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Edmonton Stingers Knock Off Winnipeg Sea Bears 98-86 to Solidify Playoff Positioning

Josh Kozelj • July 30, 2023

The Edmonton Stingers (9-11) used a 26-8 run to close out the Winnipeg Sea Bears (12-8) 98-86 in front of a record crowd at the Canada Life Centre. 


The win prevented the Sea Bears from clinching the number one seed in the west, and gave the Calgary Surge the top spot in the conference. It also set up a rematch between Winnipeg and Edmonton in the play-in round next week. 


“We’ve had issues closing games,” Edmonton head coach Jordan Baker said. “But our defence in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter and target time was great. That leads to great offensive opportunities for us.” 


Leading by one point heading into the fourth quarter, Isiah Osborne knocked down three straight three pointers in as many possessions in the final frame to shift the momentum in Edmonton’s favour. 


“They have an amazing crowd… But we’re competitors, we feed off the energy whether it’s for us or against us,” Brody Clarke said after the game. “Isiah Osborne stepped up and hit three threes in a row in the fourth quarter that changed the game for us.”


A CEBL-record of more than 8,200 fans filled the Canada Life Centre tonight, eclipsing a record that Winnipeg set back in their home opener that had more that 7,000 fans in attendance. 


Teddy Allen led the way once again for Winnipeg, who was without Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jelani Watson-Gayle with an injury. Allen collected 33 points, 10 boards, and five assists in nearly 40 minutes of action. He also converted six three pointers on the night. 


EJ Anosike shot better than 60 per cent from the field, chipping in with 24 points. The two Winnipeg stars combined for 57 on Winnipeg’s 86 points. 


“It was a tough one, we competed on both ends. It was two great teams that just competed,” Anosike said. “We just gotta tip our hat to Edmonton, they played better.” 


Only one other Sea Bear reached double figures—AJ Hess with 10 points—while and the Stingers used a balanced attack to snap a tw0-game losing streak heading into tonight. 


All five Edmonton starters scored more than 13 points, but it was Shane Gibson off the bench who put up a team-high 19 points. 


As a team, Edmonton also won the rebound battle (48-39) and scored 14 more points on the fast break than Winnipeg in the victory. 


Winnipeg head coach Mike Taylor credited Edmonton’s defence for preventing them from going on extended runs in the game. 


“They beat us in transition, they sat in a zone and we didn’t attack the zone as well as we needed to,” Taylor said. “We had plenty of good looks in the game, we didn’t hit them today, it’s one of those things.” 


Anosike scored the first six points of the game for the Sea Bears in the first with both teams still feeling each other out. He also credited Edmonton’s zone defence.


“The zone messed with us a little bit and we need to work on keeping our heads and playing smart defence without fouling,” Anosike said about how Winnipeg will try to rebound against Edmonton next week.


The Sea Bears and Stingers started the opening quarter by shooting a combined 7-21. Winnipeg, specifically, shot 2-11 from deep in the quarter, but one of Gibson’s three three pointers helped even the game at 22 heading into the second quarter. 


Aher Uguak, who finished with 13 points, nine boards and six assists, scored six points in the second and was active all over the court—highlighted by a half-court dime to a streaking Clarke in transition to force a Winnipeg timeout. 


Hess started the game shooting 0-6 from the field, however, he hit two threes in the second to keep the Sea Bears close. Winnipeg also shot a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line in the first half (14-16 for the game) which helped them earn points despite their shooting struggles. 


Edmonton shot just over 60 per cent from the stripe. 


After taking an eight-point lead into half, Allen started to come alive. He hit a pair of threes early in the quarter, as the Sea Bears used a 14-6 run to tie the game. Allen then took the lead on a steal and score, but Edmonton took a 70-69 lead heading into the fourth. 


Another Allen three put the Sea Bears ahead by as many as six points in the final frame, however, the three consecutive triples by Osborne changed the tide of the game. Gibson hit another three after Osborne’s final long ball to give the Stingers a two-point lead, and Edmonton never looked back. 


The Stingers took a five-point edge into target score time, where they closed out the game on a corner three from Uguak. 


With the win, Edmonton earned their second victory of the season at the Canada Life Centre. These two teams will square off for the fourth and final time this season on Friday next week. 


“We’re gonna watch some film, obviously, you don’t want two of their guys combining for 57 points,” Baker said. 


“We know they got Teddy Allen, so for us, it’s a matter of how do we make his life difficult for 40 minutes.” 


The CEBL Playoffs are scheduled to start on August 4 with the eastern and western conference play-in games. 


Full broadcast schedule of CEBL Games of the Week on TSN can be found
here. All games will also be streamed live internationally on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. 


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 71 percent of its 2022 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. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. 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.

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The holiday season is about spending time and celebrating with friends and loved ones while also supporting important causes and initiatives in the community. The Honey Badgers front office staff visited the Regeneration Marketplace and the Regeneration Marketplace on Tuesday afternoon to sort food donations, portion meals, stock shelves and assist guests with food selection. “As leaders in our Brampton community, it is extremely important for us to collaborate with local organizations that continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others on a daily basis,” said Josie Pingitore, vice president of the Brampton Honey Badgers. “Our organization is committed to continue to make strides in our community growth, not only during the holiday season but throughout the calendar year.” Regeneration Marketplace is a local food bank in the heart of downtown Brampton, operating to provide quality, helpful food and household items for those in need in the community. Open 365 days a year, they proudly serve 39,000+ meals annually with more than 1,100 households receiving the necessary food and goods on a weekly basis. “Right now we are just inundated with donations, and the work the Honey Badgers did to help us sort saved us so much time,” said Katie Cleland, director of development at Regeneration Outreach Community. “This will help us get the food on the shelves much quicker so that we can serve more people this week.” The Honey Badgers staff were also joined by Amisha Moorjani, owner of The Food Quotient, and Rod Power, City of Brampton Councillor of Wards 7 and 8. This is one of many initiatives that the Honey Badgers and Councillor Power have collaborated on this holiday season, including turkey drives and Christmas dinners for underprivileged youth. To learn more about how you can contribute to the Regeneration Office & Meal Program or Regeneration Marketplace, please contact [email protected] or visit www.regenbrampton.com .
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LANGLEY, BC - The Vancouver Bandits professional basketball team is proud to announce the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation - the team’s dedicated charitable and philanthropic arm. This foundation is committed to empowering youth and driving positive change across British Columbia through innovative basketball and education programs. The Bandits Community Foundation will prioritize creating pathways for youth and adults to excel both on and off the court. Its initiatives include supporting local nonprofits, increasing access to basketball in underserved communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in the sport—all while fostering community connections and personal growth. “We believe in the power of community and the ability of sports to inspire, unite, and create lasting change,” said Dylan Kular, Executive Director of the Bandits Community Foundation. “The launch of the Bandits Community Foundation is a commitment to giving back and empowering the next generation. Together, we are building a brighter future, one bucket at a time.” To guide this effort, the Bandits Community Foundation will be guided by an esteemed Board of Directors: Shawn Dheensaw, Basketball BC Executive Director Teresa Gabriele, Canada Basketball national team alumni Charles Hethey, O’Neil Law LLP Lawyer and Partner Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits Basketball Team President Peter Natrall, ISPARC Regional Coordinator Kim Smith-Gaucher, 3x3 Canada Basketball Women’s Head Coach Lucky Toor, TGL Group CPA’s LLP Co-Founder and Partner Full biographies of the Foundation’s board members can be found here . In addition to basketball-centred programs, the Foundation will support local charities, schools, and community organizations through scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and event collaborations. Its overarching vision is to ensure sport and education are accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic circumstances. The Vancouver Bandits have long championed community engagement through initiatives such as: Court Projects: Building and refurbishing outdoor basketball courts across BC Bandits School Tour: Delivering cost-free basketball workshops and practice instruction to high school teams Community Champion Initiative: Providing youth and families in need with the special experience of a Vancouver Bandits game Indigenous Basketball Collective: A partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council to foster opportunities for Indigenous players and coaches The Bandits Community Foundation invites individuals and businesses to join its mission, amplifying its impact through donations and partnerships. Every contribution helps provide vital tools, experiences, and support for youth to thrive. For more information about the Bandits Community Foundation, its programs, or ways to get involved, visit www.banditsfoundation.ca . Follow the Foundation’s journey on social media: Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter @BanditsFoundation.
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The Canadian Elite Basketball League mourns the loss of one of our most beloved players, Chad Posthumus. Chad was a founding player in our league, helping lead Saskatchewan to the inaugural CEBL championship in 2019. He was a fan favourite in ensuing years playing with Ottawa and Winnipeg and representing Edmonton and Brampton in international tournaments. Chad had a love for people and for the game of basketball that lit up even the largest arenas. His spirit and passion touched the hearts of fans and inspired teammates and all of us blessed to have shared Chad’s all-too-brief life with him. Chad represented the best in aspiring Canadian basketball players during his professional career in Japan, Argentina, and here at home. Off the court he was an Academic All-American in college and was a dedicated advocate for those living with Diabetes. The impact Chad made on our world is as undeniable as the force that he was on the court. Our deepest sympathies go out to Chad’s family, his legion of friends, fans, and teammates, and to the Winnipeg Sea Bears organization. - CEBL -
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Drew Green’s basketball roots run deep. Green, the CEO of Indochino, played high-school hoops against the likes of Rowan Barrett, starred on the York University squad and went on to ply his trade professionally in Australia and Singapore. Now, his two sons are forging their own careers in the sport — and Green is right there with them. On Thursday, the CEBL announced that the accomplished executive was coming aboard as its first-ever Chair of the Board of Governors and co-owner. “We are a basketball family, right? We've been in the gym, my sons and I, thousands and thousands of hours. We have an NBA half court literally in our front yard that we built during COVID. And so this is going to be a lot of fun,” he said. It’s a partnership that fits as snugly as a well-tailored suit. The Scarborough, Ont., native said that watching his sons find their love for basketball in recent years reignited his own affinity for the sport. “The two areas of passion in my life are basketball and business. And they interplay really well with this role,” Green said. Throughout the many business ventures, Green said his first job was as a father to Liam and Aidan and as a husband to his wife, Andrea Dayco. While his sons are triple-citizens of Canada, the U.S. and the Philippines, Green has made it a point to raise them with Canadian values — and to push them toward the national basketball culture. “I've seen the evolution of basketball in this country firsthand. When I played in high school, I think we had one, maybe two people that ever played in the NBA. The ability to play in the U.S. and go to and play (NCAA) Division One basketball didn't really exist. “Rowan was one of that first cohorts that played, and that was amazing, but it was so rare.” Now, there are nearly 200 Canadians playing in college basketball’s top division. Among those players is Liam, who recently accepted a five-year scholarship at Florida Atlantic University. Aidan plays for the renowned prep school Montverde Academy, which produced the likes of current Raptors RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Liam heads to FAU with some CEBL background, having practised with Vancouver Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. Green said the CEBL has quickly become a foundational piece of the Canadian basketball landscape through its partnership with U Sports, its reach to all corners of the country and its affordability. “I think there's just an amazing group of people involved in the league that are really passionate about growing the sport, growing the business (and) providing a really, really incredible experience to customers. “You've got some of the best athletes in Canada and the world playing in the games. … The product continues to get better and better every year,” he said. Besides his impressive basketball resumé, Green has enjoyed a long, successful career in business. He took over as CEO of Indochino, the men’s formal-wear company, 10 years ago and proceeded to launch its retail business, raise over $100 million in strategic capital commitments and guide the brand through the pandemic. Prior to Indochino, Green founded Canada’s first multi-merchant marketplace (now owned by Emerge Commerce) and was an executive at DoubleClick (acquired by Google) and Shop.com. At the CEBL, Green will help introduce the league to potential partners and investors while assisting the league and team owners on business matters. CEBL commissioner Mike Morreale called the partnership with Green “an incredible win.” “Drew’s business success speaks for itself and his passion for the game mimics all involved in making the CEBL a homegrown and global success. His personal financial investment into the league demonstrates his strong belief of our bright future and recognizes the foundation that has been built during our formative years,” Morreale said. “Personally, I look forward to getting right to work with Drew on the next stage of the CEBL and the growth of our game.” Green said the CEBL is on a “great trajectory,” but projected plenty of growth potential too. “Whether that's sponsors or investors or other types of strategic partners that really align with growing the game of basketball and growing the business of basketball in Canada, I think there's lots and lots of opportunities,” he said. “When you try to do something on your own in life, it often takes you a lot longer than it should at the core of it. And so that's why partnerships have always been a core ethos of mine to build businesses.” Green also remained connected to sports through business as Indochino established partnerships throughout the four major North American sports leagues. There was one NBA draft, Green said, in which half of the first round wore Indochino — though the company cannot take credit for Gradey Dick’s infamously bedazzled red suit. “We had a deal to provide him with suits and actually suited him up,” Green recalled, “and then I saw the suit and I was like, what the, how did that happen? That was not an Indochino. So he went off the reservation and did his own thing, but good on him. It got a lot of hits.” Like Dick, CEBL players have quickly become known for their personal branding and tunnel fits. Now, with a former hooper in Green on board, the CEBL brand itself is ready to truly take off. “I just think the CEBL will play a really critical, critical role in the evolution of the game over these next couple decades,” Green said, “and inspire a whole new generation of young athletes to go after their dreams.”
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