PORTLAND, Ore. – The Everett Explosion’s first foray into the postseason was a successful one.
The Explosion opened play in the International Basketball League’s West Championships on Friday night with a 145-114 victory over the Vancouver Volcanoes at Warner Pacific College.
Everett, the No. 2 seed in the eight-team tournament, advanced to the West semifinals. The Explosion plays third-seeded Santa Barbara, a winner over Central Oregon, at 5:30 p.m. today. The victor advances to Sunday’s West championship.
Everett won Friday despite arriving just a half hour before tipoff.
“We got here 30 minutes before the game,” Everett coach Randy Redwine said. “It took a while for the guys to get their legs up under them. Once they (did), we ran away in the second half.”
Everett, which led 70-57 at halftime, outscored Vancouver 75-57 in the second half.
Chris Weakley scored a team-high 34 points, including an IBL playoff record 10 3-point field goals. He was 10-for-17 from beyond the 3-point line.
Rashaad Powell added 23 points and seven assists for Everett, and fellow IBL all-star Justin Murray had 21 points and nine rebounds
“I think it was a good victory and it was good for us to blow off some steam in the second half,” Redwine said. “The defense stepped for us in the second half.”
Notes: Also advancing to the semifinals was Portland, which beat Las Vegas in an early game. Results of the Salem Lewis County contest were not available at press time … The Santa Barbara roster includes a host of former NBA players, including Toby Bailey (Phoenix), Fred Vinson (Seattle, Atlanta, L.A. Clippers), Samaki Walker (Dallas, San Antonio, L.A. Lakers, Miami), Jelani McCoy (Seattle, Toronto, Cleveland) and Bryon Russell (Utah, Denver) … . Three Everett players: Darrell Walker, Tyler Amaya and Matt Heuer did not make the trip to Portland. … The IBL West All-Star Game proceeds Sunday’s 4 p.m. championship contest.
At Warner Pacific College
Vancouver26313027-114
Everett39314134-145
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