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Salem Now Home to the Sabres in the IBL

March 20, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Salem Soldiers News Release


Vancouver, Wash. - Some familiar faces will be on the court from the 2012 Salem team, as the Sabres have taken over the city for the upcoming spring-summer International Basketball League season after competing in the American Basketball Association this fall.

The Salem Sabres, under the ownership of C. Neiman Sports, Inc. are a part of the Salem community as small business owners with a great experience for fans, players and the community. Focused on providing quality professional basketball entertainment to families, they are a great addition to the IBL. Going forward, the Sabres intend on operating year round, competing in both the IBL in the spring-summer and in the ABA next winter.

"It has been very exciting to see our vision of bringing professional basketball to Salem from a dry erase board until now. We have assembled a great coaching staff, players, administrative staff and an exciting dance team. In a short period of time we have managed to put out a great product for our fans.

With the help of community partners and sponsors we accomplished what we set out to do," shared owner Rhonda Alexander. "Our fans have been great and it's an honor to be able to serve our community by getting out and making positive contributions, encouraging our kids and young adults."

Hosting eleven home games, one featuring an IBL Community Partnership with Playing for Kickz, the Sabres look to continue to make a positive impact in the Marion Polk County communities. Partnering with SMART and Marion County Reading For All to hold a Read-A-Thon, the Sabres are planning their community involvement with businesses who share the vision. The Sabres Dance Team has participated in Reading Across America, cheered on the OPVA Wheelchair Patriots Basketball Team at the Capital City Wheelchair Tournament and went out to Cascade HS to cheer on the Marion County Special Olympic Basketball team.

"I'd just really recommend coming out to a game and enjoying the experience. Ticket prices are very affordable for the whole family, the drive isn't far, the quality of basketball is great, the Sabres dance team keeps things going during breaks in the action, and the game atmosphere is a ton of fun. And you can bring the kids out on the court after the game to meet the players," were the encouraging words to the Salem community from General Manager Joe Becerra.

Chemeketa Community College will continue to be the home of Sabres, welcomed by the Athletic Director Cassie Belmodis and their men's basketball team, 2013 NWAACC Champions, who will hoist a banner and celebrate at the Sabres home opening weekend Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. Competition for the Sabres this season will also include a familiar, friendly rival who also joined the IBL this season, the Kitsap Admirals, on Sunday, May 11. Former player Willie Freeman will remain the Head Coach for the team as they look forward to the 2013 IBL season. The Sabers organization is moving in the right direction. In a short amount of time we have been able to put together a good basketball team with local talent like 6'5" Sergio Rosario who played at Concordia University combined with the experience of 6'7" Cory Largent from Salem's 2012 IBL team while actively pursuing other IBL All-Stars who played for Salem last season including 6'6" Chehales Tapscott and 5'9" Jeremiah Dominguez. "We will continue build on what we started, getting the City behind us supporting the Sabres," Coach Freeman shared about preparations for their home opener on May 4 versus the 2012 IBL Champion Bellingham Slam.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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