IBL Notebok
by Jeff Duncan
Published on May 14, 2007 under International Basketball League (IBL)
-After a blazing start to the season, the Portland Chinooks and Marysville Meteors showed they have a few chinks in the armor.
-Portland lost back to back games to Seattle and Phoenix before righting the ship recently with a 142-140 victory over the Phoenix Flame. David Lucas can't do everything by himself. Shammgod Wells, (formally God Shammgod) Kenny Tate and Mike Parker need to pick up the pace for the Chinooks.
-Marysville was cruising along until they forgot to play defense and were up-ended by Elkhart 118-116 on May 4th. The Meteors have since responded with a convincing 144-116 win over the part time Akron Energy. Akron is playing a five game schedule this season and will be a full time team in 2008.
-Elkhart has showed they are serious about defending their 2006 IBL title. They were not satisfied with just beating division rival Marysville 118-116, they went on to dispatch Battle Creek twice and drubbed an out manned Lansing team 162-109. Lansing is also playing a limited 2007 schedule as they prepare to be a full time IBL member in 2008.
-The Salem Stampede have yet to experience the bitter taste of defeat. The Stampede have cruised to a 10-0 record behind the solid play of Antone Jarrell, Blake Walker, Mike Tabb and recent addition, Nick DeWitz. Throw in shooting guard Jeff Dunn and point guard Will Funn and you have the makings of a very deep and talented team.
-The Everett Explosion have shown how good minor league basketball can be on and off the court. The Explosion are a very well run organization, they play in the beautiful Everett Events Center where they draw very good crowds, and they are a very good basketball team on the court. A recent two game Portland Chinook losing skid, combined with a three game Everett winning streak, has vaulted the Explosion to first place in the IBL's West division. The West division is a two team race between Everett and Portland, it should be quite a finish.
-Just when you though the Santa Barbara Breakers couldn't have any more ex-NBA players on their roster, they went out and signed 11 year NBA vet Lamond Murray! In Murray's first game as a Breaker he poured in 24 points in the 161-127 win victory over the winless Chico Force. The Breaker roster includes more "name players" than any other IBL team. Lamond Murray, Samaki Walker, Toby Bailey, Fred Vinson, Billy Knight and Shantay Legans dot the roster. Why are the only 5-4?
-The latest Massey ratings have been released. Courtesy of Our Sports Central here are the top ten IBL teams:
1 Elkhart
2. Salem
3. Marysville
4. Everett
5.Las Vegas
6. Battle Creek
7. Colorado
8. Elgin
9. Tri Valley
10. Holland
-The Tri Valley Titans, Holland Blast and Colorado Crossover are teams to keep your eyes on as they could play spoiler to some of the higher ranked teams. Tri Valley is led by the Harris brother, Jovan and Franco. The brothers combine for 55 points a game for the Titans. Holland is led by the duo of Dennis Springs and Terrance Shaw also combining for about 55 points a game. Holland has also added 2006 IBL all-star Jared Bledsoe to their roster. Colorado may be the most improved team in the IBL. The Crossover are led by the threesome of Phillip Hillstock, Jermaine Mason and Darius Pope who combine for about 60 points a game for Colorado.
International Basketball League Stories from May 14, 2007
- SALVATION ARMY NITE AT THE MAY 19TH KNIGHTS GAME - Battle Creek Knights
- IBL Notebok - OSC Original by Jeff Duncan
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
