 Bellingham Wins IBL
Title - by Carl Berman The Slam ended a 61-year professional basketball title drought for the city as they shook off a poor start to upset the Elkhart Express, 118-111, in the International Basketball League Championship Game in front of a sold-out Whatcom Pavilion on Friday. It appeared as if the two-time defending champion Express were going to easily cruise to a third title, as they jumped out to 9-0 and 22-8 leads early in the first quarter. But Paul Hafford (6'4''-G-84, college: Portland St.) came off the bench to provide a much-needed spark, hitting a trio of three-pointers late in the quarter, with his third coming with 13 seconds left to give the Slam a 30-28 lead. Elkhart opened up the quarter with 22 points in the first six minutes to build their early lead, but the Slam defense held them to just six points in the last six minutes as the Slam offense mounted a comeback. Their early jitters over with, the Slam used solid all-around play from Hafford and Tyler Amaya (6'6''-F-82, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: W.Washington) to build on their lead in the second quarter. Bellingham went into halftime with a nine-point lead, at 62-53, after Brian Dennis converted a put-back as time expired for his only points in the game. In the third quarter, the Slams lead reached as high as 11 with 2:03 gone before Elkhart scored 13 of the games next 16 points to re-take the lead at 72-71 with under four minutes left in the period. Ryan Diggs (6'2''-G-83, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: W.Washington) stopped the Express run by scoring Bellinghams next seven points and the Slam maintained a two-point lead, at 83-81, going into the final quarter. The Slam knew Elkhart was fully capable of mounting a fourth-quarter comeback, and protected their lead by coming through with some of their finest basketball of the season. Lukas Henne opened the quarter with one of his signature step-back three-pointers and the Slam didnt look back after that. Bellingham held Elkhart to just 33 percent field goal shooting in the quarter to stymie their comeback attempt. A Ryan Diggs jumper off a Hafford pass gave the Slam their biggest lead of the game at twelve with 5:27 left to play, but Elkhart was able to trim the lead down to five, at 110-105, with 1:19 left to play on a Lincoln Glass three-pointer. But the Slam used perfect free-throw shooting in the final minute to preserve the victory and send the Whatcom Pavilion fans into a confetti-launching frenzy as time expired. Hafford and Amaya shared the games Most Valuable Player honors thanks to their gritty efforts. Hafford finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Amaya contributed with 20 points and 13 boards. Jacob Stevenson (6'4''-G-81, college: W.Washington) also had a strong title game for the Slam, scoring 24 points. The Express were led by Cedric Moodie (6'2''-G-78, college: Indianapolis), who scored 20 points despite a 2-for-14 performance from beyond the arc. Coleco Buie (6'4''-F-73, college: Missouri St.) scored 17 points while Glass added 15. Despite their size advantage, Elkhart lost the battle of the boards to Bellingham, 59-48. The championship is the citys first in pro basketball since the Fircrests won the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League title in 1947.
IBL names 2008 All Stars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2008 CONTACT: Mikal Duilio, IBL Commissioner (ph) 866-IBL-GAME INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2008 ALL STARS Bellingham Slam (finished 19-4) - The Bellingham Slam won the 2008 IBL Championship on July 18th over the two- time champion Elkhart Express. 6 2 Guard Ryan Diggs (right) played in 22 games for the Slam averaging 25.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. 6 7 Forward Tyler Amaya played in 15 games averaging 21.8 points, 4.4 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game. 6 4 Guard Jacob Stevenson played in 21 games averaging 18.4 points, 3.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. 6 7 Forward Lukas Henne played in 22 games averaging 17.4 points, 2.4 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. Elkhart Express (finished 23-2) - the Elkhart Express came into the 2008 title game with 23 wins to only 1 loss. The Express were led by coach Daimon Beathea and 8 players who averaged double figures in scoring. The top scorer was 6 2 Guard Cedric Moodie (right), (also an IBL All Star in 2006 and 2007) known- not only for his numbers, but for his clutch play in big games. Cedric played in 22 games averaging 28.1 points, 3.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. An NBA summer league player for the Chicago Bulls- 7 1 Center Chris Charles gave Elkhart a formidable presence inside averaging 12.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Leadership came from third year player for the Express 6 4 Forward Coleco Buie (also an IBL All Star in 2007) played in 20 games averaging 12.8 points, 2.9 assists & 3.3 rebounds per game. Newcomer 6 10 Forward Jarrod Lovette played in 19 games averaging 12.4 points & 6.2 rebounds per game. Elkharts only 2 losses were to the Gary Steelheads mid season and in the championship game to the Bellingham (Wa) Slam. Gary Steelheads (finished 18-4) The Steelheads completed the season with 18 wins to only 4 losses. 5 9 Point Guard Royce Parran (right) played in 20 games averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. Parran finished with a triple-double in the 2008 IBL All-Star game en route to MVP honors, and scored 49 points against Holland on June 20th. 5 11 Guard Shaun Fountain played in 16 games, averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. 6 6 Forward Benson Callier played in 20 games averaging 12 points, 2.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. The Steelheads fourth All Star selection was 7 0 Center Kenyon Gamble, who played in 19 games averaging 5.4 points, 1 assist and 7.2 rebounds per game. Vancouver Volcanoes (finished 18-7) 6 0 Point Guard Kevin Tyner (right) played in 25 games and averaged 20.2 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. 6 5 Guard Porter Troupe (also an IBL All Star in 2007) also played in 25 games averaging 22.3 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds/game. 6 7 Forward Jake Carlisle played in 24 games averaging 17.2 points, 1.2 assists & 7.1 rebounds per game. Under new owner Bryan Hunter and new head coach Theo Evans, the Volcanoes won more games in 2008 than all of their victories combined from 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Vancouver Volcanoes also won a team award- Best Team for Player Advancement as 7 of their members are going on to play or coach overseas (Kevin Tyner, Porter Troupe, Josh Jackson, Shawn Malloy, Edjuan Green, Alex Hartman and head coach Theo Evans- coaching Division 1 Romania). Edmonton Chill (finished 13-9) - 6 4 Guard J.R. Patrick (also an IBL All Star in 2006 for the Eugene Chargers) played in 20 games averaging 21.1 points, 2.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. 6 1 Point Guard Rashaun Broadus played in 20 games averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game. 6 11 Center Lee Scruggs played in 20 games, averaging 17.6 points, 1.2 assists and 9.7 rebounds per game. Edmonton won 13 games to only 9 losses in 2008 including a 10-game home win streak. Snohomish Explosion (finished 14-10) - 6 2 Point Guard Jamaal Miller pl
IBL Honorable Mention
5 11 Guard Larry Smith (6'0''-G-81, college: E.Oregon) played 29 games for the Portland Chinooks averaging 20.3 points per game 6 5 Guard Jeff Dunn (6'5''-G-83, college: Corban) (an IBL All Star in 2006 and 2007) played for the Central Oregon Hotshots before being picked up by the Edmonton Chill finishing the 2008 season with 19 games, averaging 24.6 points per game. 6 9 Center Ronnel Mingo played in 17 games for the Los Angeles Lightning averaging 20.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. 6 6 Forward Mike Tabb (6'6''-G/F-82, college: San Jose City JC) (an IBL All Star in 2007) played in 17 games for the Las Vegas Stars averaging 20.5 points per game, 2.5 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. 6 4 Guard Paul Hafford (6'4''-G-84, college: Portland St.) (an IBL All Star in 2007) sparked the comeback for the Bellingham Slam at the IBL Championship game scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds; Hafford averaged a touch over 17 points and 5 rebounds per game during the regular season. 6 6 Forward Dominick Melton (6'6''-F, college: Wisc.-Parkside) (an IBL All Star in 2007) played 16 games for the Holland Blast averaging 18.5 points, 2.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. 6 0 Point Guard Barry Bradford (6'0''-G-79, college: Trinity Intern.) (an IBL All Star in 2007) played 23 games for the Windy City Soldiers averaging 8.5 assists per game (third best in the IBL); Barry also averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Soldiers won 11 games in 2008—an improvement from 0 wins in 2007
2008 IBL Western Conference All-League Team
Akapana Publishing has released its 2008 All IBL League Team for the Western Conference. The team was assembled through a random poll of coaches, fans and media. The publication also considered live games attended, film and statistics. There were numerous players who were within the top 11 to 22 who were within votes of making the top ten. The following is a list of the first and second teams selected. 2008 IBL Western Conference All-League Team 1ST TEAM C- Jake Carlisle (6'6''-G/F-75, college: Alaska-Anch.) VANCOUVER - Solid post both ends, great footwork, winner. F- Tyler Amaya (6'6''-F-82, college: W.Washington) BELLINGHAM- Very Athletic, can do a bit of all, wont be outworked. F- Mike Tabb (6'6''-G/F-82, college: San Jose City JC) LAS VEGAS- 2007 rebound champ. Can and does score inside and out. G-Ryan Diggs (6'2''-G-83, college: W.Washington) BELLINGHAM- Great finisher, great competitor, prepares well. G-Tyner Kevin (6'0''-G-83, college: W.Oregon) VANCOUVER- Very quick, great leaper with strength, unselfish. 2ND TEAM C- Lee Scruggs (6'11''-F/C-79, college: Georgetown) EDMONTON- Legit big man, consistent game. F- David Lucas (6'8''-F-82, college: Oregon St.) PORTLAND- Outstanding low post scorer, class act. F- Porter Troupe (6'5''-G/F-83, college: Portland) VANCOUVER- Great athlete. Great body control, scorer. G- Jeff Dunn (6'5''-G-83, college: Corban) CENTRAL OREGON- Finished season with Edmonton. He can score in any country. G- Rashaun Broadus (6'0''-G-84, college: BYU) EDMONTON- Great performer on very talented squad.
Bellingham Wins IBL Title
The Slam ended a 61-year professional basketball title drought for the city as they shook off a poor start to upset the Elkhart Express, 118-111, in the International Basketball League Championship Game in front of a sold-out Whatcom Pavilion on Friday. It appeared as if the two-time defending champion Express were going to easily cruise to a third title, as they jumped out to 9-0 and 22-8 leads early in the first quarter. But Paul Hafford (6'4''-G-84, college: Portland St.) came off the bench to provide a much-needed spark, hitting a trio of three-pointers late in the quarter, with his third coming with 13 seconds left to give the Slam a 30-28 lead. Elkhart opened up the quarter with 22 points in the first six minutes to build their early lead, but the Slam defense held them to just six points in the last six minutes as the Slam offense mounted a comeback. Their early jitters over with, the Slam used solid all-around play from Hafford and Tyler Amaya (6'6''-F-82, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: W.Washington) to build on their lead in the second quarter. Bellingham went into halftime with a nine-point lead, at 62-53, after Brian Dennis converted a put-back as time expired for his only points in the game. In the third quarter, the Slams lead reached as high as 11 with 2:03 gone before Elkhart scored 13 of the games next 16 points to re-take the lead at 72-71 with under four minutes left in the period. Ryan Diggs (6'2''-G-83, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: W.Washington) stopped the Express run by scoring Bellinghams next seven points and the Slam maintained a two-point lead, at 83-81, going into the final quarter. The Slam knew Elkhart was fully capable of mounting a fourth-quarter comeback, and protected their lead by coming through with some of their finest basketball of the season. Lukas Henne opened the quarter with one of his signature step-back three-pointers and the Slam didnt look back after that. Bellingham held Elkhart to just 33 percent field goal shooting in the quarter to stymie their comeback attempt. A Ryan Diggs jumper off a Hafford pass gave the Slam their biggest lead of the game at twelve with 5:27 left to play, but Elkhart was able to trim the lead down to five, at 110-105, with 1:19 left to play on a Lincoln Glass three-pointer. But the Slam used perfect free-throw shooting in the final minute to preserve the victory and send the Whatcom Pavilion fans into a confetti-launching frenzy as time expired. Hafford and Amaya shared the games Most Valuable Player honors thanks to their gritty efforts. Hafford finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Amaya contributed with 20 points and 13 boards. Jacob Stevenson (6'4''-G-81, college: W.Washington) also had a strong title game for the Slam, scoring 24 points. The Express were led by Cedric Moodie (6'2''-G-78, college: <A href='https://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=USA&a
2008 IBL All-Star Festival set to get underway in Gary
Five teams from the western divisions of the IBL will have representatives competing in the All-Star Festival. The Bellingham Slam, Los Angeles Lightning, Edmonton Chill, Portland Chinooks, and the Central Oregon Hotshots will be coming in 2-0, winning both years of the IBL East-West All-Star games. The East will be dressing an impressive roster with six teams represented in the game. Fans from the Elkhart Express, Battle Creek Knights, Holland Blast, Grand Rapids Flight, Windy City Soldiers, and the home team Gary Steelheads will be looking to break the West's winning streak. As mentioned earlier, the night will be filled with exciting contests like the Slam Dunk Competition. The early favorite would have to be the Gary Steelheads' Royce Parran (5'9''-G-85, college: Chicago St.). The standout point guard placed third in the NCAA dunk contest in 2007. The most impressive fact about Parran is that the high flying rookie guard stands at about 5 foot 9 inches. His electrifying energy will keep every fan in attendance on the edge of their seats. The Three Point Contest will feature competitors including local standout Eric Rhinehart (Valparaiso High School). The 6'9' sharp shooter will be trying to show off his range in front of the hometown faithful. One person that could steal the show would be UCLA alum Billy Knight. The Los Angeles star and former Bruin will be sure to put on a shooting clinic during the 2008 Three Point Shootout. 2008 IBL All-Star Game Starting Lineup East G Shaun Fountain Gary G Kenny Langhorne Grand Rapids F Eric Rhinehart Windy City F Bobby Madison Battle Creek C Wu Yong Elkhart West G Tyler Amaya Bellingham G Zach Ramey Central Oregon F Wayne Oliver Los Angeles F Shohn Williams Portland C Lee Scruggs Edmonton For additional information, feel free to call the Gary Steelheads front office at (219) 883-3000. Also, you can log on to the IBL website at www.iblhoopsonline.com |
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