Salem Capitals center Vincent Boumann dunks against the Vancouver Volcanoes during the Salem Capitals inaugural home game on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem Capitals kicked off their inaugural season at the Salem Armory on Friday night with a 116-100 win over the Vancouver Volcanoes.
More than 1,200 fans came out to support the new professional team, cheering and participating in games and a dance contest during breaks in game play.
The team, whose first season was delayed due to the pandemic, drew in players both from the Salem area and across the country. Players stuck around following the game to greet fans and sign autographs.
On Saturday, the Capitals again beat the Volcanoes, 112-95.
The team is part of the national The Basketball League. The season runs through May.
Kevin Johnson Jr. takes a free throw during the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Thai Carr, left, and Jason Reed cheer after a dunk by Salem Capitals guard Montigo Alford during the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Capitals head coach Brian Stevens talks with players during a timeout in the second half of the Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Capitals guard Jason Smarr high fives fans after his team’s win over the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Capitals’ Tyler West Jr. takes a jump shot during the Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Team owner Jason Conrad leads a dance contest during halftime at the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Marin Krumenauer, 8, of Salem, competes in a relay race in oversized clothing and shoes during a timeout at the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Capitals guard Paul Hafford high fives Marin Krumenauer, 8, of Salem, after she and her mother won a relay race during a timeout at the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Christopher Coleman, left, of the Vancouver Volcanoes, guards against Vincent Boumann, of the Salem Capitals during the Capitals inaugural home game on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Desjuan Newton of the Vancouver Volcanoes reacts to a three point shot by his team to end the first half of the Salem Capitals inaugural home game against the Volcanoes on Friday, March 4. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
