Rainmen Add Big Man
Former USC Trojan, James Blasczyk to join Rainmen for upcoming season.
Just days after the team announced Chris Terrell as the teams new coach, the Rainmen also added former USC Trojan James Blasczyk.
Coach Terrell has had many stops around the world coaching at the highest levels, most recently with Romania, China and Mexico. He also served as a head assistant player development coach in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks.
“It is a great honor to be selected as the new head coach of the Halifax Rainmen” Said coach Terrrell. “I want to thank Mr Levingston and everyone in the organization. I am looking forward to living and working in Halifax this season as we diligently work together to give the great fans a team they can be very proud of”.
The roster is still far from set, but with the league draft upcoming on Aug. 17-19 a few more items may be set in place. Coach Terrell is expected to be onhand for the draft.
Not one to wait around though, Andre Levingston has already begun adding to the squad. The 7-foot-1 Blasczyk caught the eye of Levinston during summer tournament play. He’s coming off 2 years with USC in the NCAA and shold be a physical presence down low.
Officially signed my first professional basketball contract. Going to spend the next 7 months in Halifax Canada .. Couldn't be more excited.
— James Blasczyk (@AgentRed31) August 8, 2013
“One thing led to another,” Blasczyk said. “[Levingston] is in my corner, and I decided that would be the best route to go.”
Full details on Blasczyk and his signing can be found at Galen Central.
Been Too Long: Summer Sports Round-Up
I have not been on the blog for a loooooong time. The biggest reason is the fact that there is a new Highly Touted prospect in my farm system. We have begun his development for multiple sports already. While he has shown promising skills in most of the majors sports (hockey, baseball, soccer, etc.), he has demonstrated a prodigious aptitude toward Jai Alai. Not bad for a month old.
While I am doing more work in the areas of player development, I need to get back to the blog. So here’s some of the things going on in the local sports scene: Read More…
Tough Sked Working Against Rainmen
The Halifax Rainmen dropped game two of the National Basketball League of Canada finals Monday night to the London Lightning. The team will host their first game of the finals, but down 2-0 it could also be there last.
Game one went to London as well in a tight game that was decided by only three points, 86-83. Game two was a vastly different story. Where many thought Halifax deserved to win the first game, London clearly outpaced the Rainmen in game two, 113-96. In additon to facing a strong London team that posted the best record in the regular season, the wider margin of victory may be in part be due to a rigorous schedule of late that won’t get any better for the Halifax squad.
NBL Canada Announces MVP and All-NBL Team
London Lightning forward Gabe Freeman was named the inaugural NBL Canada MVP
“It feels great to be named MVP. I feel like I put in a lot of hard work this season and it paid off,” said Freeman. “I’m surrounded by a great coach, great players and teammates. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I reached my goal but now I want to win a championship.”
Freeman, a 6’7″, 215-pound small forward from Costa Mesa Jr. College, was named NBL Canada Player of the Week three times and led the League in rebounds with 425 total rebounds and 12.5 rpg. Freeman was also the League’s third leading scorer with 17.9ppg on the season.
“I think it was well deserved. He has been an unstoppable threat on the court this season and goes into every game and practice ready to contribute and work hard. He earned and deserves it,” said London Lightning Head Coach Micheal Ray Richardson.
“We’re pleased with the success of the League’s inaugural season on and off the court,” said John Kennedy, NBL Canada Commissioner. “These awards are an opportunity to celebrate League executives and players, like Mr. Freeman, who have stepped up to the plate to make the 2011-12 season one that we can all be proud of.”
Freeman was also selected for the First Team All-NBL and First Team All-Defence.
Rainmen Secure Home Court for Rd. 1
Lawrence Wright skies through the lane for 2 in Rainmen win (photo credit: Scott Kirkpatrick, stkphoto.com)
Game 1 – Sunday, March 11, 1PM EST
Halifax Rainmen @ Quebec Kebs
Game 2 – Thursday, March 15, 7PM AST
Quebec Kebs @ Halifax Rainmen
Game 3 – Friday, March 16, 7PM AST
Quebec Kebs @ Halifax Rainmen (if necessary)
The Halifax Rainmen clinched second place in the National Basketball League of Canada standings this evening as they defeated the Moncton Miracles by a score of 106-94 in front of 3,864 fans.
Justin Johnson and Joey Haywood led the Rainmen with 19 points each, followed by Taliek Brown with 15. Tyrone Levett added 12 points in the win.
Leading the Miracles was Darrell Wonge with 23 points, followed by Trayvon Lathan with 22. Sylvania Watkins had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Miracles. The box score statistics can be found below.
A press release stated that the Rainmen will play their first playoff game on the road in Quebec City on March 11th, but NBL Canada websites have game dates and times listed for March 9th in Quebec City and then games two and three (if necessary) in Halifax on March 15th and 17th. Confirmation on playoffs dates are expected some time Friday.
The two clubs were fairly evenly matched throughout the year, with the Rainmen holding the advantage in the head-to-head matchup going 5-1. The intensity will be that much higher and we should be in for some exciting ball as the two most senior franchises square off for the right to go to the finals.
Highly Touted 