The Hamilton Honey Badgers (9-9) play their final regular season road game in Guelph (5-13) on Friday night, hoping to sweep the season series and keep the pressure on third-place Saskatchewan in the CEBL standings.

(Tickets available at TicketMaster. Watch via CEBL TV or the CBC Gem App ).

If you enjoy fast-paced, high scoring basketball, this is the matchup you have enjoyed this season and should look forward to seeing at Sleeman Centre one more time this week. Averaging 207 combined points per game, when Guelph and Hamilton step on the court together, offence is the only item on the menu.

In their last meeting August 3 at FirstOntario Centre, the Honey Badgers set a team record for points in a game and their first win at home in six weeks, defeating the Nighthawks 118-99. In the game, Hamilton became the first team to have two 30-point scorers in the same contest. Forward Demetrius Denzel-Dyson netted 31 points and five rebounds, while guard Ricky Tarrant Jr. recorded 30 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Denzel-Dyson has enjoyed playing the Nighthawks this season, averaging 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in three games, while shooting .522 (12-23) from beyond the arc. Of the five opponents in the CEBL, Guelph seems to bring the best out of the American.

While the Nighthawks were officially eliminated from postseason contention last week, Head Coach and General Manager Charles Kissi has turned the club around since taking the reins on July 8. Kissi has made significant player personnel changes and has improved the culture in the locker room. Guelph may not be heading to Saskatoon for the playoffs, but their new and exciting style of basketball has created a sense of optimism for the community. The Nighthawks shocked Niagara, 101-90 , at Meridian Centre on August 1 during the River Lions’ fan appreciation night. Guelph has not won at home since June 15 but hope to leave its terrific fan base with a smile to close out the home campaign.

The Hamilton Honey Badgers have just two games remaining until CEBL Championship Weekend. Whether the team finishes third or fourth is still a mystery. However, bench boss Chantall Vallée is more focused on getting the team to return to form from earlier in the season when they moved the ball, rebounded, and made open looks. It is those good habits that will give Hamilton a chance in the playoffs. Fans saw a glimpse of this in the Honey Badgers’ lopsided win against Guelph on Saturday. Can they replicate the productivity six days later and peak at the right time?

Tip-Off is 7PM ET.

 

June 5 at Hamilton: Hamilton 102, Guelph 96

Leading scorers: Guelph (J. Reynolds, 20), Hamilton (D. Denzel-Dyson, 22)

Leading rebounders: Guelph (C. Johnson / O. Famutimi, 5), Hamilton (R. Ejim, 12)

June 22 at Guelph: Hamilton 104, Guelph 103

Leading scorers: Guelph (M. Kabongo, 23), Hamilton (S. Carter, 25)

Leading rebounders: Guelph (M. Kabongo, 8), Hamilton (R. Ejim, 6)

August 3, 2019 at Hamilton: Hamilton 118, Guelph 99

Leading scorers: Guelph (M. Charvis, 25), Hamilton (D. Denzel-Dyson, 31)

Leading rebounders: Guelph (M. Charvis / J. Kennedy, 6), Hamilton (M. Fraser, 14)