Zena, Tommy, and Tate on the bench. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
Photos and words by Pedro Decimus
With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Ottawa Blackjacks find themselves perched atop the Canadian Elite Basketball League Eastern Conference with an impressive 7-5 record.
As the team hits its stride, some new faces have joined the roster, including the 2022 CEBL Player of the Year Caleb Agada, who brings experience from his time with the Brampton Honey Badgers, with whom he won a CEBL Championship. Additionally, Deng Adel makes his return for a second stint with the club, while Dragan Stajic adds further depth to the lineup.
Deng Adel with the layup. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
Encouraged by a current three-game winning streak, the Blackjacks are on a mission to dominate the East, capitalizing on their newfound momentum. Their latest triumph was a resounding 97-86 victory over the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Head coach James Derouin emphasized the significance of upcoming divisional matchups, stating, “Every game in the division is critical. Essentially, each win counts as two, as you secure a win while handing a loss to the opposition.”
The team’s three-game home stand, which marks a pivotal juncture in their campaign, concludes on July 2 with a highly anticipated clash against the Western Conference leaders, the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Both teams are eager to extend their respective winning streaks and maintain their conference supremacy.
Michael Flowers versus the Brampton Honey Badgers. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
Leading the charge for the Blackjacks will be the dynamic Kadre Grey, aptly dubbed “Mr. Game Winner” for his knack of delivering clutch shots, including a game-winning three-pointer in their most recent outing.
Following their home games, the Blackjacks face a gruelling stretch of away contests, starting on July 5 against the Saskatchewan Rattlers. They will then square off against the Vancouver Bandits, Brampton Honey Badgers, and Scarborough Shooting Stars before returning home on July 20.
Michael Flowers shoots a three-pointer. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
In their quest for the coveted CEBL Championship Trophy, the Blackjacks are eyeing a return to the CEBL Championship Weekend, this time to be held in Vancouver. Building on their success from last season’s playoffs, which unfolded on their home court in Ottawa, the team aims to make their presence felt on the biggest stage.
Beyond the thrilling on-court action, the Blackjacks’ home games have also become a platform for showcasing local talent and artistic expression. Halftime shows have featured captivating performances from the likes of saxophonist Sax n’ Sip, 2018 World Champion Salsa and Bachata Dancers Temi and Aletta, and two-spirit Anishinabe hoop dancer Makhena Guérin. Collaborating with the Ottawa Arts Council, the team has provided local artists an opportunity to exhibit their work during games, further enriching the game-day experience.
Sax ‘n’ Slip playing the sax at a home game. Photo by Pedro Decimus.
To catch the remaining home games, fans can secure their seats by purchasing tickets online or by visiting the TD Arena box office. Don’t miss out on the final home games taking place on July 2nd, 20th, and 27th.
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