Big Wins in Canada for Super League Debutants

Friday night in the Basketball Super League and association history was made once again as more BSL debutants took to the court for the first time - and in one case

The Jamestown Jackals made the long trip from New York to St. John's, where they and the Newfoundland Rogues both played in their first BSL match-up.

Jamestown opened the scoring with eight unanswered which left the Rogues on the road back, with Armani Chaney leading their charge so as to not to let the game get away from them so early on.

After playing catch up for the whole of the first half, Newfoundland finally went in front courtesy of a Shandarious Cowart three at the top of the third quarter. They then went further into the lead by drawing fouls while the Jackals closed the gap from close range, but their every shot was matched on the opposite end by the Rogues.

The game ended in complete contrast to how it started, with Newfoundland dominating down the final stretch, leaving no way back for Jamestown. Despite their ten-point loss David Jasson put up 30 points and nine rebounds off the bench, with his team mate Derrick Colter contributing 23. Rogues star Amarni Chaney led all with 31 and Marquis Collins had 28 as the Canadian team opened their BSL career with an emphatic home-court win.

At the same time the Rhode Island Kraken played their first ever competitive basketball game in Ontario but faced stiff competition in six-time Canadian champions London Lightning. Their hosts put them to the sword from the start, making half of all their shot attempts in the first quarter.

Despite the early setback the Kraken did not fold and instead matched the Lightning on offence in the second quarter, where Zecaree Veiga had 16 points, but by the third London were on the rampage. Their aggression and tenacity from close range the Lightning lead ballooned to 32 and, though they were outscored by Rhode Island in the final period, the damage had already been done.

At the final buzzer every London player finished in double digits, Shadell Millinghaus the leader with 18, while for the debutants Rhode Island Veiga had an incredible game, leading all with 35 points for the Kraken, who also saw double-doubles from Maurice Taylor and Isaac Medeiros.

An eventful night in the Super League ended with euphoria for some teams and disappointment for others, but showed there is plenty of potential and more highlight moments to come. Check back here for more as the season unfolds and find updates on the official BSL website.