IBL Championship Game Tonight
Published on July 28, 2009 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release
Game 3 of 3- tonight July 28- 7pm Gilbert Sports Arena at Cal Lutheran University. Games can be heard on the internet by searching for KVTA 1520 AM or KKZZ 1440 AM.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES LIGHTNING: The Los Angeles Lightning (17-5) is a second year professional basketball team competing in the fifth year IBL. The Los Angeles Lightning made their name in the 2008 International Basketball League season by assembling a roster full of former NBA players and former UCLA Bruin stars. The Lightning roster featured the following players for the 2009 season:
6' 7" Bryon Russell spent most of his professional NBA career with the Utah Jazz, making it to the NBA Finals three times (one time with the Los Angeles Lakers)
6' 7" Lamond Murray is a former NBA player who played for the L.A. Clippers among other teams.
6' 4" Fred Vinson is a former NBA player who played for the Seattle Supersonics among other teams.
6' 1" Darrick Martin-a former NBA player who played with the Toronto Raptors among other teams-was instrumental in getting Los Angeles to the finals with a win over Bellingham (2008 Champions).
6' 6" Toby Bailey is former NBA player (Phoenix Suns) and former UCLA Bruin. In 2007 & 2008, Bailey was an IBL All Star. Bailey recorded the first triple-double in team history with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists on June 14 in a 160-123 rout of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Flight.
6' 5" Billy Knight won the 3-point shootout at the 2008 IBL All-Star Festival held in Gary, Indiana last June.
7' 0" Adam Parada is a veteran professional who has been with five NBA organizations in various capacities-and won championships both internationally and on the NCAA Div-1 conference level.
6' 7" Juaquin Hawkins has played with the Houston Rockets
6' 7" Trayvon Lathan-a phenomenal young player with incredible speed, burst and touch around the hoop. Trayvon was instrumental in the two wins that got the Los Angeles Lightning to the finals.
6' 5" Tony Strickland is a 6'5" California State Senator and Whittier College alumni. Strickland-a long time basketball player-took no time to agree to the offer from Lightning owner Mark Harwell who tongue in cheek insists, this is not a publicity grab, "if the guy were 5-feet-7 and had a pot belly, that would be a publicity stunt," Harwell said. "But he (Strickland) is a tremendous athlete. ... I do not think people realize what a great athlete he is-he can still dunk the ball." For video about Tony Strickland, visit www.lalightning.net
About Lightning owner Mark Harwell- see video about Mark Harwell at www.lalightning.net
Second year Head Coach Ron Quarterman discusses the Lightning loss in game 2 of the 3 game series- "It was a hard-fought game; (in the final 15 seconds) we ran the high pick-and-roll for Darrick. The defender stepped out, showed real hard and made a good play that forced us to take a tough shot. Now, we have to get ready for Tuesday night."
ABOUT THE OREGON WAVES: The Oregon Waves (16-8) are a first year basketball team (based in Beaverton Oregon) competing in the fifth year International Basketball League. Featured players for the Waves include the following:
6' 8" David Lucas was a two-time All-PAC 10 performer for the Oregon State Beavers (2004/2005) before moving on to a professional career. Lucas led the IBL in scoring in 2007 and again in 2008 (37.0 ppg in 2008). David is son of former NBA great Maurice Lucas. Lucas is seen as the key to tonight's game 3 matchup/championship.
6' 5" Robert Day has played professionally, internationally over the last 6 years; had 32 points in Sunday's game 2 win.
6' 4" Lamar Hurd is well known for his play for the Oregon State Beavers- a 4 year starter for Oregon State.
6' 5" David Jackson finished his collegiate career at the University of Oregon. A veteran of NBA camps (Portland, Cleveland), and NBA summer league teams (Portland, San Antonio, Orlando, Seattle), Jackson also has extensive experience overseas in Italy, China, Spain and Turkey. The following is a link to highlights of a recent Korean basketball league championship game where Jackson scored 44 points http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tejH-5sydjc
6' 9" Isaiah Fox-University of Arizona-had 16 points and 7 rebounds in Sunday night's game 2 victory.
5' 9" Jeremiah Dominguez was the Big Sky Conference player of the year in the 2007/2008 NCAA season.
About head coach Terrance Dickens-in 2005, Terrance Dickens started the Vancouver Volcanoes in what was-the IBL's first season; Dickens and co-owner Mikal Duilio sold the team after the two seasons; the Volcanoes are now heading into their fifth year of existence under owner Bryan Hunter. Terrance Dickens coached the Portland Chinooks to the 2007 IBL Championship game losing 113-109 to the Elkhart (Indiana) Express in front of 3,300 fans (video on IBL web site, main page). Two years later, tonight-owner and head coach Terrance Dickens gets his second chance at an IBL championship.
For more info, photos & videos about the IBL or about IBL teams, visit www.iblhoopsonline.com
International Basketball League Stories from July 28, 2009
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