Stingers looking to keep winning streak alive
CEBL leaders have their eyes on extending winning streak with Saskatchewan in town
Despite having already clinched a spot in the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Championship Weekend, the Edmonton Stingers have a lot on the line in their final three games of the season.
The Stingers want to go into the final-four tournament in Saskatoon in two weeks as the top seed and will likely need to win two of their final three games to stay in first place.
They also want to extend their winning streak to 10 games when they host the Saskatchewan Rattlers at the Expo Centre (7 p.m.) on Thursday in their final home game of the season.
The Stingers (13-4) will then travel to Saskatoon for the second half of a home-and-home series on Friday with the Rattlers.
“First place is definitely important, that was one of our goals this season,” said Stingers head coach Jermaine Small. “Our main goal was, obviously, to win a championship, but first place was something we definitely set our eyes on and it’s important to finish the season off strong heading into the playoffs.”
The Stingers have been the best team in the inaugural sixteam professional basketball league and are currently holding top spot.
They extended their winning streak to nine games with a hardfought 108-104 victory against the Fraser Valley Bandits Aug. 1 at the Expo Centre. The Bandits are currently last in the league standings and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
“All last week I was saying to our team that we were playing a team that had nothing to lose,” Small said.
“All the pressure was on us and from a coaching perspective I’m glad the game was tight and it wasn’t a blowout like a lot of people thought it might be. That game was very humbling in a sense that we’ve set expectations for ourselves and now we have to live up to it.”
The Stingers have not lost since dropping a 90-87 decision at home to the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
A few days later, head coach Barnaby Craddock stepped down to focus on his job with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, turning over the reins to Small. Since taking over as head coach, Small has yet to lose a game.
“We are just going to keep doing us and keep playing and try to keep the streak going,” Small said. “For us, the big thing is going into Championship Weekend healthy and on a roll. We feel like we keep improving and we can still improve and we just want to put out the best versions of ourselves.”
The Rattlers (9-8) will be taking part of Championship Weekend as hosts. Yet, sitting third in the CEBL standings, they won’t be pushovers.
“They’ve won three in a row and they have nothing to lose in a sense (because) they’re hosting,” Small said. “They are a team that is trying to find their way and are trying to find their identity.”
At the final-four tournament, the Stingers will have to play back-to-back games if they intend to win a championship. Playing back to back Thursday and Friday will be good preparation for the playoffs
“It’s a challenge,” Small said. “For us, it’s a simulation of Championship Weekend and also this could potentially be our first-round matchup. We’re definitely excited about the opportunity. There are always hurdles in this thing and this will definitely test our mental strength.”
Following their two games against the Rattlers, the Stingers will round out their regular season on the road against Fraser Valley Aug. 15.
The Stingers are relatively healthy and have every player available heading into their two games against Saskatchewan.
“At this point in the season, no one is 100 per cent physically,” Small said.
“But what I said to them is that we can be 100 per cent mentally. Everyone is beat up at this time of year, but mentally the team that is 100 per cent is going to end up winning.”
Having a deep roster has been the strength of the Stingers this season.
Offensively, they are led by point guard Xavier Moon, who is averaging 20.5 points per game.
Forward Travis Daniels, who will be back after missing last week’s win, averages 19.6 points per game. Jordan Baker is at 14.5 points, while Mamadou Gueye and Adika Peter-mcneilly average 12.3 and 12.2 points, respectively.
“Our identity, we do like to defend and rebound, but we believe in strength in numbers,” Small said. “It’s something that I believe in and our ninth, 10th and even 11th guy on the roster has really earned my trust.
“All of our guys have come in and contributed. They all know their roles and are all playing for the team. It’s very easy to coach, and (has) definitely been a main factor in our success.”
At this point in the season, no one is 100 per cent physically ... but mentally the team that is 100 per cent is going to end up winning.