Just when one guard is set to return from a two-game layoff, the Everett Explosion will lose another for the same duration.
Reserve Chris Weakley, who leads Everett in 3-pointers (17 of 38) and ranks third on the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, has been suspended for two games after taking part in an altercation in Saturday’s win at Colorado.
Weakley’s suspension coincides with the return of point guard Darrell Walker, who did not make the trip to Colorado so he could attend to a family situation.
Weakley will not play in Friday’s game at the Tacoma Dome, nor will he be allowed to suit up for the next home game, April 25 against Salem.
“I was a little shocked,” Weakley said of the suspension, “but things happen, and you just have to deal with it and move on.”
The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 122-120 win over the Colorado Crossover. Weakley and Colorado forward John Tharpe got into an altercation after Weakley (6-foot-3) fouled Tharpe (6-8) on a drive to the basket.
According to a press release sent out by the Explosion after the game, Tharpe threw multiple punches at Weakley, who countered with some swinging of his own. The release stated that neither player connected on any of the punches.
“The guy got up swinging, and I was protecting myself,” said Weakley, who was ejected from the game after scoring six points. “I took a cheap shot from him in the first half, but I didn’t respond.
“I think I was a target. I played a good Game 1 against them (Friday night, scoring a team-high 26 points), and so I felt I was targeted in Game 2. They wanted to get me out of the game.”
According to International Basketball League commissioner Mikal Duilio, Tharpe received a three-game suspension for the incident.
“We will review it on tape and may re-adjust after watching the film,” Duilio said in an e-mail response.
In the same e-mail, Duilio added: “Everett has a very, very high level of sportsmanship, they really do… so that was an aberration at worse.”
The Weakley-less Explosion (3-1) faces the Tacoma Jazz (0-2) on Friday at the Tacoma Dome. Walker, who missed both Colorado games, is expected to play.
Notes: Rashaad Powell (34.3) continues to lead Everett in scoring. Salem’s Blake Walker is the IBL leader, at 38.6 points per game. … The IBL made some news this week when Santa Barbara signed several ex-NBA players. The Breakers added Samaki Walker, Bryon Russell, Toby Bailey and ex-Sonic Fred Vinson, according to the Santa Barbara team’s Web site.
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