Slam Hosts Vancouver in Must-Win Game Friday
June 20, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam will aim to solidify their first place position in the International Basketball League standings when they host the rival Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday. A 7 p.m. tip-off is scheduled for Whatcom Pavilion.
Despite coming into the game with a 12-2 record and winners of 11 of their last 12 games, the Slam find themselves in a must-win scenario as Vancouver sits just a half game behind them in the standings with 12-3 record. A victory by Bellingham would create some much-needed distance between the two teams and make them the odds-on favorite to finish first, while a Vancouver win would allow the Volcanoes to leapfrog into the top spot and send the Slam down to second place, with virtually no chance to reclaim the number one position before the conclusion of the regular season.
The two teams have a history of competitive games since Bellingham joined the IBL in 2008, though the Volcanoes have failed to garner a win in Bellingham during that time in nine attempts. Earlier this season, the Slam and Volcanoes split a home-and-home series, with Bellingham prevailing over Vancouver in their home opener on April 19, 116-92. The Slam holds a 12-7 advantage in the lifetime series.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Slam will likely have to win out to maintain their top spot in the IBL standings and earn the top seed at the league's playoffs for the third straight season. Following Friday's bout with Vancouver, the Slam will fly to Oakland for a road game on Saturday against the East Bay Pit Bulls, whom they easily defeated at home on June 9. The Slam will then round out the regular season with a home match-up against the Salem Sabres on June 29, followed by a road meeting with the Seattle Flight on June 30.
Late into the 2013 season, the Slam continues to find success from a long line of contributors. Leading that list are veteran guard Jacob Stevenson and center Blake Poole, averaging 22 and 18 points per game, respectively. In his eighth season, Stevenson has also stepped up his game defensively and finds himself leading the team in steals with 38 and blocked shots with 16. Meanwhile, Poole continues to lead the team in the post with a rebounding average of 12 per game. Remarkably, seven other players are averaging double figures in scoring, headlined by the backcourt tandem of Morris Anderson and Drew Ready, both averaging 12 points per game.
For Vancouver, former Slam guard Paul Hafford remains a go-to guy in his new role, averaging 21 points per game, slightly off the pace of team leaders Chehales Tapscott and Andre Murray, who are both averaging 23. Tapscott also comes into Friday's game as one of the league's leading rebounder with 15 boards per game.
Tip-off for Friday's game is set for 7 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion. General admission tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children. As part of a "School's Out" discounted ticket promotion, student tickets have also been reduced to $5.
For more information, contact the Slam at (360) 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
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