A new kind of March Madness debuts with reborn USBL

A different kind of March Madness tipped off March 14 at Southwestern College as the San Diego Surf hosted the Vancouver (Wash.) Bears in the opening game of the resurrected United States Basketball League.

The Bears, boasting a pair of South County locals on their roster (former Southwest Raider Diego Edwards and former Olympian Eagle Diego Sanchez), held off the Surf, 88-87, in a game that ended on a desperation shot off the rim to nail down the victory.

Edwards is averaging 17.0 ppg, eight rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game for the undefeated Bears (4-0).

The Surf is 2-2 through four games.

The USBL features eight teams in two pods along the West Coast: five in the Pacific Northwest (Spokane, Wash., Salem, Ore, Seattle, Wash., Vancouver, Wash. And Yakima, Wash.) and three in Southern California (Bakersfield, Los Angeles and San Diego).

League play in the modest circuit extends through May 31, followed by playoffs.

The Surf is based in MiraCosta College but held its season opener at Southwestern College.

The team’s dance squad was also unveiled at the March 14 event with four members hailing from Eastlake High School.

USBL Standings
Vancouver Bears 4-0
Seattle Superhawks 3-0
Los Angeles Blue Waves 2-2
San Diego Surf 2-2
Yakima Heat 2-2
Salem Capitals 2-2
Bakersfield Majestics 0-3
Spokane Lilac City Legends 0-4