Blog Layout

Stingers’ remaining champions aim to continue dominance of BlackJacks

Myles Dichter • May 29, 2024

The championship ties run deep in Edmonton, the lone CEBL franchise to win multiple titles. 


Ottawa can only look on and wonder ‘what if.’ The BlackJacks were eliminated by the Stingers in both the 2020 and 2021 semifinals, then fell one game short of the Finals once again in 2022. 


The teams will meet once again on Wednesday at TD Place Arena for Ottawa’s home opener at 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT. Live streaming coverage is available on CEBL+ and TSN+. 

After a 2023 campaign in which both squads were bounced in the quarterfinals, Edmonton chose to double-down on its past. 


Ex-Canadian Player of the Year Jordan Baker added general manager to his title along with head coach after taking over on the bench last season. Baker played a key role in both Stingers championships. 



The Edmonton native will lead a team featuring Adika Peter-McNeilly, his former Stingers teammate who remains a starter in the current iteration of the squad. The coach was also a selling point for guard Mike Nuga, who came over from Saskatchewan in the off-season. “I’m a fan of how coach Baker approached the game as a player and am excited to be able to learn from him as a coach,” Nuga said. “The goal is a championship, and that’s what I’m giving 110 per cent of my effort to in Edmonton.” 


The Stingers also imported a player who’s been around champions in Jacob Evans III, a Golden State Warriors draft pick who was part of the team that lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. 


So far, Edmonton’s plan is paying off. The Stingers opened their season with a 97-79 road victory against in-province rival Calgary despite a record crowd of 12,327 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. 


Ottawa didn’t enjoy the same success in its first game of 2024, falling 99-82 against Brampton.  But the BlackJacks may just need some time to click as they await the returns of 2023 starters Deng Adel and Zena Edosomwan, who are currently completing their professional seasons overseas.


In the meantime, Ottawa will rely on Brandon Sampson for much of its offence. Sampson, one of two players along with reigning MVP Teddy Allen to ever score 40 points in a game, paced the BlackJacks with 25 against the Honey Badgers in the loss. 


Ottawa and Edmonton will see each other twice this season, with the return matchup taking place in Edmonton on June 20. 


Key Matchup 

Seasoned CEBL veterans Peter-McNeilly and Lloyd Pandi will reacquaint with one another as opposing guards for the Stingers and BlackJacks, respectively. 


The Canadians have each played in their domestic professional league since 2020, and they faced off in the 2021 CEBL Finals while Pandi was with the River Lions, with Peter-McNeilly’s Stingers winning in dominant fashion. 


Pandi, the Carleton grad, returned to Ottawa this season, contributing 14 points and eight rebounds in his first game back. Peter-McNeilly, meanwhile, scored 15 points and snagged four rebounds in Edmonton’s opening-game victory. 



Milestone Watch 

● Edmonton’s Peter-McNeilly, of Scarborough, Ont., needs 11 assists to reach 200 for his career, including playoffs 

● Edmonton’s Brody Clarke, of Toronto, is 10 assists away from 100 for his career, including playoffs


2023 Season Series 

Ottawa upended Edmonton 91-85 on the road in the teams’ lone matchup last season


- CEBL -

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. 

April 4, 2025
Former All-Big 12 Newcomer of the Year guard also has NBA experience with the New Orleans Pelicans
April 4, 2025
The Niagara River Lions announced today that Darren Peters, Founder and President of Peters Construction Group , has joined the team’s ownership group. His inclusion represents a significant step forward for the River Lions as they continue to build a top tier sports organization in the heart of the Niagara Region. A lifelong Fort Erie resident, Peters has made a lasting impact on the Niagara business and cultural landscape. His leadership at Peters Construction Group, which he has operated for over 20 years, has transformed the company from a small subcontracting business into a multi-division operation offering a range of specialized construction services. His extensive experience in business growth and community engagement will be instrumental in the River Lions’ continued success both on and off the court. “I’m proud to welcome Darren Peters to the River Lions ownership group,” said Richard Petko, Niagara River Lions Founder and Owner. “Darren’s deep ties to the Niagara community and his proven track record in driving growth make him the perfect fit. His passion for sports and commitment to our shared goals will be key as we continue our mission to become the best professional sports organization in Canada.” Peters has been involved in various business ventures and real estate partnerships over the years and previously owned a successful race team as both a driver and team owner. His experience in sports and competition, combined with his business acumen, makes him a valuable addition to the River Lions ownership team. “What interests me most about joining the group is, firstly, the fun and excitement of the games and the atmosphere in the arena,” said Peters. “Beyond that, I align strongly with the team’s vision of offering a superior product and fan experience while also being excellent corporate citizens through the River Lions’ efforts to support youth and the community. Sports and entertainment are key attractions for people and businesses looking to invest in Niagara, and I’m excited to be part of this journey.” Peters has long recognized the unifying power of sports, both as a player and spectator. Since its inception, Peters Construction Group has actively supported youth sports teams, and many of its company events focus on team-building through sports. “I have always enjoyed how sports bring people together, regardless of background or economic situation. That sense of connection and camaraderie is what makes sports so special,” he added. “I’m thrilled to officially welcome my good friend Darren Peters to the River Lions ownership group,” said Niagara River Lions Owner, Michael Skrtich. “Darren brings a wealth of experience and deep passion for sports, as well as a shared vision for growing this franchise. These are exciting times for the River Lions, and I couldn’t be happier to have him on board as we take the next steps together.” Peters first caught the basketball bug during the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Championship run and quickly became a fan of the sport. After attending River Lions games, he was impressed by the level of competition and the energy of the fanbase. Now, as an owner, he looks forward to contributing to the team’s long-term success. As the River Lions continue to aim high and build towards a future of sustained excellence, the addition of Darren Peters ensures the franchise is well-positioned to reach its full potential in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).  - CEBL - 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 75% of its rosters being Canadian and a record 12 players with NBA experience in 2024. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 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 with games broadcast live on CEBL+ , TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube .
April 4, 2025
A CEBL Champion in 2022, Waterman has averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 55 career games with the Honey Badgers across three seasons
April 4, 2025
Les BlackJacks d'Ottawa de la Ligue Élite Canadienne de Basketball (LECB), la plus grande ligue sportive professionnelle du Canada, ont annoncé aujourd'hui que l'équipe a signé l'ailier Zane Waterman pour un contrat pour la saison 2025. Waterman entamera sa quatrième saison dans la LECB et rejoint les BlackJacks après avoir établi les records de la franchise de Hamilton/Brampton pour les points (653), les rebonds (310) et les matchs joués (55) en carrière, tant en saison régulière qu'en playoffs. « Tout au long de sa carrière dans la LECB, Zane a constamment démontré qu'il était un joueur d'impact au sein d'équipes gagnantes », a déclaré le directeur général des BlackJacks, James Derouin. "Son jeu a impressionné notre bureau et notre équipe d'entraîneurs, et nous sommes heureux d'ajouter un joueur de son calibre à notre équipe cet été. La polyvalence, la robustesse et les antécédents de championnat qu'il apporte à notre club seront un atout majeur dans notre quête d'un titre cette saison. Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir Zane et sa famille dans la capitale nationale. » Le 24e meilleur marqueur de saison régulière de l'histoire de la LECB (641) sort d'une saison 2024 qui l'a vu mener les Honey Badgers au chapitre des points par match (15,9) tout en inscrivant 20 points et plus dans huit de ses 19 parties, avec un sommet personnel de 30 points par match le 7 juillet à Edmonton. Originaire de Winston-Salem, en Caroline du Nord, Waterman participe actuellement à sa deuxième saison consécutive dans la LKL lituanienne pour les Neptunas après une campagne 2023-24 avec Kedainiai Nevezis qui l'a vu mener l'équipe en termes de points par match (16,8) tout en se classant cinquième de la ligue en termes de minutes par match (30,5). Au cours de cette saison, il a été élu meilleur joueur de la LKL pour les mois de décembre et de mars, car il a été le meilleur marqueur de son équipe lors de sept des neuf matchs de cette période. Jouant professionnellement depuis 2018, l'Américain de 6'9 » a joué pour des équipes en Argentine, à Chypre, en République tchèque, en Finlande, en Allemagne, en Pologne, au Portugal et en Nouvelle-Zélande après une carrière réussie dans la NCAA à Manhattan (MAAC) où il a été nommé troisième équipe All-Conference lors de ses saisons junior et senior. Il a terminé sa carrière universitaire en tant que 18e meilleur marqueur de l'histoire du programme avec 1,275 points et troisième pour le nombre total de rebonds défensifs avec 451. Il est actuellement possible d'acheter des forfaits de billets flexibles en visitant le site theblackjacks.ca/fr-ca/tickets. Les abonnements de saison des BlackJacks 2025 sont disponibles dès maintenant. Pour plus de détails, les amateurs sont invités à envoyer un courriel à [email protected] ou à composer le 613-690-0519. - CEBL - À propos du LECB La LECB est une équipe créée par des Canadiens pour des Canadiens, avec pour objectif de développer des joueurs, des entraîneurs, des responsables sportifs et des arbitres canadiens. Elle compte le plus grand nombre de joueurs canadiens de toute autre équipe professionnelle dans le pays, avec 75% de ses équipes étant canadiennes et un record de 12 joueurs NBA en 2024. Les joueurs apportent également leur expérience de la NBA G League, des meilleures ligues internationales de professionnels, du programme national canadien, des programmes NCAA, ainsi que de U SPORTS et de CCAA. 22 joueurs ont signé des contrats NBA après une saison CEBL, et de nombreux joueurs CEBL participent à des camps de formation NBA G League chaque année. La saison CEBL se déroule de mai à août, avec des matchs diffusés en direct sur CEBL+ avec BetVictor, TSN , TSN+ , RDS , Game+ , Next Level Sports & Entertainment et Courtside1891 . On peut trouver davantage d'informations sur le CEBL sur CEBL.ca et @cebleague sur Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook et YouTube .
April 3, 2025
St. Francis Xavier University product appeared in 17 games during his first pro season with Calgary in 2023
April 3, 2025
Le joueur de 6’10” originaire des Maritimes apporte son expérience internationale et son impressionnante domination au rebond à la LECB
April 3, 2025
Maritime-born 6-foot-10 centre brings international experience and impressive rebounding prowess to CEBL
April 2, 2025
Brampton, Ontario native has averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 40 games with Saskatchewan and Montreal since 2021
April 2, 2025
Brandon University product is Saskatchewan's all-time franchise leader in games played
April 2, 2025
The Pelicans' second-round draft pick in 2021 averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 70 career NBA games with the Trail Blazers and Mavericks
More Posts
Share by: