Calgary Surge beat the Montreal Alliance to clinch a playoff berth
Miller-Moore, Edwards gut out a win against this year's championship weekend hosts.
Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore puts up a contested layup against Montreal on July 19, 2024 (photo via @calgarysurge on Instagram)
The Calgary Surge are heading back to the CEBL playoffs.
The team clinched a postseason berth with a 90-80 win over 2024 CEBL Championship Weekend hosts, the Montreal Alliance on Friday night.
Despite the Alliance anchored in the league's basement with a 4-14 record, they are gifted an automatic position in the Eastern Conference Final because they are hosts. Going into Friday’s matchup, Calgary was the clear favourite.
One of the league’s best offences in Calgary would surely blow a horrendous Montreal offence, right? Well, it surely didn’t look like that in the first half. Before the game started, two loyal SurgeStack subscribers sitting next to me said: “I hope the Surge don’t play down to their opponent, just like our hockey team often does.” Sorry fellas, but that’s exactly what was happening.
As tradition at WinSport, fans stand from the opening tip until the Surge scores the first basket. In recent games, fans haven’t had to stand for long with the likes of Mathieu Kamba and Corey Davis Jr. finding twine in the first minute to seat the team’s supporters.
But Friday was a different story. I could start to feel my knees lock up and the lactic acid build in my legs because the team could not score. After three long minutes of play, Surge forward Kyler Edwards drained a corner three to get the home team on the board.
The first quarter was disastrous on offence for Calgary. The Surge struggled to find any rhythm. Fortunately for them, Montreal also struggled. I think everyone in the arena would like to forget that quarter, which ended 17-11 in favour of the Alliance.
There was no excuse to be playing so poorly with a loaded roster that has had the time to settle in. But in the second quarter, the team’s game plan started to come together. Edwards made himself known as a threat from the corner three while Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore reignited his offensive play after struggling last game.
I’m sure the Surge will look back at this game against Montreal and understand it was not the finest performance but that does not mean there isn’t an abundance of positives to take from it.
I mean, they just clinched a playoff spot! Who would’ve seen that coming after starting 0-3? I have to admit, I was down in the dumps after the slow start and did not see this “Re-Surge-nce” coming.
Calgary went into the half up by just four points.
In the latter half, Miller-Moore began to take over. Although some Surge fans get frustrated when Rugzy goes ISO and slows down the offence, in a game like this it was exactly what Calgary needed. Miller-Moore backed down his defenders and created space to hit his patented baby fade and floater. He was efficient and was the team’s best player on Friday. He finished with 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary turned up the intensity even before target time. That isn’t something we’ve seen before. In his pregame ‘Keys to the Game’, Surge CEBL analyst Jamaine Cummings said:
“We know the Surge turn up in target time but the intensity also has to come right after the jump ball. Go to work right away and leave no doubt that you are the superior team in every aspect.”
The Surge weren’t playing like the superior team for most of the game but they definitely turned up the heat in the fourth.
I was very impressed by Marlon Johnson Jr. on Friday. It was certainly his best game since joining the team a couple of weeks ago. After starting centre Jordy Tshimanga fouled out, Johnson came in and played exceptionally well. The “Dunk King” gave fans a highlight-reel moment with an incredible dunk as well.
Along with Johnson, I want to give a shoutout to Noah Wharton. The Surge’s third-round pick didn’t register any points and only played 4.6 minutes on Friday but while he was on the floor, he made an impact. I recall one defensive possession where Wharton picked up his check all the way at half-court and was responsible for a crucial stop. The young guard’s ability to stay ready to come in and perform is a great sign for the team’s development.
Despite the Alliance staying in the game into target time, the Surge ultimately secured the 10-point win. Oh, who scored the game-winning basket? Stef Smith of course.
Looking Ahead
Three games left. A playoff spot secured. What do the Calgary Surge have left to play for?
With Friday’s win, Calgary moves to 10-7 which holds them at third in the West. Northern rivals, Edmonton sits at 12-7 and above Calgary. The Surge have two games in hand on the Stingers and currently hold the tiebreaker (point differential), should they end up with the same record after 20 games.
It’s hard to see either team catching Vancouver, who will likely punch their ticket to Championship Weekend with their loaded roster.
Calgary will most likely host a playoff game, whether it’s the play-in or conference final. With how they’re playing right now, things look good. Saskatchewan (6-11) and Winnipeg (7-9)will battle it out for the final Western playoff spot. The Surge and Sea Bears play each other twice in the next few weeks, making those final regular season games crucial for playoff seeding.
Checking in with Summer League
Gabe Osabuohien, Justin Lewis and Trhae Mitchell are all still in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League and have seen court time, albeit limited, with their respective clubs.
Surge head coach Tyrell Vernon said that he expects all three players back in Calgary on Sunday. That’s great news for the team but also brings some roster implications.
Both Lewis and Mitchell are Americans and if they come back, the total amount would be five (Corey Davis Jr., Marlon Johnson Jr., Kyler Edwards, Justin Lewis and Trhae Mitchell). From my understanding, the Surge would not be able to dress all of those players. I fear one of the bunch may have to be cut and despite his big game, it would probably be Marlon Johnson Jr.
I really don’t want that to happen but if Gabe Osabuohien and Justin Lewis come back to the frontcourt, Johnson Jr. might be the odd one out. Additionally, a Canadian would probably have to be cut and that would probably be Matt Grace, who was not dressed for Friday’s contest.
All that being said, this is a good problem to have in the homestretch of the regular season.
The CEBL is a great league. Tell your friends about it!
Interesting to hear that the summer league players are coming back. I didn’t expect that after Tre Scott didn’t come back last year.
As for a home playoff game, having 2 games left against Winnipeg makes it all a little murkier to project but I hope you’re right. Thanks for the post 👍🏼
Waiting for Elaine to comment first…..