Edge Insider: Edge Split with London, A Night with Team NL Wheelchair Basketball, Edge Host Hurricanes In Key Match-up
St. John’s, NL – In this week’s edition of the Insider, we look back on the two-game set with London where both teams took one game apiece. The Edge were also active in the community this past week, we look at their scrimmage with Team NL Wheelchair Basketball. Finally, we set the stage for two key games upcoming for the Edge as they take on the Halifax Hurricanes at home on January 29th and 31st.
UP FIRST
Edge vs Lightning – Weekend Recap
The majority of Edge fans have had this past weekend’s games marked on their calendar since the schedule was released in early September. It was hard not to be excited for a match-up between two teams who took each other to the limit in last year’s NBL Canada playoffs. Mix that with the on-court battles and aggressive play and you have yourself a marquee match-up.
Game 1 – January 19th
Saturday night is all right. Mile One Centre was jam-packed with over 6,000 fans out to help the Edge defend the rock against their rivals from London. You could sense the tension in the air as the fans were hanging on to the Edge of their seats for the majority of this one.
Early on it was London who controlled the tempo and took an early lead. They must not have looked at how the Edge are the literal ‘comeback kids’ of the NBL, which is true because no lead is safe when you have the likes of Glen Davis, Junior Cadougan, Maurice Jones Sr., and Carl English in the lineup.
After two quarters this one was all tied up at 49, meaning that this one was to be won in the second half. Early in the third quarter, the Edge got their wheels moving, going at the hoop and picking up a quick 6-point lead. As the quarter progressed, they would extend the lead, but London being London would try and claw their way back into this one.
In the final few minutes, the Edge would play some tight defence forcing the Lightning to foul with a couple of seconds left would secure the big win at Mile One Centre by a score of 109-100.
Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis put up his biggest totals of the season in this one, cashing in for 31 points. It was a historic night as well for Obie Oleka who would own the glass, the Washington, D.C. native grabbed 24 rebounds which tied the NBL Canada single-game record. The fans in this one were treated to quite the night as the Edge added another win to their record making it 11 wins in their last 12.
Game 2 – January 20th
In less than 24 hours these teams met once again in the Capital City of St. John’s. There was no love lost in Saturday night’s game and this was sure to carry over into Sunday.
The early going in this one was controlled by the Edge. They got in a rhythm where it was: Basket, stop, basket, stop. Every player on the floor was making sure to not give an inch on defence. This was reflective with newcomer Brad States who drew two charges within the same minute.
As the game rolled the Edge lead would grow to as much as 20. This London team is one who you can never really count out until the final buzzer sounds. Chipping away at the Edge lead they would reduce it to as little as 4-points going into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, Carl English would keep doing what he does best and hit threes. Mix in Junior Cadougan’s ridiculous ability to get to the rim and finish, it looked like they were on track to hold on in this one. However, in the late stages of the game, London would be sparked by a couple of deep threes’ by Jaylen Babb-Harrison, setting the stage for a tie game, 2 seconds left, Edge ball.
After deliberating in a timeout about an inbounds play, the ball went inside to Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, the ball would glance up an off the rim, but not fall (keep in mind there was so much contact I don’t know how he even got the shot off). This one was headed to overtime.
In the extra frame, it was back and forth early on, both teams making big stops, but the Edge would strike first with a Junior Cadougan layup. London would answer quickly and create a series that would put the Edge in control 113-112 with a little over a minute left. On London’s possession, they looked for another three out of Babb-Harrison, and he delivered putting London in front 115-113. Down the floor Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis was fouled and would convert on his second attempt, but the referee would call a lane violation! This gave the ball back to London forcing the Edge to play the foul game. In the end, London would take the win, 119-113.
The offence was led by Junior Cadougan who dropped 27 points on his former team, letting them know each time he cashed in. Behind Junior, Carl English scored a cool 20 points and shot the ball well in key moments for the Edge.
If this two-game series was any indication of what is to come in playoffs, let's just say that the fans in St. John’s are in for a treat. These games were a benchmark of how competitive the basketball is in the NBL Canada and these two teams are the ones that set that mark starting with their series from last season.
EDGE COMMUNITY – Edge Join Team NL Wheelchair Basketball for Scrimmage
On Monday, January. 14th the Edge joined Team NL Wheelchair basketball for a scrimmage, as the team were preparing for the upcoming Canada Games in Red Deer, AB.
Players Junior Cadougan, Jarryn Skeet, Diego Kapelan, Dez Lee, Satnam Singh, and Carl English joined the Team NL Athletes at ‘their house’ competing in a game of Wheelchair basketball. Surprisingly enough, they even had a chair big enough to fit the 7’2” Singh, who would join Team Red for the scrimmage while the Blue Team had Carl English.
Team NL were spinning circles around the guys, showing them that this sport was not to be taken for granted. There were some big shots, layups, and even a buzzer beater that counted, even after reviewing by senior referee Jarryn Skeete. The players enjoyed learning this type of discipline of basketball, their hands even have the wounds to show it.
After the dust settled everyone gathered at centre court as Carl English addressed the Canada Games athletes who would be representing this province in just a few short weeks. His message was about determination and how much of inspiration the athletes were to him and his teammates. “This is one event that we didn’t have to just drag guys too, they wanted to be here and experience this first hand, because you guys and girls are an inspiration to us,” English said as he and his teammates made their rounds shaking hands, bumping fists and talking to all the athletes.
On behalf of the St. John’s Edge players, coaches, and staff, we wish all the athlete’s the best of luck at the Canada Games. We will be cheering for you and look forward to all of you representing this province by giving your best at each even
Up Next
The Edge go from dodging Lightning to braving the Hurricanes when Halifax comes to Mile One Centre next week on January 29th and 31st.
In this 2018-19 season, the Edge have defeated each team it has faced at least once, except the Halifax Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have played the Edge twice on their home court and come away with the win both times. In their first match-up this season it was a 24-point comeback that was spoiled by a Tyrone Watson buzzer beater. The second game was another close one, with the Edge falling 108-100.
Now the Hurricanes are coming to OUR HOUSE on January 29th and 31st to take on the Edge. For the Edge, they are coming off two tough games against the London Lightning, where they split the series at 1 win aside. These games took a toll on an Edge team that spent 10 days off after coming off one of the most compact road trips the team has ever played. The team will now also have about 9 days with no games before Halifax arrives at Mile One Centre.
Recently, the Edge have found success with the combo of Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis and Junior Cadougan who have performed well in the last few contests. Davis dropped a season-high 31 points on London on Saturday night, while Cadougan dropped 27 points in Sunday’s overtime loss.
Look for the offence to keep their up-tempo pace against a Hurricanes team that has been on a bit of a roller coaster during this season, sitting with a 10-10 record. A key piece of the game plan for the Edge will again to be boxing out the Halifax rebounders, on the season Halifax is 2nd in offensive rebounds per game in the NBL Canada.
Halifax will be coming into this one on the back of two games, the first against Windsor and the second against Saint John. If the trend continues as it has for the Hurricanes, they should be rolling into Mile One with a .500 record.
Statistically, Halifax has been led this season by Mike Poole and Jordan Washington who are averaging just over 15 points per game. While the recent addition of veteran Terry Thomas to the lineup has bolstered their offence with Thomas averaging 23 points per game in his three games played.
These games will surely be close again, with both teams looking to stay on track as the season hits the mid-way point. Although Halifax leads the season series 2-games to none, they are yet to play in front of the NBL Canada’s best fans.
Both games are Student Night’s, with the presentation of a student ID receive a discounted ticket price. Get yours now by visiting the Mile One Centre box office, by calling 576-7657, or online at www.sjedge.ca.
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