IBL TRYOUTS SET FOR FEBRUARY 27-28

If you think you have what it takes to play in the International Basketball League, you have a chance to prove yourself at the upcoming league tryouts on February 27 and 28.

In partnership with the I-Ball basketball academy, the IBL will be holding the two-day tryout to find prospective players for the 2010 season, which begins in April.  There will be at least eight IBL teams present at the tryout, including representatives from the Slam.

Players participating in the tryout, which will take place at the Eastside Basketball Club in Redmond, will take part in a series of skill workouts and play in several basketball games.  Game film will be available for players following the tryout.

The cost to participate in the tryout is $165 in advance and $200 at the door.  If you are interested in participating, please contact tryout director Kyle Keyes at (425) 949-7321 or get more information at www.i-balllive.com.

More info:
 ◊ Get more information or sign up

SLAM'S 2010 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
HOME OPENER IS APRIL 9 - SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

The Slam have released the team's 2010 regular season schedule and will tip things off on April 9, returning to the court for the first time since falling to the L.A. Lightning in the IBL conference championship game last July. The season, which will be the Slam’s fifth since starting in 2005, will feature a 20-game schedule, with ten home contests taking place at Whatcom Pavilion.

The Slam will enjoy a long homestand to start their season, with their first game taking place April 9 against the Tacoma Tide, a team Bellingham defeated in the second round of the 2009 playoffs. The team will then remain at home for the rest of the month, playing one home game each weekend. The Slam will not play its first road game until May 2, when they travel north to play the Vancouver Titans.

Bellingham will be among 14 other teams this season in the IBL, which features teams from the West coast, Midwest, and Canada. The season runs through June and is followed by the IBL’s conference playoff tournament July 1-3. The host cities for two conference tournaments will be announced at a later date. The winners of the conference tournaments will then advance to the IBL Championship game in mid-July.

The Slam’s home schedule features nine games played on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening, and one game taking place on Memorial Day, May 31. Friday and Saturday games will start at 7:00 p.m. while Sunday and Monday games will tip-off at 5:00 p.m.

Season tickets for the Slam’s home schedule are currently on sale.  Season ticket holders enjoy great benefits, including a savings of 50% off of single game ticket prices.  Single game tickets will go on sale March 1.

More info:
 ◊ View the 2010 season schedule
 ◊ Purchase season tickets

PAIR OF SLAM PLAYERS HEADING DOWN UNDER

The Slam have announced that two of its players from the 2009 season have signed contracts to play overseas this spring. Forward Tyler Amaya and center Kyle Dalvit will head to New Zealand to compete with the Otago Nuggets.

The Nuggets have teams in each of New Zealand’s two basketball divisions. Amaya will suit up for their top-division team in the National Basketball League, while Dalvit will play for Otago’s second-division squad in the Conference Basketball League.

Amaya was the Slam’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, with averages of 23.6 points and 11.1 boards per game. Amaya originally joined the Slam in 2008 and helped guide the team to the International Basketball League championship that season. He was named co-MVP of the title game after posting 20 points and 13 rebounds against the Elkhart Express.

Dalvit has been a reserve post player for the Slam since the team’s 2006-07 season in the American Basketball Association. He averaged 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for Bellingham in 2009, and posted a career-high 18 rebounds on April 11, 2009 at Portland.

Unfortunately, since the New Zealand basketball season runs concurrently with the International Basketball League’s spring schedule, both Amaya and Dalvit will most likely be unable to suit up for the Slam in 2010.

The Slam will tip-off their 2010 IBL campaign on April 9 at Whatcom Pavilion. The team’s full 2010 schedule is expected to be released in early February.