What's New with the IBL

Published on May 2, 2013 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release

Chinooks look to avenge 2012 Championship loss in home opener vs Slam

The Portland Chinooks host the Bellingham Slam for their 2013 home opener at Eastmoreland Courts this weekend. The two teams have been long time rivals, and the "¨Chinooks are eager to play the Slam this season after their loss to them at the Championship game in July of 2012 with a final score of 142-109. "¨"¨

The Chinooks are one of the International Basketball Leagues oldest teams and have not yet won a title. They are looking to win their first Championship title this year, and the home opener could help foresee who has an advantage. Bellingham won 86% of their games at home last year in 2012 and are 2-1 starting their 2013 season.

"Both Coach Wagner and I are really excited to play the Slam again. We played them for the title last year, and look forward to them coming to our place. The team has had more practice time, added to our roster including 6'6" F Jake Glisson and 6'6" F Jermain Blackburn who was with the Highflyers in 2012 averaging 18.6ppg. We are more improved from when played Vancouver on April 26th." Chinooks Head Coach Kiser stated about their preparations for the home opener Friday.

Player of the Week, 6'9" F Jared Cunningham is a dominant power forward and in his game against the Volcanoes last Saturday, scored 34 points and had 13 rebounds. He is a versatile inside and outside shooter and will be a powerful asset to the Chinooks, especially going up against Bellingham. 6'8" F David Lucas of Portland will also help the Chinooks in defeating the Slam on or off the bench this season as a player coach. Lucas is very athletic and can score from anywhere on the floor. With these two players and the strong players of the Portland Chinooks, the team not only has an advantage to make a comeback but also could have a new home court advantage.

The new venue, Eastmoreland Courts includes 6 of the 14 courts owned by Terry Emmert, also the owner of the Chinooks, who transformed the former tennis facility for the basketball community. Programs who call Eastmoreland home include 6'8" F and Assistant Coach of the Chinooks, David Lucas' All in One program "We look forward to our home opener at our Eastmoreland venue with a feature court just for our IBL game. I have a lot of respect for the Bellingham team and Coach Ridour runs good program. They always give us a great game, quality coaching and quality players," Emmert noted with a respectful tone for the 2012 Champions. The Slam host Portland the following week on Memorial Day, May 27th at 5:00pm at Whatcom Pavillion, and the Chinooks are hoping that the home court advantage the Slam seems to hold is just a coincidence.

Take a look at some highlights of the IBL 2012 Championship game between the Portland Chinooks and the Bellingham Slam!

Game Recaps

Friday

The Bellingham Slam succeeded in another great offensive night in team history while playing the Kitsap Admirals at Whatcom Pavillion on Friday. Bellingham broke into a competitive game towards the end of the second quarter. and closed the frame in the last six minutes as they took a 30-point lead, leaving the halftime score at 75-45. The Admirals were able to close the gap into the low forties before the Slam closed the game with a 15-5 run in the fourth quarter. The creation of the offensive production from the Admirals were 6'3" G Tysaiah Curry and 6'5" G Jameel Shareef whom scored 31 and 28 points. In his first game back from Germany, 6'5" C Blake Poole led four Slam players in scoring 20 points and added a game-high 18 rebounds. The Slam took the win against Kitsap with a score of 166-117.

Saturday

The "Battle of the Bridges" is one of the most awaited games of the year between the Vancouver Volcanoes and the Portland Chinooks. As the two teams battled it out at O'Connell Sports Complex on Saturday, you could feel the intensity on the court. Vancouver improved from its home opener last Sunday and made 45 percent of its shots against the Chinooks. 6'2" G Andre Murray scored 28 points, and 6'6" F Chehales Tapscott posted his third double double in a row with 17 points and 12 rebounds to help lead the Volcanoes past the Chinooks. This was Portland's first game of the season and was led by Player of the Week, 6'9" F Jared Cunningham who scored 34 points and had 13 rebounds, as well as 6'6" F Germain Jordan with 29 points. The Chinooks trailed the Volcanoes at the half 67-52 as the Volcanoes were ahead by as much as 25 points. The Volcanoes defeat the Chinooks, 138-120. The next battle between these two teams is May 11th at Portland.

IBL Player of the Week- Jared Cunningham

Represented by Phiten, #23 Jared Cunningham of the Portland Chinooks is an NBA D-League product, who leads all scorers in the second week of the 2013 IBL Season. This 2012 IBL All Star put up 34 points with 13 rebounds in a losing effort versus the Vancouver on Saturday in the Volcanoes home opener. In his second season in the IBL, this Chinook feels this is a great league to play in. "Im honored to be named player of the week for sure. In this league you get to compete at a high level every weekend and also get to showcase your talent to everyone," Cunningham said. "I feel like I get the chance to prove myself." The 6'9 forward had an intense game against the Volcanoes this past Saturday and the banter between players was noticeable on both sides, yet for Cunningham he says its all in good fun. "It wasn't so much as trash talking just a little heckling from time to time. A lot of the players on the Vancouver team I know well and have played with for a long time. It is just a little bit of the normal ball player talk. I work out with both 6'6 F Chehales Tapscott and 6'7 Alex Hartman so we like to give each other a hard time when our teams play together."Cunningham concluded that he has many goals this season for the Chinooks, but the biggest one is to win the 2013 IBL championship. "My only goal this season is to win the championship. Hands down #1 goal. If "We" don't win, I feel like we failed as a unit!" Cunningham stated.

Sabres start season against two IBL Champs

The Salem Sabres take on both the Bellingham Slam and the Vancouver Volcanoes this upcoming weekend on May 4th & 5th. This is the Sabres first game of the 2013 season and it will be an intense weekend for them as they battle the 2012 IBL Champs and the Volcanoes whom both have a (2-1) record standing as of today.

The Salem Sabres are a part of the community and this weekend will feature pre-game scrimmage from the Oregon Heat AAU team at Chemeketa Community College for both games and Sabres General Manager Joe Becerra is ready for the Champs to arrive. "I got to watch the game last Sunday with the Slam versus the Volcanoes and have coached against Ridnour before. No matter the time in the season or their opponent, the Slam are always organized, in good shape, have lots of talent with a great Coach leading them that I have a lot of respect for. it will be a great challenge and a lot of fun." Becerra stated.

Celebrate Cinco de mayo Sunday with the Sabres! Game time is 5pm at Chemeketa College versus the 2011 IBL Champion, Vancouver Volcanoes in game two of the opening weekend double header and Becerra did not hesitate to give them a great shout out as well. "General Manager and owner, Bryan Hunter has always had quality talent which has gotten better over the years. Now led by Coach Navarro, I saw the Volcanoes get up and down the court and share the ball well in their win. It is a big challenge, but it is a great attraction for our fans to come and watch us. We want to play against the best and we are excited for it!" Becerra said.

The mix of IBL veterans and new faces will surely help the Sabres keep up with the Volcanoes and the Slam this season. "We have a really good mix of vets like 6'6 F Jeff Dunn, who was All American in College, 6'6 F Cory Largent a 2012 IBL All Star averaging 22.4ppg last season, then you throw in some new young talent like 6'3 PG Blair Wheadon from Western Oregon University and 6'7 F Joe Burton and you have strength in scoring on the block, outside scoring, and if we concentrate on some defense, we will have team building wins," Becerra stated.

"Burton gives them an immediate impact player inside, and with Corey on the perimeter we've got our work cut out for us. We are still looking for our first road win, so this is a very important game for us," Joe Navarro, head coach of the Vancouver Volcanoes commented about the Sabres additions. With these three teams battling it out this weekend, the Sabres have a main goal to play well as a team for their fans, have fun and ultimately, win.

IBLHoops is on Instagram!

An official Instagram account has been added to the IBL's list of social media outlets this year. For those who are new to Instagram, it is a social networking site that lets users share photos, apply digital filters to them and share them on a variety of social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook. Instagram is another way for users to check out what the IBL is up to via photo. The IBL's new Instagram will have various photos ranging from snapshots of league games, halftime entertainers, players of the week, events and other insider photos that can't be seen anywhere else!

Also, don't forget to use your #hashtags when Instagramming your own photo's at IBL games! #GETINTHEGAME #IBLHoops. Look for upcoming Instagram photo contests that include the special IBL hashtags!

International Basketball League Stories from May 2, 2013

• Slam Head to Oregon for Pair of Games this Weekend - Bellingham Slam
• What's New with the IBL - IBL

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.