Slam Completes IBL Three-Peat with Win over Vancouver
Published on July 1, 2014 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release
The Bellingham Slam reigned supreme over their IBL competition once again, winning their history-making third straight league championship in an exciting 143-126 win over the Vancouver Volcanoes on Sunday.
Unlike the 2013 Championship game which went down to the final possession, in this year's rematch the Slam took care of business from the start and rarely took their foot off the gas. Hot shooting was a theme of the night for Bellingham, which opened with a 23-9 lead in the first seven minutes. With an important double-digit lead quickly established, the Slam's defense continued to frustrate the Volcanoes throughout much of the first half, until the Volcanoes were able to mount a comeback to close the half and trim the gap down to 12 at halftime, at 69-57.
But any thoughts of a Vancouver comeback were quickly erased to start the third quarter, as the Slam scored 13 of the first 15 points to start the second half and give themselves more breathing room. Slam player-coach Tyler Amaya suited up for the first time against Vancouver this season and poured in 6 three-point shots, while the team as a whole shot 45 percent from beyond the arc.
6'2" G Morris Anderson completed a fine IBL tournament with 31 points, while 6'9" C Austin Bragg wrapped up his rookie season with 27 points and 12 boards, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Amaya proved the player-coach experiment to be a success for Bellingham, adding 28 points. League MVP and leading scorer 6'2" G Andre Murray tried his best to save Vancouver's season, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. 6'9" C Brian Morris added 17 points from the low post.
Vancouver reached the title game with a gutsy 156-148 win over the Portland Chinooks on Saturday, needing a game-high 43 points from Andre Murray and a combined 48 points by big men Brian Morris and 6'10" C Calvin Hampton to hold off a late charge from Portland. 6'9" F Kevin Ford and 6'7" F Antone Jarrell ended their seasons by scoring 41 and 38 points, respectively, for Portland. The game was the sixth meeting of the year for the two teams, with Portland taking the series 3-2, but IBL Coach of the Year Joe Navarro had his team ready to go when it counted most. The Volcanoes shot a combined 54 percent from three-point range and the 156 points scored were a season high for Vancouver.
In the tournament's other semi-final on Saturday, the Slam shook off a slow start to defeat the Seattle Flight, 136-105. Finding themselves down at halftime, Bellingham outscored Seattle 43-16 in the third quarter to finally take control of the game and cruise into the final. Morris Anderson had 41 points on 15-of-18 shooting while 6'2" G Mike James did his best to keep the Flight in it with 48 points.
Seattle had reached the semi-final thanks to a 144-136 upset win over the Salem Sabres in first round action. The Flight opened the tournament with 49 points in the first quarter before holding on in the fourth quarter for the win. 6'7" G Tyrone White Jr. and 6'6" G Webster Moreland combined for 72 points for Salem, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 41 points from Mike James and 39 from 5'11" G Dontae Jones for Seattle.
IBL / SPL / bj-League scouting tryout camp coming July 20 to L.A.
The International Basketball League, Summer Pro League and Basketball Japan League (bj-League) are hosting a Tryout Scouting Camp on Sunday, July 20th where will be testing your skills, agility and game through scrimmages with scouts, agents, teams and leagues looking on representing over 45+ teams domestically and overseas.
As a participant, you receive exposure in person and on video to top domestic and overseas leagues, teams, scouts and agents with a tryout jersey you will keep. Statistics which will be available online and on site, video live and or posted on YouTube.com/IBLHoops, scouting report will be created on you and circulated through all 3 leagues on site and post-event with a chance to sign with all 45+ teams represented including landing immediately on an SPL Free Agent Team to play in the league July 23-26 against top talent!
In The Game Watch List for week 13
1. 6'2" G Andre Murray (Vancouver Volcanoes)
Murray earned the 2014 IBL MVP award, the second of his career following his 2012 IBL MVP season. He finished the season as the league leader in points, assists, and steals per game. Murray was a 2014 First Team All-Star. Murray went on the record this season and commented on his increased dedication this past off-season to achieve his MVP level of play, and his hard work paid off immensely. He averaged 34.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 3.9 steals.
2. 6'6" F Germain Jordan (Portland Chinooks)
Jordan has now won back-to-back IBL Most Improved Player Awards (2013, 2014), and helped carry the Chinooks at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Jordan found a way to improve upon an amazing 2013 season. Jordan enjoyed his highest IBL career averages in points, rebounds and most importantly in his three point shooting percentage (48.8%). Last season, He shot 25.6% from downtown. Jordan remained one of Portland's most lethal players alongside Jared Cunningham all season long. He was a 2014 First Team All-Star, averaging 27.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
3. 6'3'' G Morris Anderson (Bellingham Slam)
Anderson earned 2014 First Team All-Star honors and shined the brightest on the biggest stage at the end of the season. Anderson averaged 36.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 steals in the 2014 IBL Playoffs, helping his team win the 2014 IBL championship for a third straight year.
4. 6'5" C Blake Poole (Bellingham Slam)
Poole finished the regular season as the IBL's top rebounder, and was selected as a 2014 First Team All-Star. He was also named 2014 IBL Defensive Player of the Year. On top of his stellar overall rebounding average, Poole snagged an amazing 11.2 defensive rebounds per game en route to securing the Defensive Player of the Year award. Poole averaged 17.0 points, 14.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.7 steals in 16 starts.
5. 6'9" F Jared Cunningham (Portland Chinooks)
Cunningham rounded out the 2014 First Team All-Star squad, and averaged 25.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 13 games for the Portland Chinooks this past season. It was his third consecutive season playing for Portland.
6. 6'7'' G Tyrone White, Jr. (Salem Sabres)
White Jr. was named as a 2014 Second Team All-Star, and proved to be a very talented scorer for the Sabres this season. He averaged 29.4 points, 5.6 rebounds 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals.
7. 6'9'' F Brian Morris (Vancouver Volcanoes)
Morris blossomed into a key piece for Vancouver as the season progressed and came up big in the playoffs for the Volcanoes. Morris was named as a 2014 Second Team All-Star. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
8. 6'5'' F Terrence Glynn (Salem Sabres)
Glynn was selected to the 2014 Second Team All-Star squad and had four consecutive double-doubles to close out the season. The Western Oregon University alum averaged 16.3 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 2.4 steals.
9. 6'9'' F Kevin Ford (Portland Chinooks)
Ford earned 2014 Third Team All-Star honors in a short amount of work. In 5 games, he averaged 19.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists after coming back to the IBL from a successive overseas stint.
10. 6'9'' C Austin Bragg (Bellingham Slam)
Bragg was named 2014 IBL Finals MVP, and deservedly so. In the playoffs, Bragg averaged 18.5 points, and 9.5 rebounds. He was a terrific rookie for the Bellingham Slam, and established himself as a leader for the squad.
Honorable Mentions: 6'10'' C Calvin Hampton (Vancouver Volcanoes), 6'9'' C Frantz Dorsainvill (Salem Sabres), 6'7'' G Cory Largent (Vancouver Volcanoes), 6'1'' G Carlos Singer (Seattle Flight), 6'5'' F Marcellus Kemp (Seattle Flight), 6'6'' F Adam Herman (Vancouver Volcanoes) - 2014 IBL Rookie of the Year, 6'7'' F Nick Moore (Bellingham Slam) 2014 IBL Sixth Man.
International Basketball League Stories from July 1, 2014
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.
