Yamhill Will be Flying High at Home in June
April 17, 2012 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Yamhill Highflyers News Release
Vancouver, Wash.: The International Basketball League is proud to announce the return of the Yamhill Highflyers. Following successful seasons in 2009 and 2010, culminating in a trip to the 2010 IBL semi-finals, the Highflyers, based in the Yamhill Valley 40 miles southwest of Portland, and the IBL announce the return of Yamhill County's first sports franchise for the 2012 IBL season.
In addition to a trip to the semi-finals, the 2010 Highflyers, under returning Head Coach Bruce "Bubba" Jones, had four players, Jason Hartford, Curtis Nash, Nate Bowie, and Durrell Nevels become IBL All-Stars. As they plan for the 2012 season, the team is set to have a five game branding season, which should excite the Highflyers' fan base.
"This is a very exciting day for our organization and for the entire Yamhill Valley community. The 2010 season was highly successful, as we came very close to getting a shot to play for the IBL Championship. We also had 4 players named IBL All-Stars and a talent rich roster from top to bottom. Our goal for 2012 will be to bring back that same exciting brand of basketball that led to our 2010 success. The International Basketball League is a high-scoring, visually-stimulating style of basketball unmatched by other leagues in North America, and we're very happy to bring this high level of basketball back to the Yamhill Valley," stated Highflyers General Manager Eric Bailey emphatically.
The Highflyers are hoping a pair of NCAA Division-I seven footers will anchor the Highflyers in 2012 as their roster takes shape. Signed Chris Botez out of the University of Hawaii, and Ben Logan out of Brown University, who played for the 2010 Highflyers is a hopeful to join Botez this season.
It won't just be two potential twin towers on the court, Gina Regalado will serve as dance team coach, putting together the first ever dance team for the Highflyers, reflecting the more beautiful side of basketball. Bailey agrees, "Having a dance team will add to the already high-quality, family-fun atmosphere found at Highflyers games. Coach Regalado is putting together an exciting team with dance training experience that will help get our crowd involved and cheer our Highflyers on to victory."
Since joining the IBL in 2009, the Highflyers have strived to give back to the local community by donating to the McMinnville Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Department, assisting local schools via 'Operation Backpack', and much more. Look for the Highflyers to announce the creation of a college scholarship program this season which will go to a local high school student planning to attend college within the Yamhill Valley.
The new home of the Highflyers is Linfield College's pristine Ted Wilson Gymnasium with tickets available online soon. The Highflyers will host the Japan Nippon Tornadoes on Friday, June 15 and on Friday, June 22 they will take on the defending 2011 IBL Champion Vancouver Volcanoes.
The IBL opens the 2012 season on April 20 when the Bellingham Slam visits the Olympia Reign. To view the league's entire schedule, visit their website at www.ibl.com.
International Basketball League Stories from April 17, 2012
- Yamhill Will be Flying High at Home in June - Yamhill Highflyers
- Slam adds WWU's Zach Henifin - Bellingham Slam
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.
