The Games took place October 31 to November 9 that saw 35 Canadian athletes compete in five sports all of whom finished on the podium in each of the following that saw 32 athletes win a medal, with all 35 making the medal rounds in their respective sports.

• Para swimming (8 medals) 
• Wheelchair basketball (2)
• Goalball (2)
• Boccia (1),
• Para Table Tennis (1).

Alyssa Smyth (Para swimming) and Andrew Woodrow (boccia) were Canada’s Closing Ceremony flag bearers.

Smyth, age 15, was Canada’s winningest athlete at the Games, capturing four gold medals in the pool. Eighteen-year-old Woodrow earned Canada’s boccia podium with a silver in the BC4 individuals.

CHILE 2025 CANADIAN YOUTH PARAPAN AM TEAM MEDALLISTS:

GOLD – Elise Froese, Rosie Long, Kayla MacKinnon, Mercy Nyakundi – Women’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball

GOLD – Dylan Cannan, Nasif Chowdhury, Cameron Gelowitz, Brandon Louie, Simon Mazi-Keep, Thai Milton, Ibrahim Odza, Bernard Rosello, Jeffer Ward, Judah Websdale – Men’s 5×5 Wheelchair Basketball

GOLD – Alyssa Smyth – Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 100m Freestyle Multi-Class

GOLD – Alyssa Smyth – Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 100m Breaststroke Multi-Class

GOLD – Alyssa Smyth – Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 50m Freestyle, Multi-Class

GOLD – Alyssa Smyth – Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 100m Butterfly Multi-Class

GOLD – Veronica MacLellan, Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 100m Backstroke Multi-Class

SILVER – Yehati Antone, Arianna Balson, Elena Hung, Lily-Anna King, Cassandra Ruttle, Sadie Trant – Women’s Goalball

SILVER – Roy Pan – Para Swimming, Senior Men’s 50m Butterfly Multi-Class

SILVER – Andrew Woodrow, Boccia, Men’s BC4 Individual

BRONZE – Thulir Hector – Para Table Tennis, Women’s Class 8-10 Singles

BRONZE – Will Campbell, Hayden Den Ouden, Samuel Devries, Caden Johnson, Harry Nickerson, Merrick Smith – Men’s Goalball

BRONZE – Lucas Van Herk – Para Swimming, Senior Men’s 200m Freestyle Multi-Class

BRONZE – Veronica MacLellan – Para Swimming, Junior Women’s 50m Freestyle, Multi-Class

Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Chief Sport Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee mentioned “We are so proud of each and every athlete for their performances at the Games,” 

She continued to mention “It has been such an exciting week of competition watching the entire team proudly represent Canada on the international stage, and we have seen so many incredible results. We have a bright future ahead for Para sport in Canada, and we can’t wait to continue following and supporting each athlete’s journey.”

Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearers both captured medals in their respective events – Elise Froese winning gold in the women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball tournament and Harry Nickerson claiming bronze alongside the men’s goalball team.

At 14 years old, Thulir Hector was Canada’s youngest medallist. She won Para table tennis bronze for the nation’s first medal of the Games.

In addition to the strong results on the field of play, Chile 2025 was an important event for classification, with several athletes classified at the Games for the first time and receiving their eligibility for international competition.  

This was the sixth edition of the Youth Parapan Am Games, with more than 1,500 athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 from over 30 countries in attendance. Canada competed for the first time since 2017.  

For more information on the Chile 2025 Youth Parapan Am Games, please visit Paralympic.ca/games/chile-2025-youth-parapan-american-games

For additional info contact

Nicole Watts

Senior Manager, Communications & PR

Canadian Paralympic Committee

nwatts@paralympic.ca / 

The post Canada Finishes 2025 Youth Parapan American Games With 14 Medals first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

His baritone voice not only calls the game but also brings the game to the living rooms of his community on Connect FM radio which by all indication was well received in the community.

In addition Jag is my broadcast partner and has been for the past few years and most recently he was one of the broadcasters for the Ladner Islanders Junior Lacrosse clubs.

With the league and the teams focused on the 2026 CEBL season we are pleased to pass on the info that the leagues first Commissioner and Co-Founder for leadership turned a  concept into Canada’s premier professional basketball league.

CEBL Co-Founder Richard Petko mentioned “When Mike Morreale took on this job, this league was just an idea. Mike was determined to see Canada take its rightful place on the basketball stage with a successful professional league here at home, something many thought could not be done.”

He continued “Today, as Mike leaves to take on new challenges after a successful eight years at our helm, the league is firmly established, with 10 teams in six provinces. It features an exciting style of play and innovative rules, and boasts a young, diverse and growing fan base of over 4.1 million. Mike has been, and always will be, our foundational leader.”

Founded in 2017 by Niagara River Lions owner Richard Petko and Morreale, the CEBL has evolved from a single-entity model with six charter members to a strong local ownership presence in markets across the country.

Morreale mentioned “I’ve decided my journey as Commissioner has come to an end, and that my role in this incredible story has served its purpose.” 

He continued “I proudly and confidently look forward to the future of this amazing league and the wonderful memories yet to be made. I’ll always be its biggest supporter, its loudest advocate, and a proud founder.”

Morreale thanked the CEBL’s “dedicated owners and tremendous players,” its passionate fans, its “relentless and hardworking staff,” and his “loving and patient” family.

CEBL President Tyler Mazereeuw will oversee the day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives formerly managed by the Commissioner, as the Board continues to evolve the league’s leadership structure to support its next phase of growth.

“The CEBL stands poised for its next chapter,” Mazereeuw said. “We have an exciting opportunity to build on the strong foundation that Mike Morreale and so many devoted and hard-working people across Canada have built.”

– CEBL –

About the CEBL
Created by Canadians for Canadians, the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is dedicated to developing Canadian players, coaches, referees, and sports executives.

In 2025, the league featured a record 17 players with NBA game experience, and nearly 70 per cent of its rosters were Canadian — the highest of any professional league in the country. 

Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National Team program, NCAA, U SPORTS, and CCAA. 

Nearly 40 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and many others attend NBA G League training camps each year. 

The season runs from May through August, with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS, Game+, and Next Level Sports & Entertainment in the U.S. 

For more information, visit CEBL.ca or follow @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Media Contact:
Aaron Gogishvili – Sr. Director, Communications & Community Relations

The post Mike Morreale “FOUNDATIONAL LEADER” For CEBL first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Such was the case for the Vancouver Bandits in the heartbreaking loss to the Calgary Surge in the

This year saw the Bandits’ historic season ended in a heartbreaking semifinal loss to the Calgary Surge in the CEBL Western Conference semifinal finishing the regular season with a franchise-best 19-5 record and the league’s top seed who were a mere two points away from advancing to the Western Conference final. 

But to the frustration of Bandit supporters it was a series of overturned foul calls in “Target Time” that opened the door for Calgary’s Gilyard II to seal the game with three free throws, ending Vancouver’s season in front of a stunned home crowd. 

The loss denied the Bandits a chance to face the Winnipeg Sea Bears at Championship Weekend, despite entering the postseason as favourites to capture the franchise’s first league title. 

The matchup began with both teams leaning on their regular-season strengths, but momentum quickly swung back and forth. 

Vancouver’s trademark physicality showed in the opening quarter, though Calgary erased a seven-point deficit in the final minute of the frame. 

By the second quarter, the Bandits’ missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns gave the Surge room to build a double-digit lead. 

Fouls began to pile up on both sides, slowing the pace and forcing rotations to adjust. By halftime, 

Vancouver trailed by 10 after Zach Copeland closed the gap with a pair of free throws. 

As they had all season, the Bandits surged in the third quarter.

Copeland drained a three-pointer to spark a rally, followed by two free throws that cut into Calgary’s advantage. 

The LEC crowd responded with thunderous energy, pushing Vancouver back into contention. Each basket and foul call drew roars from the stands as the Bandits closed the gap heading into the final frame. 

The fourth quarter saw emotions peak, with fouls dominating the pace of play.

By Target Score Time, the game was tied and on a knife’s edge — Vancouver needing nine points to win, Calgary needing 10. 

The Bandits edged ahead and were just two points away from victory when the officiating took centre stage. 

Three consecutive foul calls in Vancouver’s favour were overturned after video review. Moments later, Calgary drew a foul against Kyle Mangas on a three-point attempt. 

Gilyard II sank all three free throws to clinch the game, silencing the Bandits’ hopes and leaving fans in disbelief.

Despite the disappointing finish, the Bandits capped their best season in franchise history. Just days after their elimination, 

Vancouver players and staff collected four awards at the 2025 CEBL Awards in Winnipeg. Forward Mitch Creek was named Most Valuable Player, after averaging 24.4 points per game to finish second in league scoring. 

Creek also ranked among the top 10 in multiple statistical categories, including three-point shooting (48.6 per cent), free throws made (110), and steals (30). 

His 488 total points were the second-highest in the league this season and the fourth-most ever in a single CEBL campaign. 

Centre Tyrese Samuel earned Canadian Player of the Year and Clutch Player of the Year, after becoming the only player in the league to average a double-double — 21.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game — while leading the CEBL in field goal percentage at 65.9 per cent. 

Head coach Kyle Julius was honoured as Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, guiding the Bandits to the league’s best record, a +250 point differential, and top marks in field goal percentage, assists, and overall scoring. It marked the second straight season 

Vancouver swept the league’s top three awards, highlighting both the roster’s depth and the leadership guiding the organization. 

The Bandits may not have lifted the championship trophy, but their 2025 campaign raised the bar for success in the CEBL. With Kyle Julius steering the bench, 

Vancouver remains a contender moving forward — even as their season ended in shock rather than celebration.

Wait till next season – it’ll be even more exciting than this one!!!!

The post Bandits’ Historic Season Ends In Semifinal Loss first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The Championship weekend is played in Winnipeg with the award event held at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre Thursday evening which was the first official event of 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25).

Enjoy the read:

The Vancouver Bandits took home four awards, including forward Mitch Creek, who earned top honours as Most Valuable Player. 

Centre Tyrese Samuel was named both Canadian Player of the Year and Clutch Player of the Year, while Kyle Julius secured Coach of the Year honours for the second consecutive season.

This also marked the second straight year the Bandits swept the CEBL’s top three awards (MVP, Canadian Player, and Coach), repeating the feat achieved by Tazé Moore, Koby McEwen, and Julius in 2024.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

2025 CEBL Award Winners

Most Valuable Player:  Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits)

Canadian Player of the Year:  Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits)

Coach of the Year:  Kyle Julius (Vancouver Bandits)

Sixth Man of the Year:  Zane Waterman (Ottawa BlackJacks)

Defensive Player of the Year:  Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge)

Developmental Player of the Year:  Isaac Simon (Saskatchewan Rattlers)

Clutch Player of the Year:  Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits)

Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award: Karl Toulouse

Creek’s leadership and production were instrumental in Vancouver’s league-best 19-5 record this season. He finished second in the CEBL in scoring with 24.4 points per game, ranked third in three-point percentage (48.6%), and fourth in field goal percentage (58.4%). 

The 6-foot-5 Australian’s 488 total points were the second-highest in the league in 2025 and the fourth-most ever recorded in a single CEBL season.

He also ranked among the league’s top 10 in several other categories, including free throws made (2nd – 110), field goals made (3rd – 171), minutes played (6th – 687.7), and steals (9th – 30).

Photo’s below taken at the Langley Events Centre with the left one from Sportswave and the one on the right taken by Jagraj Lalli.

In his first CEBL season, Samuel was a dominant force for the Bandits and the only player in the league to average more than 20 points (21.4) and 10 rebounds (10.8) per game.

Despite playing just 15 games, the Canadian big man tied for the league lead with six Target Score Winners, earning the Clutch Player of the Year award via a tiebreaking vote over Calgary’s Sean Miller-Moore. He also led the CEBL in field goal percentage (65.9), ranked third in rebounds per game, and tied for third with eight double-doubles.

Julius led Vancouver to a .792 winning percentage (19-5) in 2025 — the highest ever over a full, non-pandemic-shortened CEBL season — even with the league’s longest and most demanding schedule to date (24 games).

The Bandits posted a league-best +250 point differential, more than 50 points ahead of the next closest team, while boasting the top-ranked offence and fourth-ranked defence. 

Vancouver finished first in total points (2,372), field goals made (868), field goal percentage (48.2), three-pointers made (277), three-point percentage (38.4) and assists (558), and ranked second in steals (208).

Despite their high-paced offence, the Bandits committed the third-fewest turnovers (328) and allowed the fourth-fewest points (2,122).

Waterman played a significant role off the bench for the Ottawa BlackJacks this summer and was a key contributor to the team’s strong second-half surge, helping secure second place in the Eastern Conference. 

In just 14 games, he was part of nine wins, averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 23.1 minutes per game, while shooting 52.9 per cent from three-point range.

Nelson Jr. delivered a strong two-way performance for Calgary in 2025, making a particularly significant impact on defense. 

He set a new CEBL single-season steals record with 57 in just 19 games and added five blocks. His 3.0 steals per game led the league by a full steal over MVP runner-up Sean East II, and his total steals shattered the previous record of 44 set by Lloyd Pandi in 2024 by 13. 

He also showcased his offensive prowess last Saturday in the Western Conference Semifinal against Vancouver, scoring a CEBL playoff-record 39 points in a 105-103 Surge win to secure a berth at CW25.

Simon contributed valuable minutes for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2025, emerging as the top performer among this year’s class of Developmental Players. 

He appeared in all 24 games — including six starts — and averaged 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. 

Simon will return to the University of Alberta Golden Bears for the upcoming U SPORTS season.

Toulouse, a day-one member of the CEBL as Manager of Minor Officials, was honoured with the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award. 

He oversees 150 minor officials across all 10 CEBL markets, audits numerous games nationwide to ensure statistical accuracy, and has attended every CEBL Championship Weekend to support score table staff. 

A member of the Toronto Raptors stats crew since the team’s inception in 1995, Toulouse exemplifies the spirit of basketball development in Canada through more than 30 years of dedication and high-level performance.

The 2025 All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams were also revealed at the CEBL Awards:

All CEBL First Team:  Greg Brown III (Calgary Surge), Mitch Creek (Vancouver Bandits), Sean East II (Edmonton Stingers), Javonte Smart (Ottawa BlackJacks), Donovan Williams (Scarborough Shooting Stars)

All CEBL Second Team:  Khalil Ahmad (Niagara River Lions), Jameer Nelson Jr. (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits), Simi Shittu (Winnipeg Sea Bears), Terquavion Smith (Scarborough Shooting Stars)

CEBL All-Canadian Team:  Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Edmonton Stingers), Quincy Guerrier (Montréal Alliance), Sean Miller-Moore (Calgary Surge), Tyrese Samuel (Vancouver Bandits), Simi Shittu (Winnipeg Sea Bears)

Award nominees, winners and All-CEBL First, Second, and All-Canadian Teams are determined by votes cast by the league’s head coaches, general managers, assistant coaches, select league broadcasters, and internal media personnel. 

Team representatives are prohibited from voting for a player or head coach from their own team.

All CEBL award winners will receive a customized ring from Jostens, the Official Supplier of Award Rings of the CEBL; a custom trophy from protocole, crafted from maple and solid metal with a silkscreened CEBL logo; and a special gift from the league’s partner, Foot Locker.

The Conference Finals doubleheader at CW25 on Friday, August 22 featured the defending champion Niagara River Lions defeat the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the East matchup by a 93-91 margin.

The which following game by the host Winnipeg Sea Bears facing the Calgary Surge in the West Championship game that saw Calgary pull out a 90-79 win to advance to the final.

Ticket and event information is available at cebl.ca/championshipweekend.

The post CEBL Award Winners first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Friday night saw an exhibition game in Vancouver played between the Seattle Storm and the Atlanta Dream played in front of a sellout crowd of 15<892 fans of all ages who clearly weren’t disappointed heading home wanting more at future games.

It’s interesting to know that the WNBA is growing in popularity in Canada knowing that viewership of the game is up 175% each -year with Toronto getting a pro women’s basketball team next season named the Toronto Tempo.

Over the next five years other teams including Portland (2026), Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. It’s interesting to note that there are nine other cities who put in a bid for expansion franchises.

The Seattle Storm defeated the Atlanta Dream 80- 78 putting an end to the Dream’s 6-game win streak. 

Photo to the right credit as posted. Taken from the WNBA FB Page!

The Seattle Storm led the Dream for the first half, but during the second half, the Dream managed to close the gap, even taking a five-point lead over the Storm at one point. 

The last two minutes of the 4th quarter had everyone on the edge of their seats and as expected full of time-outs, fouls, and free throws but the end of the contest saw the crowd erupted in celebration. 

This is not the first time the WNBA has played outside the United States; it is, however, the first regular-season game it has played. It played WNBA games in Edmonton, Alberta (2024); Toronto, Ontario (2023); Manchester, England (2011); and Monterrey, Mexico (2004).

To no surprise the WNBA, its partners clearly invested a huge effort making this game a success. 

From various events throughout the week to the overall fan experiences throughout the concourse, featuring interactive games, giveaways, photo opportunities, clinics plus merchandise they’ve reached a market in the lower mainland.

The post WNBA Hit Vancouver – Huge Success first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Last season, the Bandits fell short in the championship game against the Niagara River Lions, making this postseason opportunity especially meaningful. 

Vancouver secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a 19-5 record, clinching home-court advantage for the playoffs and achieving the best regular season finish in franchise history. 

The LEC was the site of 10 Bandits wins this summer, including seven sold-out games, tying the franchise record for most home wins in a single CEBL regular season. 

Saturday’s matchup will mark the first time in two years that the LEC hosts a playoff game, following Vancouver’s appearance in the 2023 Western Conference Final. 

This also represents the Bandits’ sixth consecutive postseason appearance, dating back to 2020.

The Bandits will face the winner of the Western Conference Play-In Game between the second-seeded Calgary Surge and third-seeded Edmonton Stingers. 

The winner of that semifinal will advance to 2025 Championship Weekend (CW25) at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The four-team CW25 includes a Conference Finals doubleheader on Friday, August 22, followed by the CEBL Championship Final on Sunday, August 24. 

Vancouver closed the regular season with a record-setting 130–112 win over the Ottawa BlackJacks, setting a CEBL record for scoring under the Target Time format and recording the second-highest scoring game in league history. 

The Bandits’ backcourt and forward rotation performed at a high level, demonstrating their ability to maintain composure and capitalize during critical stretches of the game. 

Forward Tyrese Samuel earned the CEBL Player of the Week after posting consecutive dominant performances, scoring 32 points with 18 rebounds on August 8 and 33 points with 17 rebounds on August 10. 

Samuel’s rookie campaign stood out as he became the only player in the league to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, while also tying for the league lead with six Target Score Winners and leading the CEBL in field goal percentage at 65.9 percent.

Mitch Creek, the Bandits’ veteran leader, also finished the regular season strong, averaging 24.4 points per game to rank second in the league. 

He added 488 points over the course of the season, marking the second-highest total in the CEBL in 2025 and the fourth-highest single-season total in franchise history. 

Creek also ranked among the league’s top 10 in three-point percentage, field goal percentage, free throws made, minutes played, and steals, cementing his status as one of the league’s top performers. 

The 2025 CEBL Awards, taking place on August 21 at The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre in Winnipeg, will honor individual and team achievements from the season, including Most Valuable Player, Canadian Player of the Year, Sixth Man, Defensive Player, Developmental Player, Coach of the Year, Clutch Player, and the Fox 40 Officiating Recognition Award. Award recipients will receive custom rings, trophies, and gifts from league partners. 

With home-court advantage and a talented roster featuring proven scorers and defensive contributors, the Bandits are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run. 

Saturday’s game marks the beginning of their push to secure the franchise’s first CEBL Championship and capitalize on one of the most successful seasons in team history.

It’s been an honour to broadcast Vancouver Bandits basketball in Punjabi for most of the home games this season. 

I can’t wait to do it one last time at the LEC on Saturday. Join myself and Jarman Chahal on 91.5 Connect FM for the call.

The post Bandits Unfinished Business! first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

We received the following press release from the Vancouver Bandits which is appreciated and if you’ve never taken in a game make plans to attend one of the upcoming games.

Enjoy the read and thanks to the Bandits for the press release!!

The most recent being the signing of 6-foot-1 American guard Corey Davis Jr. who is no stranger to the CEBL. 

Last season he played for the Calgary Surge setting the league record for most assists in a single season with 126 helpers while he Appeared and started in 19 regular season games and three playoff games, 

He averaged 13.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals through 33.1 minutes played and finished the season with three consecutive, 20+ point performances in postseason play leading them from the Play-In round to the Western Conference Final.

Davis Jr. most recently played professionally with Vanoli Cremona, the highest-tier level of Italy’s basketball league system, where he appeared in 30 games and averaged 13.6 points, 5.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 29.8 minutes of action per game during the 2024-25 season. 

His pro career also includes stops in Spain, Montenegro, France, Turkey and a stint with the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Summer League.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be back in the CEBL and can’t wait to get started with the Bandits. I’m looking forward to working with coach Kyle and the team, and building on the success that the Bandits have had so far this season,” said Davis Jr.

A member of the University of Houston’s men’s basketball team for two seasons from 2017 to 2019, Davis Jr. was a unanimous First Team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2019. Davis Jr. also helped the Cougars advance to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the 2019 Sweet 16.

Davis Jr. will be on the active roster for the Vancouver Bandits game Saturday evening at home when the club hosts the visiting Montréal Alliance at Langley Events Centre.

In addition to this move the Bandits placed Izaiah Brockington (guard) on its Suspended List in order to accommodate Davis Jr.’s addition while adhering to CEBL roster rules, which limit clubs to four Import players on active rosters.

The post Bandits Sign Corey Davis Jr. first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

With the victory, Vancouver improved to 6–1 on the season and returned to the top of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Western Conference.

Ottawa dropped to 2–3 and remains in the middle of a challenging Western road trip. 

The Bandits outscored the BlackJacks 30–17 in the final frame, capitalizing on Target Score Time and a renewed defensive energy that proved too much for Ottawa to handle down the stretch. 

Bandits captain Mitch Creek led all scorers with 21 points and added nine rebounds in a high-effort, high-impact performance. Postgame, 

Creek highlighted the team’s preparation for close contests and execution during Target Score Time. 

“We’re not messing around or taking it lightly — we’re out there working hard to make sure that when we get to target time, we stay composed, run our sets properly and maintain the right spacing,” Creek said. “Target time is all about getting stops on defence and then capitalizing on offence… Tonight, we had that opportunity and we got two great looks.” 

Tyrese Samuel and Curtis Hollis were key closers, combining for nine points in Target Score Time, including the bucket that sealed the win. 

Hollis has embraced his role coming off the bench and has now delivered back-to-back games with 17 or more points. “He’s a gamer, a hooper, a true baller — all of that,” said Bandits head coach Kyle Julius. “Curtis has high-level instincts and just knows how to make plays. Right now, he’s embraced his role coming off the bench, and he’s been producing in a big way.” The BlackJacks hung with the Bandits for much of the game.

After falling behind 21–12 early, Ottawa used strong bench production to stay competitive. The BlackJacks’ second unit contributed 42 points, including 12 from Justin Jackson, who was perfect from three-point range. 

His hot shooting in the third quarter closed the gap to just one point, with the Bandits clinging to a 65–64 lead entering the final 10 minutes. 

Christian Rohlehr, a key presence off the bench, added 11 points and nine rebounds in a gritty performance. “I’m just doing my job,” said Rohlehr. “They brought me here to protect the rim, rebound and finish around the basket so I’ve just got to keep working at it and see where it goes from here.” 

Despite the loss, Ottawa head coach David DeAveiro said he was proud of his team’s effort on the road and praised the bench for playing its role well. 

“We competed hard. They just executed better than we did down the stretch,” said DeAveiro. “We had some key defensive breakdowns — every time we cut the lead to three or four, they’d respond with a run. But overall, I’m proud of how our guys battled.”

Kyle Mangas didn’t light up the stat sheet for Vancouver, but his steady presence made an impact. 

The veteran guard tallied seven rebounds, two steals and a block while helping to calm the pace. “His steadiness made a big difference,” said Julius. “We needed composure, and Kyle brought that.” 

The Bandits now shift their focus to the Saskatchewan Rattlers (2–4), who they’ll face on Sunday. 

Ottawa continues its road trip with a visit to the Calgary Surge (5–2), a key matchup in the standings. 

With the CEBL regular season nearing its halfway point, both teams will look to fine-tune their rotations and stay in the playoff hunt.

The post Bandits Reclaim Top Spot With Statement Win Over BlackJacks first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.