IBL Championship Preview: David vs. Goliath in more ways than one
July 17, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - When the Bellingham Slam tip-off the 2008 International Basketball League championship game against the Elkhart Express Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion, it will be a "David vs. Goliath" affair - literally.
The Express feature an intimidating frontcourt with two players standing over seven feet tall. Center James Tyler checks in at 7'3" and 360 lbs. while forward Chris Charles stands 7'1" and a lean 220 lbs. By contrast forward Lukas Henne is the tallest Slam starter at a mere 6'7".
In addition to their size, Elkhart's roster boasts ten players who played collegiately at a NCAA Division-I university, with Ball State's Cedric Moodie leading the team with a 28.1 points per game scoring average. Bellingham has just two players who saw Division-I action - guard Paul Hafford at Portland State and forward Tyler Amaya at Gozaga. The remainder of the Slam's roster largely played for Division-II programs, including six players, most notably the team's leading scorer Ryan Diggs, who hail from Western Washington.
The Express also come into the game playing the role of the wily veteran, having won the IBL championship the last two seasons as what many consider the league's model franchise. The Slam are the IBL's new kids on the block, having played the previous two seasons in the American Basketball Association. Elkhart boasts a 69-7 overall record in their history, and have lost just once this season. The Slam adjusted well to the fast-paced IBL, posting an 18-4 record and cruising through the Western Conference playoff tournament. Friday's game will be the first championship game appearance for the Slam after consecutive Elite Eight appearances in the ABA.
One thing that will be different for the Express in this season's title game will be the location. The past two seasons Elkhart hosted and won the final on their home court, but now the team faces the task of trying to win on the road at what should be a packed Whatcom Pavilion, where visiting teams have yet to earn a victory this season.
The Slam will be looking to end a professional basketball championship drought in Bellingham that has lasted over 60 years. The Bellingham Fircrests were the city's last and only team to win a pro basketball title, claiming the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League championship in 1947. Like the Fircrests, the Slam will be attempting with a roster laden with local talent.
TICKET UPDATE: About 100 general admission tickets remain for Friday's championship game. Tickets will be available for purchase over the internet at www.bellinghamslam.com until 5 p.m. or from 9 a.m.-Noon by calling (360) 734-SLAM or by visiting the Slam's offices at 1200 Lakeway Drive. The Whatcom Pavilion box office will open at 5 p.m. for walk-up sales and ticket pick-up and doors will open to the Pavilion at 6:30 p.m.
International Basketball League Stories from July 17, 2008
- IBL Championship Preview: David vs. Goliath in more ways than one - Bellingham Slam
- Christmas in July at U.S. Steel Yard - Gary Steelheads
- Gamin Teague, Toronto Maple Leafs - Rawlings IBL Player of the Week - IBL
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