Elkhart Express Ponder $1.5 Million Offer
Could tonight be the final time that the Elkhart Express take to the North Side Gym hardwood?
Only time will tell on that one as an offer has been made to purchase the International Basketball League franchise.
For now, Express president/coach Daimon Beathea is concerned with tonight’s exhibition game versus the Wanma Cyclones of the Chinese Basketball Association.
‘My focus right now is on Friday night’s game,” said Beathea earlier this week. ‘We’re going about our business day-to-day like usual and working to prepare for next year.”
Beathea confirmed that he has received a $1.5 million offer from Chicago area businessman Barry Chessick to purchase the Express. Beathea also said that a decision on the team’s future will not come for at least two months.
‘I have to look at and explore all options,” said Beathea of a possible sale. He noted that the team’s revenue, most notably due to a drop in real attendance, dropped by about 30 percent in 2008 from 2007.
Elkhart is 69-8 in its three years with back-to-back IBL titles in 2006 and 2007. The Express went 23-2 this season, losing 118-111 to Bellingham (Wash.) in the league title game last month.
Beathea says tonight’s contest is a unique opportunity for the community. The Express traveled to China the last two years. The Wanma team, which arrived earlier this week, is slated to remain until Aug. 26 to train with the Express. Elkhart played the team on its trip to China at the start of the 2008 season this past spring.
‘This is a great thing for us to host,” Beathea said. ‘It’s also a great chance for the community to experience international flavor.”
The Elkhart roster for tonight’s game, which is slated for a 7:15 p.m. tip-off, will feature some familiar faces and some new ones. Expected to suit up are the trio of Cedric Moodie, Coleco Buie and Jarrod Lovette, all Express starters in 2008, along with key reserves Lincoln Glass and Prentice McGruder. All members of the 2008 squad were invited back for tonight’s exhibition, but several have already secured deals to play professionally for foreign teams.
The Express squad is also expected to include additions Keith Gayden, Quinnel Brown, DeAnthony Bowden and Roberto Fortes. The quartet, all IBL veterans, could all be in the mix to make the Express roster in 2009. Also scheduled to play tonight are former Express players Darmetreis Kilgore, a South Bend Washington product, and Anthony Kyle. Brad Pompey, an Elkhart Central grad like Kyle, will also participate.
‘It will be interesting to see,” said Beathea of the mix for tonight’s contest. ‘We’ll use this game as a barometer to look at some players.”
A celebrity game will precede tonight’s Express exhibition contest. The 5 p.m. tilt is slated to include Beathea, along with former area standouts Ross Hales…..
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