Two weeks ago, the Hamilton Honey Badgers were facing the Niagara River Lions to determine the top spot in the CEBL standings. The matchup was billed as a marquee game on the schedule. At the same time, the Saskatchewan Rattlers were sitting alone in third place and considered a contender. Fast forward to today, both the Honey Badgers (7-6) and Rattlers (6-6) have fallen to near mediocrity, dropping their past three contests, looking urgently to turn the tide. Since there are no ties in basketball, someone is going to buck the trend Friday night at the SaskTel Centre.

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

With Saskatchewan guaranteed one of the four playoff spots as host of the CEBL Championship Weekend , the pressure is on the remaining teams to finish in the top three in the league standings, just in case the Rattlers fall to fifth place. Hamilton GM and Head Coach Chantal Vallée has seen her squad, known for its shooting and defence, struggle in both areas recently. The Honey Badgers have given up 100-plus points in each of its past four games, after allowing the century mark only twice in its first nine contests.

Offensively, Hamilton is averaging just 90.0 points during this three-game slide, while shooting only .414 from the floor and .603 from the free throw line. The Honey Badgers need forward Ryan Ejim to return to his form from earlier in the season. The six-foot-seven forward from Brampton was averaging 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds throughout his first six games, and was leading the CEBL in boards. In his past six games, Ejim has averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds. Hamilton is 3-0 when he records a double-double, something Ejim hasn’t done since June 5 versus Guelph.

Saskatchewan still relies too heavily on its dynamic duo of Tavrion Dawson and Bruce Massey. Dawson is the leading scorer in the CEBL, averaging 21.2 points per contest, while ranking fifth in the league in rebounding (7.8 rpg). Massey sits third in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game, while leading the league in steals (2.3 spg) and ranking third in assists (5.6 apg). The tandem produces more then 43 per cent of the Rattlers’ scoring. While Massey is among the CEBL elite when it comes to ball distribution, his team is not. Saskatchewan sits last in the league, averaging 17.8 assists per game.

The first 12 minutes could be the deciding factor on Friday night. If Saskatchewan can come out early and set the pace, Hamilton will find itself in familiar and undesirable territory. The Honey Badgers have lost six of its past seven opening quarters (not to mention having won only a single third quarter in its previous nine games). The Rattlers dominated the first two meetings early in the season, and have the recipe for success against Hamilton.

There is still enough time in the CEBL season for Hamilton to get back to where it believes it belongs. The team is well prepared, well coached and well equipped to turn things around.

One of the two teams is going to break their losing streak Friday and remain within reach of Niagara and Edmonton in the standings. The question is … who wants it most?

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

Hamilton (7-6)           Saskatchewan (6-6)

0-2        Head-to-Head       2-0

90.0         PPG         105.5

.428 (65-152)       FG%        .456 (73-160)

.259 (14-54)      3FG%        .324 (22-68)

.857 (36-42)      FT%          .811 (43-53)

88 (33-55)      REB (OR-DR)       92 (35-57)

32          AST          42

31          TO          20

27         PTS off TO         39