Gary Southshore Splash

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

My daughter called me from the Genesis Center a few minutes ago. She asked me if I had my season tickets for the new basketball team yet. I asked, what basketball team? She went on to explain that she was at the Genesis Center covering the announcement of Gary's new fall/winter team. She also said that the logo was great and everything seemed professional.

I then asked, what league? That's very important because of the joke leagues around. The IBL, she answered. Cool, a real league. I mean, this demonstrates how out of touch I am these days because I knew nothing, so I told her good looking out for me. She earned the cost of her tuition today...well, not really. She still needs to landscape my new yard or something when I move. Anything. Build me a stone patio maybe.

Yes, I can do season tickets on such short notice. Season starts December 12th. I have been looking for something to do this winter since the home team AAHL Chi-Town Shooters hockey franchise folded.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Maybe if I read the news every now and then then I would know something. This article Gary to get restaurant, minor-league basketball (http://www.post-trib.com/news/2833944,ggenesis1026.article) was in the local paper today.

Minor-league basketball is coming back to the Genesis Convention Center.

The arrival of the South Shore Splash will be announced today during a press conference in the re-branded Plaza One Bar & Bistro, John Key said, formerly known as the Red Ribbon Lounge.


The re-branding of the Genesis Center's Red Ribbon Lounge has been long overdue. It's been the Red Ribbon Lounge since opening in the early 80's.


J. Bradford, who will be the general manager and head coach of the Splash, said he expects his International Basketball League team will play its first home game Dec. 10 against the Battle Creek Knights. It'll kick off its winter season in late November, he said, and continue until mid-January.

[a1sports]

4 teams, bad move
Wednesday night games , bad move
Short short schedule. bad move
Team names, no identity, south shore what? Miami beach?
Talent, sub par, bad move.

IBL has to have the worst business model out there, who would support such trash? Oh ken there you are....!! This business model ken approves of....LOL

[robster2001]

I have been looking for something to do this winter since the home team AAHL Chi-Town Shooters hockey franchise folded.

Off-topic, but... there's AAHL hockey in Dyer this season... the West Michigan Blizzard moved to Dyer just before the start of the season, and are playing as the Indiana Blizzard. Opening night at the Midwest TIC is Saturday.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Off-topic, but... there's AAHL hockey in Dyer this season... the West Michigan Blizzard moved to Dyer just before the start of the season, and are playing as the Indiana Blizzard. Opening night at the Midwest TIC is Saturday.
How am I missing all this news?!? My brain must be turning to mush. Thanks for the heads up, robster2001.

4 teams, bad move
Wednesday night games , bad move
Short short schedule. bad move
Team names, no identity, south shore what? Miami beach?
Talent, sub par, bad move.

IBL has to have the worst business model out there, who would support such trash? Oh ken there you are....!! This business model ken approves of....LOL

Well, my mind hasn't turned COMPLETELY to mush. How many teams do you think are needed for a sixteen game season where all teams are located on or around Lake Michigan? Four should be fine, don't you agree?

As far as Wednesdays are concerned, I don't know about the other places, but Wednesdays are a huge night for the Genesis Center's lounge. Apparently, the new Genesis Center management is going to tie the Wednesday night afterwork set with basketball.

Southshore what?!? Everybody on the southshore of Lake Michigan can identify. Gary Southshore Railcats, South Shore and South Bend Intercity Railroad, South Shore country club...well that's in Chicago, but you get the point.

Talent? Battle Creek reached the PBL championship, but were getting blown-out with almost the same talent in the IBL. You tell me.


...
IBL has to have the worst business model out there, who would support such trash? Oh ken there you are....!! This business model ken approves of....LOL

...and all this time I thought it was the PBL. Let's forget about Patrick Dempsey for awhile because that tree is never going to bear fruit. What about Lilia Clemente? Has she raised the million bucks for PBL expansion in China yet?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

My daughter likes the logo, but she's new age. I'm old school and am accustomed to a big angry fish logo. This logo is serviceable though.
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/cf/1ec/4cf1ec2a-f082-5373-83db-ef792b468b83-revisions/4cc777b4776cf.image.jpg

More information about the South Shore Splash from the other local paper. Former prep stars hope to make a 'Splash' in the region (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/professional/article_0c2d3b42-87f6-5df2-921c-6d0d063b376c.html)


Guard Robert Eldridge, a Wirt grad who played briefly at Wright State University and then Florida Central, was thrilled to be back in the region.

"I went to Australia to play (professionally) and to be back home and to play in front of my friends and family, to be associated with guys I've grown up with, is a great opportunity for me," Eldridge said.

[time out]

4 teams, bad move
Wednesday night games , bad move
Short short schedule. bad move
Team names, no identity, south shore what? Miami beach?
Talent, sub par, bad move.

IBL has to have the worst business model out there, who would support such trash? Oh ken there you are....!! This business model ken approves of....LOL

You are just upset that a league survives by being honest and having integrity in their operations. The IBL operates on the realistic premise of what supply and demand is for minor league basketball in this country. They don't survive on deceptions like a fake draft, china, revenue sharing, etc..

[misenern]

Will Gary support two teams when the Steelheads come back from taking a year off?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Will Gary support two teams when the Steelheads come back from taking a year off?
The Steelheads would be foolish to come back to an economy that is even worse than the economy that helped drive them away. The Steelheads would be even more foolish to return to a worsening economy AND a market that already has a minor league basketball team.

misenern,
Is it safe to assume the city of Halifax has not been significantly affected by the worldwide economic crisis...yet (according to some of the posts I've read)? The rest of western culture is being hit hard. David Stern recently asked for a 33% player pay cut,
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_16401924. You can expect further drastic steps in all major and minor leagues, IMO. We're going through a downturn no one (under the age of 90?) has seen before.

BTW, my sarcasm filter is in working order. I caught your post. :wink:

[a1sports]

thats why the IBL was begging the PBL to buy them this summer. When your not in the loop it bothers you coach sayer ( time -out). It bothers you like it bothers little sammy hill.

[time out]

thats why the IBL was begging the PBL to buy them this summer. When your not in the loop it bothers you coach sayer ( time -out). It bothers you like it bothers little sammy hill.

Don't flatter yourself, that info is not as secret as you may think. There is no "begging" however. Rumors of this have been circulating for some time.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

My daughter likes the logo, but she's new age. I'm old school and am accustomed to a big angry fish logo. This logo is serviceable though.
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/cf/1ec/4cf1ec2a-f082-5373-83db-ef792b468b83-revisions/4cc777b4776cf.image.jpg

More information about the South Shore Splash from the other local paper. Former prep stars hope to make a 'Splash' in the region (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/professional/article_0c2d3b42-87f6-5df2-921c-6d0d063b376c.html)

You like the logo , Ken? I'm not sure about the abstract blotches of blue - I assume they are supposed to represent water, but it doesn't come across as crisp to me. Same with the coloring of the letters - would be curious to see how it translates to a uniform...

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

You like the logo , Ken? I'm not sure about the abstract blotches of blue - I assume they are supposed to represent water, but it doesn't come across as crisp to me. Same with the coloring of the letters - would be curious to see how it translates to a uniform...

It wouldn't be my choice for a logo, but it's serviceable enough for a low budget league. A silk-screened picture cropped about one inch around the curves and arches of the logo should do the trick for uniforms, I suppose.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

It wouldn't be my choice for a logo, but it's serviceable enough for a low budget league. A silk-screened picture cropped about one inch around the curves and arches of the logo should do the trick for uniforms, I suppose.

Well, if you go to a game, or see a picture in the local paper, post it here. Wondering how it will look...

[iblvoice]

The International Basketball League is fine; IBL provide home schedules six months in advance for most teams and the IBL backs those schedules for our teams so they can market and find ways to make the season work as best as possible... IBL teams only fly 1 time... IBL talent is extremely high mostly because of when the IBL plays not because IBL teams pay a lot. Is the IBL going to pack the house with fans, maybe- or maybe not- but IBL pays our bills and the IBL is efficient, built to survive so that someday if a team ever finds that stride, that right market and arena- they can thrive but if not- the league and the teams are setup to survive. Is the IBL for everyone? No, but if you like fast paced, high level basketball, come out to a game and enjoy. As to the business model, our teams lose money of course- but we are truthful in how we describe running a team- very- very difficult. I have studied all minor leagues extensively and I truly believe that IF you are going to run a team, our league is the best you can do, but running a team is sort of like owning a yacht or giving your community a big festival or party, in that it (owning a team) doesn't always pencil out for the owner- so as far as expansion, we are not looking to do that, in fact, we are working with what we call 'branding teams' to allow markets to get 3 - 5 games for exposure for their area players but we are not looking to get new people involved in 'full' seasons- too hard- especially in this economy. About the IBL selling the league to the PBL, IBL would not do that with the old PBL but the new PBL has to be more humble as to how hard this is after 3 tough years so the idea is not a horrible one to consider, but begging- give me a break. IBL moves on to year 7 with powerhouse teams Bellingham Slam (6th year), Battle Creek Knights (7th year), Vancouver Volcanoes (7th year), Los Angeles Lightning (4th year), Albany Legends (2nd year), Kankakee Soldiers (6th year), West Coast Hotshots (7th year) and more. We should have 12 teams total playing in two seasons. One season is called- Winter season (9 teams play games in that season but only 4 teams are officially in the standings, play 18 to 20 games and compete in the tournament) and the IBL runs our traditional Summer season (22 teams involved in games with 8 teams playing full official seasons)... so the IBL has 12 full teams total and a whole bunch of 'branding teams'- we feel this is a healthy approach, a reasonable approach.

Oh, and about our International name- we have had significant international relations, teams and games; a few months ago- the Vancouver Volcanoes went to Japan and played 3 games. Multiple IBL teams have gone to China to play CBA teams and 9 CBA teams (China) have played IBL teams as well... The IBL seems to have the best chance of expanding into a powerful international league as we are pretty West Coast heavy; and I would think that most international teams want to come to the west coast cities to play and visit, I do not see international teams wanting to travel to the various cities of the other leagues. And the IBL is always working behind the scenes- to hit the homerun (perhaps international play) but as we always say, we need to be efficient and we need to survive because that homerun might come tomorrow, a few years from now- or never- and so IBL teams needs to be built efficiently and IBL teams need to be cautious as to how much money owners of teams- put into this.

About the Great Lakes All Stars and USA All Stars- these are league ran teams- and the minimum level for players on these teams- is collegiate experience with perhaps an exception here or there; restated- the 11 man roster of an All Stars team should have 9 to 10 players with college basketball experience. We feel that these 2 teams can be- a healthy way for players to end their dream as they play against real IBL players- and perhaps for some players- this is a way to advance their dream. I do not check the boards often so hopefully this answers some questions. The IBL is fine.

[runninref]

IBLvoice ... Why are Albany and Edmonton no longer on the website? Speaking of the website, when will it be updated? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[turbocamyes]

IBLvoice ... Why are Albany and Edmonton no longer on the website? Speaking of the website, when will it be updated? Thank you in advance for your reply.

They're there:

2010-2011 IBL TEAMS
Battle Creek Knights
Bellingham Slam
Edmonton Energy (http://iblhoopsonline.com/edmonton_energy/)
Great Lakes All Stars
Kankakee County Soldiers
Los Angeles Lightning
New York - Albany Legends (http://iblhoopsonline.com/albany_legends/)
Olympia Reign
South Shore Splash
USA All-Stars
Vancouver Volcanoes
West Coast Hotshots

[runninref]

They magically reappeared. I would bet there is more to the story than a simple website update.;)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

A functioning website would be nice. The team begins play in November (THIS month) and the first home game is in December.

[303TripleDouble]

Why nothing on the winter season on the website???

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Why nothing on the winter season on the website???
What website?!? Gary doesn't have a functioning website. Ohhhh, you mean the IBL website. 8)

Press releases, major announcement, television coverage, and at least one local paper was kind enough to display ticket information and website address...yet the website only has a placeholder. Call me crazy, but in this electronic age I think the website should come first.

[not so fast]

The IBL has moved in right direction with clarifying their mission. Its clear they are meeting the needs of many average ball players at best, but they are honest and straight forward with them in what their opportunities are. I am very much in favor of what they are trying to do, and I am 100 percent support their efforts!

I don't think we need to make this a pissing match between the pbl and IBL, the pbl serves a purpose, but I think no one can argue with the staying power of the IBL.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

PBL?!? Who said anything about the PBL in the IBL forum?

thats why the IBL was begging the PBL to buy them this summer. When your not in the loop it bothers you coach sayer ( time -out). It bothers you like it bothers little sammy hill.

Oh, nevermind. :roll:

The IBL has moved in right direction with clarifying their mission. Its clear they are meeting the needs of many average ball players at best, but they are honest and straight forward with them in what their opportunities are. I am very much in favor of what they are trying to do, and I am 100 percent support their efforts!

I don't think we need to make this a pissing match between the pbl and IBL, the pbl serves a purpose, but I think no one can argue with the staying power of the IBL.

Meeting the needs of the average player is great, but players don't get the chance to shine without fans to pay the bills. A Facebook page would even be nice at this time.

[MJHankel]

A Facebook page would even be nice at this time.

They got that at least: http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Shore-Splash/157538537617593

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Thanks for the link, MJ. The Facebook page looks like it has been up for awhile, although nothing came up when I searched yesterday. It's a start and I feel much better.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I lifted the Splash's schedule from their facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/south-shore-splash/splash-2010-11-winter-schedule/122862784439830


2010-11 Winter Schedule:



Fri Nov 26th: 7pm SPLASH @ Battle Creek Knights

Sat Nov 27th: 7pm SPLASH @ Kankakee Soldiers

Sat Dec 4th: 7pm SPLASH @ Kankakee Soldiers

Wed Dec 8th: 7pm SPLASH @ Battle Creek Knights

Fri Dec 10th: 7pm Battle Creek Knights @ SPLASH

Sun Dec 12th: 7pm Lansing Capitals @ SPLASH

Wed Dec 15th: 7pm Kankakee Soldiers @ SPLASH

Fri Dec 17th: 7pm Great Lakes All Stars @ SPLASH

Sun Dec 19th: 7pm Great Lakes All Starts @ SPLASH

Wed Dec 29th: 7pm Battle Creek Knights @ SPLASH

Thur Dec 30th: 7pm SPLASH @ Kankakee Soldiers

Sat Jan 1st: 7pm Battle Creek Knights @ SPLASH

Sun Jan 2nd: 7pm Kankakee Soldiers @ SPLASH

Wed Jan 5th: 7pm SPLASH @ Battle Creek Knights

Sat Jan 8th: 7pm Kankakee Soldiers @ SPLASH

Sun Jan 9th: 7pm Battle Creek Knights @ SPLASH

Sat Jan 15th: 5pm SPLASH @ IBL Playoffs Battle Creek, MI

Sun Jan 16th: 1pm SPLASH @ IBL Playoffs Battle Creek, MI



********** The South Shore Splash will play its home games at the Genesis Center in Gary Indiana:

1 Genesis Center Plaza Gary, Indiana 46401 **********

[MJHankel]

Ken, did you go to this: http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs946.snc4/73921_162843193753794_157538537617593_297057_76240 80_n.jpg

If so, do you have any pics?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I was there, but I forgot my camera. Doh! There was food I could actually eat and the bar was open. The intros were already made by the time I arrived, but I got to see the new uniforms.
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2906110,bko-splash-1119.article
Along with the news of involvement within the city, the club also unveiled its jerseys and introduced some of the players that will be filling the primarily baby blue colored uniforms. The team has 14 players, including eight from the region. Six players, including 2001 Lew Wallace graduate Chris Wesby and 2004 Hobart grad Andrew Zimmer, were on hand to mingle with the crowd.
The uniform logo is simply SPLASH in black letters and yellow accent. The team dropped South Shore from the name also. It's now the Gary Splash, as also seen on the team website (which is functioning now):
http://southshoresplash.com

More than a few season tickets were sold too. However, I didn't notice a big Gary connection at the splash party. It could be because of the economy or it could be because the owner is from the Illinois side of the border (and doesn't have that Gary network yet) or it could be a little of both.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Here is a pic of the Splash uniforms (Chris Wesby modeling), courtesy of the Gary Splash's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Gary-Splash/157538537617593
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1202.snc4/155455_163345293703584_157538537617593_299444_7589 511_n.jpg

Another pic from the Splash's Facebook page. Coach Jay Bradford talking to former Bull and former Steelheads coach Cliff Levingston. The players in the background are asking coach if they can stop stretching now because they have been in that position for fifteen minutes straight--ever since Cliff Levingston showed-up.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1176.snc4/154807_163357970368983_157538537617593_299489_1902 419_n.jpg

[not so fast]

Ken I would say you are right, they have not gotten into the Gary network yet of who is who, and they are from ther Illinois side.

Jay Bradfords brother, Barry Bradford, who now runs the kankakee Soldiers, Barry used to play for the Steelheads. So I know there was a relationship that Barry would have had with jewell harris at one time, but I don' t know if Jewell And Jay collaborate at all.

It will be good too see something happening at the Genesis,... It is such a great place to watch a game. (I hope the concession stand will be open)

[Juniper]

IBL is way ahead of the PBL. PBL could use some of the IBL teams. A1, I thought we were Coach Sayer, now Time Out is Coach Sayre. A1, you guys need Ken. Just think, if Ken were in your shoe's, this league would be off the charts. Add NSF and Time Out, and I don't think too many people could touch your league. It appears these guys really know what they are talking about.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

...The players in the background are asking coach if they can stop stretching now because they have been in that position for fifteen minutes straight--ever since Cliff Levingston showed-up.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1176.snc4/154807_163357970368983_157538537617593_299489_1902 419_n.jpg
Thank ya very much. Thank ya very much. I'll be playing here for the rest of the week. Remember to tip your waitress...another of my feeble attempts at humor.
Ken I would say you are right, they have not gotten into the Gary network yet of who is who, and they are from ther Illinois side.

Jay Bradfords brother, Barry Bradford, who now runs the kankakee Soldiers, Barry used to play for the Steelheads. So I know there was a relationship that Barry would have had with jewell harris at one time, but I don' t know if Jewell And Jay collaborate at all.

It will be good too see something happening at the Genesis,... It is such a great place to watch a game. (I hope the concession stand will be open)
Well, if they want to meet the Gary people then all they have to do is hang out at the Genesis Center on Wednesday nights in the Plaza One Bar and Bistro. That's where an influential crowd hangs...but it's also a hard partying crowd that may only be interested in partying some more.

No, there are not supposed to be any concession stands. Food is supposed to be sold through the Plaza One Bar and Bistro

[MJHankel]

Saw an article in the Tribune (http://www.post-trib.com/news/2919332,gsplash1124.article) today that they have signed a short term "pact":

The Splash will pay $1,000 per event to play home games for the International Basketball League's winter season at the Genesis Center. It must pay a $2,000 deposit, and $50 an hour for practice time in the arena.

Is the Hudson Campbell no longer available for practices? I haven't been in town for a while, I would think that would be a better option for practice.

Also:

The Genesis Center staff will sell concessions during Splash games, Key said, and the agreement says the center can keep all proceeds from those sales. The facility can also keep parking revenue. The Splash will sell tickets to its games and keep the proceeds.

So no revenue from concessions for the team, that is gonna make the profit margin kinda small isn't it?


The only other thing I see in the article that caught my attention was this:

And unlike the Steelheads, Key said the Splash logo won't be found on the arena's basketball floor. Instead, he said the Genesis Center will focus on its own brand and that of Northwest Indiana.

"You just don't give your whole facility up," Key said.

That kinda makes sense but it also kinda sucks. Besides what are they going to paint on the floor? It has been, and still is the Steelheads.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

From the same article:
http://www.post-trib.com/news/2919332,gsplash1124.article
John Key, one of the convention center's managers, said the Gary Splash will get a break on arena rental so it can make a profit and establish itself. Key said the Genesis Center is excited about the team, but he cautioned its arrival won't end financial troubles there.

"It's not the economic boon that we need," Key said.
No, it's not the economic boon that the Gary Genesis Center needs. Sorry about that, Indiana Blizzard down in Dyer, IN. The Genesis Center needs ice and a home for an AHL team. Northwest Indiana would ROCK the Genesis Center if the Wolves and Ice Hogs were coming to town as rivals.

As far as the Hudson-Campbell fitness center is concerned, the good court is often booked and it can be just as expensive (or more) than the price quoted in the article for the Genesis Center court.

... The facility can also keep parking revenue. The Splash will sell tickets to its games and keep the proceeds.
The Genesis Center should at least share proceeds from the parking garage with the Splash. More people will be in the garage BECAUSE of the Splash. I also wonder if Jay knows he can rent out the suites to fans (unless things have changed a lot since the old days).

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The guys in royal blue and black warmups are players. Okay, when I count three everyone turn away--all except you uncle Charles. I want a family pic of you because no one remembers what you look like.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=145

Sorry about the picture quality, but the white signs on seats represent season tickets already sold. There are more white signs on the courtside seats opposite this view.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=146
I left early, a few fans were still in line buying season tics...or maybe those people in line were inquiring about jobs. Times are still tough.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

When I saw former Steelheads Ryan Edwards and Kenyon Gamble in their pre-game warm-ups for the Soldiers, I assumed it was going to be a long night for the Splash. I was wrong. The Splash beat the snot out of the Soldiers. I forgot Kenyon Gamble is tall, but is not a dominating player.

...but that's not what I want to rant about. My designated driver (not that I need a designated driver because it's not like I drink beer or something :rolleyes:) dropped me off at the Genesis Center early. There was a middle school basketball game going on before the Splash game. Apparently, this was a Splash sponsored event because there were Splash players checking tickets at the door and Splash players refereeing the game. What disappoints me is that BOTH middle school teams immediately got on their buses and left after their game. They didn't stay for the Splash vs. Soldiers game. If the Splash was allowing those schools to use that nice Genesis Center basketball court and arena while the Splash was footing the bill, then the schools could have been courteous enough to stick around. It doesn't matter that it was a school night. Those kids weren't going to go home and study anyway. I don't recall seeing a single bookbag on a kid as they left the building. However, I do recall seeing every kid carrying their game shoes in orange boxes because of the school's Nike contract. Mind you, this is the same school that is a billy goat's hair away from being shut down by the state because of poor academic progress. Maybe the kids could learn something if they broke from their routines of hopelessness and despair...but the adults are going to have to change THEIR attitudes. The kids can't do it alone. The adults could have said, "Have the buses pick us up at 9:30 instead of 6:00pm. We're staying for the game".

The schools won't work closely with local businesses (and this has been a problem since forever), but they'll bend over backward for ESPN.
Lew Wallace, Dawson jacked to play in national ESPN game (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/article_bcad7dcb-e840-5c77-b118-1c13fb6be47c.html). By the way, Gary Lew Wallace Junior/High School is the other school that bolted before the Splash game. The nationally broadcasted ESPN game involves the varsity high school team and I'll promise you no one will hesitate to stick around for ESPN on THIS school night.

According to Rachel Margolis of ESPN, the network's first broadcast of a high school game occurred in December of 2002. The big-name player in that game was LeBron James, who played at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. That game was on ESPN2.

ESPN began a regular series of prep games in 2003, when three games were shown. In 2005, with ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU now in the mix, eight games were shown nationally a year.

Mind you, students at Gary Lew Wallace have some of the lowest test scores in the state. Also mind you, this national game is just for bragging rights. ESPN isn't going to do anything for Gary. A local business like the Splash (or Railcats, for that matter) can do something for Gary.

End of rant.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken I would say you are right, they have not gotten into the Gary network yet of who is who, and they are from ther Illinois side.

Jay Bradfords brother, Barry Bradford, who now runs the kankakee Soldiers, Barry used to play for the Steelheads. So I know there was a relationship that Barry would have had with jewell harris at one time, but I don' t know if Jewell And Jay collaborate at all.

It will be good too see something happening at the Genesis,... It is such a great place to watch a game. (I hope the concession stand will be open)

I was wrong (which is almost unheard of). There are concession stands with a nice variety. There are also salads for people like me. No greasy ribs though. The Genesis Center's bar and bistro doesn't officically open as a full service restaurant until January 5, 2011. Now it is strictly a bar and Wednesday night Steppers Set (which makes it annoying for basketball fans).

Yesterday's crowd (Friday night) was the best crowd yet. GREAT CROWD! No, not really. Five straight wins though. I smell a championship...or maybe it was the ranch dressing on my all veggie salad. This article from last night:
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2973336,bko-splash-1218.article

Eventually, Bradford did bring in his substitutes, which turned out to be the turning point in the Splash's most impressive win of the season. The biggest beneficiary of the opportunity for more playing time was forward Marquis Rankin, whose 34 points, including a monster dunk suitable for framing, led Gary to a 115-82 win, their fifth consecutive win.


...and this pic is from the Splash Facebook page.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1218.snc4/157029_169657659739014_157538537617593_332121_2450 168_n.jpg

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Ken - thought you might be interested:

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/article_09bbd131-2601-5eaf-baf3-80ec10cd2cfd.html

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken - thought you might be interested:

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/article_09bbd131-2601-5eaf-baf3-80ec10cd2cfd.html

Thanks, yes I am interested. I thought the ABA team was going to play in Crown Point, Indiana--two towns south of Gary. Now I read that the ABA Magical Stars are going to play at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.

Miller has kept an eye on the Splash, who lost their first three games followed by four straight wins. Earlier this fall, both owners discussed working together on their schedules so they don't overlap and take away fans from each other, but now both are more concerned about not playing on the heavy high school basketball nights of Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

"It's tough here in Northwest Indiana," Miller said. "They love high school basketball. You can never compete with a Merrillville or Crown Point games. Football is big here. Youth sports is big here. If you mess around and play on one of those nights, you're going to suffer.

It's tough here in Northwest Indiana?!? Duh! Add competition from the Chicago pro franchises to the list. That's why I'm glad the Splash are playing in the IBL's regular spring schedule as well. The Savannah Center (below) is where the Magical Stars want to play:

http://www.iunredhawkathletics.com/images/Savannah_Center/savnnah_1.JPG

There is a sea of parking around the IUN gym, but the parking is all student parking...and the students use EVERY space. Available parking is a hike away. The only use I have for Indiana University Northwest is to take a class every now and then. No beer, no Ken.

[not so fast]

Ken is right about the parking, I went there once for something and it was a hike to get to the front door.

On the other hand, the gym is really nice,. its a well kept up facility.

[preeths]

More on the Splash:
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/al-hamnik/article_80bab446-630f-5f80-8955-dbc8f2d1fe6f.html

Until the Splash takes itself seriously, neither will the local media or true region basketball fans.
Please don't tell me that 500 fans at a home game -- minus freebies -- is making an impact in the community.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

More on the Splash:
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/columnists/al-hamnik/article_80bab446-630f-5f80-8955-dbc8f2d1fe6f.html

Also from the same editorial:
We covered the home opener only to learn the Splash had four road games previously it never reported. And since the opener, not one game has been called in, home or road.

The region's other daily covers Splash games because the team's public address announcer is a correspondent for that paper. He has to be there.

Once again, I say to Jay Bradford, you want the Splash to be taken seriously? Then do your job. It's really quite simple.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at al.hamnik@nwi.com

I agree with Al. The owners should pay attention to keep the media in the loop. The owners' desire to remain committed to their faith is commendable, but business is business. Being more business-like (including keeping the bottom line in sight) shouldn't be considered being less of a humanitarian gesture.

[not so fast]

Wow, tough piece on the splash,

But he needs to give them time, these things are run with a very small staff of people. It will grow and get better.

Kankakee is doing great on all cylinders, but it took time, it was not that way from day 1.

media, needs to relax in Gary. I rather read about the Splash , in spite of its infant stage flaws, than to read about the corner gas station being robbed!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Al Hamnik is the dean of sportswriters here in the Gary area. This is the kind of editorial a franchise can expect if they do not update their website and send out their press releases/box scores. Do that and their press would be a lot friendlier. Also, the Splash owe it to the players to stay on top of the website and media releases. It's all about exposure for the players, right?

Ironically, Splash players met fans at Southlake Mall (in the suburbs) tonight as Al suggested they should do. Personally, I think a low budget operation like theirs gets more bang for their buck by staying within Gary.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Good close game, Saturday January 8, 2011. Splash won 90-89 against the Soldiers on free throws with .3 seconds on the clock. View from the food court (behind the glass).
http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=149
View of the balloon guy on the upper level.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=150

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

IBL's Gary Splash finish 11-5 to gain #1 seed for Winter Championship tournament (http://www.usbasket.com/IBL/basketball.asp?NewsID=214252)

Really?!? First year teams aren't supposed to do that.

Jay Bradford says about his team- that the record does not surprise him- 'it does not surprise me at all, but the best is yet to come, they (Gary Splash) are still not a team yet not like the Soldiers; they (Kankakee County Soldiers) know where each other is on the floor, on drives, etc. but we are not like that yet... but as we develop as a team, we will get there'

IBL's Kankakee County Soldiers win the first IBL Winter Championship (http://www.usbasket.com/IBL/basketball.asp?NewsID=215021)

Aw man...or as we say around here. AH MANE!

...Kankakee's star player Ryan Edwards hit a running 45 foot shot as time expired to win this game. The Gary Splash had multiple opportunities to secure a lead but left Kankakee a tiny window of opportunity which Ryan Edwards seized...

That shot would have bounced off the overhead scoreboard if the game was played in Gary. Of course if the game was played in Gary, everybody may have been sitting in the bar area watching the Bears/Seahawks and missed seeing the shot anyway. 8)

[not so fast]

Its only fitting that Ryan Edwards hit the game winning shot for the Championship. He is by far the best player in IBL.

Congratulations To Barry Bradford and Ryan Edwards on a great winter Season in the IBL.

I will never understand fully why the NBA went with a D league and destroyed the CBA as we used to know it.

If the NBA would subzidised franchises like The Gary Splash, and the Kankakee Soldiers in the IBL, they could have solid franchises and still accomplish the same thing the D league is accomplishing, but do it better and cheaper.

Get tom Mcginn in quad cities and his Rockford team, get Chris daleo to run it, and you have four good CBA teams right there. The NBA sure likes to take the difficult way.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Now you're finally starting to make a lot of sense. It's about operating efficiently and operating with some brains. As far as Ryan Edwards is concerned, he certainly has the best resume in the IBL. Maybe you're right and he's also the best overall player in the IBL. I don't know. He once played for Gary. The best tend to gravitate toward Gary. That's why I'm drawn to downtown Gary. The best don't have a choice. 8)