Rattlers open inaugural CEBL season with last-second loss

Optimism, excitement and uncertainty filled the air prior to tip off at the Saskatchewan Rattlers and Niagara River Lions game Thursday at Sasktel Centre.

After the game, all that remained were fans standing and cheering on two teams that played to an entertaining 99-97 River Lions win in the debut of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL).

After 17 years without professional basketball in Saskatchewan, the only thing that would have capped the return was a win.

“It sounded pretty exciting by the crowd getting into it, and there was lots of exciting plays,” Rattlers head coach and general manager Greg Jockims said of the league’s first game.

“The level of play was very high, so I think the league would be happy about it… (it would) be nice to be on the other side of the win-loss.”

Saskatchewan had a chance to escape with a win. After leading most of the game, a 16-5 River Lions Run at the end of the fourth quarter would put the Rattlers down 96-86 with 2:27 remaining. Two consecutive three pointers by Alex Campbell and an emphatic alley-oop from Marlon Johnson would pull the game back to 99-97 with less than a minute remaining.

Saskatchewan was able to get possession of the ball in the final 15 seconds of the game, but Bruce Massey was unable to find an outlet pass after wrestling the ball back, forcing Campbell into an awkward buzzer-beater attempt that rattled off the rim.

“We would have had an advantage situation, and would have been running down, maybe have a chance to tie it, take it to overtime or win,” Jockims said of the scramble at the end of the game. “It was a good, hard-fought battle.”

Import player Tavrion Dawson paced all scorers with 29 points, 22 of which he scored in the first half.

Johnson, another import player, had the highlight of the night after blocking a River Lions attempt in his own end, racing down the court and receiving a pass in time for a physical slam dunk that had SaskTel Centre bursting with energy, and had the 6-10 forward going back to the free throw line to complete the three-point play.

Johnson seemed to have a knack at producing the loudest moments on Thursday. The 3,399 announced attendance at SaskTel Centre was mostly filled with nervous energy ahead of the game. A fast-paced, high-scoring game seemed to get away from the fans before a buzz settled into the building for the second half.

These fans, at one point or another, cheered for the Saskatoon Storm, Saskatchewan Slam or the Saskatchewan Hawks.

Rattlers head coach Greg Jockims gives orders to players between quarters during the Saskatchewan Rattlers 99-97 loss to the Niagara River Lions on May 9, 2019. (Keenan Sorokan/650 CKOM)

There are no traditions in the building or cues to go wild after a long three. The fans are building that connection with the players and the sport.
Rattlers winger Negus Webster-Chan doesn’t seem to mind if the fans can follow one rule.

“As long as they’re cheering for the right team, we’ll be fine, right?” he said.

Michael Linklater understands what having a professional basketball team in Saskatoon means for his hometown. Linklater used to practice with the Hawks as a teenager and was greeted with massive cheers when he was subbed into action Thursday in the third quarter.

“To go out there and to have the hometown crowd support behind me and to hear that cheer was very heart-warming,” the 36-year-old Linklater said. “To have my family here was really special.”

“To be a part of this inaugural season and this home opener was something amazing and I will remember it for the rest of my life.”