Battle Creek Knights
Encyclopedia
The Battle Creek Knights are a team in the Independent Basketball Association
(IBA) located in Battle Creek, Michigan
. They previously played in the Premier Basketball League
(PBL) and in the International Basketball League
.
124-121, for a final record of 21-0.
In addition to being the IBL's power team on the court, the Knights also led the league in attendance. Playing at Kellogg Arena
, crowds of 2,500+ were not uncommon, and the team drew 1,854 to the championship and All-Star game, which they hosted. Three Knights made the all-star team; Bobby Madison, Jamal Gooding, and Mike Williams.
, an expansion team. Again, three all-stars were named, Logan Vander Velden
, Mike Williams, and Jay Youngblood. Youngblood was also in the top 25 scorers, averaging 22.0 ppg (he also played part of the season with the Cuyahoga Falls Cougars
. After the season, coach Williams resigned and was replaced by former Knight Logan Vander Velden
.
in the East final.
During the off season, the Knights announced a switch to the winter playing Premier Basketball League (PBL).
. They would lose only one other game and finish with a regular season record of 18-2, taking first place in the PBL's Central Division. However, after controversy in the PBL championship series against the Rochester Razorsharks
, the Knights left the PBL, first announcing their taking the year off, but later changing that to playing in the IBL for 2010.
2005 - IBL Champions
Independent Basketball Association
The Independent Basketball Association is a professional men's basketball league set to begin play in late 2011. So far, the charter members are six teams formerly in the International Basketball League, one team formerly in the American Basketball Assocition, and three expansion teams. -Teams:-...
(IBA) located in Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
. They previously played in the Premier Basketball League
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is a men's professional basketball minor league in the United States that began play in January 2008. The league had ten teams for the 2008 season and thirteen teams for the 2009 season. Nine teams from Canada and the United States...
(PBL) and in the International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
.
2005 season
The Knights lived up to their nickname of "The IBL's Power Team", by beating opponents by an average of 128-114. The Knights were led in scoring by Mike Williams, at 22.4 ppg. The Knights were undefeated in the regular season, and won the championship game, beating the Dayton JetsDayton Jets
The Dayton Jets were a team in the International Basketball League based in Dayton, Ohio. The team made the championship game their first year....
124-121, for a final record of 21-0.
In addition to being the IBL's power team on the court, the Knights also led the league in attendance. Playing at Kellogg Arena
Kellogg Arena
The Kellogg Arena is an 9,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. It was built in 1980. It seats 4,675, for basketball games, 4,859, for ice shows, 4,433, for the circus, 1,500, for theatrical shows and concerts, 6,200 for end-stage concerts and 6,500 for center-stage...
, crowds of 2,500+ were not uncommon, and the team drew 1,854 to the championship and All-Star game, which they hosted. Three Knights made the all-star team; Bobby Madison, Jamal Gooding, and Mike Williams.
2006 season
The 2006 Knights were a casualty of the IBL's expansion. The team finished 11-10, respectable, yet a far cry from being undefeated. The team lost their only playoff game 144-139 to the Holland BlastHolland Blast
The Holland Blast is a franchise in the Independent Basketball Association based in Holland, Michigan, USA. The Blast is owned by Tom Moore. The Blast play at the Holland Civic Center, former home of Hope College who moved into the new DeVos Fieldhouse. They previously were members of the...
, an expansion team. Again, three all-stars were named, Logan Vander Velden
Logan Vander Velden
Logan Vander Velden is an American former professional basketball player. He was a member of the 1995-96 Los Angeles Clippers team for 15 games. Vander Velden attended high school in his home town of Valders, and is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.- External links :* @...
, Mike Williams, and Jay Youngblood. Youngblood was also in the top 25 scorers, averaging 22.0 ppg (he also played part of the season with the Cuyahoga Falls Cougars
Cuyahoga Falls Cougars
The Akron Cougars are a professional men's minor league basketball team, members of the upstart Universal Basketball League, based in Akron, Ohio.-2006 Season:...
. After the season, coach Williams resigned and was replaced by former Knight Logan Vander Velden
Logan Vander Velden
Logan Vander Velden is an American former professional basketball player. He was a member of the 1995-96 Los Angeles Clippers team for 15 games. Vander Velden attended high school in his home town of Valders, and is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.- External links :* @...
.
2007 season
With Vander Velden at the helm, the Knights began to regain their winning ways, and locked into the 5th seed for the IBL playoffs, where they were eliminated by the defending champion Elkhart ExpressElkhart Express
The Elkhart Express were an International Basketball League team based in Elkhart, Indiana. The team won the 2006 and 2007 IBL championships. The Express officially released that they were folding on January 5, 2009...
in the East final.
2008 season
The Knights started off with a 1-4 record, but rebounded to eventually end the regular season with a record of 9-11. The Knights opened the playoffs with a win against the Elgin Racers 116-100, only to fall to the Elkhart Express in the Eastern Conference finals 130-147.During the off season, the Knights announced a switch to the winter playing Premier Basketball League (PBL).
2009 season
In their first year in the PBL, the Knights reeled off 12 straight wins before falling on the road to the Wilmington Sea DawgsWilmington Sea Dawgs
The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a team of the Tobacco Road Basketball League in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Sea Dawgs began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association and later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the...
. They would lose only one other game and finish with a regular season record of 18-2, taking first place in the PBL's Central Division. However, after controversy in the PBL championship series against the Rochester Razorsharks
Rochester Razorsharks
The Rochester Razorsharks are a professional basketball team based in Rochester, New York. They are members of the Premier Basketball League and play their home games at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester. The Razorsharks were founded in 2005 as a member of the American Basketball...
, the Knights left the PBL, first announcing their taking the year off, but later changing that to playing in the IBL for 2010.
Current roster
Head Coach: Terry Sare| # | Pos. | Ht. | Player | Acquired | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
SG | 6'2 | Rashi Johnson | 2008 | Michigan State Michigan State Spartans men's basketball The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center... |
| 2 | |
SF | 6'5 | Chris Gaines | 2008 | Prairie View A&M |
| 8 | |
SF | 6'3 | Allen White | 2008 | Huntingdon Huntingdon College Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, is a coeducational liberal arts college in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. Related to the United Methodist Church, the college's central hallmarks are faith, wisdom, and service. The college is known for providing a solid academic experience based on good... |
| 15 | |
SG | 6'5 | Maurice Smith | 2008 | Rockford Rockford College Rockford College is a private American liberal arts college in Rockford, Illinois. It was founded in 1847 as Rockford Female Seminary and changed its name in 1892. The college is known as the alma mater of Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who was a member of the class of... |
| 20 | |
SG | 6'1 | Jeremy File | 2008 | Western Michigan Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball The Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team is the basketball team that represents Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school's team competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004... |
| 22 | |
PF | 6'4 | Coleco Buie | 2008 | Missouri State Missouri State Bears The Missouri State Bears and Lady Bears are the athletic teams representing Missouri State University. Missouri State athletics date back to 1908. Missouri State is in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, and most teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference... |
| 30 | |
PG | 6'4 | Kenny Langhorne | 2008 | Southern Arkansas Southern Arkansas University Southern Arkansas University is a public four-year institution located in Magnolia, the seat of Columbia County in Arkansas, United States, not far from the Louisiana state line.-Location:Southern Arkansas University is located in Magnolia, which, as of the census... |
| 32 | |
PF | 6'5 | Florentino Valencia | 2008 | Toledo Toledo Rockets men's basketball The Toledo Rockets team is the basketball team that represent the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1980. Stan Joplin was released from his duties as... |
| 40 | |
PG | 6'5 | Deon Rose | 2008 | Missouri Southern Missouri Southern State University Missouri Southern State University is a public, state university located in Joplin, Missouri. Missouri Southern State University was formerly Missouri Southern State College and is also known as Missouri Southern, MSSU, or MoSo for short. Established in 1937 as Joplin Junior College, Missouri... |
| 41 | |
C | 6'9 | Chris Wesby | 2008 | Indiana-South Bend Indiana University South Bend Indiana University South Bend is the third largest campus of the Indiana University system. It is popularly known as IUSB or IU South Bend. It is located in South Bend, Indiana, in St. Joseph County, Indiana.-History:... |
| 44 | |
PF | 6'6 | Frank Phillips | 2008 | Findlay University of Findlay The University of Findlay is a private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. It was affiliated with the Churches of God, General Conference, and was founded in 1882 by the city of Findlay and the Churches of God, General Conference. Findlay offers more... |
| 55 | |
C | 6'9 | Jason Arbet | 2008 | Oklahoma City Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church... |
2009 season schedule
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location/Attendance | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2 | Chicago Throwbacks Chicago Throwbacks The Chicago Throwbacks are a team of the Premier Basketball League that begin play in fall 2007. Their home arena is Attack Athletics on Chicago's West Side.... |
Home | 113-120 | Rashi Johnson & Kenny Langhorne (19) | Florentino Valencia (11) | Rashi Johnson (11) | Kellogg Arena Kellogg Arena The Kellogg Arena is an 9,800-seat multi-purpose arena in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA. It was built in 1980. It seats 4,675, for basketball games, 4,859, for ice shows, 4,433, for the circus, 1,500, for theatrical shows and concerts, 6,200 for end-stage concerts and 6,500 for center-stage... (1,257) |
1-0 |
| January 8 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs Wilmington Sea Dawgs The Wilmington Sea Dawgs are a team of the Tobacco Road Basketball League in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Sea Dawgs began play in 2006 as a member of the American Basketball Association and later played as a founding member of the Premier Basketball League and a founding member of the... |
Home | 95-96 | Kenny Langhorne (24) | Chris Gaines (9) | Rashi Johnson (6) | Kellogg Arena | 2-0 |
| January 10 | Chicago Throwbacks | Away | 106-94 | Rashi Johnson (25) | Rashi Johnson & Chris Wesby (5) | Rashi Johnson (5) | Attack Athletics Attack Athletics The Attack Athletics is a state-of-the-art training center that includes 4 NBA regulation courts, and a 1,000 seat multi-purpose arena in Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by Michael Jordan's personal trainer Tim Grover. The facility was designed by Cornerstone Architects Ltd... |
3-0 |
| January 17 | Detroit Panthers Detroit Panthers (PBL) The Detroit Panthers are an American minor-league basketball team in the Premier Basketball League. Formerly a member of the American Basketball Association, the team was previously known as the Detroit Dogs and the Detroit Wheels... |
Home | 101-109 | Rashi Johnson (24) | Jason Arbet & Chris Wesby (7) | Rashi Johnson (10) | Kellogg Arena | 4-0 |
| January 19 | Augusta Groove | Home | 98-107 | Florentino Valencia (18) | Florentino Valencia (11) | Rashi Johnson (10) | Kellogg Arena | 5-0 |
| January 24 | Mid-Michigan Destroyers Mid-Michigan Destroyers The Mid-Michigan Destroyers were a franchise in the Premier Basketball League which began play in the 2009 season. Based in Bay City, they trained at the JJKN Hoops Training Center The Mid-Michigan Destroyers were a franchise in the Premier Basketball League which began play in the 2009 season. ... |
Away | 120-116 | Kenny Langhorne (29) | Kenny Langhorne (10) | Jeremy File, Deon Rose, Coleco Buie, Chris Gaines, & Rashi Johnson (1) | Western High School Western High School (Auburn, Michigan) Bay City Western High School is an American high school located at 500 Midland Road, Auburn, Michigan. Its mascot is the Warrior, and its colors are brown and gold. The school fight song consists of music from the march Winchester , with original words written for Western High... |
6-0 |
| January 31 | Detroit Panthers | Away | 119-106 | Kenny Langhorne (23) | Jeremy File (6) | Jeremy File & Rashi Johnson (4) | Groves High School | 7-0 |
| February 5 | Quebec Kebs | Home | 101-104 | Kenny Langhorne (20) | Coleco Buie & Rashi Johnson (6) | Rashi Johnson (5) | Kellogg Arena | 8-0 |
| February 6 | Chicago Throwbacks | Home | 112-117 | Kenny Langhorne (19) | Jason Arbet (9) | Rashi Johnson (12) | Kellogg Arena | 9-0 |
| February 13 | Quebec Kebs | Away | 94-86 | Kenny Langhorne (23) | Florentino Valencia (14) | Allen White, Frank Phillips, & Jason Arbet (1) | Pavillon de la Jeunesse Pavillon de la Jeunesse The Pavillon de la Jeunesse is an indoor arena, in Quebec City, Quebec on the grounds of ExpoCité. It opened in 1931 and has a capacity of 5,000 spectators, with 4,300 seated.-External links:*... |
10-0 |
| February 19 | Mid-Michigan Destroyers | Home | 111-131 | Kenny Langhorne (19) | Kenny Langhorne (7) | Rashi Johnson (12) | Kellogg Arena | 11-0 |
| February 20 | Detroit Panthers | Home | 133-143 | Coleco Buie (32) | Frank Phillips (7) | Rashi Johnson (15) | Kellogg Arena | 12-0 |
| February 22 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs | Away | 117-121 | Kenny Langhorne (21) | Rashi Johnson (7) | Frank Phillips & Rashi Johnson (5) | Schwartz Center Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center The Joe and Barbara Schwartz Center is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina. With a capacity of 1,800 people, it is home to the Cape Fear Sea Devils junior college basketball and volleyball teams, and also to the Wilmington Sea Dawgs of... |
12-1 |
| February 27 | Buffalo Stampede | Home | 90-114 | Kenny Langhorne (24) | Frank Phillips (10) | Rashi Johnson (7) | Kellogg Arena | 13-1 |
| March 1 | Detroit Panthers | Away | 108-110 | Florentino Valencia (19) | Frank Phillips (9) | Jeremy File (5) | Groves High School | 13-2 |
| March 8 | Chicago Throwbacks | Away | 114-109 | Florentino Valencia (20) | Rashi Johnson (10) | Rashi Johnson (7) | Attack Athletics | 14-2 |
| March 13 | Chicago Throwbacks | Home | 120-123 | Chris Gaines (21) | Deon Rose (10) | Rashi Johnson (7) | Kellogg Arena | 15-2 |
| March 22 | Augusta Groove | Away | 122-97 | Kenny Langhorne (24) | Frank Phillips (7) | Jason Arbet & Frank Phillips (3) | Richmond Academy Academy of Richmond County The Academy of Richmond County is a public high school listed on the National Register of Historic Places located in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783... |
16-2 |
| March 27 | Chicago Throwbacks | Away | 121-95 | Rashi Johnson (38) | Kenny Langhorne & Rashi Johnson (5) | Rashi Johnson (5) | Attack Athletics | 17-2 |
| March 28 | Buffalo Stampede | Away | 109-106 | Kenny Langhorne (23) | Florentino Valencia (10) | Rashi Johnson (8) | Koessler Athletic Center Koessler Athletic Center Koessler Athletic Center is a 2,176-seat multi-purpose arena in Buffalo, New York. It was built in 1968, is home to the Canisius College Golden Griffins basketball team, and in 2009 became the home to the Buffalo Stampede. It also serves as the home to the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association... |
18-2 |
| Playoffs Semi-Final series |
||||||||
| April 3 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs | Away | 108-112 | Rashi Johnson & Frank Phillips (22) | Frank Phillips (14) | Rashi Johnson (7) | Schwartz Center | 18-3 |
| April 5 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs | Home | 90-111 | Kenny Langhorne (20) | Kenny Langhorne (7) | Rashi Johnson (8) | Kellogg Arena | 19-3 |
| April 6 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs | Home | 112-119 | Rashi Johnson (24) | Frank Phillips (1) | Rashi Johnson (10) | Kellogg Arena | 20-3 |
| Playoffs PBL Finals |
||||||||
| April 19 | Rochester Razor Sharks | Away | 115-152 | Coleco Buie (24) | Kenny Langhorne (8) | Rashi Johnson (6) | Blue Cross arena | 20-4 |
Season by season results
| Regular Season | |||||||
| Year | Wins | Losses | Percentage | Division | |||
| 2005 | 21 | 0 | 1.00 | 1st - East Division | |||
| 2006 | 11 | 10 | .523 | T-5th - East Division | |||
| 2007 | 14 | 9 | .608 | 3rd - East Division | |||
| 2008 | 10 | 12 | .455 | 4th - East Division | |||
| 2009 | 18 | 2 | .900 | 1st - Central Division | |||
2005 - IBL Champions