3 KEYS TO THE GAME - JULY 28 VS. SCARBOROUGH

Cassidy Kannemeyer • July 28, 2022

With the season series knotted at 1-1, Bandits look to win tiebreaker vs. Shooting Stars.

Numero Uno


Last time these two teams met, both Jalen Harris and Isiaha Mike went nuclear down the stretch securing a win in Elam time when the game seemed to be in the balance. Mike could not miss and Harris got the shots he wanted when it mattered. One of the true blue chip prospects in the CEBL, Harris, a former Toronto Raptors second round pick has all the skills and fluidity to make it back to the big dance.


To secure the tie break, the three seed and the possibility of catching the River Lions for the two seed, the Bandits need a gritty win that will only happen if they can get the aforementioned foes out of rhythm early. 


Campbell and Duvivier will likely tag team Harris, while Shane Gibson needs to have his defensive hat on for four quarters to take care of Isiaha Mike. Because of his rare shooting ability, Gibson will have to be sticky as a defender, never leaving to help and forcing others to help on Harris. If Gibson can keep his defensive focus like he does offensively the Bandits will be in good hands Thursday night in Scarborough.


The Anchor


Brandon Gilbeck is slowly getting himself back into form for the home stretch this season. Last game being one of his best as rim protector, swatting aside three shots in 12 minutes. His role is different from last season, but his impact could be huge if he continues to gather his stride for the Fraser Valley Bandits. 


One of the best seven footers in the league, Gilbeck can anchor any type of defence. The team has one of the best four man rotations at the four and five positions in the league. Both Maxie Esho and James Karnick, because of their ability to play on the perimeter, are great fits next to the seven footer. 


The difference between this year and last, is that the team has settled on playing U SPORTS star Thomas Kennedy at the five and riding him for 24+ minutes per game. Arguably the best U SPORTS student-athlete in the CEBL, Kennedy has won the coaches trust by playing with a relentless motor at all times. With two games left and playoff seeding looming, the Bandits need Brandon Gilbeck to continue to find his 2021 defensive player of the year form.


Keep the Party Going


Both Marek Klassen and Shane Gibson have begun to forge a symmetry on the court similar to the chemistry that Kyle Adnam had built early on in the season. Klassen has begun to figure out the actions to call to keep Gibson in his preferred shooting rhythm.


Gibson loves to get the ball in early transition to attack a defender that has no help behind him. He is also excellent at coming off of wide pin down screens and flare screens. When the team needed a quality look last game versus Niagara, Klassen dialed Gibson’s number and as he’s done time and time again, he delivered. 


Klassen recorded his second 10+ assist game in a row and the team secured its second win in as many games. As Marek Klassen gets more comfortable in his role, his shooting numbers will also climb. Last game, he went 1-for-6 from downtown, but I believe that he is due for a breakout. All six of his attempts were in great offensive flow and were right on target. On Thursday night the Bandits will rely on this dynamic duo to start and finish most offensive possessions and their improved chemistry will hopefully guide the team to its third straight win.


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