This was accomplished during this past weekend’s games in which the Sauk Valley Predators clinched the number 2 seed in the Central division by defeating the Chicago Muscle 107-89.  “This has been an exciting season joining the PBL. When we started this organization back in August of 2011, our goal was to bring a team to our city that our community can be proud of and to make the playoffs. We’ve achieved that goal and so now it’s time to bring the first championship to our fans,” commented Predators owner Brad Grenoble.

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers secured the number 2 seed in the PBL’s Eastern Division after their win against the Dayton Air Strikers with a score of 111-89.  This was a close finish to securing the number 2 seed.  Even if the Dayton Air Strikers were to finish with the same record as the Steamers, the series record between the two teams belongs to the Steamers.  “This is something that our guys have worked hard for all season and it has finally paid off.  We are excited to be a part of the PBL’s Playoffs with this being our first season in basketball,” stated Steamers owner Joe Runco. “We could have not asked for a more successful season and want to bring a Championship home to Scranton Wilkes-Barre,” continued Runco.

The PBL’s Playoffs will consist of cross divisional play with the 1^st place Eastern Division Rochester RazorSharks competing against 2^nd place Central Division Sauk Valley Predators.  The 1^st place Central Division’s Central Illinois Drive will face off against the 2^nd place Eastern Division’s Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers.  “This playoff structure will provide some exciting basketball.  These teams have not played each other at all therefore the games will be interesting to watch as each team will not be familiar with the other’s style play,” stated Carrie Ann May, league commissioner and vice president of operations.

The Central Illinois Drive will hold on to the number 1 seed and home court advantage throughout the playoffs all the way to the Championship series.  “The Central Illinois Drive team and staff have had an exciting year, our first in the Premier Basketball League.  We are anxious to begin the 2012 PBL playoffs.  Our thanks go out to our fans, sponsors and everyone at the US Cellular Coliseum and the Premier Basketball League Staff for helping our inaugural season to be such a success.  Good luck to all the teams in the playoffs,” stated Central Illinois Drive co-owner Scott Henderson.

The Rochester RazorSharks, also last year’s PBL Champions will look to defend their championship as they square off against the Sauk Valley Predators in their first round of playoffs.  “This is the most exciting time of the year, and we’re looking forward to beginning the PBL playoffs with a win.  We’ll continue to take this time leading up to next week to prepare and get better, coming into the postseason fully focused on reaching our goal for another championship,” commented head coach Rod Baker.

Teams will play in a best of three series where the lower seed will host the first game.  The higher seed will then host the next two games (the third if necessary) at their home venue.

The PBL’s Playoff dates have been set and are as follows:

4/5/12 – Game 1, Central Illinois Drive at Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers.  7:05pm local time tipoff

4/6/12 – Game 1, Rochester RazorSharks at Sauk Valley Predators.  7:05pm local time tipoff

4/7/12 – Game 2, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers at Central Illinois Drive.  7:05pm local time tipoff

4/7/12 – Game 2, Sauk Valley Predators at Rochester RazorSharks.  7:05pm local time tipoff

4/9/12 – Game 3, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers at Central Illinois Drive.  7:05pm local time tipoff (if necessary)

4/9/12 – Game 3, Sauk Valley Predators at Rochester RazorSharks.  7:05pm local time tipoff (if necessary)

To keep up with PBL Playoff action, you can watch the games live by visiting www.AtSportsTV.com.  The PBL postseason games can also be seen on the TUFF TV Television Network (www.TuffTV.com)

For more information including ticket sales for the PBL Playoffs, please visit – www.DriveHoops.com, www.RazorSharks.com, www.SaukValleyPredators.com, www.SWBSteamers.com.

For more information on the Premier Basketball League visit www.ThePBL.com

A military color guard will present the colors and several military dignitaries are expected to be presented at the game. Retired and current military personnel will be admitted free of charge and their family members are encouraged to attend. Adult tickets are $10, senior citizens and children under 18 years of age are $5.

The Muscle is battling for a playoff spot and currently stands at 8-8 for the season. A friendly rivalry has been established between the Muscle and the Predators.SaukValleywill hostChicagoSunday March 25, 2012 inSterling,ILat 3pm and the Muscle will wear the camouflage again at that game.

Please visit the following websites for more information about the supporters of this event.

www.heyerlaw.net

www.heartofamarine.org

www.saukvalleypredators.com

The PBL’s Player of the Month for February 2012 – Marcel Anderson, Guard, Chicago Muscle

In his first season with the PBL, guard Marcel Anderson of the Central Division’s Chicago Muscle proved to be February 2012’s Player of the Month.  Anderson, a 6’0 guard from Harris Stowe State, in St. Louis, Missouri led the league for February in scoring with an average of 23.0 points per game.

Anderson, nicknamed “Cel” by his colleagues was born and raised in the Chicago land area and attended Rich South High School.  He has played for the Eurobasket Summer League for teams Lugano, Amsterdam and London.  Marcel was also the 2010 Harris-Stowe State University Dunk Contest Winner for their 2010 Intramural Basketball division.

Marcel enjoys bowling with friends and spending time with his family.  “Marcel brings excitement and energy to the game.  He is always a fan favorite especially with his breakaway dunks,” commented Dave Knickelbein, General Manager for the Chicago Muscle.

The PBL’s Coach of the Month for February 2012 – Rod Baker, Head Coach, Rochester RazorSharks

Going into his 7^th season as the Head Coach of the Rochester RazorSharks, Rod Baker has led the RazorSharks to four championships.  Coach Baker has a career record with the RazorSharks of 132-29 including the regular season and playoffs but not including the RazorSharks’ current season record of 12-1 through the end of February.  During the month of February, the RazorSharks went undefeated at 5-0 scoring an average of 106.4 points per game while defeating their opponents by an average of 11.0 points per game.

Coach Baker brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the RazorSharks, and has spent time coaching at the Division 1 College level, USA International Teams, and as the head coach of the Harlem Globetrotters.  Coach Baker played at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and is originally from Philadelphia, PA.

The PBL’s Team of the Month for February 2012 – Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers, led by Owner Joe Runco

With an average attendance of approximately 1,000 fans at each of their home games for the month of February, multiple team owners praising their overall operation for a home game, and a second place record at 8-10 in the PBL’s Eastern Division, the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steams have been named the PBL’s Team of the Month for February 2012.  The Steamers have made a huge impact in their hometown of Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania since joining the PBL in July 2011 in preparing for their first season of Minor League Professional Basketball.  In a short period of time, the Steamers have put together an excellent organization comprised of quality basketball, community involvement and outreach, philanthropy and great leadership from their owner Joe Runco.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors, staff, local media and most of all, our new and loyal fan base for supporting our team. We are excited to be a part of the Premier Basketball League and have worked hard to follow their standard operating procedures.  It truly is an honor to receive such recognition,” commented Joe Runco, President of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers.

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers scored an average of 118.2 points per game in February.

For more information please visit www.ThePBL.com

Chicago will play the Central Illinois Drive twice this week with the first matchup Thursday February 23 at Harper College in Palatine at 7:05pm followed by a game with the Drive in the Wisconsin Dells at 5pm Saturday February 25.

Monday’s win for the Muscle moves them into a tie for second in the Central Conference with Sauk Valley at 6-4, while Central Illinois remains undefeated.

The Muscle’s next few games will take them on the road as they will visit the undefeated Central Illinois Drive on February 16th and Indiana Diesels on February 19th.

The Muscle will also be playing two home games at Harper College in Palatine, IL -  on February 20th, President’s Day, the Muscle will host the St. Louis Phoenix and on February 23rd, the team will play against Central Illinois Drive. The President’s Day showdown will feature half priced tickets for any fan wearing a mask or costume of a U.S. President. Promotional tickets will be available at the door on the game day. The game tips off at 4:05 p.m.

On February 25th, the Chicago Muscle will team up with JustAGame Fieldhouse  in Wisconsin Dells for a game against Central Illinois Drive on the “Court of Champions.”

For more information about the Chicago Muscle and the 2012 PBL season, you can visit www.ChicagoMusclePBL.com.

 Sauk Valley bounced back in the 3^rd quarter and would not allow the Muscle to regain the lead.  The Muscle was led in scoring by Marcel Anderson who had 28 points, Rico Hill had 22 points to go with 10 rebounds, and Casey Love finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

The PBL’s Player of the Month and Sauk Valley Predators’ guard Desmond Holloway led all scorers with 37 points.  The Muscle’s next game takes them on the road as they will visit the undefeated Central Illinois Drive on February 16^th.  The next home game at Harper College for the Muscle will be on President’s Day, Monday February 20^th, as the Muscle will host the St. Louis Phoenix.  Tip-off is scheduled at 4:05pm.

St. Louis, MO, 1/29/2012 – Coming off a loss to the Predators the Muscle looked to avoid a second road loss. The Muscle put in a strong performance and kept the St-Louis Phoenix out of the win column by winning the game 115-106. The loss drops the Phoenix to 0-4 for the season, while the Muscle improved to 4-2. St. Louis held a 24-19 lead at the start of the second quarter, during which Chicago used stifling defense to gain a 50-40 lead at the break. The lead changed several times in the third quarter, but it was an early surge in the fourth that gave Chicago the lead for good.

Leading the charge for the Muscle was a dominating duo of Casey Love and Nick Livas, who tallied 28 and 22 points respectively. Rico Hill notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Marcel Anderson scored 19 points off the bench. Chicago shot 57% and a scorching 73% in the second half. while St. Louis shot a dismal 43% for the game.

The Muscle look to put back to back wins when they face The Predators at home on 2/3 at 7:05 pm.

Paced by a sparkling 38 point outburst from shooting guard Desmond Holloway, the Predators used a late spurt to gain a 127-115 victory over the Chicago Muscle.

Marcel Anderson led the Chicago Muscle with 23 points followed by Rico Hill with 21 points and 10 rebounds, giving the Muscle the only player from both teams to have a double-double.  Nick Livas added 18 points and Casey Love had 16 points. The Predators were an impressive 47 for 85 from the field with Desmond Holloway leading the way.

The loss was only the second this year for Chicago putting them in third place in the division. The Muscle look to to rebound on the road Sunday against a St-Louis team seeking their first win of the season.

Bloomington, IL, 1/14/12 – The Central Illinois Drive, presented by Sonic, defeated the Chicago Muscle by a score of 113-79 on Saturday afternoon. Both teams went into the game unbeaten. Rodney Edgerson led the Drive with 25 points off thebench, as the team shot 48% from the field. They also shot 85% (23-27) from the free-throw line.  ISU alum Rico Hill led Chicago with 15 points.

Chicago won the opening tip-off, but Tony Lewis of Central Illinois would score the first two field goals of the game.  After going down 12-11, Nathan Fuqua put the Drive on top with a breakaway layup from Daniel Ruffin. The Drive would eventually end the first quarter up 28-22.

Josh Edmonds hit two in a row to start a 17-6 run for the Drive. The Muscle tried to respond with three point shots of their own, but shot just 2 for 7 from three point range in the first half. Meanwhile the Drive went 7 for 11. Central Illinois would go into halftime leading 58-36.

The Muscle were able to hold the Drive to 1 of 7 from three point territory in the third quarter. The Muscle are known from their impressive inside basketball game, but were able to switch up the defense to answer the Drive’s three point dominance in the first half.

The Muscle is already regrouping for the veteran Indiana Diesels who come to Chicago on 1/22.