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Defending Champions Saskatchewan Rattlers Face Off Against Powerhouse Niagara River Lions on Sunday
July 26, 2020
CEBL Team

Catch the game live at 1:30 ET on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App or Twitch

After winning the inaugural CEBL Championship in 2019, the Saskatchewan Rattlers are back to defend their title. Their first matchup will be no easy feat, as they face off against a very deep and competitive Niagara River Lions team, who already have a victory under their belt after knocking off Hamilton, 97-85, to open the 2020 CEBL Summer Series. 

The River Lions and Rattlers took two different approaches to the offseason. Niagara bolstered an already impressive core, whereas Saskatchewan sport a new look team with only three returning players from the Championship season (Negus Webster-Chan, Jelane Pryce and Shane Osayande).  

Sunday’s game between the Rattlers and the River Lions is available to watch nationally on CBCSports.ca, the CBC Gem App and Twitch. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. ET. 

Offense vs. Defense 
Saskatchewan spent 2019 as one of the elite defensive teams – expect more of the same in 2020 as head coach Chad Jacobson added defensive specialist Nelson Terroba to his staff. Terroba joined the Rattlers from the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, and is known for his defensive schemes. That’s not to say that the Rattlers won’t be without scoring as they have brought back volume scorer Negus Webster-Chan and have complemented him with Montreal, Que., natives Kemy Osse and Kris Joseph. With the CEBL Summer Series implementing the Elam Ending, high percentage shooters will be an asset. The Rattlers’ biggest shortcoming may be their size, as the tallest player on the roster is 6-foot-8. This could produce matchup problems for the Rattlers with River Lions big men Ryan Ejim, Grandy Glaze and Sam Muldrow. 

Niagara was known for a high-powered offense in 2019, and it appears to have carried over to the 2020 season. Coach Victor Raso will have the River Lions firing on all cylinders with their trademark ball movement and high percentage shots. In Saturday’s conquest of Hamilton, the River Lions shot .480 from the field with five players hitting double digits in points. New River Lions guard Daniel Mullings led the way in scoring with 22 points and nine rebounds. 

Battle of the Brothers
Sunday’s game will see brothers Ryan Ejim and Kenny Ejim suit up for the River Lions and Rattlers, respectively. The two have never faced each other in a professional setting. Rattlers fans will remember Ryan as part of the championship winning team in 2019. Kenny, the younger of the two brothers, will make his CEBL debut in today’s game. Both players bring a similar game to the court – using their physicality and strength to grab rebounds and score points around the basket. 

Victorious History
The River Lions are the lone team in the CEBL that the Rattlers were unable to defeat in 2019. The River Lions swept the four-game season series. Niagara will be out for vengeance against the defending champions. 

After a dominant game one performance against a strong Hamilton team, the River Lions have lived up to expectations as one of the Summer Series favourites. They’ll be looking to keep that momentum going against an underdog Saskatchewan Rattlers team. 

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