CEBL Canadian Elite Basketball League

Game Preview - Hamilton vs Guelph - July 9

July 9, 2021 - Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) News Release


It's a good thing that the Guelph Nighthawks (0-3) and Hamilton Honey Badgers (4-1) play just a short drive down Highway 6 away from each other, because the two squads have gotten awfully familiar as of late. When the Honey Badgers travel to the Sleeman Centre on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET, it will be the third Hamilton-Guelph matchup in the span of six days.

So far, the Honey Badgers have come out victorious in the season series against the Nighthawks, winning 102-98 on Saturday and 101-89 on Monday. With both games being played in Hamilton though, the squad will have to complete a sweep away from home.

Meanwhile, the home game for the Nighthawks represents their first contest played in their own arena this season after a three-game road trip to begin the year. With Guelph coming on the losing end of all three tilts, a trip home could be just what the doctor ordered.

Imported Goods

Despite the 0-3 start, Guelph has gotten stellar play from its three imports - Cat Barber, Isaiah Reese and Ahmed Hill. The trio has scored over 58% of the Nighthawks' points this season, and each rank among the team's top four in minutes played.

Barber has been especially good to start the season and would likely be near the top of the CEBL's early-season MVP discussion if Edmonton's Xavier Moon didn't sport a Stingers jersey. Barber is third in the league averaging 24.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 55% from the field and 46% from three-point range.

With Barber, Reese, and Hill all able to carry a big load for Guelph, it's only a matter of time before the team breaks through and picks up a victory. Should all three imports be on their game on Friday, it may come against the Honey Badgers.

Finding their stride

After a heartbreaking defeat against the Stingers to begin the season, Hamilton has been on fire, winning its last four games. Noticeably, the Honey Badgers have been terrific offensively during the streak, scoring at least 99 points in three of the four contests. For the season, they lead the CEBL averaging 92.4 points per game.

While Lindell Wigginton has been consistent all season for Hamilton, a bunch of players around him have caught their stride in recent games as well. Whether it was Trevon Duval's 21-point, 6-assist effort on Monday or Cody John's massive 23 points on Saturday, production from all across the roster has fueled the Honey Badgers.

In order to pick up a third straight victory against the desperate Nighthawks, Hamilton will look to its overall depth once again to lead it to another victory.

With both sides knowing the other extremely well after 80 minutes played within the span of a week, look for a hard-fought, physical and thrilling battle that is likely to come down to the wire.

All CEBL games will be available for live streaming on the CEBL's new OTT streaming service CEBL+, cbcsports.ca, the free CBC Gem streaming service, the CBC Sports App for iOS and android devices, and on Twitch.

A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 75 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 typically runs from May through August. Head to CEBL.ca for more information or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.



Canadian Elite Basketball League Stories from July 9, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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