IBL's Bellingham Slam Ready for Tip off Tonight
April 15, 2011 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - When the Bellingham Slam opens the 2011 International Basketball League season at home on Friday, April 15 (tonight) against the West Coast Hotshots, the roster will feature an interesting mix of youth and veteran leadership.
While the team returns eight players who suited up in the 2010 IBL Championship game last July, the two rookies on the roster are coming off impressive seasons as seniors on their respective college teams.
Center Blake Poole and forward Mike Duty recently wrapped up their collegiate careers at Saint Martin's and Western Washington, respectively, and are no strangers to each other on the court. The pair faced off as opponents numerous times in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and now have an opportunity to complement each other as teammates.
The trio of guards Jacob Stevenson, Paul Hafford and Ryan Diggs, the Slam's top three leading scorers last season, are expected to once again provide veteran leadership in 2011. Add into the mix Morris Anderson and Derrick Webb, who both enjoyed quality rookie seasons in 2010, and Bellingham could have one of the best backcourts in the IBL.
Leading the team from the sidelines is Rob Ridnour, who will enter the 2011 season with 96 career coaching victories for the Slam. His 51 wins in the IBL ranks him first among active coaches in the league. Ridnour has been the only head coach in the franchise's history, and has led the team to winning records and playoff appearances in each of the team's five seasons.
Tonight's home opener against the West Coast Hotshots is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off at Whatcom Pavilion. The game will be broadcast live on KBAI 930 AM.
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