Edmonton Stingers Achieve Redemption, Win CEBL Summer Series
August 10, 2020
ST. CATHARINES, ON, August 9, 2020 –The Edmonton Stingers achieved Canadian basketball glory on Sunday, defeating the Fraser Valley Bandits, 90-73, and exercising the demons that lingered with the team after suffering a heartbreaking two-point semifinal defeat to the CEBL’s inaugural season champions, the Saskatchewan Rattlers.
The Stingers entered the game as favourites after finishing the CEBL Summer Series round robin atop the league standings with a 5-1 record, and a returning cast of players from last season. The Bandits arrived with a chip on their shoulder after being labelled by skeptics as too small to compete. Fraser Valley finished the round robin with a 4-2 record and held their own for most of the game, but were outclassed by the Stingers, who emerged as the dominant team in 2020.
"A big part of it was that last year we focused on the goal too much, this year we focused on the process,” Stingers head coach and general manager Jermaine Small said. “Kudos to Kyle (Julius) and his team, they're a gritty bunch. I said that the biggest thing would be our composure and our poise. We came out the second half and we had that killer instinct. We just put it away and having the MVP doesn't hurt."
Reigning CEBL Player of the Year Xavier Moon rose to the challenge and would not be denied a championship. Moon scored 31 points on a stellar 11-of-14 (.786) shooting from the field while also registering five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Moon’s 31 points were the most scored in a CEBL Championship Game and were also the most scored by a CEBL player this season, besting Fraser Valley forward Cameron Forte’s previous high of 30.
For his efforts, Moon was awarded CEBL Championship Finals MVP and is a favourite to repeat as Player of the Year after averaging 19.5 points on .522 shooting from field goal range in eight games played, including both round robin and postseason. It was fitting that Moon stood on the free-throw line with the ball and victory in his hands, reaching the Elam Ending target score of 90 for his champion Stingers.
"It was a tough journey,” Moon said. “The league got a lot better since last year and everybody came to play. We knew we had to come out with that tenacity. We dropped the first game to them (Fraser Valley), so we knew it was going to be a tough task, but everybody handled their business from start to finish and we came out and got this championship."
The Bandits entered the game fresh off a thrilling comeback on Saturday that saw Fraser Valley turn around a 14-point fourth quarter deficit and inch out a one-point victory, 76-75, over the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
It was Fraser Valley’s third come-from-behind win of the Summer Series. Although an impressive feat, it left skeptics wondering if the Bandits had enough in the tank for one last miracle. Fraser Valley was led by their motivational leader, Junior Cadougan, who contributed a team-high 13 points.
Moon asserted himself early, mixing in an array of floaters, and step-backs to keep the Bandits off balance. Moon was also lethal from three-point distance on the night, connecting on three-of-five of his attempts.
A late triple by Moon in the second quarter helped Edmonton take a four-point lead into halftime. No stranger to trailing at the break, Fraser Valley entered the second half desperate to pull off one last comeback.
With a championship on the line, Jahenns Manigat opened the half with a three-pointer, which brought the Bandits to within a single point. The slim deficit would be as close as Fraser Valley would get; however, as the Stingers absorbed each counterattack and made their run, usually led by Moon.
Edmonton’s returning core rose to the occasion and fought off the Bandits’ last push. Adika Peter-McNeilly drove to the rim, absorbed contact from Kyle Johnson and converted a tough lay-up before nailing a free throw that gave Edmonton a 13-point lead. The Bandits closed the third down nine points but ran out of steam in the final frame.
A 14-1 run by the Stingers in the fourth quarter and timely baskets down the stretch by Peter-McNeilly, Travis Daniels, Brody Clarke and Moon helped solidify a much-deserved victory for the Stingers, who proved that its returning foundation was up to the task of giving Edmonton its first CEBL Championship.
The Bandits entered the fourth down by nine points, but Edmonton outscored Fraser Valley 25-17 in the fourth to pull ahead for good.
"It's unfortunate that it didn't end the way we wanted,” Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius said. “I just told the group that I'm extremely proud of them. The work that we put in, the approach. We did everything the right way, throughout the tournament and preparation. We started with our group chats and meetings back in March. I couldn't be more proud of the group. That's a special group to me."
Celebrations ensued immediately as Small’s group stormed the court and surrounded Moon, who took a moment to savour the game-clinching moment before being mobbed by his teammates.
Following an immensely successful CEBL Summer Series that saw the league’s product on and off the court elevate to new heights, fans have much to look forward to as the league begins immediate preparations for its 2021 season.
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LATEST NEWS
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The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that the Vancouver Bandits have been named the 2025 CEBL Community Champion, earning the honour for a second consecutive season . The Community Champion Award is the second of four 2025 CEBL Business Awards to be presented this week.  COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD Awarded to the franchise that has demonstrated a dedication to and understanding of local communities through notable, creative, and sustainable outreach that prioritize the CEBL values of innovation, inclusion, diversity, and meaningful experiences for fans and others. 2025 Winner: Vancouver Bandits In 2025, the Vancouver Bandits expanded their community reach through the launch of the Bandits Community Foundation , a charitable organization overseeing programs such as the Community Champion Initiative, Indigenous Basketball Collective, First Buckets, Secondary Buckets, and Inspiring Bandits Scholarship. The club also became the first CEBL team to unveil a Filipino Heritage jersey and logo , with proceeds benefiting United Way BC and the Canadian Red Cross to support those affected by events following the Vancouver Lapu-Lapu Day Festival. Continuing their commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Bandits signed a multi-year partnership supporting Canadian cancer research, including the return of their Terry Fox tribute jerseys. Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the Bandits’ efforts this year, with additional highlights including: Hosting the fourth annual BC Basketball Festival at Langley Events Centre Awarding six scholarships through the Inspiring Bandits program at the BC High School Basketball Championships Delivering 77 on-court sessions and 12 free coaching clinics through Secondary Buckets, led by Bandits head coach Kyle Julius Refurbishing Grays Park in South Vancouver through the Court Projects initiative Hosting three cultural heritage theme games (Filipino Heritage, South Asian Heritage, and Indigenous Celebration), each ranking among the club’s top five attended home games in 2025 The Bandits also launched a successful bid to host the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament, one of the largest youth basketball events in Canada, in partnership with Kwantlen First Nation and Vancity Nation youth basketball. The 2025 Community Champion Award recognizes the Vancouver Bandits’ sustained leadership and impact across British Columbia, reflecting their ongoing commitment to community, inclusion, and excellence in basketball. The 2025 CEBL Business Awards consist of four awards, given in recognition of accomplishments at both the team and executive levels ( Award – Announcement Date – Winner): Digital Excellence Award – Monday, October 27 – Calgary Surge Community Champion – Tuesday, October 28 – Vancouver Bandits Executive of the Year – Wednesday, October 29 – TBA Franchise of the Year – Thursday, October 30 – TBA Award winners were voted on by various groups comprised of league and team executives, including, but not limited to, members of the CEBL’s Leadership Team and all 10 team presidents.
The Vancouver Bandits, Bandits Community Foundation, Vancity Nation Basketball and Kwantlen First Nation are proud to host the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament, taking place March 15-20, 2026 in Langley, BC. The Junior All Native Tournament (JANT) is the largest Indigenous youth sports gathering in British Columbia and one of the biggest basketball tournaments in Canada, drawing over 1,200 youth athletes, over 10,000 travellers and over 100 teams from across the province. Additionally, more than 100 Indigenous communities will be attending and represented at the annual tournament. “Vancity Nation is proud to partner with Kwantlen First Nation, Bandits Community Foundation and Vancouver Bandits to bring JANT to Langley,” said Nicole Cardinal, team manager of Vancity Nation basketball club. ”This is an opportunity for Vancity Nation to showcase our urban youth who live away from their communities and play a sport they love with Indigenous youth from across BC. Vancity Nation is made of volunteer coaches and managers who provide low cost basketball opportunities for our youth, and together we hope we build pathways that strengthen identity, and community connection. This goes a long way in raising young, productive leaders in a sport they love.” Langley Events Centre will serve as the tournament’s primary venue, hosting the opening ceremony on March 15 and championship games on March 20. Games will also be played at venues that include RE Mountain Secondary, Langley Secondary, Walnut Grove Secondary, Peter Ewart Middle and Yorkson Creek Middle schools in Langley. The 2026 edition of the tournament marks the first time in eight years that the event has been hosted in the Lower Mainland, with the last occurrence in 2018 hosted at North Vancouver’s Capilano University. “On behalf of Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation, we are honoured to serve as custodians of the 2026 BC Junior All Native basketball tournament while standing side-by-side with Kwantlen First Nation and VanCity Nation Basketball. Basketball has always been a powerful connector and the Junior All Native basketball tournament is a testament to that,” said Dylan Kular, president of the Vancouver Bandits. “The Junior All Native basketball tournament represents the very best of what sport can do such as bringing people together, celebrating culture, and inspiring the next generation.” The Junior All Native Tournament has been a cornerstone event for nearly 50 years, uniting young athletes and their families from Indigenous communities across BC. The tournament aims to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their goals and make the most of their potential, while improving their fitness and skill levels. The tournament rotates annually between the three regions of Northern BC, Coastal BC, and Interior BC, with the most recent tournament hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation in 2025. Information on the 2026 tournament, including team registration, can be found at www.jant.ca
Electrolit athlete and viral basketball sensation Tristan Jass has officially broken four Guinness World Records™ titles in just four hours. The record-shattering event took place at the home of the Vancouver Bandits — Langley Events Centre in Langley, British Columbia — with Electrolit fueling Jass’s monumental performance. With laser focus and electrifying energy, Jass shattered multiple Guinness World Records, each verified on-site by an official Guinness World Records judge, including: Longest Basketball Shot (Blindfolded) Farthest Basketball Bounce Shot Most Consecutive Behind-the-Backboard Shots Most Basketball Layups in One Minute With more than 10 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Tristan Jass is a global sensation, known for his jaw-dropping trick shots and ball-handling skills. The record-breaking day marks another high point in Jass’s rising career, following his recent stint playing with the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Watch the full video on Tristan Jass’ YouTube channel to see every record-breaking moment in action: https://youtu.be/_J6Z71vhe3U “Man, this is unreal. I’ve always been about doing things differently, pushing the limits, getting creative, and just having fun with the game. Breaking four Guinness World Records titles in one day? It was a grind. But Electrolit kept me hydrated, and that’s everything when it comes to performing at my best. I’m grateful, I’m hyped, and I’m just getting started,” said Jass. Electrolit is available at major retailers as well as online through Amazon, to support active lifestyles of all shapes and sizes, from work to play to sports. For more information, visit www. electrolit.com or follow them on Instagram or Facebook @Electrolit
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