Bandits Clinch Semifinal Berth with Decisive Win Against Guelph
August 6, 2020
ST. CATHARINES, ON, August 5, 2020 – The Fraser Valley Bandits are advancing straight to the CEBL Summer Series semifinals after defeating the Guelph Nighthawks, 84-70, Wednesday evening. With the win, Fraser Valley closes the round robin with a 4-2 record and earns the second seed in the Series playoffs. Guelph finishes 3-3, tied with Hamilton and Ottawa but by virtue of the tie-breaker formula lands in the fifth seeded slot.
Jahenns Manigat scored a game-high 20 points off the bench to lead the Bandits. The sharpshooter came off the bench to lead the second unit with timely baskets, cashing in with six three-pointers and collecting four rebounds and four steals.
Four players scored in double digits for the Nighthawks, led by Kimbal Mackenzie with 12 points to go along with three assists.
It was clear from the game’s onset that both teams were dialed in defensively. Fraser Valley and Guelph shot just 31 and 21 percent, respectively, from the field in the first quarter. The Bandits led by five points after the first frame, but the Nighthawks caught fire in the second and dropped 33 points on Fraser Valley, due in large part to Guelph’s accuracy from three-point range. Tyrell Green and Myles Charvis entered halftime with two threes each. The Bandits managed to shoot just 4-of-14 from long distance in the opening half, which allowed Guelph’s defenders to clog the paint and prevent Fraser Valley from getting to the rim.
Despite an emphatic one-handed jam from Olu Ashaolu in the second quarter, the Bandits entered the half down seven points as Fraser Valley struggled to contain Guelph’s drive and kick action.
“We didn’t hit our assignments, so we wanted to keep the conversation about our original game plan,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius. “The guys came out in the second half and really changed the game with defence and then from there we got some fastbreak points, which we weren’t getting in the first half.”
The Bandits got off to a hot start in the second half behind pinpoint shooting from Manigat. Two quick triples from Manigat brought the Bandits to within one before a dime from Klassen to Ashaolu gave the Bandits their first lead since the first quarter. Fraser Valley outscored Guelph 22-7 in the third, but former Bandit Joel Friesen connected on a half-court heave to bring the Nighthawks to within five points entering the fourth.
Friesen’s end of quarter prayer set the stage for an exciting fourth quarter. Veteran Olu Famutimi scored a quick lay-up in transition to bring Guelph to within three, but the Bandits had an answer for the Nighthawks’ final push.
Fraser Valley outscored Guelph 9-4 during the Elam Ending to put the finishing touches on what was otherwise a close game. With the game on the line, Malcolm Duvivier stepped into a three-pointer to seal the game and punch the Bandits’ ticket to the team’s first-ever semifinal berth.
The Bandits won’t play until Saturday and will receive some much-needed rest.
“Coach Julius makes sure that we’re always locked in and that we don’t take anything for granted, and that’s the approach we need to take for the rest of the tournament,” Cadougan said.
As a result of the loss, the Nighthawks will have to overcome a tight turnaround and be ready for day one of the playoffs, which begin Thursday. Guelph finishes fifth in the standings and will take on Ottawa at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fraser Valley awaits the highest advancing seed from Thursday’s quarterfinal action.
“We just need to be more physical,” Nighthawks head coach and general manager Charles Kissi said. “I feel like all the teams we’ve struggled with, they were just far more physical with us and I think that’s something we have to do. We can’t get caught up in anything other than just doing our jobs.”
All CEBL Summer Series games are livestreamed on Twitch, CBCSports.ca and the CBC Gem App. A complete broadcast schedule can be found here.
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The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, hosted a youth basketball camp on Wednesday, September 9 in Williams Lake, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and FortisBC. The Bandits welcomed over 40 local athletes and their families to the camp, with the main goal of building confidence, inspiring young athletes, and bringing youth sports development and mentorship to athletes across the province. Held at Lake City Secondary, the camp marked the first community visit by BC’s professional basketball team to the Cariboo region, bringing more basketball to more people across our province. “Community is a core pillar of the Bandits organization, and we are proud to host camps and opportunities that help shape and inspire the next generation of players and leaders,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thank you to our partners at I∙SPARC and FortisBC for their support in bringing this camp to fruition, and to the Williams Lake basketball community for welcoming our team this week.” "We're proud to support opportunities that help young people build confidence, strengthen their skills and create lasting connections," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives at FortisBC. "Through initiatives like this basketball camp, Indigenous youth can connect with peers and mentors, develop new skills and experience the positive impact that sport can have on confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.” The free-of-charge camp was part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, ongoing and past projects through the Collective include camps and clinics for Indigenous youth and coaches, building new basketball courts in Indigenous communities, and hosting the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament.
Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, Joiner made 21 appearances, including 13 starts, and finished with 16.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per games. Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.
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The Vancouver Bandits have partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to unveil a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. Part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative, the team officially unveiled the refurbished court on Saturday (August 30). The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, free haircuts and massages, and free backpacks and school supplies distributed for local youth. “The Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative was designed to build and enhance public outdoor courts,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “The love for the game grows in spaces like Grays Park. This project would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We will continue to enhance outdoor public courts, make them more inviting, and create stronger communities through basketball.” “Over the past few years, we have been trying to build one of the nicest courts here in South Vancouver for the community,” said community leader Spensir Sangara. “We recognized that Grays Park was one of the few neighbourhood parks without a quality basketball court for the community. Thank you to our businesses and donors who came together to make our vision a reality. This court is filled with a rich basketball culture and this is a legendary day for our community.” “When the Vancouver Bandits approached the Vancouver Park Board with the idea to upgrade this park, it seemed like the right fit and partner to help renew an important asset in a community where basketball plays such an important role,” said Vancouver Park Board Director of Business Services John Brodie. “Thank you to the Bandits and our partners for their generous contributions, and for being examples of what having a strong, community-oriented mission looks like.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. Established in October 2023, the goal of Court Projects is to enhance outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, creating productive and safe spaces for individuals to play while enriching local basketball at the community level. To date, this partnered team effort has featured the construction and installation of six brand new outdoor basketball courts and upgrading hundreds of basketball rims in communities across BC.
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