The 12th season of IBL kicked off several weeks ago and things are in full swing as we head into the second half of the season. The summer is upon us, and players are returning home. The IBL has seen a rise in competition; especially at the Division 1 level. The page has turned and new dynasties will be forming. Two new teams (Running w/ Friends and Space Jam) have come in and quickly deemed themselves as contenders. Below the two; they’re six teams jockeying for position midway through the season.
The Cali Raisins entered the season as the reigning champions of the division. They were expected to repeat, that is; until I got a glance at the new teams. By no means have the Cali Raisins regressed coming off their first division championship. The team sits at 3-1, their only loss coming at the hands of Space Jam in Week 4.
One team that has regressed would have to be last seasons runners-up UnderRated. With the absence of Jonathan Kaker, the team has played a different style of basketball. With Kaker in the line-up the team would utilize and offensive attack from the inside out, now with Kakers prolonged absence, the team has been forced to live and die by the three ball due to lack of an interior offensive threat.
Following a season hiatus, The Pack has returned to the division. This time GM Craig Crampton has put together a contending squad, with a lot of size. The defection of former leading scorer Luke Finalet to UnderRated has hurt the team though. As they lack a guard that can create off the dribble for others or themself. The team sits at 2-3 entering Week 6. Although they are below the .500 mark the team seems poised to finish the season in the middle of the pack. No pun intended.
Get Bucketz is another new team to the Division. Led by the stellar play of PG Sammeon Waller, they have stumbled the gates and sit a 2-3 through their first 5 games. My prediction is that they will do damage come playoff time and they are definitely my sleeper pick to make a deep run in the playoffs. The core has been together for a few seasons, even winning the Division 2 title a few seasons ago.
For the past few seasons, Dynasty has sat at the bottom of the standings, highlighted by an early exit from the post season. This season looks to be the same. Once championship hopefuls when they entered the league 6 seasons ago, they have regressed into a shell of what they were. The absence of Buai Tut could be the reason this team simply doesn’t have the makings of a championship winning team. With new & old players rotating in and out of the line-up weekly, chemistry is non-existent. Tray Caples will have to carry this team on his back if he wants them to get anywhere.
The team that is just asleep in Division 1 is UOENO, with the injury to Gary McNellys last season, the “Wolfpack” disbanded at season’s end and GM Joshua McMullen put together this team. Now their record is indicative of their play. 0-5, but these guys leave it all on the court. They just can’t seem to get a W. Now with 2 games remaining the team is going after the proverbial “first pick in the draft”. I don’t know if sucking for Luck will work in the IBL though. Hopefully they can turn it around before season’s end.
My top 5 players in Division 1 are as follows:
1. Garrett Johnson: Fresh off his senior season as a Bulldog at Fresno State, Johnson is averaging a mere 23.5 ppg, on 55% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from beyond the arc. Johnson is a perennial scoring threat when the ball is in his hands, and likes to do his damage from beyond the arc. Shooting a whopping 50% from beyond the arc.
2. Jordan Block: Jordan is probably the most gifted scorer the IBL has ever seen, definitely the anchor of his team. Block can and will bully you in the post, or stroke the 3 ball in your grill. He does everything well and so nonchalantly, it’s hard not to be impressed with his consistent 20 & 10 games.
3. Alan Husted: One of the best shooters the IBL has seen, and he is so under rated. Husted’s ability to consistently knock down the three ball or get a basket when the team needs one is one of the main reasons the Raisins are the reigning Division 1 champions.
4. Sammeon Waller: Waller has surpassed Jordan Ramos as the best PG in the league. With a game similar to that of Chris Paul’s. Waller is the motor that keeps his team going. Waller is the man on his team, without him, I don’t think his team would even be contending. 17.0 ppg & 4.2 apg is just a little indication of what he provides for his team.
5. Space Jam: It’s not everyday that I include a team on a “best players” list but this team is an exception, they sit at #2 in the standings with a 4-0 record, so I believe someone affiliated with this team deserved to make the list, however they shine as a team, crisp ball movement, and a steady dose of defense has this team on the cusp of greatness. There is no doubt in my mind that if this team continues to play this way, they will win the Division 1 championship. You can quote me.
Nathan Apolonio
-Staff Writer for IBL Full Court Press
IBL Full Court Press 