Explosion Head Coach to suit up tonight for second game in Edmonton

Published on May 23, 2009 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Snohomish County Explosion News Release


Explosion Head Coach to suit up tonight for second game in Edmonton. Monroe, Washington - May 23rd 2009 - Off of last night's game time decision to play for the flu stricken Explosion, Weakley will be back again on the sideline and baseline for tonight's rematch.

A coach's job is to give his team the best advantage to win at all times and last night not as a publicity stunt but out of the pure fact the Explosion were minus 5 players: Anthony Slater, (IBL assist leader) Manny Kennedy, Sean Carter, Troy Gwynn, (out indefinitely with ACL tear) and Ricky Washington, head coach Chris Weakley suited up again for the blue and gold, without his signature number three jersey, for Explosion.

"This was a last second decision that was approved only for these two games", comments general manager Sean Keck. "We did not bring in our head coach Chris Weakley to be a player/coach, but we are presently surprise with how played last night."

To say that Snohomish's Chris Weakley did a bit of everything for his team, would be the understatement of the night, as this leader backed up his tough love style for all to see. The Explosion player/coach, looking more like a football player in size then a basketball player, had 30 plus points in 30 plus minutes.

"I found out late that he was going to play if needed but I did not expect him to play as much as he did" comments Courtyard Media Foundation president and owner Nathan Mumm. "He has always been a competitor but we need to make sure everyone understands he is our head coach and we have no plans at this time to have him play besides this weekend in Edmonton. I was happy that the team did well, not just Chris, on the road as basketball is a team game. I am sure he will play a lot less tonight and is very tired."

Weakley on the other hand might have other plans. "I'm in shape. I have trainers, I train my guys. The guys on the team are keeping me young."

Weakley did most of his work in the third quarter, where he hit four three-pointers in a row against Edmonton.

This Alabama native ran his team's offence, played diplomat when his hot-tempered teammates got testy and had his share of fun on the court, talking throughout the game with Energy head coach Paul Sir.

"I played against the Edmonton team last year but the previous head coach had a different system he did not use me to the best of my ability," Weakley said. "I really want to bring a split series home to our great fans in Monroe from this road trip."

"He's a competitor and I'm a competitor. It's just fun, we go back and forth like that." "I love that stuff," Edmonton head coach Sir said of the tete-a-tete with Weakley. "I think that people who have played the game understand that that's part of the fun of it, that you're always trying to one-up each other and find a way to get an advantage over the other guys.

"Your trump card is always looking to score in that situation. Chris did a heck of a job tonight." Weakley played almost all of the game's 48 minutes and did it with a smile on his face.

The International Basketball League's leading scorer, forward Devon Greene finished with top honors for the Explosion in scoring. Richard Ford had another all star night scoring 26 points and pulling down 16 rebounds to go along with Jason Hicks, in extended minutes, who recorded the second franchise triple double in the loss with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assist. The game was intense; as Weakley went down hard with a foul in the final minutes of the game he jumped up and smiled to the stands taking in the sounds of the game. He received a warm applause from the appreciative Energy fan base and after the game even signed a few autographs.

"Him being the elder statesman on his team, he knows they've got a game tomorrow," JR Patrick said of Weakley's play after the game "He's one of those good role-type of team players, keeping his team in line.

As for the player/coach idea owner Nathan is keeping "Mum(m)" on any thought of this being a permanent thing. At the beginning of the season it was clear that the selection of Chris Weakley was as the Head coach, and it was clear number three was done playing on the court for the Explosion, Or is he?



International Basketball League Stories from May 23, 2009


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