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CEBL Vancouver Bandits

Bandits Host Honey Badgers in School Day Game

June 7, 2022 - Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
Vancouver Bandits News Release


The Fraser Valley Bandits host the Hamilton Honey Badgers in Fraser Valley's School Day Game at 11 a.m. PT. Both teams are off to solid 3-1 starts that put them in a fight for first place overall.

Fraser Valley's last game was a 90-78 win over Saskatchewan on June 4, and it was one they were in control of for a majority of the game. Size was a benefit for the Bandits who got the ball to Murphy Burnatowski and Thomas Kennedy and let their guards get the loose rebounds. Fraser Valley won the points in the paint battle 34-16 and because of their advantage, capitalized with 16 second-chance points to the Rattlers six. Burnatowski led the scoring with 27 points on 58 per cent shooting but it was the 18 point and nine rebound performance from Kennedy that made the difference and kept the Bandits in front.

Kennedy and Burnatowski were helped by Kadre Gray and Alex Campbell who both played 30 minutes with Gray assisting on eight baskets as the lead facilitator and Campbell cleaning up the boards with eight rebounds. Fraser Valley won the rebounds 43-35 and the size will be an advantage against the Honey Badgers. Burnatowski will be matched up with Jeremiah Tilmon and Kennedy matched up with Zane Waterman who both made their own impact in the Honey Badgers recent victory.

Hamilton spoiled the Scarborough Shooting Stars home opener with a 84-69 win and the Hamilton guards used their quick hands to interrupt the Shooting Stars offence. The matchup of Michael Okafor and the Honey Badgers guards against Gray and Campbell will test both defences with the efficiency and opportunistic offences on either side.

Hamilton matched the fast pace of Scarborough but they will now be going against a slower paced Bandits team who is very effective in the half court, and turnovers aren't going to come easy with Fraser Valley only turning the ball over 11 times in the win over Saskatchewan while Hamilton turned it over 18 times against Scarborough.

Fraser Valley executes on offence and doesn't give their opponent extra opportunities with their rebounding, and Hamilton's execution is vital in this matchup. The three-minute period of the fourth quarter against Scarborough where they couldn't get a shot to fall will be capitalized on by Gray and the half court Bandits offence.

Execution and rebounding are two key categories for both teams and two strong suits for both sides but one will have taken the advantage and the separation after Tuesday's game.

All games will be streamed live internationally on the CEBL's OTT platform, CEBL+, and on the CEBL Mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Games will also be available to stream live in Canada via cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices, and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 71 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball. The CEBL season runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us (@cebleague) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.



Canadian Elite Basketball League Stories from June 7, 2022


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