Stingers hold off Surge rally and snap losing skid with 91-84 win

June 15, 2024
Zulfi Sheikh

In round two of the CEBL’s Battle of Alberta, it was more of the same as the Edmonton Stingers (5-2) came away with a 91-84 win over the Calgary Surge (2-5) on Friday night.


After handing Calgary an 18-point loss in game one of the CEBL season, Edmonton’s follow-up victory might not have been as convincing – nearly blowing a 20-point lead – but it got the job done in more ways than one. The victory not only snapped a two-game skid for the visiting Stingers, it also kept them a perfect 4-0 on the road.


A pair of bench players led the way for Edmonton as Michael Nuga and Ben Krikke each put up a game-high 18 points. The guard-forward duo was instrumental as they led a second unit that put up 41 points, more than double then that of the Surge.


“We had two tough losses and we knew that we needed to respond,” Nuga said post-game. “It was a testament to our work.”


Their scoring effort was also rewarded with a show of faith. After Edmonton’s lead had dissipated to just seven points in Target Score Time, head coach Jordan Baker inserted Nuga and Krikke back into the game to wrap things up.


It’s safe to say the decision paid off as Krikke secured the victory by hitting the game-sealing jumper.


Meanwhile, Jacob Evans III finished with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Stingers, with Nick Hornsby not far behind with his 16 points and nine rebounds.


“The last four minutes weren’t pretty,” Baker said after the win. “But we had back-to-back losses at home, so it was great to come on the road and pick up a win … tonight we finished possessions.”


For Calgary, Sean Miller-Moore led the way a 16-point and nine-rebound performance. Despite the loss, the team’s leading scorer made history on Friday night as Miller-Moore became the first player in franchise history to score 600 regular season points all-time. Gabe Osabuohien chipped in as well with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting while Justin Lewis added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.


Entering the contest, Calgary head coach Tyrell Vernon said his team needed to test Edmonton’s “wind” as opposed to the other way around, alluding to how the Stingers ran roughshod all over the Surge for 60 unimpeded paint points (+26) during their season-opening matchup.


And although Calgary was more engaged than the team that lost by 18 points nearly a month ago, it took them until the final frame to really change things.


“Until (Target Score Time), the fight wasn’t there,” Vernon said post-game. “We started the game with an energy that was unacceptable … when our bodies move, we’re really good, when we try to be pretty it doesn’t go in our favour … back to the drawing board.”


The Surge trailed 46-36 after two quarters of play, being down double-digits was once again on account of turnovers leading to easy baskets at the rim. Calgary gave the ball away seven times (-2) as the Stingers rim- ran for a 60 per cent shooting half from two-point range.


Evans III, who had a team-high 10 points at halftime, said their strong start was courtesy of playing “Edmonton basketball.” Which according to the guard meant crashing the glass and running in transition.


It was an astute observation considering the Stingers had grabbed nine offensive rebounds for 11 second chance points through the first two quarters. A stark improvement for a team that typically only grabs nine offensive boards a game, third fewest in the league.


Despite the Surge’s best efforts to flip the script in the second half -- like Corey Davis Jr. who finished with 14 points going on an individual 7-0 run – they couldn’t change the end of the story.


Calgary turned the ball over seven more times in the third quarter, the last of which Hornsby collected before hitting a buzzer-beating jumper that put Edmonton up 69-55.


“(turnovers) were huge,” Lewis said when asked what hurt Calgary’s momentum the most throughout the game. “We got stops on defence, turned it over and it’s like the stop just went away … we have to be more together.”


The forward didn’t stop there, Hornsby scored five more unanswered points to open the fourth as he put the Stingers up 19 points less than a minute into the frame.


With a 16-point lead going into Target Score Time, it looked like Edmonton was on its way to yet another double-digit victory over Calgary.


Credit to the Surge however as they at least made the finish dramatic. The home team went on a 9-2 run that cut the deficit down to single digits and promptly followed that up with a 9-0 run. Miller-Moore’s final layup had the lead down to five, but Calgary couldn’t get another stop as Krikke got a jumper to rattle in.


“We fought but we need to keep that consistent energy to give ourselves a better chance of winning,” Lewis said when asked how things can improve moving forward. “We started slow, we weren’t on the same page … you can’t make mistakes like that against a talented team.”


By game’s end, “Edmonton basketball” had forced 17 turnovers for 22 points (+6) and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds for 20 second chance points (+12).


Up Next

The Surge get back to it on Sunday as they host the Brampton Honey Badgers, for their final home game ahead of a six-game road trip.


As for the Stingers, they stay on the road to visit the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Sunday in a rematch of last year’s West semifinal bout.


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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 10 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, Next Level Sports & Entertainment and Courtside1891. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Les Blackjacks d'Ottawa Re-signent Justin Jackson

February 3, 2026
L’ailier canadien revient dans la capitale nationale pour sa cinquième saison dans la LECB.

Ottawa Re-Signs Veteran Jackson

February 3, 2026
The Canadian forward returns for his fifth CEBL season.

Le Montréalais Barthelemy se joint à l’Alliance de Montréal

February 2, 2026
L'Alliance de Montréal vient de réaliser une signature majeure pour la franchise, annonçant aujourd’hui que le meneur dynamique Keeshawn Barthelemy, natif de Montréal, rejoindra l'équipe pour la saison 2026 de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB). Fort d’une expérience NCAA, internationale et professionnelle, Barthelemy revient dans sa ville natale pour entamer un nouveau chapitre de sa carrière. « Keeshawn est un joueur de grande qualité humaine, qui apporte calme, compétitivité et une excellente lecture du jeu », a déclaré Joel Anthony, directeur général et copropriétaire de l’Alliance. « Il a évolué à un très haut niveau, il a continué de progresser comme professionnel, et le fait d’accueillir un joueur montréalais de retour à la maison avec cette expérience est très significatif pour notre organisation. Nous croyons qu’il correspond parfaitement à ce que nous construisons. » Le meneur de 6 pi 1 po et 180 livres arrive à Montréal après un passage remarqué avec Proteas EKA AEL, dans la Division A chypriote, lors de la saison 2025-2026. En 10 matchs professionnels, Barthelemy a maintenu des moyennes de 13,8 points, 3,0 passes décisives, 2,8 rebonds et 1,1 interception par rencontre, se classant au troisième rang de son équipe pour les points marqués, tout en assumant un rôle clé comme meneur de jeu et en offrant une contribution constante des deux côtés du terrain. Son impact s’est fait sentir tout au long de la saison, notamment grâce à plusieurs performances à deux chiffres, dont une sortie de 27 points contre Morphou. Âgé de 25 ans, Barthelemy a connu un parcours universitaire remarquable dans la NCAA, amorçant sa carrière à l’Université du Colorado avant de la conclure à l’Université de l’Oregon. En cinq saisons, il a disputé 140 matchs, obtenant plusieurs départs et s’imposant comme un marqueur fiable et un meneur capable d'orchestrer l'attaque. Lors de sa dernière saison universitaire à Oregon (2024-2025), Barthelemy a inscrit 10,0 points par match, tout en maintenant un taux de réussite de 41,4 % derrière l’arc. Son efficacité offensive et aux lancers francs le classaient parmi les meilleurs de sa conférence. Barthelemy apporte également une précieuse expérience internationale, ayant représenté Équipe Canada sur plusieurs scènes, notamment lors de la Coupe du monde FIBA U17 en 2018 ainsi qu’au tournoi Global Jam en 2022. « Revenir à Montréal pour jouer au niveau professionnel, c’est quelque chose dont j’ai toujours rêvé », a confié Barthelemy. « C’est ici que tout a commencé pour moi, et pouvoir porter le chandail de l’Alliance devant ma famille, mes amis et les partisans, c’est vraiment spécial. J’ai très hâte à la nouvelle saison, à ce que l’équipe est en train de bâtir, et je suis prêt à me mettre au travail. » Cette signature représente un moment marquant pour l’Alliance, qui ramène à la maison un joueur montréalais dont le parcours l’a mené des gymnases locaux à la NCAA, puis au basketball professionnel à l’étranger. Tout au long de sa carrière, Barthelemy est demeuré profondément lié à la ville qui l’a formé, représentant fièrement le Québec et le Canada sur les scènes nationale et internationale. Son retour renforce l’engagement de l’Alliance à bâtir une équipe qui reflète à la fois le talent et l’identité de Montréal, alors que l’organisation poursuit sa progression en vue de la saison 2026. La prochaine saison comptera 12 matchs à domicile pour l’Alliance à l'Auditorium de Verdun, en plus d’un nouveau format de séries éliminatoires à l’échelle de la ligue, qui culminera avec une finale de la LECB deux de trois. L’Alliance disputera son match d’ouverture à domicile le 15 mai, face aux Shooting Stars de Scarborough. Pour plus d’information sur les forfaits de billets disponibles, visitez BASKETMTL.ca. ###

Montreal’s Barthelemy Joins Hometown Alliance

February 2, 2026
The Montréal Alliance has made a key signing for the franchise, announcing today that dynamic guard Keeshawn Barthelemy, a Montréal native with NCAA, international, and professional experience, has signed with the team for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. “Keeshawn is a high-character player who brings poise, competitiveness, and a strong feel for the game,” said Joel Anthony, General Manager and co-owner of the Alliance. “He’s played at a high level, he’s continued to grow as a professional, and having a Montreal-born player return home with that experience means a lot to this organization. We believe he’ll be a great fit for what we’re building.” The 6'1", 180-pound guard brings professional experience after most recently competing with Proteas EKA AEL in the Cyprus Division A, where he made an immediate impact during the 2025–26 season. In 10 professional games, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, ranking third on the team in scoring while serving as a primary ball handler and reliable two-way contributor. His impact was evident throughout the season, scoring in double figures on multiple occasions, highlighted by a 27-point performance against Morphou. The 25-year-old guard built an impressive collegiate career in the NCAA, beginning at the University of Colorado before finishing at the University of Oregon. Across five seasons, he appeared in 140 games, earning multiple starting roles and developing into a consistent perimeter scorer and playmaker. In his final collegiate season at Oregon (2024–25), Barthelemy averaged 10.0 points per game while shooting 41.4% from three-point range, ranking among the conference leaders in efficiency and free throw percentage. Barthelemy also brings valuable international experience, having represented Team Canada on multiple occasions, including at the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2022 Global Jam Tournament. “Coming back to Montreal to play professionally is something I’ve dreamed about,” said Barthelemy. “This city is where everything started for me, and to put on an Alliance jersey in front of my family, friends, and the fans is really special. I’m excited for the new season, excited for what this team is building, and ready to get to work.” This signing marks a significant milestone for the Alliance, bringing home a Montréal native whose journey has taken him from local gyms to the NCAA and the professional ranks overseas. Throughout his career, Barthelemy has remained connected to the city that shaped him, proudly representing Québec and Canada on the national and international stage. His return reinforces the Alliance's commitment to building a team that reflects both the talent and the identity of Montréal as the organization builds toward the 2026 season. The upcoming season will include 12 home contests for the Alliance at the Verdun Auditorium and a new league-wide playoff format that culminates in a best-of-three CEBL Final. The Alliance will play its home opener on May 15 against the Scarborough Shooting Stars. For more information on available ticket packages, visit BASKETMTL.ca. ###

Oduro Returns to Brampton for a Fifth Season with the Honey Badgers

February 2, 2026
Prince Oduro returns for his fifth season as the Honey Badgers’ all-time leader in games, rebounds and blocks.

Niagara’s Raso, CEBL’s Winningest Coach and General Manager, Steps Down

February 2, 2026
Longtime head coach Victor Raso moves into an advisory position as Kimbal Mackenzie is named Head Coach and General Manager.

Vancouver Re-Signs Canadian Player of the Year Samuel

February 2, 2026
Reigning Canadian Player of the Year returns after a record-setting debut season in Vancouver.

Veteran Guard Osborne, Sea Bears Agree to Terms

January 28, 2026
The Winnipeg Sea Bears are pleased to announce that they have agreed to terms with guard Isiah Osborne for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. Osborne, a 6’5” guard from Windsor, Ontario, brings a wealth of professional experience to Winnipeg. Across 49 career CEBL games, Osborne has averaged 25.1 minutes, 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, between the Edmonton Stingers, Montréal Alliance, and Ottawa BlackJacks. “Isiah’s background as a dynamic offensive player and his athletic capabilities made him an ideal fit for our system,” said Head Coach and General Manager Mike Raimbault. “He brings positional size and versatility at both ends of the floor and has the ability to impact winning in a variety of ways.” “I’ve hit big shots in this league, but nothing comes without hard work and teammates who make winning possible,” said Osborne. “That’s why I’m excited to come to Winnipeg. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m coming in ready to grind.” Osborne is currently competing with Energa Kotwica Kołobrzeg in Poland. Prior to turning professional, Osborne appeared in 23 NCAA games with the University of Texas at El Paso. He then spent two seasons at Carleton University (2018–2020), where he played 43 U SPORTS games and helped lead the Ravens to back-to-back U SPORTS national championships. Osborne earned All-Star honours in both seasons and was named U SPORTS Championship MVP in 2020. Osborne has played professionally in Canada with the Stingers, Surge, and Alliance, as well as internationally in Finland (Kouvot), Greece (Maroussi), Latvia (Rīgas Zeļļi), Lithuania (Prienų and Gargždų), and Romania with CSM Corona Brașov of the Rome DivA league. Season tickets for the 2026 Winnipeg Sea Bears season are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://www.seabears.ca/season-tickets-2026 ### About the Winnipeg Sea Bears The Winnipeg Sea Bears joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) as an expansion franchise in 2023. The city's only professional basketball team plays out of Canada Life Centre from May to August in a 24-game regular season schedule. Winnipeg businessman and lawyer, David Asper, is the organization's owner and chairman. More information on the Sea Bears can be found at seabears.ca and @wpgseabears on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn & Facebook.

Davidson Joins CEBL as Chief Operating Officer

January 27, 2026
Welcome to the Canadian Elite Basketball League, Shannon Davidson. Davidson brings decades of leadership and strategic integration across the sport and corporate worlds. Her wide-ranging experience strengthens our ability to execute, scale, and lead with purpose.

Saskatchewan Announces Coaching Staff Update

January 26, 2026
The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has notified Head Coach Eric Magdanz that his contract will not be renewed following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Associate Head Coach Steve Burrows will also not be returning due to family reasons. Burrows spent two years with the franchise and Magdanz four – three as Lead Assistant Coach and in 2025 he was promoted to Head Coach. The team finished with a 7-17 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season. The organization is grateful for the contributions of both Eric and Steve and their families. Their passion for player development and growing the game of basketball throughout Saskatchewan has our deepest admiration. The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club has already begun recruitment for a new Head Coach. A new era of basketball in Saskatoon will be unveiled on February 4th, 2026.  ### About the Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club The Saskatchewan Professional Basketball Club (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The team are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit www.therattlers.ca .