Vancouver Volcanoes gear up for third TBL season

On the cusp of their third season, the Vancouver Volcanoes are putting down roots.

Community engagement is the team’s top priority, according to owner and associate head coach Curtis Hill.

It’s easy to see why. Both Hill and fellow head coach Calvin Hampton played for the Volcanoes before the franchise went dormant in 2014.

Since buying the team and restarting play in 2022, Hill has wanted the Volcanoes to have a presence beyond the team’s 20-game season from March through May.

That has seen the team put on numerous youth basketball clinics and use its presence to raise funds for local nonprofit community groups.

“The number one thing I wanted to bring was to give back to the youth,” Hill said. “That’s getting our players involved in the community. That’s one of the things we did when we played. Just getting these guys to buy in and do that has been wonderful.”

Seven of the team’s 10 home games at Clark College will also serve as fundraisers. That starts with the home opener March 7 against Salem, a game that will raise money for the East Vancouver Business Association Scholarship Fund.

Additional fundraiser games will benefit the Boys & Girls Club, Vancouver Public Schools Foundation, Northwest Association of Blind Athletes, Chelsea’s Closet, the Salvation Army and Hope For The Good Foundation.

Hill believes the franchise’s connection with the community translates to fans in the seats. After playing their first season without fans due to COVID, the Volcanoes saw attendance at O’Connell Sports Center steadily grow last spring.

“Last year I thought it was pretty good toward the second half of the year,” Hill said. “Working with the Boys & Girls Club and through the youth clinics, children are taking an interest and wanting to see what we’re all about.”

Targeting a postseason return

On the court, Hill believes his team has the talent to make a second straight trip to the postseason. The Volcanoes play in the West Conference of The Basketball League, which bills itself as the third tier of U.S. professional basketball.

The West Conference has expanded to 10 teams, with new franchises in Eugene, Ore., and Great Falls, Mont. Though the conference includes four California teams, Vancouver will play exclusively against Salem, Seattle, Wenatchee, Great Falls and Emerald City (Eugene).

Though last season’s top scorer Jalen Richardson has moved on, Vancouver brings back second-leading scorer Marky Adams. The 6-foot-10 center from Forks averaged 13.0 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds last season.

The Volcanoes have also added Rashaun Coleman, who played 13 games last season for the TBL champion Potawatomi Fire.

High-scoring games are a hallmark of the league. Though Vancouver averaged 104.4 points per game, that was last among West Conference teams.

“We’re definitely going to play fast,” Hill said. “One of the things we’re hoping to do this year is play great team defense. We’re going to defend this space. We added a lot of physicality and toughness.

2024 season schedule

(Home games played at Clark College)

Friday, March 1 — at Emerald City Jaguars, 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 7 — at Seattle Super Hawks, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 8 — vs. Salem Capitals, 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 10 — vs. Salem Capitals, 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 17 — vs. Great Falls Electric, 3 p.m.

Friday, March 22 — vs. Emerald City Jaguars, 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 24 — at Wenatchee Bighorns, 3 p.m.

Thursday, April 4 — at Seattle Super Hawks, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 6 — vs. Wenatchee Bighorns, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 7 — at Salem Capitals, 3 p.m.

Friday, April 12 — vs. Emerald City Jaguars, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 14 — vs. Seattle Super Hawks, 3 p.m.

Friday, April 19 — at Great Falls Electric, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 20 — at Great Falls Electric, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 27 — vs. Great Falls Electric, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 28 — at Emerald City Jaguars, 3 p.m.

Friday, May 17 — vs Emerald City Jaguars, 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 19 — at Emerald City Jaguars, 3 p.m.

Friday, May 24 — at Salem Capitals, 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 25 — vs. Seattle Super Hawks, 7 p.m.

2024 roster

Season tickets: $50 (available at vancouvervolcanoes.com)