Basketball fans in Red Deer were treated to a high-energy showdown Thursday night as the Edmonton Stingers survived the Calgary Surge 98–95 at the Marchant Crane Centrium.
The matchup marked the first time the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) hosted an out-of-market game, and a passionate crowd turned out for the historic occasion.
Despite the loss, Surge guard Jameer Nelson Jr. said both teams delivered a thrilling performance.
“I think we put on a great game,” said Nelson Jr. “They were super loud at the end, so that’s all you can honestly ask for. That’s why we do it. We’re here to entertain people, and I think they were very entertained.”
Teammate Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore echoed the sentiment and wouldn't mind returning.
“I also like the arena,” said Miller-Moore. “The crowd — it’s like it’s so dark and then the floor is so bright. They had a lot of energy. So, we were excited to come out there.”
Miller-Moore said the Surge are built to battle back from behind.
“I try to tell them [the team] during the end, ‘don’t play the score.’ We’re more than capable of catching up, and we all have a common goal — to win a championship.”
Both teams are back on home court this Sunday. The Calgary Surge will host the Vancouver Bandits, while the Edmonton Stingers take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears.
Visit the CEBL website to learn more.
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