2024 CEBL+ Broadcast Teams Announced

May 9, 2024

Sixth season of CEBL action tips off May 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on TSN 

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday the local broadcast teams that will deliver all the excitement of Canada’s professional basketball league to viewers across the country on the league’s OTT streaming platform, CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The lineup covering all livestream games consists of more than 35 media personalities across all 10 of the league’s markets. 

 

The 2024 CEBL season tips off Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. MT / 9 p.m. ET when the Calgary Surge host provincial rival the Edmonton Stingers at Scotiabank Saddledome. In addition to the CEBL on TSN broadcast team announced Wednesday, the following is the full CEBL+ broadcast lineup in 2024:

 

2024 CEBL+ BROADCAST TEAMS 

 

BRAMPTON / NIAGARA: 

Matt Bonomi 

Matt Bonomi returns for his second season as a play-by-play commentator in the CEBL. As a fan of the sport, Bonomi has called over 200 Canadian University basketball games as the voice of the Brock Badgers. In 2020, he earned the inaugural OUA Broadcaster of the Year Award. In addition, Bonomi was on the call for the 2023 CCAA Women’s Canadian College Basketball Championships and two windows of the 2023 FIBA Basketball Champions League of Americas, featuring the 2022 CEBL champion Honey Badgers. Bonomi is a 2019 graduate of Brock University (Sport Management), and a 2022 graduate from the Ontario College of Sports Media. 

 

Joe Raso 

Joe Raso, Sr. Director, Basketball Operations for the CEBL, returns for his sixth year on the league’s broadcast staff. Raso has been involved in all levels of basketball for more than 35 years. He is the all-time winningest head coach in McMaster University history, where he coached his teams to four OUA championships and four silver medals at the CIS (now U SPORTS) National Championships. Raso has also worked on the international level as the Head Scout for the Canadian Men’s National Team and was an assistant coach with the program for four years. Raso has experience as a TV analyst for the CEBL, FIBA, CBC, Sportsnet and TSN. 

 

Sean Woodley 

Sean Woodley is the longtime host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, and has worked as a studio 

personality and play-by-play voice for the CEBL since the league's inception. Woodley has also worked as a host at TSN 1150 Radio, was a credentialed member of the Raptors' media corps from 2015-2022, and coaches youth basketball in Hamilton. 

 

Andrew Damelin 

Andrew Damelin enters his fourth season covering the CEBL. The Raptors Republic reporter creates highlights for SportsCentre and updates for TSN 1050 Toronto, and has hosted “The Honey Drop” podcast covering the Brampton Honey Badgers franchise since 2021. He's 6-foot-5, loves his wife, kids, eggs benedict and nifty post moves. His playing days may be over, but his passion for the grassroots game has never been stronger. 

 

Dhanung Bulsara 

Dhanung Bulsara, commonly known as ‘D', enters his fourth season with the CEBL as a sideline reporter. For the past three seasons, Bulsara has patrolled the sidelines covering home games for the Guelph Nighthawks (2021, 2022), Brampton Honey Badgers and Niagara River Lions. Last season saw him draw his first of multiple assignments on TSN, covering nationally televised games for the league. This past summer also saw Bulsara make his debut as the in-game host for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has previous experience as the Raptors 905 in-game host, spending two seasons with the team. 

 

Esfandiar Baraheni 

Esfandiar Baraheni has been a basketball reporter, writer and producer for over five years, working with publications like TheScore, Bleacher Report, TSN, Spotify, and Raptors Republic — specializing in covering the Toronto Raptors and the rest of the NBA. 

 

Kyle Parkinson 

Kyle Parkinson is a communicator with a passion for interviewing, creating exciting content and having an enthusiastic eye for attention to detail and critical analysis. Parkinson is a self-starter who is goal-oriented, active on social media and able to report stories and create content. From being an on-screen talent with Sportsnet, he has covered numerous live major sporting events in pursuit of his passion for sports media and eagerness to grow in this industry. 

 

CALGARY: 

Mitch Peacock 

The voice of Calgary Surge games in their inaugural season, Mitch Peacock enters his second CEBL campaign fresh from regular duty calling the German Basketball Bundesliga’s World Feed. The versatile announcer also recently completed a season doing Swedish Hockey League and Champions Hockey League games for global audiences, and last fall worked international soccer matches for CONCACAF. Peacock has done network play-by-play for five Olympic Games, hosted FIFA World Cup coverage, and worked as a rinkside reporter on Hockey Night in Canada. His other credits include anchor on the FOX Soccer Report and host of Calgary Flames Radio. 

 

Jamaine Cummings 

As a student of the game, Jamaine Cummings is prepared to bring his unique analysis style to the Calgary Surge broadcast for a second season. Some of his past broadcast credits include the 2024 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Men’s Final 4 Championship,2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s National Championship, 2023 Western Canadian Baseball League Championship and the 2023 ACAC Men’s Provincial Championship. Cummings also played basketball at St. Marys' in Calgary and for Basketball Alberta. With a passion for both basketball and broadcasting, he is excited and honoured to once again, combine the two, to help showcase the CEBL's elite talent to the entire nation. 

 

Cami Kepke 

Cami Kepke returns to the sidelines for the Calgary Surge’s second season. Kepke brings eight years of award-winning television sports experience to the court, including coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2023 and 2018 Heritage Classics, the Grey Cup and the Basketball Champions League Americas’ Calgary event. She has roved the sidelines for the Surge’s inaugural season, the 2023 Canada West Women’s Basketball Championship, the 2022 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship, and University of Calgary Dinos Football games. Kepke looks forward to bringing fans inside the game and sharing the stories of the coaches, athletes and staff who make every electric CEBL season possible. 

 

EDMONTON: 

Doug McLean 

With over 20 years of national and international broadcast experience, lifelong Edmontonian Doug McLean returns for his fifth season calling Edmonton Stingers games. Currently the colour commentator for University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas basketball, McLean also recently called the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Final 8. Internationally, he has broadcast Team USA basketball at the FISU World University Games while also calling FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying events and FIBA 3x3. Additionally, McLean has called hockey at four FISU World University Games, does colour commentary of university football across the Canada West Conference, and did colour on two Edmonton Elks CFL broadcasts in 2023. 

 

Paul Sir 

Paul Sir has spent his life intensely immersed in the game of basketball. As a player, Sir is a member of the Iowa High School Basketball and Winona State University Halls of Fame while also played professionally in Europe. He has coached at all levels and recently retired after being the Executive Director of the Alberta Basketball Association for 16 years. Sir has been the driving force for developing 3x3 in Canada. He led the efforts to make Edmonton the home of the Canada Basketball Women's Olympic Team. Sir is the host of 'The Basketball Show' on Sports 1440 radio in Edmonton and has done the colour commentary for the Edmonton Stingers since the club's inception. 

 

Emma Foose 

Emma Foose joins the Edmonton Stingers in her first year as a sideline reporter in the CEBL. Foose comes from a diverse sports background both behind the scenes and in the action. Growing up playing competitive hockey, she has been involved with sports as long as she can remember. From aiding game-day operations with the Edmonton Elks to coaching a U15 AA hockey team, Foose is excited to branch out into the world of basketball. She is currently enrolled in the Radio and Television program at NAIT and has a passion for storytelling. 

 

Ethan Ready 

Ethan Ready is a graduate from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario, Ready moved to Northern BC in 2019, working as a broadcaster and most recently doing play-by-play for both hockey and football. His work experience includes time spent covering the CFL, CJFL, NHL, WHL, and U SPORTS basketball, soccer and volleyball. Ready is excited to be a part of the Stingers' broadcast team for the 2024 CEBL season. 

 

MONTREAL: 

Moe Khan 

Moe Khan is entering his third year as the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Alliance in the CEBL. Khan has called games in the CCAA, NCAA, and U SPORTS levels across multiple varsity sports. This year, with Montreal hosting Championship Weekend, he believes the city is ready to showcase to Canada why it is a basketball city and looks forward to working with his colleagues Dwight Walton and Gabriela Hebert to produce top quality broadcasts. 

 

Dwight Walton 

Dwight Walton is a former member of the Canadian National Team from 1986-1995. Walton played professionally in Israel and Switzerland from 1994-2004, including four years in Israel and six years in Switzerland. The basketball analyst and colour commentator was also an assistant coach for the men’s program at Concordia University in Montreal and served as General Manager for the Los Angeles Ignite of The Basketball League. 

 

Gabriela Hébert 

After playing U SPORTS basketball with McGill University where she was part of five provincial championships and helped lay the foundations for the eventual Bronze Baby winning Martlets, Gabriela Hébert started getting involved in broadcasts. She participated as an analyst for different provincial and national women’s basketball championships in the last few years. Hébert is also the season analyst for the women’s basketball team at McGill University. You can also catch her new podcast, “The Corner Girl” launching this summer as she will discuss the world of women’s sports, including basketball, through stories and news to inspire the new generation of athletes. In 2024, Hébert will serve her third season as sideline reporter for Montreal Alliance home games. 

 

OTTAWA: 

AJ Jakubec 

AJ Jakubec is a 27-year sports broadcasting veteran who has been at TSN 1200 Ottawa for 18 years after stops throughout British Columbia and his native Edmonton. Jakubec’s first basketball call was as the voice of the Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas from 2001-03. In Ottawa, he has brought the action to viewers and listeners during numerous Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees games, including the annual Capital Hoops Classic and multiple U SPORTS Championships. Jakubec’s local play-by-play experience includes work with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oil Kings, Atlético Ottawa, and Ottawa Fury FC, in addition to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

 

Elias El-Zein 

As a seasoned broadcaster, Elias El-Zein captivates audiences with a compelling blend of charisma, wit, and insightful commentary. With a knack for engaging storytelling, El-Zein has carved a niche in the broadcasting world, delivering news, analysis, and entertainment with professionalism and flair. His dynamic on-air presence and a deep understanding of the game of basketball ensures an enriching experience for listeners/viewers. Whether behind the mic or in front of the camera, El-Zein brings passion and expertise to every broadcast. 

 

Wumi Agunbiade 

Pro-player turned coach, Wumi Agunbiade, is a Canadian basketball figure known for bridging her experience of the game with her passion for the community. From Pickering, ON, Agunbiade fell in love with basketball before she could walk and has since been on a mission to uplift others through the sport. She is the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Queen’s University and the Founder of Hoopers Loop, an organization geared towards the development of female-identifying student-athletes. From playing in the NCAA and professionally in Europe, to coaching with the Raptors 905 and the Guelph Nighthawks (Calgary Surge), Agunbiade offers a unique perspective of the game. 

 

Fabienne Blizzard 

Fabienne Blizzard played basketball and graduated from the University of Ottawa. As a point guard, Blizzard was awarded Rookie of the Year, MVP, Best Defensive Player, OUA All-Star, Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Hall of Fame. She has had the pleasure of coaching at every level in basketball (Grassroots, Club, University, College, Regional, Provincial, National and Professional) and has also had the opportunity to assist and coach with the NBA Basketball Without Boarders, Senegal SEED Forum and NBA Academy guest coach. 

 

Jackie Perez 

Jackie Perez is excited to join the Ottawa BlackJacks broadcast team for her first season as a CEBL sideline reporter. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Perez spent three seasons as the in-game host for the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. She began her television career as a video journalist for CTV News Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 2018, she made the move to Regina as CTV Morning Live's on location reporter. This led to a role at CityNews Calgary as an anchor and video journalist. Perez is currently a television broadcaster with CTV News Ottawa contributing content to television, radio and digital platforms. 

 

SASKATCHEWAN: 

Simon Hiatt 

Simon Hiatt has been the play-by-play voice of the Saskatchewan Rattlers since their inaugural season and called the first-ever CEBL championship game in 2019. Hiatt has worked in local television in Saskatoon for 25 years and was also the play-by-play voice for the University of Saskatchewan women’s and men’s basketball teams for over a decade. He has also been a newspaper columnist and public address announcer and is an award-winning filmmaker. Hiatt lives in Saskatoon with his wife Joy, a cantankerous old cat named Wrigley and an unruly puppy named Lucy. 

 

Amy Prokop 

Amy Prokop enters her second season as a colour analyst in the CEBL with the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Prokop had an accomplished career as a point guard with the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program (2004-09) and helped them earn their first Canada West championship banner in 2005. She sits third all-time in Huskie assists and fifth in steals. Leaning into her multi-sport background, Prokop is now in her 10th year as an assistant coach with Huskie Women’s Soccer and is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport in her community. 

 

Heather Morrison 

Heather Morrison, a member of the CEBL’s Saskatchewan Rattlers broadcast team, is a broadcaster and public speaking coach from Saskatoon. This is Morrison’s fourth season with the CEBL. She is the founder and president of Deliver Your Best public speaking coaching. Morrison has also handled sideline coverage for Canada West Football and spent three years as an associate producer with CBC Saskatchewan, where she also hosted radio programs and was a television weather reporter. Last season Morrison had the honour of covering the CEBL's Western Conference Finals and Championship Weekend. 

 

Ryan Flaherty 

After more than a decade in TV news primarily as a sports anchor and reporter, Ryan Flaherty became a freelance broadcaster in 2021. This is his third season as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team and when he’s not calling games he serves as the team’s PA announcer. Flaherty’s play-by-play work includes two seasons as the voice of the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatchewan Rush, six years of Saskatchewan Huskies basketball, hockey and soccer, Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League games, and he’s currently in his sixth season as the voice of Saskatchewan SWAT Jr. Lacrosse. He also works as a sideline reporter covering Canada West football. 

 

SCARBOROUGH: 

Rod Black 

As a Canadian sports broadcaster for over 40 years, Rod Black has been a part of some of sports most iconic events, including multiple Olympic Games and PGA tournaments. He was on the mic for the Toronto Raptors inaugural season television broadcasts. Following a lengthy career with TSN and CTV that included calling Toronto Blue Jays games and leading the pregame coverage of their 1992 and 1993 World Series championships, Black currently broadcasts numerous sports on both a national and regional level around the world. He currently handles play-by-play duties for the CEBL’s Scarborough Shooting Stars. 

 

Warren Ward 

Warren Ward, a seasoned broadcaster and former professional athlete, spent six years on the court before transitioning to broadcasting. Currently working with the Toronto Raptors, Raptors 905, and Scarborough Shooting Stars, Ward seamlessly merged his athletic prowess with his passion for communication. Now in his third season with Scarborough, he continues to captivate audiences with his insightful commentary and dedication to the game. Ward’s dynamic career trajectory showcases a commitment to excellence both on and off the court. 

 

Danielle Bain 

Danielle Bain is a sports broadcaster from Mississauga who began her career as a video journalist in Thunder Bay. Transitioning to Ottawa, Bain covered local sports and breaking news on television and radio, honing her skills as a reporter. Finally, she made her return to Toronto, where she currently works as the rinkside reporter for the Toronto Marlies, content host for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Digital Storyteller for Women's Para Hockey of Canada. Now in her second season with the CEBL, Bain can’t wait to bring her skills and enthusiasm to the basketball court this summer before heading overseas to cover the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

 

VANCOUVER: 

Cheryl Jean-Paul 

Joining Trinity Western University as the head coach of their women’s program in 2010, Cheryl Jean-Paul has built the Spartans into a perennial playoff contender. Internationally, she led Canada’s Cadette Women to a top four finish at the U17 Championships in 2022. Jean-Paul, a Winnipeg native who played for the Bisons and has officiated at the university level, is a Chartered Professional Coach, obtained her Advanced Coaching Diploma and has a master’s in leadership. CJP’s 22 years of coaching has included the CanWest Coach of the Year award, and is currently Basketball BC’s High Performance head coach, most recently joining Howard Tsumura as analyst for the BC High School Championships. 

 

James Cybulski 

An award-winning broadcaster who has worked nationally for Sportsnet, TSN, and TheScore, James Cybulski has covered several major sporting events around the world, ranging from the Olympics, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, World Series, and several others. A versatile talent, Cybulski has worked as a reporter and host in television, and also a talk show host on radio in both Toronto and Vancouver. He is currently the play-by-play voice for the iconic NHL video game franchise from EA Sports. When James isn’t behind a microphone, he is busy spending time with his family, helping coach his daughters in soccer, ringette, and softball. 

 

Virgil Hill 

Virgil Hill is a former Vancouver Bandits assistant coach from the inaugural season, and former U SPORTS and NCAA head coach at Laurentian University and Simon Fraser University, respectively. A two-sport university athlete in football and basketball, Hill was a team captain at SFU and was coached by former national team coach and present Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jay Triano. His resume also includes serving as an assistant coach of the national student team that captured a bronze medal in the 2003 World University Games, and Head Coach of the BC U-19 provincial team that won gold in 1998. 

 

Chris Wiggins 

Chris Wiggins transitions to a sideline reporter with the Vancouver Bandits in 2024 after two seasons as the team’s in-game host. Wiggins carries over 10 years of morning radio and television experience, along with a variety of emcee and PA announcing roles with the OHL, AHL and NBLC. He is also a two-time Ontario basketball provincial champion and a graduate of the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College where he played a season with the Knights. 

 

WINNIPEG: 

Christian Aumell 

After a mediocre high school basketball career, Aumell turned his attention to the microphone where he called games for well over a decade. He served as the play-by-play voice of the Western Mustangs  before moving to Winnipeg where he has called games for the University of Winnipeg Wesmen since 2016 and has been the voice of the Sea Bears since their inaugural game. In his day job, Aumell hosts the CJOB Sports Show, covering the Winnipeg sports scene on a nightly basis. 

 

Dave Crook  

Dave Crook returns for his second season working for the CEBL in Winnipeg. Crook has a long connection in Canada having worked for over 40 years in the U SPORTS system including 27 years as a head coach. He also enjoyed a decade-long career coaching with the Canadian National team program. His time with Canada included the highlights of being named Head Coach of the Canadian junior team in 2002. In 2004, Crook led the Men’s Young team to be the first Canadian age group team to ever qualify for a World Championship. The following year, the team knocked off the US in the quarter finals (Canada’s first win over the US at a FIBA event) and then went on to defeat the reigning World Champions Australia to capture the bronze medal. Crook recently retired from his position as Athletic Director at the University of Winnipeg. 

 

Joey Slattery 

Joey Slattery enters his second season as the CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg where he also co-hosts the Target Score Weekly podcast focusing on the Sea Bears and CEBL. Slattery is a veteran journalist having served as a reporter and anchor in both news and sports, as well as hosting TV morning shows in Northern Ontario, Regina, Edmonton and Winnipeg for more than a decade. Now narrowing his focus on basketball, he is excited to be back patrolling the CEBL sidelines and bringing you closer to the action in 2024. 

 

Kurt Black 

Kurt Black enters his first season as a CEBL sideline reporter in Winnipeg in 2024. Black is currently a Video Journalist at CityNews Winnipeg after two and a half years as a reporter and anchor at Thunder Bay News (TBN). He recently studied radio and television broadcasting at the College of Sports Media and Niagara College. 

 

Season tickets and flex packs are now available league wide with priority seating access and preferred pricing. Ticket information for all CEBL games, including single-game tickets, can be found by visiting cebl.ca/tickets. More than 50 CEBL games will be broadcast live nationally on TSN and Game+ this season. Fans can also livestream all regular season, playoff and Championship Weekend games on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 

 

- CEBL - 

 

About the CEBL 

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube. 

Niagara Adds CEBL Experienced Guard Hollis

July 28, 2025
The former Vancouver and Montreal guard has averaged 12.2 points and 4.3 rebounds over 20 career CEBL games

Les tirs de trois points de Williams en période du pointage cible permettent au Shooting Stars de Scarborough de s’en tirer de justesse à Montréal

By Teru Ikeda • July 28, 2025
Donovan Williams s’est enflammé en période du pointage cible pour mener les Shooting Stars de Scarborough à une victoire de 94-89 contre l’Alliance de Montréal, dimanche après-midi. L’Alliance a failli réussir une remontée spectaculaire devant ses partisans à l’Auditorium de Verdun, mais Williams avait gardé ses tirs de trois points pour la fin, réussissant deux tirs consécutifs du centre-ville pour clore la rencontre, dont un tir victorieux en réponse au puissant dunk à deux mains du capitaine montréalais Quincy Guerrier. Guerrier l’a défendu de près, mais le tir confiant de Williams derrière l’arc a permis aux Shooting Stars de l’emporter 94-89, faisant taire la foule montréalaise. Williams a terminé la rencontre avec un sommet d’équipe de 24 points, avec une efficacité de huit en quinze. Ce tir décisif a eu d’autant plus d’impact qu’il permet à Scarborough de dépasser les BlackJacks d’Ottawa au deuxième rang dans l’Est. Plus tôt dans la journée, une défaite de Brampton a officiellement confirmé la place en séries de Scarborough et Ottawa. Les Shooting Stars ont maintenant une fiche de deux victoires et une défaite face à Montréal cette saison. Fait intéressant : Anthony Walker de Scarborough jouait pour Montréal lors de leur dernier affrontement. Scarborough a récemment ajouté Aaron Best et Michael Foster à son effectif. Foster, à son premier match, a inscrit douze points et capté huit rebonds, tout en imposant sa présence dans la clé. « Il est débarqué de l’avion, nous a donné une énergie incroyable… il a été un vrai pilier pour nous en fin de match, a déclaré l’entraîneur-chef Mike De Giorgio. Il a fait tout ce qu’on lui a demandé aujourd’hui. » Le match a tenu les champions NBA Bennedict Mathurin et Lu Dort, présents dans les gradins, au bout de leur siège. Montréal a frappé en premier en prenant une avance de quinze points dès le premier quart. Scarborough a rapidement inversé la tendance, mais l’Alliance a retrouvé son rythme avant la mi-temps. Les choses se sont compliquées pour Montréal au troisième quart, qu’ils ont perdu 28 à 13. Scarborough a alors commencé à attaquer le panier sans relâche, obtenant de nombreuses fautes et séjours sur la ligne des lancers francs. Montréal a réussi quelques arrêts consécutifs et a continué à se battre, mais une pénétration de Walker sur la ligne de fond, suivie d'une passe à Foster qui a coupé vers le panier, a permis au Surge de prendre une avance de neuf points. Terquavion Smith a été un élément clé de cette victoire, terminant le match avec 21 points, huit rebonds et neuf passes décisives. Il a souvent répondu aux efforts de Tavian Dunn-Martin, anéantissant les espoirs de remontée de Montréal. L’entraîneur-chef de l’Alliance, Jermaine Small, a souligné que la dépendance excessive aux tirs de trois points dans le troisième quart leur a coûté cher. « Il ne faut pas se contenter de tirs de trois points. Je pense qu’on en a tenté huit d’affilée, ce n’est clairement pas dans notre plan de match, a-t-il dit. Pour sortir de cette mauvaise séquence, il fallait miser davantage sur notre défense que sur notre attaque. » Même après un tir de trois points de Jaden Campbell et un lay-up de Best qui ont porté l’avance de Scarborough à douze au quatrième quart, Montréal n’a jamais cessé d’y croire. Dans une dernière poussée, Guerrier a réussi un hook shot, un tir de trois points, puis a suivi son propre tir raté de loin pour marquer près du panier. Guerrier et Dunn-Martin ont combiné pour 54 des 89 points de Montréal. TDM (28 points et huit passes décisives) a sauvé son équipe à maintes reprises, mais un tir de trois points tardif de Michael Diggins a permis à l’Alliance de revenir à quatre points avant la période du pointage cible. Scarborough a poussé un soupir de soulagement aujourd’hui, alors qu’ils avaient raté leur chance de se qualifier en séries lors de leur dernier revers contre les Honey Badgers de Brampton. Cette victoire met fin à une séquence de deux défaites consécutives. Montréal, de son côté, présente une fiche d’une victoire et cinq défaites à ses six derniers matchs. Feuille de match https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600657 À venir pour les deux équipes Les Shooting Stars de Scarborough (9-10) prendront la route vers l’est pour affronter les BlackJacks d’Ottawa (8-10) à la Place TD dans l’unique match de la LECB présenté mardi, le 29 juillet. L’Alliance de Montréal (7-12) accueillera les Honey Badgers de Brampton (5-15) à l’Auditorium de Verdun le vendredi 1er août. Prochain match dans la LECB Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa (8-10) recevront les Shooting Stars de Scarborough (9-10) à la Place TD dans l’unique match de la LECB présenté mardi, le 29 juillet. Pour consulter le calendrier complet de la saison 2025 de la LECB ainsi que les résultats à jour, visitez le cebl.ca/games . - LECB -

Shittu’s Double-Double Lifts Sea Bears Over Surge in Defensive Grind

By Dillon White • July 27, 2025
A dominant performance from Simi Shittu against his former team pushed the Winnipeg Sea Bears past the Calgary Surge 79-78 at WinSport Event Centre on Sunday (July 27). The Winnipeg big man notched 28 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the defensive battle, including the game-winner and a clutch rejection in Target Score Time. “It was personal,” Shittu said. “They kind of shouted us out in the media … but at the end of the day, we're a whole new team, a whole different vibe, so we wanted to come in and show everybody that we’re here in the CEBL and ready to play.” The final regular-season meeting between the Western Conference rivals yielded a back-and-forth showdown with a playoff atmosphere. Trailing by as much as eight in Target Score Time after entering the final stretch with the lead, Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor credited defensive stops and rebounding with the comeback. “In the beginning [of Target Score Time], we weren't very efficient, and we dug a hole for ourselves. And then it was just no quit,” Taylor said. Calgary had a dozen chances to win the game in Target Score Time, including a pair of free throws, but came away empty-handed and had its four-game winning streak snapped. Head coach Kaleb Canales said it was a “grind-it-out” game that the Surge were in a position to win, but failed to get the job done. “[It’s a] hard lesson, but we got to learn from it, and we got to move on. All these games are important,” Canales said. While Shittu was an interior force for the Sea Bears, Surge big man Greg Brown III battled throughout the game with a 21-point, 17-rebound double-double of his own. Calgary guard Evan Gilyard Jr. was a handful with 26 points as well, while Jameer Nelson Jr. added 14 points and made league history with a pair of steals. In his second game back from NBA Summer League, Nelson Jr. set a CEBL single-season steals record with 46, surpassing Lloyd Pandi’s 44 with Ottawa from last season. Canales said Nelson Jr.’s anticipation and feel for the game have allowed him to reach the milestone. “He cares about playing defence, which is rare … it just speaks to his approach and his professionalism,” Canales said. Calgary struggled offensively on Sunday, finishing at just 35 per cent from the floor and 19 per cent from long range. Winnipeg came away better at 41 per cent from the field and 36 per cent from three, but shot 50 per cent from the free-throw line. The Sea Bears also took advantage of 19 Surge turnovers, outscoring their opponents 22-11 in the points-from-turnovers category. Gilyard Jr. said the energy was off for the Surge on Sunday. “We just got to stay together, stay even keel and … weather the storm to win the game. I don't feel like we did that today,” he said. The Surge and Sea Bears both started the game hot behind the arc. The Western Conference rivals traded trifectas early, with Gilyard and Scott each hitting a pair in the opening 10 minutes. As the first quarter progressed, defence emerged as the focal point and Nelson Jr. snagged his record-breaking steal. Winnipeg took a 22-18 lead into the second quarter, and the game stayed close throughout the frame. Shittu was a force inside for Winnipeg, as well as showcasing his range with a three. The Surge seized the lead and forced Taylor into a timeout after a massive dunk from Brown III, set up by Nelson Jr., who just lost a shoe. In the final minutes of the half, Winnipeg and Calgary traded leads multiple times. A Jalen Harris layup carried the Sea Bears into the locker room with a 42-41 advantage. After Nelson Jr. regained the lead for Calgary with the first bucket of the second half, Winnipeg took control for the bulk of the quarter. Timely threes from the Sea Bears extended their advantage, with a Shittu triple providing Winnipeg its largest lead at nine. However, Gilyard and Brown III willed the Surge back into the game. Gilyard scored six consecutive points for Calgary, highlighted by an ankle-breaking take that resulted in a pair of free throws. Brown III then sparked the Surge defence with a rejection before closing the third with five straight points to tie the game. Shittu and Brown III duelled in the early stages of the fourth, leaving their teams two points apart heading into Target Score Time. Winnipeg had the 70-68 advantage in a race to 79. Calgary looked poised for its fifth straight win early in the final stretch. Gilyard and Brown III led the Surge on a 10-1 run to start Target Score Time, putting the home team one point away from victory. However, the Sea Bears locked in on defence and mounted a comeback. Shittu delivered clutch plays on both ends, rejecting a Sean Miller-Moore dunk attempt to win the game and finishing the game-winning layup on the other end. Winnipeg avoided a regular-season series sweep after losing the first three meetings with Calgary. No more matchups are scheduled between the two teams this season, but Winnipeg hosts Championship Weekend and Calgary is locked into a playoff spot. “We know there’s some great teams in the league. Calgary is one of them – they could very well be at Championship Weekend – they've played like a championship-level team all year,” Taylor said. Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600660 Up next for both teams Calgary hits the road for a visit to Scarborough on Thursday (July 31) while Winnipeg returns home for a matchup with Saskatchewan on Friday (Aug. 1). Next CEBL action Scarborough visits Ottawa on Tuesday (July 29) as the two squads jostle for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games . - CEBL -

Williams' Target Time Triples Help Scarborough Escape with Narrow Win in Montreal

By Teru Ikeda • July 27, 2025
Donovan Williams heated up in Target Time to lead the Scarborough Shooting Stars to a 94-89 win over the Montreal Alliance on Sunday. The Alliance nearly pulled off a comeback in front of their hometown fans at Verdun Auditorium. Williams, however, saved his three-point shooting for the end, hitting back-to-back triples to close out the game, including a game-winning answer to Montreal captain Quincy Guerrier’s emphatic two-handed dunk. Guerrier stuck on him like glue, but Williams’ confident downtown stroke gave Scarborough a 94-89 victory and silenced the Montreal crowd. Williams finished with a team-high 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting. Williams’ game-winning three had an even bigger impact today as it helped Scarborough pull ahead of the Ottawa BlackJacks for second place in the East. A Brampton loss earlier in the day sealed a playoff berth for both Scarborough and Ottawa. Scarborough is 2-1 in their meetings with Montreal this season, and Scarborough’s Anthony Walker played on the opposing team when the two teams last met. Scarborough recently added Aaron Best and Michael Foster. Foster had 12 points and eight rebounds in his debut game and provided inside presence. “He came off the plane, gave us great energy … was a real rock for us down the stretch,” head coach Mike De Giorgio said. “He did everything we asked him to do today.” The exciting Sunday afternoon game kept NBA champions Bennedict Mathurin and Lu Dort - in attendance - on the edge of their seats. Montreal punched first in the game, getting up to an early 15-point lead in the first quarter. Scarborough quickly turned the tide in their favour, but Montreal regained their momentum by halftime. Montreal, however, fell into a hole in the third quarter, losing 28-13. Scarborough started to relentlessly attack the rim, which gave them frequent trips to the free throw line. Montreal got some consecutive stops and kept fighting back, but a baseline drive by Walker and his ensuing pass out to a cutting Foster gave Scarborough a nine-point lead. Terquavion Smith was pivotal, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. He was often an answer to Tavian Dunn-Martin and dashed Montreal’s hopes of a comeback. Montreal head coach Jermaine Small said that overreliance on three-point shooting in the third contributed to them being in a hole. “Not settling for three-pointers. I think we took eight straight, that’s definitely not in the game plan,” he said. He added that the most important part of getting out of that rut was “relying more on our defence than our offense.” Even after a Jaden Campbell three and Best’s layup pushed Scarborough’s lead up to 12 in the fourth, Montreal kept fighting back. In a last-ditch effort, Guerrier made a hook shot, hit a three, followed his own missed three-pointer and scored at the basket. Guerrier and Dunn-Martin combined for 54 of Montreal’s 89 points. TDM (28 points and eight assists) bailed his team out countless times, but Michael Diggins’ three late in the game helped Montreal inch within four points heading into Target Time. Scarborough was relieved today after failing to punch their ticket to the playoffs earlier in a loss against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Their win today ended a two-game losing streak. Montreal is now 1-5 in the last six games. Box score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600657 Up next for both teams The Scarborough Shooting Stars (9-10) head east to face the Ottawa BlackJacks (8-10) at TD Place in CEBL’s lone Tuesday game on July 29. The Montreal Alliance (7-12) host the Brampton Honey Badgers (5-15) at Verdun Auditorium on Friday, August 1. Next CEBL action The Ottawa BlackJacks (8-10) host the Scarborough Shooting Stars (9-10) at TD Place in CEBL’s lone Tuesday game on July 29. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games . - CEBL -

River Lions Come Back Late to Shock Honey Badgers

By Alex Lough • July 27, 2025
A game between the two teams on opposite ends of the conference standings came down to the last shot, but it was the East-leading Niagara River Lions that were able to emerge victorious in their seventh straight game. Trailing by as many as 23 points in the second quarter, Niagara leaned on the CEBL’s all-time leading scorer in Ahmed Hill to get them back into the game and lead them to the 86-84 win over the Brampton Honey Badgers. Hill posted a team-high 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting for the River Lions, while Khalil Ahmad had 22 points. Eddie Ekiyor had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Nathan Cayo scored nine points to go with eight rebounds and five assists in the win. “Once he started going, we made sure we were getting him the looks,” River Lions head coach Victor Raso said of his star player. “That’s Ahmed Hill. That’s the all-time leading scorer in the CEBL and we have him coming off our bench. He’s a phenomenal teammate and we knew there was a Med game coming, because there hasn’t been a Med game yet, and that was it today.” Niagara became just the fourth team to string together seven consecutive wins, the third longest streak in the history of the CEBL. Today’s victory also secured the River Lions a top-2 seed in the conference, ensuring – at worst – they’ll play host in the semifinal as they continue to vie for the conference’s automatic spot at Championship Weekend. “You have to approach every game the same, whether we clinch it in our next win or it gets clinched in the next loss before that, it doesn’t matter,” Raso added. “There’s a long time before championship weekend, and our task is a very difficult one: becoming the most improved team from now until championship weekend.” Brampton got off to a hot start, scoring the game’s first five points as part of a 20-9 run to start the game. Weatherspoon made his mark early, scoring nine points in the opening frame. But the biggest difference was made on the defensive end, with the home squad holding the opposition to 33-percent shooting and owning a 16-6 rebounding edge in the quarter. An 18-7 run to start the second quarter made it look like the game would soon be completely out of hand, but a timeout by the River Lions sparked a 16-5 run of their own, with Ahmad and Cayo combining to score 12 of those points and evening things up in the quarter to cut the lead back down to 12. With Brampton up 61-48 late in the third quarter, it was an 11-4 Niagara run – with every River Lion point being scored by Hill – that brought them back into the game. “I just wanted to be aggressive, my teammates wanted me to be aggressive, so I just wanted to find my shot. I hit two in a row, so I shot another one to get a good look,” Hill said of the stretch. “We love each other, we have fun playing with each other, but we also got on each other,” he said of his team’s recent success. “When you’re playing like ---, we tell each other and when we’re playing great, we tell each other – it’s the accountability.” The Honey Badgers led 77-76 heading into Target Time, but unfortunately for the home crowd, Hill saw it as an opportunity to take over again. He scored eight of his team’s 10 points in the decisive period, including the game-winning three-point shot. One of the determining factors in the game was Quinndary Weatherspoon’s foul trouble. The team’s leading scorer coming into the game, he had 19 points in the first half before being limited to the bench for the majority of the second half. He ended up with a game-high 28 points, while Ali Sow filled in admirably in his role to contribute 12 points off the bench. Bryson Williams had eight points and 11 rebounds, and Prince Oduro had six points and 12 boards. “I thought we had that one and we let it slip,” Oduro said. “There were some unfortunate events: (Weatherspoon)’s foul troubles, me getting hurt. Stuff like that is really out of our control, but we can do a better job of focusing on what we can control.” The loss was Brampton’s eighth in their last nine games after they snapped a seven-game losing streak last time out. With their positioning in the standings, they have to win out their remaining three games and hope for some help from the teams above them in order to make the playoffs. Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600655 Up next for both teams The Brampton Honey Badgers start a three-game road trip to finish out their season against the Montreal Alliance on August 1. The Niagara River Lions will play their final home game of the season against the Ottawa BlackJacks on July 31. Next CEBL action The Scarborough Shooting Stars take on the Ottawa BlackJacks on July 29 in a game pivotal to both teams playoffs hopes, streaming live on CEBL+ and TSN+. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games . - CEBL -

Scarborough Adds NBA Experienced Forward Foster Jr.

July 27, 2025
Wisconsin native joins the Shooting Stars with NBA Summer League and G League experience

River Lions Sign CEBL Veteran Lufile

July 27, 2025
The Niagara River Lions announced today the signing of 6-foot-9 Canadian forward Meshack Lufile, whose deal was finalized ahead of the team’s July 26 transaction deadline. The 32-year-old Burlington, Ontario native started the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season with the Ottawa Blackjacks where he averaged 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 7 games. “Meshack is a veteran Canadian 5 man, who will bring a veteran presence and depth to our team for our playoff run”, said Head Coach and General Manager, Victor Raso. “He’s a quality basketball player who is familiar with our team and organization, and we are glad to have him for the rest of the season.” Lufile is no stranger to the CEBL having suited up for the Guelph Nighthawks (now Calgary Surge ), Newfoundland Growlers, Edmonton Stingers , Scarborough Shooting Stars , and Ottawa Blackjacks . Lufile’s eight-year professional career has taken him overseas playing in The Netherlands, Romania and most recently KTP Basket of the Finnish Korisliiga League where he finished first in blocks (26), second in rebounds (154), third in points (335) and fifth in assists (42). Prior to his professional career, Lufile played for Cape Breton University from 2011 to 2016 where he was named to the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) First All-Star Team in 2014–15 and earned AUS Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2015–16. Lufile is part of a basketball family, with three of his brothers having CEBL experience. Meshack joins his brother Elijah currently on the River Lions,, while Abednego and Chadrack previously suited up for the Guelph franchise during the 2019 season. “I’m excited to be part of an organization that has championship pedigree, and learning from a great group of guys. I’m hoping to bring a veteran presence, hard work ethic and a low post threat to add to what they have already established”, said Lufiile, “I’m also excited to share the court with my brother, in what feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity.” The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL and the league's reigning champions. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Visit www.riverlions.ca/tickets for more information. ###

Bediako brille lors d’une performance historique et mène les Rattlers à une victoire contre les BlackJacks

By Alex Lough • July 27, 2025
Même si la saison ne s’est pas déroulée comme les Rattlers de la Saskatchewan l’auraient souhaité, l’équipe a été ravie de la performance de Jaden Bediako samedi après-midi. Originaire de Brampton, le joueur a marqué un record personnel dans la LECB avec 23 points, égalant par la même occasion le record de la ligue avec 20 rebonds, et menant les Rattlers à une victoire de 97 à 96 contre les BlackJacks d’Ottawa. Plusieurs joueurs se sont illustrés : Devonte Bandoo a inscrit 24 points, un sommet du match, tandis que Tevian Jones a ajouté 21 points et six rebonds, dont les lancers francs de la victoire lors de la période du pointage cible. Nate Pierre-Louis a terminé avec neuf points et 11 passes décisives, manquant de peu le doublé. « On le dit depuis le début de la saison : cette saison, ce n’est pas la fin du chemin pour personne ici, a déclaré l’entraîneur-chef des Rattlers, Éric Magdanz, dont l’équipe était déjà éliminée des séries éliminatoires. On travaille pour devenir de meilleurs joueurs, de meilleurs professionnels, se préparer pour la prochaine opportunité et établir une culture forte. C’est l’une des raisons pour lesquelles on m’a embauché : instaurer cette culture. Je le répète depuis le début de la saison et les joueurs ont adhéré à cette idée. On a un bon groupe de professionnels. » Malgré sa domination évidente sur le terrain, ni Bediako ni son entraîneur ne savaient qu’il approchait — et avait même atteint — le record de rebonds de la LECB avant la fin du match. « Je ne savais même pas ça… Maintenant, je suis fâché. J’aurais dû en avoir 21 ! » a plaisanté Bediako en apprenant son exploit. « C’est mon style de jeu. C'était déjà comme ça à Seton Hall, dans la Big East. J’ai mené la conférence au chapitre des rebonds offensifs, et lors de ma première année dans la LECB, j’en ai attrapé quatre par match lors de mes six derniers matchs. C'est une partie intégrante de mon jeu, même à l'étranger. C'est une question de mental. » « On travaille avec Jaden depuis le début de la saison, a ajouté Magdanz. Il y a eu des moments où nous ne l’avons pas utilisé comme il le fallait, et d’autres où nous lui avons demandé d’en faire davantage. On l'a mis au défi toute la saison et, au cours du dernier mois, il a vraiment relevé le défi. Il a changé de style et imposé sa présence sur le terrain. » Le match a débuté avec beaucoup d’intensité dès le premier quart. Alors qu'Ottawa voulait confirmer sa place en séries éliminatoires, les Rattlers ne comptaient pas se laisser faire. Après avoir pris l’avantage 15-9, la Saskatchewan a vu Ottawa répliquer avec une série de 14-2. Les Rattlers ont toutefois terminé le quart avec une poussée de sept points consécutifs, menant 24 à 23 après dix minutes. Le rythme offensif est resté élevé au deuxième quart, avec 28 points de chaque côté. Les BlackJacks ont pris une avance de sept points grâce à une série de 12-4, mais les Rattlers ont renversé la vapeur pour mener à la mi-temps. Jones a dominé pour les Rattlers avec 17 points en première mi-temps, tandis que Moore en avait 15 pour Ottawa, terminant à un rebond près du doublé. Le match est resté serré jusqu’à ce que les Rattlers enchaînent une série de 8-2, portant le score à 71-62. Ottawa a rapidement répliqué, réduisant l'écart à 74-70 avant le dernier quart. Les deux équipes se sont échangé les paniers jusqu’à ce qu’une situation de prochain panier gagnant se présente. Alors que la victoire était en jeu, Jones a pénétré depuis la ligne des trois points, a été victime d’une faute en route vers l’anneau, puis a réussi le lancer franc décisif. Les BlackJacks sont les derniers de la ligue en matière de rebonds, et les Rattlers se sont ajoutés à la liste des équipes qui en ont profité cette saison. L’entraîneur-chef, Dave DeAveiro, a admis qu’il s’agissait d’un problème récurrent. « On remet constamment notre combativité en question. Le rebond, c’est une question de dureté, pas de talent, a-t-il déclaré. Tu dois vouloir le ballon. Ce sont des duels qu'on perd trop souvent. C’est ce qu’on est présentement. Tant qu’on n’y remédie pas, on continuera de jouer une bonne défense, pour ensuite accorder un rebond offensif, puis rejouer en défense, puis encaisser un autre rebond. Je suis fier de mes gars. On se bat sans relâche. Mais il faut en faire davantage. L’attention portée aux détails fait gagner des matchs. Or, nous ne sommes pas bons là-dedans. » Javonte Smart et Isaiah Moore ont chacun marqué 22 points pour Ottawa, ce dernier ajoutant 13 rebonds. Deng Adel a récolté 16 points, six rebonds et huit passes décisives, devenant ainsi le cinquième joueur de l’histoire de la LECB à dépasser les 300 passes décisives, et égalant par la même occasion le record d’équipe pour les vols. Keevan Veinot et Tyrell Tate ont chacun marqué 11 points. Cette défaite empêche les BlackJacks de confirmer leur place en séries éliminatoires, mais ils pourront y parvenir lors de leur prochaine victoire ou lors d’une prochaine défaite de Brampton. Cette victoire met fin à une série de trois revers consécutifs pour les Rattlers, dont la dernière victoire remontait au 5 juillet, encore une fois contre Ottawa. Feuille de match https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600653 À venir pour les deux équipes Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa accueilleront les Shooting Stars de Scarborough le 29 juillet, dans un match crucial pour le classement en vue des séries. Les Rattlers de la Saskatchewan poursuivront leur séquence de quatre matchs sur la route en affrontant les Sea Bears de Winnipeg le 1er août. Prochains matchs dans la LECB Les River Lions de Niagara, meneurs de l’Est, se rendront à Brampton pour y affronter les Honey Badgers le 27 juillet. Le match sera diffusé en direct sur CEBL+ et TSN+. Pour consulter l’horaire complet de la saison 2025 de la LECB et les résultats à jour, visitez le cebl.ca/games . - LECB -

Bediako's Historic Day Powers Rattlers Over BlackJacks

By Alex Lough • July 26, 2025
While the season may not have gone the way the Saskatchewan Rattlers would have hoped, there’s no denying there were happy with how Jaden Bediako looked on Saturday afternoon. The Brampton native had a CEBL career high 23 points and tied the league rebound record with 20 to help lift the Rattlers over the Ottawa BlackJacks, 97-96. The team got strong performances across the board, with Devonte Bandoo posting a game high 24 points and Tevian Jones adding 21 points and six rebounds, including nailing the game-winning free throws. Nate Pierrel-Louis finished with nine points and 11 assists to finish just shy of a double-double. “We’ve talked about it from the start of the season: this whole season isn’t the end of the road for anybody here,” said Rattlers head coach Eric Magdanz, whose team entered the game mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. “We’re building to become better basketball players, to become better professionals, to set ourselves up for the next opportunity and to set a standard and a culture for our program. A big reason why I was brought on is to give some of that culture setting. I’ve preached that all year and the guys have bought in. We got a good group of professionals.” Despite his obvious dominance on the court, both player and coach were unaware that Bediako was approaching – and eventually met – the CEBL rebounding record until after the game. “I didn’t even know that, but now I’m mad. I should have got 21,” Bediako joked after learning of his record. “That’s my game. It’s been my game since I was at Seton Hall in the Big East,” he continued. “I led the Big East in (offensive rebounds), and then my first year (in the CEBL), for the last six games, I averaged four a game. It’s been a part of my game’s repertoire even overseas. It’s a mental thing.” “We’ve been working with Jaden all year,” Magdanz added. “There’s been times where we haven’t utilized him properly, and I think there’s times where we’ve asked Jaden to sort of grow into a bigger role. Over the course of the season we’ve challenged him. In the last month, he’s really stepped up to that challenge and changed his style of play and his force on the court.” Things got off to a back-and-forth start early in the first quarter, with the BlackJacks looking to punch their ticket to the postseason and the Rattlers determined to make sure that didn’t come at their expense. A 15-9 Saskatchewan lead was erased by a 14-2 Ottawa run, before the away team rattled off seven straight to take a 24-23 lead into the break. The points kept coming in the second quarter with both teams piling up 28 in the period. A 12-4 run by the BlackJacks would put them up by as much as seven, but the Rattlers would storm back to retake the lead at halftime. Jones led the way for the Rattlers with 17 points in the half, while Moore had 15 for the BlackJacks and finished one rebound shy of the early double-double. Things would remain close until an 8-2 run by Saskatchewan would give them a 71-62 advantage, which would by answered by an Ottawa run to make the game 74-70 going into the final period. The teams would trade blows all the way through the final quarter to eventually set up a next basket wins scenario. With the game on the line, Jones drove the ball in from the three-point line and was fouled on his way to the net, setting up the game winning shot. The BlackJacks entered the game at the bottom of the league in terms of rebounding. That was something that the Rattlers joined a long list of teams to take advantage of against Ottawa, and BlackJacks head coach Dave DeAveiro admitted needed to be addressed. “Our toughness is being challenged day in and day out. This is a toughness category,” he said of his team’s rebounding metrics. “This is not skill, this is toughness. You want the ball. These are one-on-one battles that we are not winning. This is who we are. Until we address this, we’re going to have situations where we’re playing really good defense and then we give up an offensive rebound, then we’re playing defense again – then another offensive rebound… I’m proud of my team. We fight and we fight and we fight. But there has to be more. We have to pay attention to detail. Detail wins games. We’re not great at detail.” Javonte Smart and Isaih Moore tied for the team lead with 22 points, with the latter adding 13 rebounds. Deng Adel had 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists, becoming the fifth CEBL player to surpass the 300-assist mark, as well as tying the team record for all-time steals. Keevan Veinot and Tyrell Tate both chipped in with 11 points. The loss prevented the BlackJacks from clinching a playoff berth, which they will do with their next win or Brampton’s next loss. The win snapped a three-game skid for the Rattlers, with their previous victory on July 5 also coming at the BlackJacks’ expense. Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600653 Up next for both teams The Ottawa BlackJacks will play host to the Scarborough Shooting Stars on July 29 in a game that will be critical in determining both teams’ playoff positioning. The Saskatchewan Rattlers continue their four-game road trip in Winnipeg when they face the Sea Bears on August 1. Next CEBL action The East leading Niagara River Lions head to Brampton to face the Honey Badgers on July 27, streaming live on CEBL+ and TSN+. For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games . - CEBL -

Les River Lions l’emportent contre l’Alliance grâce à une remontée spectaculaire lors de la période du pointage cible

By Myles Dichter • July 26, 2025
Au bord du gouffre, les River Lions de Niagara ont encore une fois prouvé pourquoi ils sont les champions en titre. Les River Lions ont terminé la rencontre avec une poussée renversante de 10-0 pour arracher une victoire de 91-89 à l’Alliance de Montréal, vendredi soir, au Meridian Centre de St. Catharines, en Ontario. Montréal, qui accusait pourtant un retard de 16 points en début de match, était à deux points d'un retour tout aussi spectaculaire, mais n'a pas su tirer parti de trois possessions consécutives. À la place, Khalil Ahmad, nommé deux fois Joueur clutch de la ligue, a encore une fois mené les siens avec un sang-froid remarquable, permettant à Niagara d’égaliser un record d’équipe avec une sixième victoire d’affilée. « On le voulait plus qu’eux, tout simplement. On s’est resserrés en défensive, on a rentré nos tirs, et on est repartis avec la victoire », a déclaré Ahmad au journaliste Esfandiar Baraheni après le match. Les River Lions, qui dominent l’Est, améliorent leur fiche à 13 victoires et cinq défaites. L’Alliance, qui aurait pu confirmer sa place en séries avec une victoire combinée à une défaite de Brampton face à Scarborough, glisse à 7-10. Par ailleurs, la domination de Niagara sur Montréal se poursuit : les River Lions montrent maintenant un dossier de 10-1 contre l’Alliance, avec un balayage de la série cette saison. Montréal semblait pourtant en bonne position pour décrocher une victoire, menant 82-75 au moment où la période de pointage cible a été enclenchée. Mais Khalil Ahmad a aussitôt répondu avec un tir de trois points en déséquilibre à partir du coin. Puis, après un panier de Tavis Smith, il a récidivé de l’autre côté du terrain pour réduire l’écart à trois points. « Honnêtement, je n’ai pas de mots », a dit Ahmad. « Quand la période de pointage cible commence, je passe en mode différent. » Comme ils l’avaient fait tout au long du match, les Montréalais ont répondu avec intensité : un vol de ballon de Smith suivi d’un panier de Quincy Guerrier dans la clé a rapproché l’Alliance à quatre points de la victoire. Montréal a même repris une avance de deux points et semblait filer vers une victoire inspirante. Mais soudainement, plus rien ne rentrait pour l’Alliance. Pendant ce temps, Niagara a enchaîné huit points sans réplique : un jeu de trois points de Ron Curry, un autre tir de trois points d’Ahmad, et un puissant dunk d’Ahmed Hill ont placé les deux équipes à un panier de la victoire. Une perte de balle coûteuse de la part de Montréal a ensuite permis à Niagara de récupérer le ballon. Le coach Victor Raso a aussitôt appelé un temps mort. Ahmad a raté son tir de trois points, mais Nathan Cayo a capté le rebond offensif et a remis à Hill, qui a foncé au panier, absorbé le contact et marqué un layup en plongeant, scellant ainsi la victoire et laissant l’Alliance abasourdie. « Ahmed a joué sur réception et a attaqué le panier avec brio. Il a connu un début de match difficile, mais quelle belle façon de conclure contre son ancienne équipe », a affirmé l’entraîneur-chef, Victor Raso. Raso a qualifié la victoire de « calibre de championnat ». « Ces gars-là n’abandonnent jamais. Ils croient toujours qu’ils peuvent gagner chaque match, même quand nous jouions mal en début de saison. Rien n’est garanti pendant la période du pointage cible. Tant que l’autre équipe n’a pas atteint le pointage, ils y croient. » De son côté, l’entraîneur-chef de Montréal, Jermaine Small, a affirmé que cette défaite était représentative des difficultés de son équipe cette saison. « On a souvent dit cette année que ce n’est pas eux qui nous battent, c’est nous qui nous battons nous-mêmes. Mais comme je l’ai dit aux gars, pas le temps de s’apitoyer. On remonte dans l’autobus et on se remet au travail », a déclaré Small. Ahmad a terminé avec 29 points — dont neuf pendant la période du pointage cible — en plus de cinq rebonds et cinq passes décisives. Ron Curry, clé du revirement défensif, a également brillé en attaque avec 19 points, quatre rebonds et trois passes décisives. Nathan Cayo a été le seul autre joueur de Niagara à atteindre la dizaine, avec 10 points, six rebonds et cinq passes décisives. Les River Lions se rapprochent ainsi d’une qualification pour le week-end du Championnat à Winnipeg, comme première tête de série de la conférence de l’Est. « Il faut continuer à travailler. Notre objectif, c’est la première place, et cette victoire nous rapproche », a affirmé Raso. À noter que Kimbal Mackenzie, meneur et capitaine de Niagara, n’a pas pris part au match. Pour Montréal, la défaite est d’autant plus difficile à avaler qu’elle survient deux jours après une victoire qui avait mis fin à une vilaine série de sept revers, contre les BlackJacks d’Ottawa. Small a pointé du doigt le manque d’efficacité aux lancers francs. L’Alliance n’a réussi que 10 de ses 20 tentatives, dont un 0 sur 7 en première mi-temps. « On avait notre chance. Ils ont réussi une super remontée. Mais ce qui fait mal, ce sont nos lancers francs. Comme je l’ai dit aux gars, on gagne ou on apprend, et il y a encore beaucoup de marge de progression », a-t-il ajouté. « Personne n'aura pitié de nous. Demain, nous avons un match important dimanche contre les Shooting Stars de Scarborough, alors nous devons nous préparer et lancer des lancers francs demain.» Tavis Smith a été le meneur offensif de l’Alliance avec 19 points, cinq passes décisives et quatre vols, dont un tir à la dernière seconde du troisième quart. Michael Diggins Jr., en sortie de banc, a contribué avec 17 points et cinq rebonds, tandis que Brandon Porter a ajouté 11 points et six rebonds. Niagara avait entamé le match force avec une série de 10-0, dont sept points d'Ahmad. Les River Lions menaient 27-18 à la fin du premier quart, mais Montréal a réduit l’écart à six points à la mi-temps. L’Alliance a ensuite pris l’avance au troisième quart, concluant la période avec un tir de trois points de Smith pour mener 64-62. L’intensité est montée d’un cran en fin de match lorsque Curry et Smith ont eu une altercation verbale après une faute. Un avertissement technique et deux fautes antisportives ont été distribués. C'est alors que la vraie folie a commencé. Et lorsque la sirène finale a retenti, l’ordre avait été rétabli dans la LECB : les River Lions de Niagara étaient de nouveau au sommet. Feuille de match https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600669 À venir Les deux équipes seront de retour sur le terrain dimanche : les River Lions de Niagara rendront visite aux Honey Badgers de Brampton, tandis que l’Alliance de Montréal accueillera les Shooting Stars de Scarborough. Prochains matchs dans la LECB Un seul match est au programme samedi alors que les Rattlers de la Saskatchewan seront de passage à Ottawa pour affronter les BlackJacks. Pour consulter le calendrier complet de la saison 2025 de la LECB ainsi que les résultats à jour, visitez le cebl.ca/games . - LECB -