Bellingham Slam Home Opener Set For Friday
Published on March 27, 2008 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam are set for their inaugural home opener in the International Basketball League as they take on the Tacoma Jazz on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion. The contest will be the Slam's first home game since switching to the IBL after playing two seasons in the American Basketball Association. The Slam's last home game was over a year ago, when they defeated the Hollywood Fame in a second round ABA playoff match-up on March 17, 2007.
Whatcom County basketball fans will recognize a number of faces when the Slam debut at Whatcom Pavilion on Friday. Western Washington University standouts Brian Dennis and Jacob Stevenson are in their third season with the Slam, and this season will be joined by fellow ex-Vikings Ryan Diggs and Lukas Henne. Diggs and Henne have already proven themselves to be key contributors, averaging 20.0 and 16.5 points respectively through the team's first two games. Also, former Lynden Christian standout and Portland State graduate Paul Hafford returns to Whatcom County to join the Slam after playing for the IBL's Central Oregon Hotshots last season.
But perhaps the Slam's most recognizable player this season will be former Gonzaga standout Erroll Knight. Knight, considered one of the most athletic players in Gonzaga's history, brings his high-flying, entertaining style of play to Bellingham after helping the Bulldogs reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament during his senior season and playing professionally this winter in Israel.
The Slam started the 2008 season on the road, splitting two games against the Snohomish County Explosion. Last weekend, the Slam scored a 115-108 upset victory over the Explosion for their first IBL win. Guards Jared Stevenson and Ryan Diggs paced the Slam with 23 and 20 points, respectively.
Friday's home game against Tacoma will start a busy weekend for the Slam. On Saturday, the team will head to the other end of the state to take on the Vancouver Volcanoes at 7:00 p.m.
The Slam have also announced that the team's second home game, on April 4 against Snohomish County, will be played at Bellingham High School due to a scheduling conflict at their usual home court of Whatcom Pavilion. The Slam will return to Whatcom Pavilion for their third home game, set for April 11 against the Portland Chinooks.
For more information, contact the Slam at (360) 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
International Basketball League Stories from March 27, 2008
- Explosion widens fan base to greater geographic area through Comcast On Demand - Snohomish County Explosion
- Bellingham Slam Home Opener Set For Friday - Bellingham Slam
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