Bellingham Slam Win Back-To-Back IBL Championships
July 6, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Jersey G-Force News Release
Portland, OR - The Bellingham Slam completed a near perfect season on Friday night at Eastmoreland Courts, winning their second straight International Basketball League title, and the third in the organization's history. Vancouver kept it interesting late, before Bellingham had just enough in the tank to hold off an opponent who never gave up, even in the final seconds.
The Slam (18-2) controlled the tempo from the start, racing out to an 11-2 lead. Vancouver fought back to get within 29-16 at the end of one. The #1 seed built their largest lead of 19 and capped off the period with a buzzer beater from Chas Kok just past mid court to head into halftime ahead 57-40.
The third period had much of the same tone, with the Volcanoes getting the deficit down to single digits on several occasions, before Bellingham pushed it back to 90-75 going to the final quarter. With Bellingham seemingly still in control, Vancouver (16-5) made a run at it with a 14-1 spurt to get within two. After having several chances to tie the game, Vancouver could not. They put Bellingham at the line twice down the stretch, and luckily for the Volcanoes faithful, they missed. Vancouver drafted up a play that pull the ball in the hands of Paul Hafford. His long three sailed just short of the target and Bellingham celebrated the championship with a trophy and confetti.
Rookie Rico Wilkins led the way with 27 points and Jacob Stevenson added 26. Blake Poole earned IBL Championship MVP on top of his 2013 IBL All Star selection with a double-double 21 points and 12 rebounds. Coach Rob Ridnour was awarded IBL Coach of the Year. The hot hand for Vancouver was 2013 IBL MVP Chehales Tapscott with a record 20 straight double-doubles, 23 points and 14 rebounds. Paul Hafford hit six three-pointers on his way to 21. Garrett Sim added 19.
Bellingham finishes the season with seven straight wins, while Vancouver's four-game streak was ended.
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International Basketball League Stories from July 6, 2013
- Bellingham Slam Win Back-To-Back IBL Championships - Jersey G-Force
- Slam Hold off Vancouver, Claim 2013 IBL Championship - Bellingham Slam
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