CEBL SUMMER SERIES – HAMILTON PICKS UP KEY WIN WHILE EDMONTON BECOMES THE FAVOURITES
@DonaldHigney
Fraser Valley Bandits vs. Hamilton Honey Badgers
The Fraser Valley Bandits almost overcame a 14 point deficit in Elam Time, but the Hamilton Honey Badgers held on for the 102-96 win.
To start, Fraser Valley’s Jahenns Manigat got to shoot a technical free throw. Then his teammate Malcolm Duviver made a three, cutting the lead at 11.
Hamilton’s Ammanuel Diressa got to the line for two free throws. Duviver came down and made a layup right after. Cam Forte then stole the ball from Cody John and made a hookshot, cutting the lead to single digits
The Honey Badgers went back to the line, but this time Briante Weber shot the free throws. Bandits guard Junior Cadougan made a three but Weber made a layup. Owen Klassen split free throws, pushing the lead to 11.
Manigat and Forte twice got to the hole and made layups to cut the lead at five points. Weber got back to the line and split the free throws. Forte made another close shot, but Weber made a driving layup to give Hamilton the win.
The Player of the Game was given to Diressa for his 18 point and six assist outing. He also hit four threes, as well as Alex Johnson. The team shot 46 per cent from beyond the arc.
Six players were in double digits for the Honey Badgers, including newcomer Caleb Agada, who replaced the injured Duane Notice. Notice hurt his achilles in the previous game against blank.
For Fraser Valley, Manigat had 22 points and Forte had another double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams now have the exact same record at 2-2 and will play tomorrow. The Hamilton Honey Badgers will take on the Ottawa BlackJacks in the early game at 1:30 p.m. while the Niagara River Lions will take on the Fraser Valley Bandits after at 4:00.
Saskatchewan Rattlers vs. Edmonton Stingers
In a rematch of one of the semi-final games from last year, the Edmonton Stingers came out on top with a 88-66 win over the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
Edmonton started to pull away in the second quarter, but holding Saskatchewan to 12 points in the fourth quarter sealed the deal.
A big key was limiting Saskatchewan’s transition offence. Edmonton only allowed seven fast break points.
The Player of the Game was given to Xavier Moon, who had 25 points and four assists. He also went 5-7 from three. Malcolm Diawara also had 16 points.
Both Edmonton and Saskatchewan played yesterday. Edmonton beat the Niagara River Lions by one point while Saskatchewan lost to the Guelph Nighthawks by 16 points.
For the Saskatchewan Rattlers, Kemi Osse had 15 points. Kris Joseph had 12, Kai Williams and Kevin Bracy-Davis both had 10.
Now sitting at 4-1, Edmonton has guaranteed a spot in the playoffs with a probable first round bye. Their last game is against the second place Guelph Nighthawks.
Saskatchewan is tied for last with Niagara at 1-3. With games against Hamilton on Tuesday and Ottawa on Wednesday, they need to win both if they have any chance of making the playoffs.
Air-Ball.com 