Express Adds Toughness To 2006 Roster
March 1, 2006 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Elkhart Express News Release
Elkhart, IN--The man Michigan State coach Tom Izzo describes as "a tough, hard worker that always puts forth his best effort" is the seventh player to join Elkhart's professional basketball franchise, the EXPRESS. Rashi Johnson, 6-feet-2 200 pounds, will play guard.
Johnson played for two years, 2002 to 2004, at Michigan State where injuries plagued his career. He averaged six points and three assists a game. During his final year at Michigan State, he earned the Unsung Player Award.
Johnson also played for the North Dakota Wizards in the Continental Basketball Association in 2005.
Prior to Michigan State, Johnson played for Mott Community College, Flint, Mich. There he was averaging 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals a game. The National Junior College Athletic Association named him an All-American twice. He received most valuable player honors both years.
"Rashi plays hard and is a strong defender," said Daimon Beathea, president and head coach of the EXPRESS. "He has an explosive first step and is very athletic. He will make a valuable addition to our team."
Johnson joins 6-7 Darmetries Kilgore, 6-5 Lazarus Sims, 5-8 Anthony Kyle, 6-7 Harold Swanagan, 6-8 Eric Brand and 6-4 Michael Dyson.
The Elkhart EXPRESS will play a schedule of 22 games from March 31 to June 30, 2006, including 12 home games at Elkhart's North Side Gym. The league's All-Star Game and Championship Tournament will also be played in Elkhart July 13 to 16.
Season tickets are now available on-line at www.elkhartexpress.com. Tickets costs are $110 (adult 18 and older, courtside), $60 (adult 18 and older, lower reserved) and $36 (17 and under, lower reserved). Single game tickets for the same categories are $10, $7 and $4 respectively. People may call (574) 522-9911 or write Elkhart EXPRESS, 127 S. Main St., Elkhart, Ind., 46516 (email: xpress2006@yahoo.com) for tickets or more information.
The IBL favors an up-tempo style of play that has resulted in a league scoring average of 127 points per game. Only one timeout is allowed per 12-minute quarter and the league has an "immediate inbound" rule that allows players to inbound the ball without checking it with the referee. There is also a 22-second shot clock with just eight seconds allowed to cross mid-court.
International Basketball League Stories from March 1, 2006
- Aurora Cavalry Individual Game Tickets Now on Sale - Aurora Cavalry
- Express Adds Toughness To 2006 Roster - Elkhart Express
- Crossover Sign First Two Players - Colorado Crossover
- Chargers Sign Elliott Marshall, Akin Hughes - Eugene Chargers
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