Bellingham Slam
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| Bellingham Slam | |
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| Bellingham Slam logo | |
| Founded | 2005 |
| League | ABA 2005-2007 IBL 2007-present |
| Team History | Bellingham Slam 2005-present |
| Arena | Whatcom Pavilion |
| Based in | Bellingham, Washington |
| Team colors | Blue, black and white |
| Owner | John Dominguez |
| Head Coach | Rob Ridnour |
| Championships | 1 (2008) |
| Division Titles | 2 (2006-07, 2008) |
| Mascot | Slam Man |
The Bellingham Slam is a professional basketball team that plays in the International Basketball League. In the past they played in the American Basketball Association. They were originally expected to play in Everett, Washington, but were relocated to Bellingham, Washington under the ownership of John Dominguez. The head coach is Rob Ridnour, father of Luke Ridnour of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. In their third season of existence, the team won an IBL championship in 2008.
The Slam have found success by primarily utilizing lesser-known NCAA Division II players rather than Division I players. Each season the Slam's roster features several players who played collegiately in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. They play their home games at Whatcom Pavilion on the campus of Whatcom Community College.
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[edit] Inaugural season (2005-06)
The Slam finished their inaugural season 18-14, good for second place in the Red Conference's Ron Boone Division and a #10 seed in the playoffs. They won their first two playoff games (over the Tacoma Navigators, 134-116 in the first round and over the Pittsburgh Xplosion, 122-115 in the second round) in 2005, but lost in the Great Eight Tournament in Rochester to the San Jose SkyRockets by a score of 138-119 on March 22, 2006. The team averaged 529 fans per game, with a high of 1,078 when Dennis Rodman and the Tijuana Dragons came to Bellingham. [1]
[edit] Second season (2006-07)
The Slam finished their second season 21-10, which was good for first place in the Red Conference's North Division, a #8 seed in the playoffs, and a first-round bye. They won their first playoff game 137-103 over the Hollywood Fame before losing to the Vermont Frost Heaves by a score of 119-103 in the league quarterfinals. The Slam averaged 437 fans per game, with a high of 960 coming in their home opener. [2]
[edit] Third season (2008)
The Slam finished their first season in the International Basketball League and third overall with a 19-4 record, winning the West Division during the regular season's final weekend. At the Western Conference Tournament at the Monroe Sports Arena, they received a first round bye, won their conference semi-final game 129-101 over the Edmonton Chill, and won their conference final game over the Vancouver Volcanoes 120-106.
The Slam hosted the 2008 IBL Championship Game against the Elkhart Express at Whatcom Pavilion on July 18. Bellingham defeated Elkhart 118-111 in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,100 to claim their first championship.[2], [3]. With the championship game included, the Slam set a franchise record of 621 fans per game. [3].
[edit] Fourth season (2009)
The Slam were unable to repeat as IBL Champions in 2009, as they were defeated in the third round of the playoffs by the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lightning. The Slam reached the third round by finishing the regular season first in the IBL's North Division with a 16-4 record and earning a first round bye in the playoffs. Bellingham defeated the Tacoma Tide in the second round, 116-111, before losing to Los Angeles 132-121. With their two playoff games included, the Slam finished the 2009 season with a 17-5 record. [4]
The 2009 season also saw the Slam's home court winning streak of 19 games broken in their season opener to the Seattle Mountaineers, although following the loss the Slam went on to win their remaining nine home games. The Slam averaged 524 fans per home game and 240 fans per road game in 2009.
[edit] 2005-2006 roster
- Mike Bush
- Brian Dennis
- Caleb Gervin
- Brandon Hartley
- Drew Langstraat
- Mike Parker
- Craig Roosendaal
- Eric Sandrin
- Jacob Stevenson
- Jared Stevenson
- TJ Williams
- Kevin Woodberry
[edit] 2006-2007 roster
- Kyle Dalvit
- Brian Dennis
- Chris Ferguson
- Scott Freymond
- Brandon Hartley
- Michael Jones
- Mike Parker
- Matt Short
- Jacob Stevenson
- Jared Stevenson
[edit] 2008 roster
- Tyler Amaya
- Kyle Dalvit
- Ryan Diggs
- Brian Dennis
- Chris Ferguson
- Paul Hafford
- Brandon Hartley
- Lukas Henne
- Jared Stevenson
- Jacob Stevenson
- Charlie Van
[edit] 2009 roster
- Tyler Amaya
- David Brittinen
- Ryan Diggs
- Kyle Dalvit
- Brian Dennis
- Ira Graham
- Paul Hafford
- Lukas Henne
- Jake Linton
- Steve Newman
- Calin Schell
- Brandon Smith
- Jared Stevenson
- Jacob Stevenson
- Charlie Van
[edit] References
- ^ Bellingham Slam Official Website - International Basketball League Team
- ^ Bellingham Slam Official Website - International Basketball League Team
- ^ Bellingham Slam Official Website - International Basketball League Team
- ^ [1]
[edit] External links
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