WEEKEND PREVIEW: St. John’s Edge vs London Lightning
St. John’s, NL –This weekend looks to be one of the most anticipated series on the NBL Canada calendar. The London Lightning are in town to take on your St. John’s Edge for the first time since last year’s Divisional Final’s where London would win the series four games to two. The Edge hope to rewrite the story and take two from London on home court this weekend. Game one is set for Saturday, January 19th at 6:00 PM and Sunday, January 20th at 3:00 PM.
Looking at the Edge coming into this one, the team is riding a streak of four straight wins with 10 wins in their last 11 games. All this momentum started in their four-game homestand just before Christmas and continued when the team hit the road in the Maritimes. Over their six-game road trip they picked up five wins. There was a lot of heart and will to win in those five victories, including a double-overtime thriller against the Saint John Riptide to finish off the trip.
The Edge have been led offensively by Dez Lee offensively as he ran a streak of seven straight games with 20 or more points, then went on to record double-doubles in his last two games. Junior Cadougan, who has been a bulldog in each of the last 11 games, stepping up to take control of the offence and make big plays when needed. His performance in the last four-games led to him being named the NBL Canada – Canadian Player of the Week. The team also saw some big production out of Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis who had his floor time increased and translated that into a couple of 20-point performances, dominating teams on the low block and being a force at the defensive end.
For the Edge in this one, it will be about out working and out hustling a London team who has been known to work in a transition heavy offence in the past. One key factor is the return of Carl English to the lineup. After missing the last six games with a lower-body injury, the reigning NBL Canada MVP is ready to get back into the action beginning this weekend against London. The addition of English into an already shooter friendly lineup will be sure to drive that number up on the scoreboard and make it tough for those London defenders.
Looking at the London Lightning, they currently sit in 5th place in the Central Division and have dropped their last three-games with two of the three being decided in overtime. Throughout the season there have been some ups and downs for the reigning NBL Canada Champions, but this is just the first half of the season, they have some time to make up ground and return to form. On the season London lead the league in blocks per game, while they are 3rd in field goals attempted and field goals made per game.
Offensively London are led by Mo Bolden. Bolden is averaging 15.5 points per game with 8 rebounds per game as well. Right behind Bolden, they have Garrett Williamson with 14.9 points per game and Xavier Moon rounding it out averaging 13.9 points per game.
A familiar face will return to Mile One Centre this weekend as well, when Alex Johnson comes to town with the London Lightning. Johnson was a stand-out last season for the Edge and was recently signed by London. On the season, in 7 games, Johnson is averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 assists, in 23.9 minutes.
On Saturday Tip-Off is scheduled for 6:00pm and Sunday, Tip-Off is scheduled for 3:00pm.
Be sure to get to Mile One Centre and get your tickets now as they are going fast. You can pick yours up by visiting the box office, by calling 576-7657, or online at www.mileonecentre.com.
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.sjedge.ca. Follow the Edge all year long on Facebook (/stjohnsedge), Twitter (@stjohnsedge), and Instagram (@stjohnsedge).