IBL Weekly

Published on June 7, 2013 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release

East Bay Pit Bulls make their IBL Debut this Weekend

The East-Bay Pit Bulls will see their first action this weekend. A California bay-area based team, the Pit Bulls are making the road trip for three then continuing competition at home in late June. By taking on three competitive teams in the IBL, including the last two champions, we will all enjoy some great hoops action this weekend featuring this talented California team, one of more to come in the area for the IBL.

"The Pit Bulls joined the IBL to raise the level of play in a professional, credible league providing more opportunity for our players to move into the D-League and overseas with stats, video and good completion," Associate Head Coach Mike Allen shared on the East Bay move to the IBL. "We are looking forward to our first games in the IBL, and have the majority of our team from over the past two years, they play well together and are excited to start a new season. We have not scouted the other teams much, and stayed focused on what we do. I am confident in our team as is Coach Crawl; we have standards and expectations for our guys to live up to and this weekend will be a good test," Coach Allen observes.

Returning to the court for the Pit Bulls 6'1" G Jordan Boreman shared more with us about his teammates and some of the highlights on the roster. "Tree (6'9 C Thomas Phillips) was the starting center for Portland State University (PSU) and knows some of the other PSU alumni on the Volcanoes roster. He has just returned from Italy where he had a good season after choosing to follow basketball overseas rather than continue on as a tight end in NFL draft," Boreman shared about his teammate. "6'3 G Tray (Britt) is in his third year with us as well, just came back from China and the Philippines out of New Mexico State and newcomer 6'7" F Tim Pierce who went to San Jose State then on to Arizona State will be exciting for us to see with us in a game," the veteran guard noted.

The Pit Bulls start their run Friday against the Sabres, then move on to the 2011 Champion Vancouver Volcanoes on Saturday, both game times are 7pm. Sunday they will take the trip to meet up with the 2012 Champions, the Slam, who haven't lost at home yet this season, game time is 5pm, with live streaming on IBLTV.com.

IBL Player of the Week presented by Phiten- Andre Murray

2012 IBL MVP 6'2" G Andre Murray stood out this week with his highest scoring game yet in his four years competing in the IBL. Putting up 41pts, with a high percentage shooting night at 68% going 15-22 to get the win over the Sabres this 2012 IBL All Star went 4-4 behind the line adding 9 assists to his teammates with the final 125-96 victory at home, which keeps them undefeated on their court.

IBL: This week you had your highest scoring game in your IBL career so far at 41 points, how does it feel? AM: As long as we got the win. Salem has a talented team and it has been an up and down season for me so far. My teammates had a good performance, like 6'3" G Josh Tarver, Chey (6'6" F Chehales Tapscott) and 6'4" F Paul Hafford, they got me involved early. Tarver had a record setting night with his 17 assists, I added 9 which is easy when you have guys like Chey and Paul who got going early as well.

IBL: You seem to be playing with a lot of Portland State University (PSU) guys, there are five of you, what's that all about? AM: It is fun and it shows what PSU produces as far as a basketball school. Being from the same program helps us play better and gives us a chemistry. I actually only played on the same team when I was at PSU with 5'6" G Jerimiah Dominguez and 6'9" C JR Moore, but all of us being from PSU we know each others mental approach and expectations.

IBL: The Slam have a lot of Western Washington University (WWU) players, is that what this new PSU heavy Volcanoes is like? AM: WWU and PSU are in different divisions, WWU is Division II, PSU Division I. The Slam have had their guys for 4-5 years I have been seeing the same faces. They are a good team and have their chemistry better. It is too early to say if the PSU alumni numbers will stay on the Volcanoes, but if it is the right fit for all and our basketball careers we will continue to compete well with the Bellinghams' of the league.

IBL: How does this team compare to the 2011 Champion Volcanoes? AM: Honestly, this is the most talented team I have been on top to bottom. These are All Stars, some of our bench players, could, and have been starters on other teams. I don't want us to get side tracked or complacent, we have great potential.

IBL: This is your fourth season in the IBL, why do you keep returning? AM: This has become my second home, I believe in the league, growth and like the direction it is going. It has taken me places I thought I would never have seen like Japan, and put me around great people like Bryan Hunter. This league has helped me develop my game, because of the competition on and off my team, in practice or in a game I am challenged.

IBL: What about those Volcanoes fans, they are a loud and proud crowd! AM: I love the Vancouver community, very welcoming, warm people who appreciate how we play for them and they support us. The fans have grown each year with us and we are doing something good to represent them, I hope we continue to do them proud!

IBL Game Recaps

Friday Court Action

Volcanoes vs Sabres The Salem Sabres took on the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, May 31st at O'Connell Sports Center. The Volcanoes pulled away in the fourth quarter and were too much to handle for the Sabres. Top scorer for the Volcanoes and POTW 6'2" G Andre Murray had 41 points and 9 assists. Salem Sabres, 6'8" F Daniel Deane scored 18 points along with 6'5" G Mike Taylor who had 17 points. The Volcanoes took the win against the Sabres, 125-96.

Saturday Games

Chinooks vs Strikers

The Portland Chinooks flew into Texas on Saturday to take on the newest IBL team, the LoneStar Strikers. After a challenging game between the two teams in the earlier weeks at Eastmoreland Courts, the two battled it out on the Strikers home court. Portland made points early on in the game, building a 31-13 lead after the first period. The second frame was closer with both teams hitting for 28 points. The Chinooks gave up 38 points to the Strikers in the 4th quarter, and LoneStar got as close as 9 before running out of time. The Chinooks held on for a victory, 108-99.

Tornadoes vs Sabres

It was a slow start for the Japan Tornadoes at Chemeketa Community College on Saturday, June 1st. The Salem Sabres took off in the first quarter racking up 37 points and continued with that trend until the end of the game. Top scorer for the Sabres, 6'7" C Joe Burton scored 19 points and 6 assists, along with runner up, 6'7" G Cory Largent with 17 points. The Tornadoes later caught up to the Sabres in the 3rd quarter and continued to collect points towards the end of the game. Top scorers for the Tornadoes, 6'4" G Marcus Bradford and 6'2" G Hikaru Sasaki, scored 29 points and 26 points respectively. The Sabres took the win, 135-114.

Slam vs Flight

The Seattle Flight made their IBL debut this weekend starting off the season in Blaine, Washington against the IBL 2012 Champions the Bellingham Slam. Top scorer for the Slam, 6'4" G Jacob Stevenson led the team with 27 points, followed by 6'5" C Blake Poole with 20. 6'3" G Morris Anderson had a big night with 18 points that also added 12 assists and 11 rebounds to round out his triple double. The Flight have an all new roster for their new season, and playing for the Flight was former University of Washington basketball player, 5'11" G Venoy Overton. Overton went 8 for 28 from the field while the Flight shot a paltry 12 of 28 from the free-throw line. The Flight were close, but the Slam went for the victory winning, 105-91.

Sunday Hoops

Volcanoes vs Tornadoes

The Japan Tornadoes battled it out against the Vancouver Volcanoes at O'Connell Sports Complex on Sunday. Although the Volcanoes were missing some main starters such as 6'2" G Andre Murray (ankle) and 7'0" C Gjio Bain (knee) who are both expected to return on Saturday, the Volcanoes still managed to make some great shots and score major points. With the score tied at 94 with eight minutes to play in the 4th quarter, A reverse dunk by 6'6" F Chehales Tapscott on a breakaway and a dunk by 6'4" F Paul Hafford contributed to a 24-11 Vancouver run to close the game. Hafford scored 24 points, along with Tapscott who had 33 points and 19 rebounds as the top scorer. Japan Tornadoes 6'4" G Marcus Bradford had 32 points and 6'2" G Hikaru Sasaki with 18. The Volcanoes pulled away over the last eight minutes for a 118-105 victory against the Tornadoes.

Strikers vs Chinooks

The Strikers and Chinooks had a rematch after the Chinooks took a victory over the Strikers. 6'9 F Jared Cunningham, current IBL leading scorer hit the game winner for the one point victory. "I am just glad we got the win. The Strikers are a good team and gave us a run tonight, I was happy to hit the shot to help my team," Cunningham shared post-game. The Chinooks took the win against the Strikers, 112-113.

Salem Sabres in the Community

The Salem Sabres visited Chavez Elementary School in Salem, Oregon last Friday, showing the kids that basketball comes with an education. Between the high flying dunks and the half court shots, the players conveyed the importance of an education.

After the player introductions, the students had the opportunity to learn the player's signature move. From Joe Burton's famous hook shot to the well-known 3-point shot of Mike Taylor, the student's of Chavez elementary cheered on their fellow classmates as they showed their own moves.

"Seeing the kids with smiles makes my day, because making a child smile is making a difference in their life." said Salem Sabres big man and starting forward Joe Burton At the end of the assembly the Sabres took on five Chavez students in a game to 5 points. After a long fought battle, the Chavez student's were victorious, bringing the Sabres record against the Chavez Elementary Chargers to 0-1.

The Sabres players addressed the importance of staying in school and getting an education, even when pursuing a professional sports career. The student's eyes remained glued to the players as they took in the message.

"The Sabres players and organization look to convey a positive image in the Salem community and beyond. We are committed to inspiring children to pursue their careers on the basketball court as well as the classroom. I think that our players have helped inspire them to continue to take steps toward those goals with this assembly" said Nick Lawson, the Sabres marketing and public relations director who helped at the assembly.

After the assembly the Sabres were invited to room 104 by Mrs. Marks and her students. The students were learning about poems in class and had prepared one for the Sabres players. After reading the poem to the players they presented them with a poster of the poem, which the Sabres now hang at every home game.

The Sabres look to continue to build in the community with scheduled career days and basketball clinics for children throughout the summer. The organization has made a commitment to give back to the city that has supported the organization.

International Basketball League Stories from June 7, 2013

• Slam Looks for Tenth Straight Win Sunday - Bellingham Slam
• IBL Results - IBL
• IBL Weekly - IBL
• Chinooks "Get in the Game" with Live Video - Portland Chinooks

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