Local players to boost Energy lineup

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Local players to boost Energy lineup

Basketball team signs three hometown hoopsters for upcoming IBL season

Posted By Brian Swane/EXAMINER STAFF

The local International Basketball League team has gone from calling itself the ‘Chill’ to being dubbed the ‘Energy.’

What remains unchanged is the municipality preceding the moniker.

So fittingly, Edmontonians will again figure prominently in the team’s lineup this basketball season.

Last week, the Edmonton Energy made its first official signings, inking three local players in Andrew Parker, J.R. Patrick, and Alex Steele.

Coach/general manager Paul Sir wants to have six hometowners in uniform when his club starts play next month.

“We know that’s great for the public to see local players excelling,” says Sir. “Number two, they can flat out play.”

Indeed, that was proven during the 2008 IBL season, when Parker, Patrick and Steele were among seven Edmonton players who suited up for the Chill.

“So why look long and hard all over the place when you’ve got your diamonds right here in your backyard?”

Swingmen Parker and Patrick (the Chill’s top scorer in ’08) are currently playing with pro clubs in Germany and France, respectively, but expected back for the Energy’s first game May 2. Steele, the former University of Alberta star who was the 2008 Canada West player of the year, is poised to be the starting point guard until incumbent Rashaun Broadus rejoins the team after the season opens.

Another local player who played for the Chill and is likely to return with the Energy is the coach’s son, Steve Sir. The sharp-shooting guard is currently in playoffs with a Switzerland-based team.

“He’s indicating that once his season’s over, he and his wife are going to travel a bit,” says Sir. “He’s going to take a bit of a break as it has been a long season (in Europe), but our hope is he will be suited up some time in May with us.”

Parker’s older brother, Stephen Parker, who played every Chill game in 2008 while holding down his day job as a lawyer, seems unlikely to return.

“I haven’t spoken with Stephen lately. The door is always open,” says Sir. “But I know he has a lot of responsibilities with his law firm.”

More player signings will be announced shortly, says Sir, who expects there to be only two to four roster openings when the club hosts a one-day open tryout camp on April 11 at Louis St. Laurent school. They play their first home game at the MacEwan Centre for Sport and Wellness against the Vancouver Titans on May 8.

Also signed by the Energy last week was American Antwon Mills, a forward who joined the Chill in mid-season.