Slam Ready for Title Game Rematch on Memorial Day
May 23, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -Nearly eleven months after winning the 2012 International Basketball League championship on their home court, the Bellingham Slam will host the team they defeated, the Portland Chinooks, in a rematch on the Whatcom Pavilion hardwood. The game is taking place on Monday, May 27 as the Slam stages a home game on Memorial Day for the fifth straight season.
While this will be the first meeting between the two teams in Bellingham since the title game last year, the squads met earlier this season in Portland on May 3, with the Slam prevailing by a score of 112-103.
Monday's matchup will mark the halfway point of the 2013 campaign, and the Slam find themselves in a familiar spot atop the IBL standings with a 7-1 record. Meanwhile, Portland has struggled since their championship game appearance, posting a 2-3 record through their first five games in 2013.
As has been the case for much of his eight-year career with the Slam, guard Jacob Stevenson is leading the team again with a 22.4 points per game scoring average. He is getting help offensively from center Blake Poole and forward Chas Kok, whose averages are both in the high teens. Defensively, Poole is once more demonstrating that he is among the league's best with an average of 15 rebounds per game.
Before the Slam meets up with Portland on Memorial Day, they first will travel to Oregon for a matchup with the Salem Sabres on Friday, with the hopes of duplicating their result from three weeks ago when they posted an impressive 143-104 road drubbing of the Sabres. Tip-off for Friday's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College.
Following the Slam's return from Oregon, the team will enjoy the weekend's Ski to Sea activities before welcoming the Chinooks to town on Monday. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m at Whatcom Pavilion.
For more information, contact the Slam at (360) 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
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