The Edmonton Stingers basketball team have taken their first win of the season on May 22 after two games failing to reach the target score.
The Stingers fell first to rival Calgary Surge in Edmonton on May 11, in a close game that finished 86-84. Edmonton was led by new signee Sean East II, who scored 22 points, brought 8 rebounds, and assisted 8 baskets, leading the Stingers in both points and assists. East shot 7-17, only making one of three attempted 3-point shots.
East continued his point scoring streak in Edmonton’s road game against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on May 16th, scoring 25 points on 10 for 18 shots. Centre Nick Hornsby got 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the team in the other two main statlines. Despite these performances, the Stingers still lost their sting, taking a 92-89 loss at the hands of the Sea Bears, although Edmonton put the pressure on in the final quarter, where they outscored Winnipeg 36-21.
The Stingers continued their road trip to play the Saskatchewan Rattlers on May 22nd, taking their first victory of the season, eking out a 92-89 win. Sean East II continued to show his scoring expertise with his highest CEBL point tally so far, scoring 27 points on 11 for 19 shooting in his nearly 30 minutes on the court. Hornsby pulled down 8 boards, with 3 different Stingers players getting 3 assists each.
The Stingers next game is against the 2-0 Vancouver Bandits on Saturday, May 24th at 8 p.m.. Vancouver made it all the way to represent the Western conference in the 2024 CEBL finals last year, losing the Championship game to the Niagra River Lions. They then return to Edmonton for two games, against the Brampton Honey Badgers on Wednesday, May 28th, then facing Vancouver on Friday, May 30th.
Tickets for Edmonton Stingers games, hosted at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, can be purchased on their website.
