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April 26, 2007 - International Basketball League (IBL) News Release


Battle Creek Knights (4-1)-The Knights have started strong despite a tough early schedule. Logan VanderVelden has returned to the Knights following a strong season on the court in 2006-this time on the sidelines as the head coach. Battle Creek has a huge game this week (Thursday, April 26) against the defending champion Elkhart Express (6-0) at Kellogg Arena. Knights top scorers: Kendrick Cornelius 20.2 points per game (5 games played), Kevin Sweetwyne 15.6 (5), Adam Anderson 15.2 (5), Billy Madison 14.0 (5), Jason Boucher 9.4 (5).

Central Oregon Hotshots (1-1)-New ownership has the Hotshots looking for a breakout season in 2007. Win or lose, the Hotshots will be one of the more entertaining teams in the IBL this season, as Central Oregon's pressing, up-tempo style will keep scoreboard operators busy. Hotshots top scorers: Cliff White 26.5 points per game (2 games played), Brandon Earlandson 24.0 (2), Arthur Lewis 18.0 (2), Paul Hafford 18.0 (2), Kevin Bloodsaw 16.0 (2)

Chicago Heights Soldiers (0-4)-The Soldiers are off to a slow start, but have been competitive in each of their losses-dropping their games by an average margin of only 5.75 points. Chicago Heights will rely on the leadership of Mike Hadley and Anthony Kyle, as both players were part of the Elkhart Express's championship run last season. Soldiers top scorers: Anthony Kyle 21.6 points per game (3 games played), Mike Hadley 20.5 (4), Amir Major 20.3 (3), Rodney Rollins 14.6 (3), Barry Bradford 11.3 (3)

Chico Force (0-5)-The Force's lack of wins is attributable to a brutal early season schedule. Chico has faced opponents with a combined record of 20-4 in 2007, with four of those games on the road. The Force have found their stride offensively, scoring an average of 145.0 points in their last two outings. Force top scorers: Tyree Jones 24.8 points per game (5 games played), James Gilke 22.2 (5), Larry Smith 22.2 (5), Matt Otten 17.4 (5), Devaris Hester 17.0 (1)

Colorado Crossover (4-6)-The Crossover has improved dramatically from a season ago, nearly matching last season's 6 total wins halfway through the 2007 season. Colorado is looking to rebound after going 1-3 on a road trip through the southwest. Next up for the Crossover is a trip to Tennessee to take on the Hub City Hurricanes (2-4). Crossover top scorers: Phillip Hillstock 20.6 points per game (10 games played), Darius Pope 19.7 (10), Jermaine Mason 18.6 (10), Nick Mohr 14.8 (5), Ronald Rhea 13.8 (10)

Elgin Racers (4-2)-Early results indicate that the Racers' move to a new venue this season was a good one, as the Racers have posted a 4-1 record in the friendly confines of the Spartan Events Center. That's bad news for the Grand Rapids Flight (2-7), who visit Elgin on Friday. Racers top scorers: Nick Zachery 27.8 points per game (4 games played), Sherrick Simpson 25.6 (6), Keith Gayden 18.5 (6), Drew Carstens 15.8 (6), Brandon Moore 10.6 (6)

Elkhart Express (6-0)-The Express have shown absolutely no let up following their championship run a season ago. If anything, Elkhart has improved this season-the addition of former Iowa Hawkey Glen Worley has added depth and talent to an already loaded roster. Gone is last season's leading scorer Cedric Moodie, but Coleco Buie has more than adequately filled the void, scoring 24.6 points per game through six games. Elkhart set the league record for single game attendance with 5,541 vs. the Grand Rapids Flight on March 30. Express top scorers: Coleco Buie 24.6 (6 games played), Glen Worley 18.0 (2), Correy Childs 14.3 (6), Tim Pledger 13.6 (6), Darmetreis Kilgore 13.0 (4)

Eugene Charger (3-1)-The Chargers have a revamped roster for the 2007 season, with only two players returning from last year's 13-7 team. Adam Zahn has joined the Chargers, fresh off his run to the elite 8 with the University of Oregon. New recruit Charles Easterling has proven to be extremely difficult to stop off the dribble, and is shooting .708 from the floor despite being just 6'2". Chargers top scorers: Solomon Yearby 22.0 points per game (4 games played), Charles Easterling 19.0 (4), Adam Zahn 16.5 (4), Jamar Bohannon 12.0 (4), Rodrick Stevenson 12.0 (1)

Everett Explosion (4-1)-The Explosion have put together a great squad for their inaugural IBL season, and local basketball fans have taken notice, as the Explosion's home opener on April 10 drew 3,777. Rashaad Powell was the IBL All-Star Game MVP last season as a member of the Seattle Mountaineers, and has made a seamless transition to playing in Everett. Powell is second in the IBL in scoring, with an average of 36.4 points per game. The Explosion host Powell's former team on Wednesday, April 25 at the Everett Events Center. Explosion top scorers: Rashaad Powell 36.4 points per game (5 games played), Donald Watts 18.0 (4), Chris Weakley 15.8 (4), Justin Murray 15.0 (5), Marco Morgan 11.0 (1)

Grand Rapids Flight (2-7)-The Flight has been very competitive this season despite the lack of wins. Three games against the Marysville Meteors (9-1) and a road trip to take on the Elkhart Express (6-0) have accounted for four of the Flights losses. Newcomer Sun Ming Ming is, at 7'9", the tallest basketball player on the planet. The Flight will look to get back into the win column with a trip to Elgin on Friday, April 27. Flight top scorers: David Williams 16.9 points per game (8 games played), Jerry Cheves 16.1 (8), DeAngelo Johnson 15.2 (8), Johnathan Woods 13.3 (8), Kenny Langhorne 13.0 (8)

Holland Blast (5-4)-The Blast have won three of their last four, and will look to keep the positive momentum going against Elgin next week. Rookie Terrance Shaw has been a nice surprise for the Blast, as the recent graduate of Ferris State University has become a reliable scoring threat (22.1 ppg). The return of the sharpshooting Dennis Springs (25.1 ppg) has been a key to the Blast's high octane offense (136.0 ppg). Blast top scorers: Dennis Springs 25.1 points per game (8 games played), Terrance Shaw 22.1 (9), Mike Hall 19.2 (4), James 'Boo" Jackson 15.3 (6), Carlton Epps 13.8 (7)

Las Vegas Stars (4-0)-Perhaps more surprising than the Stars strong start is the manner in which they are winning games. Las Vegas has defeated their opponents by an average of 18.3 points per contest. Leadership is certainly part of the Stars' early success, as the team is coached by George Tarkanian, with nine-year NBA veteran Sean Higgins also on board as a player/assistant coach. Stars top scorers: Devon Tate 21.3 points per game (4 games played), Jason McGowan 19.3 (4), Tarron Williams 18.5 (4), Eddie Shelby 17.0 (4), Hollis Hale 15.0 (4)

Lewis County Raptors (2-6)-Ownership is taking a proactive approach to the team's slow start. New addition Edjuan Green could be part of the solution, as Green poured in 31 points in his first outing as a Raptor. Another recent acquisition, Donny Woods, scored 20 points in his first appearance. High scoring Sam Moore (27.4 ppg) and his teammates will look to turn it around in the second half of the season. Raptors top scorers: Sam Moore 27.4 points per game (7 games played), Casey Frandsen 22.3 (6), Edjuan Green 19.5 (2), Greg Johnson 18.6 (3), Jamal Walker 14.5 (4)

Marysville Meteors (9-1)-The Meteors were the IBL's runner up a season ago when the team competed as the Columbus Cyclones. The team might be playing in a new city, but the outstanding basketball hasn't changed a bit. Owner Charlie Mitchell has again assembled a contender. Estaban Weaver and Michael Brownlee are, perhaps, the league's most potent one-two punch. The duo is combining for an average of 60.7 points per game. Meteors top scorers: Estaban Weaver 32.3 points per game (10 games played), Michael Brownlee 28.4 (9), Larry Drake 11.6 (8), Kenny Chaffin 11.2 (9), Ish Kamara 10.4 (8)

Phoenix Flame (3-3)-The Flame have gone 3-1 since dropping their first two games of the season. This turnaround has coincided with the move to a new home venue (Grand Canyon University), and the emergence of Jamal Livingston (20.0 ppg) as a scoring threat. Next up for the Flame is the team's first road trip of the season, as the Flame head to Santa Barbara on May 4 to take on the Breakers (2-3). Flame top scorers: Jamal Livingston 20.0 points per game (6 games played), Larry Morinia 15.8 (6), James Singleton 15.2 (6), Steve Moss-Kelley 11.4 (6), Del Summers 11.2 (6)

Portland Chinooks (9-1)-The Chinooks have put together one of the most talented rosters in the IBL. NBA prospect, and two time All-PAC 10 honoree David Lucas leads the IBL in scoring (37.1 ppg). Lucas erupted for 51 points against the Chico Force on April 20. Joining Lucas on the Chinooks' roster is former Washington Wizard God Shammgod. Newcomer Mike Parker averaged 30.2 points per game last season for the Bellingham Slam (ABA). Guard Kenny Tate was the 2005 IBL All-Star Game MVP. Chinooks top scorers: David Lucas 37.1 points per game (7 games played), God Shammgod 26.0 (2), Kenny Tate 19.9 (8), Mike Parker 14.2 (4), Jamal Ward 11.9 (7)

Salem Stampede (6-0)-Not even the loss of last season's IBL scoring leader (Eric Fiegi, 31.5 ppg) can slow down the Stampede this season. After a 'modest' 118 point outing in their first game, the Stampede have averaged 149.0 points per game in their last five. New additions Blake Walker, Mike Tabb and Antone Jarrell have keyed the Stampede's offensive excellence, combining for an average of 77.9 points per contest. Stampede top scorers: Blake Walker 31.6 points per game (6 games played), Mike Tabb 24.0 (6), Antone Jarrell 22.3 (5), Nick DeWitz 22.0 (2), Jeff Dunn 17.7 (6)

Santa Barbara Breakers (2-3)-The Breakers will be a handful for the rest of the league when their roster has time to gel. There is certainly no lack of talent, as the Breakers boast four NBA veterans on the squad. Samaki Walker, Bryon Russell, Toby Bailey and Fred Vinson have all joined Santa Barbara for the 2007 season. Actor Rob Lowe was on hand for the Breakers' home opener on April 13 to toss up the ceremonial jump ball. Breakers top scorers: Billy Knight 27.0 points per game (4 games played),Toby Bailey 25.7 (3), Mike Efevberha 16.9 (5), Samaki Walker 16.3 (3), Fred Vinson 15.0 (3)

Seattle Mountaineers (2-10)-The Mountaineers are again the road warriors of the IBL, with only two home games scheduled this season. The Mountaineers record is misleading, as in addition to playing on the road, Seattle has faced teams with a combined .693 winning percentage this season. Lemar Gayle has been a pleasant surprise-emerging as one of the most dynamic players in the league. Gayle has two 40-plus point outings under his belt this season, and against Elkhart (6-0) on April 21 posted game high totals in points (37) and rebounds (15). Mountaineers top scorers: Lemar Gayle 29.4 points per game (10 games played), Lynell Ingram 15.4 (10), Aleksey Adediran 14.8 (12), Justin Holt 14.3 (8), Antoine Tisby 12.0 (9)

Tacoma Jazz (1-4)-The Jazz are, perhaps, starting to find their stride, having broken into the win column in their last outing. 6'6" forward Lorenzo Rollins (21.0 ppg) is Tacoma's most reliable scorer, complemented by 6'4" guard Mike Claxton's 18.5 points per contest. Next up for the Jazz is a trip to Lewis County on Saturday, April 28, to take on the Raptors (2-6). Jazz top scorers: Lorenzo Rollins 21.0 points per game (5 games played), Mike Claxton 18.8 (5), Dontay Harris 16.4 (5), Ike Ohanson 15.8 (5), Leonard White 12.0 (5)

Hub City Hurricanes (2-4)-The Hurricanes have come on strong over their last four games, going 2-2 and averaging 140.5 points per game. Josh Richmond is pulling double duty for the Jackson, TN based Hurricanes, serving as the Director of Basketball Operations, and averaging 24.6 points per game on the court. Hub City next will host the Colorado Crossover (4-6) for a double header on April 27 and 28. Hurricanes top scorers: Antonio Lambert 26.8 points per game (6 games played), Josh Richmond 24.6 (6), Titus Lucas 21.6 (6), Christopher Davis 12.6 (6), Gary Long 11.6 (6)

Tri Valley Titans (3-1)-Brothers Jovan and Franco Harris are largely responsible for the Titans' hot start. This high-scoring duo is averaging a combined 56.1 points per game in 2007. Jovan currently ranks fourth in the IBL in scoring at 31.7 points per contest. Next up for Tri Valley is a home game against the Chico Force (0-5) on Friday, April 27. Titans top scorers: Javon Harris 31.8 points per game (4 games played), Franco Harris 24.3 (4), Darrell Tucker 22.7 (3), DeVoughn Lamont 18.5 (4), Wayne Oliver 11.3 (4)

Vancouver Volcanoes (2-7)-The Volcanoes will look to build some positive momentum coming off their second win of the season in their last outing. 6'3" guard Darren Cooper has heated up of late, averaging 27.5 points per game in the Volcanoes last two. Vancouver will need Cooper to continue his hot streak, as next up for the Volcanoes is a road game against the formidable Portland Chinooks (7-1) on Sunday, April 29. Volcanoes top scorers: Alex Hartman 20.4 points per game (7 games played), Darren Cooper 18.0 (7),Porter Troupe 17.0 (8), Tyler Hollist 13.8 (5), Quincy Byas 13.7 (4)



International Basketball League Stories from April 26, 2007


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