BANDITS’ ELAM ENDING COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT IN NAILBITING LOSS TO STINGERS
By: Matthew Winick • August 7, 2021
EDMONTON, ALTA., August 6, 2021 – The Fraser Valley Bandits (5-7) made a valiant effort in the Elam Ending period but came up just one point short in a dramatic 88-87 loss to the Edmonton Stingers (13-1) on Friday night at the Expo Centre in Edmonton.
The Bandits trailed 79-69 after the first whistle under four minutes in the fourth quarter, setting the Elam Ending target score at 88. With multiple defensive stops and key baskets, they almost made the miraculous comeback.
Much like the matchup between these two teams on Wednesday, the Stingers struggled to score out of the gate, putting up just 10 first quarter points on 4-21 shooting from the field, and trailing 16-10 after the period. However, Edmonton backed that up with a 35-point second quarter for the second straight game and led almost the rest of the way.
It certainly wasn’t an easy win for the Stingers but provided the team with a playoff-like atmosphere as it begins its quest to repeat as CEBL champions.
“(I’ve learned that) we have more depth… it was good seeing some young guys step up and give us good minutes,” said Stingers’ head coach Jermaine Small after the game, “It was a heck of a game, but we bend and don’t break.”
Leading the way as usual for Edmonton was Xavier Moon with a game-high 26 points. Forward Marlon Johnson was also highly impactful, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks for an outstanding all-around stat line.
“I was effective and versatile on the defensive end, and got my teammates going with my energy,” said Johnson, “That’s what I do, so I have to bring it.”
The loss for Fraser Valley marks its fifth straight, with its last four defeats all coming at the hands of the Stingers. After a tough 41-point loss just two nights prior, the Bandits came out with energy and effort on Friday. Even when the team was faced with a 10-point deficit entering the Elam Ending, Fraser Valley refused to quit.
“We’re going through a little skid right now, and it’s easy to blame, it’s easy to doubt and give up and give in, but we’ve been challenging these guys to stick with it and continue to believe,” said Bandits’ head coach David Singleton. “Tonight I thought was a game we deserved to win. I thought they did everything in their power to win the game… I’m surely proud of this team.”
Import forward Kenny Manigault was massive down the stretch for the Bandits, scoring 10 of his team-high 24 points in the Elam Ending. Manigault used his speed and aggression to will himself towards the rim and scored high difficulty finishes around the hoop. Brandon Gilbeck was also a force on the interior, finishing with a monster 18-point, 15-rebound double-double.
While the loss is surely frustrating for Fraser Valley, the team can take comfort in knowing its playoff fate was decided earlier in the night. By virtue of the Ottawa BlackJacks losing to the Guelph Nighthawks on Friday, the Bandits secured the four seed in the CEBL standings. Thanks to that, Fraser Valley will now be hosting Guelph next weekend in the quarterfinal round.
Before the playoffs come though, the Bandits still have two more regular season games against the 1-11 Saskatchewan Rattlers, the first of which coming on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. PT.
Meanwhile, Friday’s win was the final game of Edmonton’s regular season. The Stingers will now have to wait all the way until August 20th for their next game, a semi-final matchup on their own home court.
Fraser Valley’s quarterfinal tilt will be nationally televised on CBC. In addition to live stream touchpoints on the free CBC Gem streaming service and cbcsports.ca, as well as CEBL+, all Bandits regular season games are available to watch on TELUS Optik TV® on Channel 1901 Lower Mainland Live Sports. Fans can learn more and subscribe to CEBL+ via this link.
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 come from the NBA, NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian national team program and top NCAA and U SPORTS programs. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to thebandits.ca for more information and click here to purchase your tickets for the quarterfinal game.
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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.
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media. Mangas is expected to practice and compete with the Hornets during the 2026-27 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 12th. During his time with the Bandits in the 2025 season, Mangas finished top five on the team in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). 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.
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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