April 3, 2010
Curtis High School Gym
The Tacoma Tide began their new season with last year’s giant strides fresh in the minds of everyone involved with the club. After a great season that ended in a valiant playoff run last year, it’s important to remember how the Tide garnered their success. The Seattle Mountaineers came to Tacoma to keep the I-5 rivalry alive and refreshed the Tide memory with a 112-86 victory. Rather than feeling dejected or frustrated, the Tide look to the drawing board and practice court to cue the mistakes in preparation for their IBL league opener on April 9 @ Bellingham. Newcomer to the Tide, Maurice Shaw said, "This game was all about the team coming together. We wanted to work on some things and get to know each other better before the season." Shaw, a 6’10" post player, added, "We’ve only practiced 7 times, so we’re just getting going."
The Seattle Mountaineers have moved to a new league for 2010. Last year they competed against the Tide in the International Basketball League. This year, they’ll play in the NABL. Despite playing for different leagues, the Tide and Mountaineers came together for this exhibition match to further the Seattle vs Tacoma rivalry. Pat Garlock, the Tide’s owner joked with the Mountaineers’ owner, Don Simms after the game. Garlock said, "Thanks for coming down here and kicking our tails!" The two agreed that it was a good decision to keep the rivalry alive and the joking was all good natured.
The game itself was a lobbed sided affair from the beginning. Seattle, finishing their transition from a winter league to the NABL (summer league) looked refined while the Tide looked like a team playing their first game. It took over 5 minutes for Tacoma to score their first points. In comparison, Seattle’s star, Rashaad Powell, started hot and ended hot. The University of Idaho alum scored 38 points on the night. Powell notched 15 of them in the 3rd quarter. The Tide were led point production by last year’s IBL All-Star, Dontay Harris from Drake University. Harris had 20pts while Justin Murray, coming off a broken foot in the offseason had 10pts as he looks to get back into form.
The Tacoma Tide will play their first league game next Friday in Bellingham. The next home game is May 8th at Curtis High School in University Place, WA. The game pitting the Tide against a new IBL team, the Yamhill Highflyers will begin at 7pm. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets are available online at TacomaTideSports.com.
