MONROE — With the International Basketball League’s Western Conference tournament just six days away, Snohomish County Explosion coach Randy Redwine has an ominous message for opponents.
“It doesn’t matter who we play,” Redwine said. “We have to destroy people.”
That’s something Snohomish County (12-9) hasn’t done often this season, but — with Rashaad Powell and Justin Murray back after playing in Dubai for three months — the swagger is showing going into the final two regular season games before the Explosion host the conference tourney June 27-29.
Powell and Murray — who has averaged 40 points and 13.5 rebounds in two games since returning — make their home debut tonight when Snohomish County greets the Shanxi Zhongyu, a team the Explosion pounded 122-84 last month without the services of the pair, who were both IBL All-Stars in 2007.
The Explosion — with a roster that includes 2008 All-Stars Donald Watts, Jamal Miller and Justin James — wraps up the regular season with a Tuesday road game against the Olympia Reign, a late addition to the IBL this spring and slated to play a full schedule in 2009.
“From here on out you’re going to see the real Explosion,” Redwine said. “We’re out to show how good we can be. It’s not bragging. It’s just confidence.”
And, it’s likely bad news for the gutsy, but hopelessly overmatched Zhongyu who have struggled to a 1-11 record since arriving from China.
Notes
Tourney talk: Six teams have committed to play in the Western Conference tournament June 27-29 at Monroe High School (Snohomish County, Bellingham, Central Oregon, Edmonton, Portland and Vancouver). Explosion GM Brad Sturlaugson said in an e-mail Friday he is awaiting final confirmation from Los Angeles and Las Vegas to round out a field of eight. Tacoma may participate if either Los Angeles or Las Vegas is unable to commit to the tournament due to travel costs … Bellingham (15-3) and Vancouver (17-4) are battling for the No. 1 tourney seed as the regular season winds down … The North-South All-Star game to be played prior to the June 29 title game will feature former Sonics Slick Watts and James Donaldson as opposing coaches.
Take this job and love it: Assistant coach Michael Moss was happy to hand the reins back to Redwine after the head coach missed last weekend’s games due to a family obligation out of state.
“That’s it for me,” Moss said after blowout victories over Tacoma and Central Oregon. “I had a good time, but this is Mr. Redwine’s show.” A craftsman at work: With the big three of Murray, Powell and Watts unavailable last Saturday against Central Oregon, point guard Miller responded with 29 points, five assists and a season-high 11 rebounds.
“(Miller) is pretty crafty,” Moss said of the 5-foot-11 Miller’s rebound total. “He doesn’t jump over anybody, but he just seems to know where the ball is landing.”
Miller’s 21-point burst in the crucial third quarter included a switch to shooting guard and a 5-for-5 effort on 3-pointers. “My teammates got me open and got me going,” Miller said. “Mike Boyle (back-up point guard who had 10 assists) played a great game.”
Weakley’s new look: Shooting guard Chris Weakley’s personal season-best 11 assists against Central Oregon was a pleasant surprise.
“(Weakley) is not normally a big passer,” Moss said. “I told him he has to do more than just shoot because teams have caught on to his style and he’s not getting a lot of open looks.”
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