Racers revved up for home opener
ELGIN -- After a six-game road trip to open the season, the Elgin Racers are primed for their home opener.
The Racers welcome International Basketball League foe Holland (Mich.) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Judson University. The Holland Blast (8-2) is the highest-scoring team in the IBL, averaging 142.6 points per game.
The Racers (2-4) seem to be coming together after a grueling stretch to start their third IBL campaign. The 2007 Midwest Division champions are led by guard Brandon Watkins, who averages a team-best 24 ppg. The former All-Big Ten Conference performer at Penn State is one of four Racers averaging double figures.
"I'd say our guards are as good as any in the league," Racers coach Michael Murphy said. "We've been getting more and more organized offensively and executing sharply."
Keith Gayden, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward, averages 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Racers and is coming off an IBL All-Star appearance. Former Maryland guard Parrish Brown averages 19 ppg and 6-4 forward Chris Martin averages 11 points and 10 rebounds per contest.
The competition level in the IBL has increased, according to Murphy, now that the United States Basketball League is no longer in existence. The IBL is the only minor-league hoops circuit during the spring and summer months.
Murphy says he likes how his team is evolving.
"We're definitely improving," he said. "And this league has gotten so much better."
Local fans can expect a blast from the past Saturday when former Elgin High School and Northern Illinois University standout Marcus Smallwood suits up for the first time here as a Racer. Smallwood had a huge second half in a 129-119 win at Holland on April 27.
"He was a main contributor for us in that win," said Murphy.
Smallwood averages about eight points and four rebounds per game.
Sherick Simpson, a three-time IBL All-Star, is no longer with the team, Murphy said. The former Larkin High star played three games before parting ways with the organization.
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