Slam Season Preview: Team Aims for Title Repeat in 2013
April 18, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam is embarking on its eighth season this Friday with one goal in mind: a repeat of the International Basketball League championship victory the team enjoyed nearly 10 months ago.
On paper, the Slam will most certainly have the personnel to accomplish that goal, returning six from 2012's title-winning squad and adding other key contributors.
Most notably back in blue and white are centers Blake Poole and Evan Matteson, and guards Morris Anderson, Drew Ready and Jacob Stevenson.
Poole, who is returning from a team in Germany, and Matteson, who briefly appeared for the Slam last year but is back for a full season this time around, will be a talented duo in the frontcourt. Poole was the league's leading rebounder at 13.4 boards per game and his scoring numbers were nearly as prolific at 18.8 points per game, which ranked third on the team. Matteson also put up strong numbers - averaging 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest - in the brief time he spent on the Slam roster in 2012.
A key addition in the frontcourt this season will be 6-foot-7 forward Nick Moore, who spent the last four seasons with the Olympia Reign. Known for his versatility and strong worth ethic, Moore is expected to be a double-double threat each night. Last season he averaged 16.2 points and 7.7 rebounds on an Olympia squad that advanced to the semi-finals of the IBL playoffs.
The Slam will boast perhaps the most talented backcourt in the league, anchored by Anderson. Anderson will be the team's leading scorer among returners after averaging 21.4 points per game last season. His 2.9 steals per game average helped him land the IBL's Defensive Player of the Year award, and he was also named MVP of the 2012 Championship game after pouring in 29 points. Anderson will be joined by the likes of Drew Ready, an underrated athlete who enjoyed a breakout season in 2012, and Jacob Stevenson, a veteran who has become a fixture in the Slam lineup ever since the team was founded in 2005.
A new addition in the backcourt will be 5-foot-11 guard Rico Wilkins, who is fresh off his senior season at Western Washington. After winning the NCAA-II National Championship as a junior last year, Wilkins helped spark a second postseason run for the Vikings which ended at the Final Four in March. Wilkins' up-tempo technique and tenacious defense is sure to mesh nicely with the fast-paced style of play encouraged by head coach Rob Ridnour.
Despite the wealth of talent, the Slam will have to figure out how to adjust to some key losses from the 2012 roster. Gone is leading scorer Paul Hafford, who has moved to Portland and will now be suiting up for the Vancouver Volcanoes - coincidentally the Slam's first opponent on Friday - as well as forwards Zack Henifin and Michael Duty, who both landed jobs with separate teams in Australia this spring.
Friday's home opener at Whatcom Pavilion against Hafford and the Volcanoes will kick off ten home games for the Slam, eight of which will take place at the Pavilion. This season the Slam will host two games in greater Whatcom County, with the first taking place on May 17 at Lynden High School, and the second set for June 1 at Blaine High School. The season will conclude with the IBL Championship tournament, set for July 5-7 at a location to be determined.
Tickets for all Slam home games are currently on sale. Single game tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors and $5 for children. A limited number of reserved courtside seats are still available for $15-20 based on location. In addition, the Slam will be offering discounted $5 admission to students for all Friday night games and $5 admission to seniors for Sunday afternoon games.
The Slam opens the 2012 season with a home-and-home series with the Volcanoes this weekend. On Friday, the Slam play host to the Volcanoes in their home opener at Whatcom Pavilion at 7 p.m. before the two teams face off again on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Vancouver. The team's full schedule may be viewed online at www.bellinghamslam.com/2013schedule.htm.
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