. I am not taking anything away from the great start, but Portland and SnoCo will be much better teams once they have their full rosters.
Bellingham is finding the IBL a tougher league than the dysfunctional ABA. The Slam are off to a respectable 4-2 start but have not played a tough early season schedule. They have beaten the short handed SnoCo Explosion twice, the Portland Chinooks and the Tacoma Jazz. Once again, when SnoCo and Portland have their full rosters they will be much tougher. Ryan Diggs is averaging about 25 ppg so far this season to lead the Slam. Jacob Stevenson is second on the team with a 23.7 average. Lucas Henne, Paul Hafford, and Jared Stevenson are also averaging in double figures.
The Holland Blast has lifted off to an amazing 6-0 start. The Blast may have the best back court with IBL all stars Dennis Springs & Jared Bledsoe. Springs is averaging 28.5ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 8.5 apg. Bledsoe averages 30.8 ppg, 4.5rpg, and 3.3apg. Holland is also getting good inside play from Duane Bosma, David Williams, and Dominick Melton.
The two time defending IBL champions Elkhart Express just keep on winning. The Express are off to a 3-0 start lead by the usual suspects, Tim Pledger, Ced Moodie and Coleco Buie. What a luxury for coach Bethea to have such a solid core of talent. Elkhart also added Michael Brownlee and Chris Charles to an already loaded roster. The best acquisition may be Will Whittington. He is a three point specialist who has absolutely lit it up so far. How do you guard Elkhart? Take away the outside shot and they will go inside because the interior is open. Take away the inside and they will rain 3's. It will be tough to un-seat the champs.
Gary, 4-2 so far, returned to the win column last week after dropping two straight games to undefeated Elkhart and Holland. If the Steelheads continue to jell, they definitely have the talent to challenge for the title. Eight year NBA veteran Sam Mack is leading Gary in scoring at 21.3 points per game. Minor league veterans Shaun Fountain and Royce Parron have played well in the backcourt for Gary. Rob Spon is an excellent coach and I look for Gary to get better and better.
The most improved team award has to go to the Windy City Soldiers. Their 4-3 start is night and day better than their 0-18 mark last season. Barry Bradford and Erik Rhinehart are leading the way for the Soldiers. A new home at the Kankakee Community Resource Center, and a deeper roster, make Windy City a serious playoff contender.
Two teams who have yet to play a game intrigue me. The Edmonton Chill looks to be putting together a solid roster so far. Names such as JR Patrick, Antone Jarrell, Stephen Sir, Marques Hayden and former Duke star, Sean Dockery, dot the roster for the Chill. The LA Lighting have signed former NBA star Lamond Murray. I expect a few more big name signings soon. (I have heard possibly Toby Bailey and Jeloni McCoy) |
|
|
| Ninth USA All-Star finds permanent home in the IBL | |
|
|
| | | Portland, OR - The USA All-Stars, a developmental team in the International Basketball League, has had another member of its ranks called up for a roster spot on a permanent IBL team. The Jazz of Tacoma have announced that 6'3' combo guard Greg Hendricks has been added to the roster. Hendricks is the ninth USA All-Star to be called up this season.
The Jazz know first hand that the All-Stars have produced some outstanding talent this season. Former USA All-Star and current Portland Chinook Marc Williams (6'3''-G-83, college: Indiana, PA) recorded a triple-double in a win over the Jazz on April 9 (29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists).
Listed below are the eight USA All-Star players that have been ‘called up' to date:
LeBraun Andrews 6'7' Grand Rapids Flight
Tywan Gonzales 6'7' Snohomish County Explosion
Shane Thorson 6'6' Grand Rapids Flight
Shohn Williams 6'5' Gary Steelheads
Walter Waters 6'11' Grand Rapids Flight
Marc Williams 6'4' Portland Chinooks
David Fisher 6'6' Portland Chinooks
Devin Smith 6'9' Portland Chinooks
Greg Hendricks 6'3' Jazz of Tacoma
About the USA All-Stars
The IBL has created a new team to further the league's goals of developing players and assisting those players in maximizing their opportunities in professional basketball—both domestically and overseas. This developmental team, called the USA All-Stars, will serve as a season-long opportunity for players to improve their game against outstanding competition as well as showcase their abilities to IBL teams, and the growing list of international teams the IBL has developed relationships with. Ultimately, this team will give undiscovered talent another avenue to be discovered, while also creating the unprecedented opportunity for players that are on the cusp of being good enough to ‘make it' the chance to improve by competing in actual professional basketball games.
The USA All-Stars will play a full IBL schedule against IBL teams across the country. The line-up will change frequently. For many, the dream of playing professional basketball will likely end with the All-Stars, which is healthy—it can be painful, but a player coming to terms with the truth that pro basketball is not their calling is, ultimately, a good thing. For others, the USA All-Stars will be the first step in making their quest to play professionally a reality. Interested players should send a short basketball resume to agency@iblhoopsonline.com. |
|
|
|
| |
