The Olympia Rise semi-pro basketball team begins their inaugural campaign in the ABA today when they take on the Seattle Mountaineers at the CRC Gymnasium at The Evergreen State College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

The Rise are expected to be led by 2012 Evergreen graduate Patrick Lewis, an all-conference honorable mention forward for the Geoducks last season and current men’s basketball assistant coach. Lewis will be joined in the front court by 6’8″ forward Roberto Diver, who has played professionally overseas after a stint at Pierce College. Another former Geoduck, Ramone Johnson will likely start at shooting guard while Tacoma native Justin Artis will start at the point. Rounding out head coach JR Wong’s lineup will be Shoreline Community College’s Jonathan Payne.

Four members of Olympia’s other semi-pro basketball team, the Olympia Reign, will also play for the Rise this season. Jacob Manning, a 6’6″ forward from the University of New Orleans, and guards Derrick Allen, Brandan Striplin and Edric Egberuare will help fill out a Rise roster that team Vice President Tim Reynolds expects will rely on their athleticism to offset their lack of height.

The roster is rounded out by SPSCC product Perris Jackson, Olympic College’s Dietrich Rios, Grays Harbor College’s Robert Taylor, Colby Denton of West Seattle High School and Jake Bennett of Kamiak High School.

The Rise debut against one of the few ABA teams that have survived multiple seasons in the Northwest, the Seattle Mountaineers. The Mountaineers come into the game undefeated after three games played. Marcus Bradford leads Seattle in scoring with 29 points per game.

Reynolds says that fans can expect “a fast pace game, with a twist in the ABA rules”, family entertainment and giveaways. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door.