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IBL weekend review

by Jeff Duncan
April 13, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL)


I am not sure what to make of the IBL season so far. Many teams are still waiting to play their first games and others are waiting for star players to finish playing over seas. The two teams I picked to play in the western finals, SnoCo and Portland, are off to slow starts due to missing key players. Rashad Powell and Justin Murray have yet to play a game with Snohomish County and David Lucas, David Jackson, and Shamgod Wells have not suited up for the Chinooks.

The Snohomish County Explosion (SnoCo) has a roster loaded with veteran minor league talent, even without a few key players, but has struggled to a 5-4 start. Jamal Miller, Donald Watts, Chris Weakley and Jermaine Blackburn are playing well but the Explosion still lack that killer instinct they had last year. Maybe part of the problem for SnoCo is they are still waiting for Rashad Powell and Justin Murray to join the team.

The Vancouver Volcanoes are a prime example of a team upgrading talent. The Volcanoes have taken advantage of SnoCo and Portland not having full rosters yet, but Vancouver is playing very well right now. Brad Lechtenberg, Kevin Bloodsaw, Ported Troupe, and Kevin Tyner are leading the way for the 8-1 Volcanoes. Vancouver has played SnoCo three times, beat them twice, and also beat the short handed Portland Chinooks. I am not taking anything away from the great start, but Portland and SnoCo will be much better teams once they have their full rosters.

Bellingham is finding the IBL a tougher league than the dysfunctional ABA. The Slam are off to a respectable 4-2 start but have not played a tough early season schedule. They have beaten the short handed SnoCo Explosion twice, the Portland Chinooks and the Tacoma Jazz. Once again, when SnoCo and Portland have their full rosters they will be much tougher. Ryan Diggs is averaging about 25 ppg so far this season to lead the Slam. Jacob Stevenson is second on the team with a 23.7 average. Lucas Henne, Paul Hafford, and Jared Stevenson are also averaging in double figures.

The Holland Blast has lifted off to an amazing 6-0 start. The Blast may have the best back court with IBL all stars Dennis Springs & Jared Bledsoe. Springs is averaging 28.5ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 8.5 apg. Bledsoe averages 30.8 ppg, 4.5rpg, and 3.3apg. Holland is also getting good inside play from Duane Bosma, David Williams, and Dominick Melton.

The two time defending IBL champions Elkhart Express just keep on winning. The Express are off to a 3-0 start lead by the usual suspects, Tim Pledger, Ced Moodie and Coleco Buie. What a luxury for coach Bethea to have such a solid core of talent. Elkhart also added Michael Brownlee and Chris Charles to an already loaded roster. The best acquisition may be Will Whittington. He is a three point specialist who has absolutely lit it up so far. How do you guard Elkhart? Take away the outside shot and they will go inside because the interior is open. Take away the inside and they will rain 3's. It will be tough to un-seat the champs.

Gary, 4-2 so far, returned to the win column last week after dropping two straight games to undefeated Elkhart and Holland. If the Steelheads continue to jell, they definitely have the talent to challenge for the title. Eight year NBA veteran Sam Mack is leading Gary in scoring at 21.3 points per game. Minor league veterans Shaun Fountain and Royce Parron have played well in the backcourt for Gary. Rob Spon is an excellent coach and I look for Gary to get better and better.

The most improved team award has to go to the Windy City Soldiers. Their 4-3 start is night and day better than their 0-18 mark last season. Barry Bradford and Erik Rhinehart are leading the way for the Soldiers. A new home at the Kankakee Community Resource Center, and a deeper roster, make Windy City a serious playoff contender.

Two teams who have yet to play a game intrigue me. The Edmonton Chill looks to be putting together a solid roster so far. Names such as JR Patrick, Antone Jarrell, Stephen Sir, Marques Hayden and former Duke star, Sean Dockery, dot the roster for the Chill. The LA Lighting have signed former NBA star Lamond Murray. I expect a few more big name signings soon. (I have heard possibly Toby Bailey and Jeloni McCoy)



International Basketball League Stories from April 13, 2008


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.


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