The Niagara River Lions are kings of the Canadian Elite Basketball League jungle.
In a championship weekend not for the faint-hearted, the River Lions found the most dramatic way possible to claim their first-ever title at Verdun Auditorium.
After blowing an 87-77 lead in Target Score Time, Mr. Clutch — a.k.a. Khalil Ahmad — scored the golden basket that lifted the River Lions to a 97-95 win over the resilient Vancouver Bandits.
“I can’t even put it into words,” said Ahmad, whose last-second heroics helped the champions beat the host Montreal Alliance 78-75 in Friday’s Eastern Conference final. “This is my third summer here trying to get a chip and we finally get it done.”
Ahmad, who scored the game-winner when he beat two defenders down the lane and rattle home a floater, added: “That’s the biggest bucket of my life for sure.”
Nathan Cayo had 25 points and eight rebounds, while Ahmad finished with 23 points and four assists for the River Lions, who joined the league in 2019 as an original six squad.
Aaryn Rai scored 15 points off the bench and Loudon Love chipped in with 10 points.
The River Lions have made the CEBL playoffs every year and reached the final in 2021. The Bandits have only missed the post-season once and made it to the finals in 2020.
“This organization has been elite in the CEBL, but we never had the validation of a championship,” said River Lions head coach Victor Raso. “We just really needed this as an organization.”
The Bandits’ offence shot out of the gates in the game’s early minutes, but the River Lions adjusted and led 23-20 after the first quarter. Vancouver led 46-44 at halftime but Niagara outscored their rivals 27-16 in the third quarter to grab control.
Mitch Creek led the Western Conference champion Bandits with a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Koby Mcewen chipped in with 17. Nick Ward had 13 points off the bench for the Bandits.
“When you put yourself into a position where you have to fight back, it’s really hard to repeatedly do that,” said Creek. “Some of us might have to go to the casino and roll a few dice tonight and try to win back some of the emotions.
” … This loss was sad, hard and tough. You watch them (River Lions) cheer and chant and carry on like a pack of idiots just like we would as Bandits. You almost enjoy watching someone else win because you know at some point you’re going to get that opportunity.”
Creek said the Bandits’ locker room was silent for 10 minutes after the painful loss before head coach Kyle Julius said something he would not share with reporters.
The Bandits advanced to Sunday’s final with a thrilling 89-87 victory over the Calgary Surge on Friday. The Surge missed an open layup in Target Score Time that would have given them the win.
THROW-INS: The Langley, B.C.-based Bandits had two watch parties over the weekend and there were hundreds of fans on Sunday screaming in front of the TVs in the Barley Merchant pub-restaurant. For a few moments it seemed like their Bandits would pull off the biggest Target Score Time in CEBL history.
In a thrilling showdown between two top teams in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Niagara River Lions emerged victorious as they defeated the Edmonton Stingers to claim the coveted championship title. The River Lions put on a stellar performance throughout the season, showcasing their talent and determination to come out on top.
The championship game was a highly anticipated matchup between the River Lions and the Bandits, who had both shown impressive skills and teamwork throughout the season. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams giving it their all in pursuit of the championship title. In the end, it was the River Lions who prevailed, thanks to their strong defense and clutch shooting.
The River Lions were led by their star players, who stepped up when it mattered most. Guard Jaylen Babb-Harrison was a standout performer, scoring crucial points and making key plays to help his team secure the victory. Forward Daniel Mullings also had a standout game, contributing both offensively and defensively to lead his team to victory.
The win was a historic moment for the River Lions, as it marked their first-ever CEBL championship title. The team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season had finally paid off, and they were able to celebrate their well-deserved victory with their fans and supporters.
The CEBL has quickly become a premier basketball league in Canada, providing a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. The competition is fierce, and every game is a test of skill, strategy, and teamwork. The River Lions’ championship win is a testament to their talent and determination, as well as the strength of the league as a whole.
As the celebrations continue for the River Lions and their fans, the team can now look forward to defending their title in the upcoming season. With their championship win under their belt, the River Lions will undoubtedly be a team to watch in the CEBL for years to come.