Honey Badgers look to even season series against Rattlers in Saskatoon
The Brampton Honey Badgers visit the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Wednesday for the second and final regular season matchup of the season between the cross-conference opponents.
Live coverage from the SaskTel Centre begins at 7:30 p.m. CST/ 9:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch all the action on CEBL+ powered by BetVictor, TSN+ and on the CEBL mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.
After facing off less than a week ago, Brampton and Saskatchewan go head-to-head yet again, this time in the Prairies. On Friday, the Rattlers went into the Honey Badgers’ den and came out with a 76-69 win that not only snapped a two-game skid but also kept them in a tie for second place in the West.
And it’s safe to say there’s no love lost heading into the rematch after the previous affair saw a second quarter altercation that led to three ejections and three additional technical fouls.
Saskatchewan came away victorious in the chippy contest largely thanks to its defence making up for an uncharacteristically quiet scoring game.
After trailing 40-35 at halftime, the Rattlers held the Honey Badgers to just 29 points through the third and fourth quarters. Brampton ended up scoring their second-fewest points all year as they shot 37 per cent from the field and 19 per cent from beyond the arc.
The Rattlers season-best defensive performance helped overcome their lowest point total of the year, shooting just 40 and 25 per cent from the field and distance.
Despite shots not falling at a usual rate, Saskatchewan managed to put together a solid second half largely thanks to the improved play of Jalen Harris. After a quiet first two quarters, the import guard scored 16 of his game-high 26 points after the break. It was his fifth 20-point outing of the year, and with it, Harris moved up to second in the CEBL for scoring (24.8 points per game).
While the Rattlers have been awaiting the rematch, the Honey Badgers have been in action as they’re coming off an 81-73 loss to the Scarborough Shooting Stars.
After starting the season 2-0, the defeat on Sunday marked Brampton’s fifth consecutive loss. The biggest obstacle through their losing stretch has been a lacklustre offence.
Despite being the fourth-best defence (85.1 points against per game), the Honey Badgers’ offence ranks last (77.4 points per game), as they’re the only team averaging less than 80 points per game.
Even after holding the defending champs to a season-low in scoring, Brampton’s shot making couldn’t deliver. The Honey Badgers hit just five triples (-8) on a 23 per cent clip. They currently sit at the bottom of the CEBL for field goal (41.4) and three-point percentage (29.4).
Key matchup
If Brampton is going to get back in the win column on Wednesday, they’ll need a return to form for Zane Waterman. The forward began the season on a torrid pace, averaging 22.5 points through their first four games. Yet through the Honey Badgers’ previous three games, Waterman’s offensive production has plummeted to seven points per game, and he’s coming off back-to-back contests failing to reach double-digit scoring.
It’s doesn’t feel like a coincidence that Brampton’s offensive woes have fallen in line with the import’s own struggles. If Waterman can win his matchup and have a bounce back performance, it could go a long way in helping the Honey Badgers’ end their run of losses.
On the other side, Maurice Calloo is likely going to be the player that stands in Waterman’s way. The Windsor, Ont. native been one of Saskatchewan’s most consistent performers and is major reason why they’re undefeated at home so far.
In the Rattlers’ win over the Honey Badgers Calloo put up a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds as he more than made up for the absence of Elijah Harkless who was tossed. He’s now second on the team for points and rebounds, and averages 17.3 points per game at the SaskTel Centre, nearly four points higher than
his production on the road.
Calloo handed Brampton their fourth of five straight losses with his game-winner last time out and will surely be looking for a repeat on Wednesday.
2023 season series
Saskatchewan won the lone matchup between the cross-conference opponent’s last season but there’s not much to take from it given their top two scorers are not with this version of the squad.
Justin Wright-Foreman -- who just signed with the Winnipeg Sea Bears -- led the way with a huge 39-point game, while Michael Nuga (now an Edmonton Stinger) chipped in with 15 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Waterman had his best game of the 2023 season against the Rattlers despite a two-point loss. The import put up a monster double-double with a season-high 22 points and 17 rebounds. Waterman’s performance on the glass tied the fourth-most rebounds in a single CEBL game all-time.
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.
