The BC Titans have won 10 games in a row completing the regular season at home taking 2 against the first place Olympia Reign in the International Division of the IBL this past weekend and are heading for the playoffs in Portland.
The league announced the final playoff draw and the Titans have a bye on the first day of the tournament.  The Titans will face the Vancouver, Washington Volcanoes on Friday, July 2nd at 8:30pm at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon at the IBL Tournament and have taken 3 of 4 meetings this season.  Finishing third in their division the Titans are not only going in with the hottest winning streak in the league, but with confidence they can beat any team put in front of them.

Second year veteran, IBL All Star and scoring leader Terrence Hundley takes a humble approach to the playoffs.  “The Volcanoes are an experienced team and experienced teams tend to play well in the playoffs.  For us to come out on top we have to play together as a team.  The fact that we beat them in the regular season doesn’t matter because it is won and done, the playoffs are a clean slate,” Hundley stated. 

Big man Wayne Marshall is ready to take his game to another level, averaging 16 points per game. “I feel unstoppable and we are ready to take care of business,” Marshall stated.  “Our team is gelling and really coming together, shooters are hitting their shots and we are developing our chemistry on defence.  When I won the PBL Championship we started 3-0, lost 2 in a row then won 17 straight.  We lost the first game in championship series, so we held a team meeting and came together with a positive attitude.  To win a Championship it starts with defence.  Some of the same conditions exist for us to win the IBL Championship, we have leadership here now with Galen our veteran, we are playing well together and hitting our stride at the right time.  To win two championships in one year would be an amazing accomplishment for me, they don’t come easy.”

Veteran Galen Young has been here before, “If we play as a unit, like we have been the past 10 games we will do fine.  One thing about the playoffs in minor professional leagues is guys can go one way or the other, whichever team turns up with the right attitude is the one that will prevail.  We have to make it through Vancouver first,” Young stated agreeing with Hundley, “the slate is clean, intensity and focus changes in the playoffs, if you lose the season is over.”

When asked about the potential of facing Albany Saturday night it brought up memories of his CBA Championship in 2005.  “The last time I played against them was in the CBA finals in Albany and one of their players punched another in the face!  But I know the type of players Albany brings in, they are hard-nosed players that are trying to go places, are battle tested and would be an interesting match-up.” 

LA is expected to come out of the other bracket and could be the potential Championship opponent again this season, which the Titans hope to be challenged with.  Being an ex-NBA player himself Young shared, “LA is big all the way across the board and have experience.  Playing against a lot of ex- NBA guys will give our guys a chance to walk what they talk.  We haven’t seen LA or Albany so this will be new for us, they have a lot of experience and it will be a measuring stick for a lot of guys for their career.  My experience helps give the calming factor to our team, if you haven’t been there you don’t know how to act, I have been in a lot of situations like this.  You look to your leaders to calm down and get re-focused in intense games.  I know what it takes to win championships and have been on both ends of winning and losing, let me tell you winning is better.  I will advise and be the anchor the young team needs.  Big Wayne (Marshall) has experience winning a championship too.  It gives you that experience and you know what it takes, which translates into scouts and teams knowing you have been a part of something greater than yourself.”

If you didn't see the games live, you may have a chance to witness a Championship!  As the Titans make their way through the IBL Playoff draw there is the possibility the best of 3 series could end up in the Township of Langley.  Keep up to date on scores, stats and announcements by visiting www.bctitans.ca.