CEBL PREVIEW: SCARBOROUGH AT HAMILTON

BRAMPTON, Ontario (Interstat) — The Canadian Elite Basketball League season opens Saturday as the Scarborough Shooting Stars visit the Hamilton Honey Badgers at 7 p.m. at CAA Center.

Both teams enter with 0-0 records, marking the start of a new campaign. Scarborough last played July 26, a 91-87 home win over Montreal. Hamilton last played July 25, a 88-86 road win at Winnipeg.

Players to watch

Scarborough guard Myles Powell has been productive in recent outings. In his past seven games, he averaged 18.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Highlights include 28 points and six assists in a 99-95 win at Hamilton on July 5, and 20 points, four rebounds and six assists in the victory over Montreal on July 26.

Hamilton guard Sean East is coming off a 38-point, nine-rebound, three-assist performance in the win at Winnipeg on July 25. He also scored 24 points with six rebounds and seven assists in a 98-92 loss on July 23 (opponent not specified).

Recent form

Scarborough closed the preseason with five wins in its last six games, including three straight. The Shooting Stars averaged 98.8 points over those six contests.

Hamilton split its last two outings, with the loss to an unspecified opponent breaking a three-game win streak.

Series note

The teams will meet again Monday, Aug. 3, in Scarborough, marking the second matchup in three days.

Key matchup

Powell’s scoring burst against Hamilton earlier this month (Interstat) — 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting (Interstat) — will test the Honey Badgers’ defense. East, who shot 14-of-21 from the field in his last game, provides a dynamic counter.

Injury report

No injuries reported for either team.

What’s at stake

Both teams look to set the tone early. Scarborough aims to build on momentum from a strong preseason, while Hamilton seeks home-court advantage at CAA Center, a neutral-site venue in Brampton.

Quotable

Scarborough coach [name unavailable] said the team’s chemistry has improved during the break. Hamilton coach [name unavailable] emphasized defensive rebounding after allowing 12 offensive boards in the last game.

Broadcast

The game will air on CEBL Live.

Notes

- Scarborough’s Myles Powell has scored 15 or more points in seven of his last eight games. - Hamilton’s Sean East has recorded 20-plus points in four of his last five. - The Honey Badgers went 4-1 at home last season; the Shooting Stars were 3-2 on the road.

Next up

Hamilton at Scarborough, Monday, Aug. 3.