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Battle Creek Knights Join LA Lightning and Strong Field for IBL Winter Season

April 22, 2011 - International Basketball League (IBL) News Release


The Los Angeles Lightning, a 4th year professional basketball team that has featured 8 ex-NBA players, has moved to the International Basketball League's Winter season. The Battle Creek (Michigan) Knights have committed to play as well- joining what shapes up to be a strong field of teams from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon and Washington.

The Battle Creek Knights in fact have submitted their bid to host the Winter Championship tournament at Kellogg's Arena. Last Winter, the IBL held its tournament at Kellogg's Arena and saw a 40-foot buzzer beating and game winning shot as the Kankakee Soldiers won the inaguaral Winter championship.

The L.A. Lightning, which has featured eight former NBA players on its star-studded roster, captured the 2009 IBL Championship. That squad was led by Lamond Murray, Fred Vinson and Toby Bailey. The team went 14-6 in 2010, led by IBL All-Star Trayvon Lathan (26 ppg, 11.5 rpg), and has won 19 of its last 22 home games. "We have a developing business opportunity that would have created a conflict with the latter part of the Spring season," said Lightning owner and GM Mark Harwell. "After three years in the spring, we felt it was time for a change. I think it will be a good fit to play during the traditional basketball season."

The Portland Chinooks or Oregon Waves (name change possibly underway to an original Portland name brand 'Chinooks' that was the Terry Emmert owned brand of the first four years in Portland) will play in the Winter season as well.

The International Basketball League is a high-scoring league that allows just one timeout per quarter and gives owners just one flight per season. Note: IBL will hold Winter league meeting in Portland Oregon on April 30th (2011) for interested parties.

Currently, the IBL traditional Spring/Summer season is underway with another strong field of teams such as the 6th year Bellingham Slam, the 7th year Vancouver Volcanoes, the 4th year Olympia Reign, the 7th year West Coast Hotshots, the 7th year entry from Portland- the Oregon Waves, the 4th year entry from Edmonton- the Edmonton Energy, the 2nd year Albany Legends, the 2nd year Gary Splash and the 6th year Kankakee Soldiers (both Gary and Kankakee play in both the traditional season and the Winter season). Also active in the traditional (current season) is the USA All Stars and 5 branding teams (teams that play a partial schedule in an effort to build their brand).

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International Basketball League Stories from April 22, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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