Road Trip Rundown: The Calgary Surge Complete a Lengthy Stretch Away From Home
The Surge return home after going 4-2 while on the road.
Stef Smith evades the Edmonton defence. (photo via @calgarysurge on Instagram)
The Calgary Surge are finally returning to their home court. And after a brief hiatus, the SurgeStack has also returned to your device!
Since my last post, a lot has happened with Calgary’s professional basketball team. In their last four games, they have gone 2-2, giving them a 4-2 record from their six-game road trip and a 7-7 record overall in the 2024 season.
What was the Surge’s record after 14 games last season? 7-7. Both seasons have been rollercoasters two-thirds of the way through, they are in the same spot.
A 7-7 record is very respectable and currently has Calgary sitting in a playoff spot. However, by no means is the job even close to being finished. The Surge are in fourth place in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Winnipeg are just above Calgary with a 7-6 record and a game in hand. Their game against Saskatchewan on Thursday will be one to keep an eye on for Surge fans. Saskatchewan is below Calgary with a 5-9 record. The Rattlers have been hit hard by significant roster turnover and recently signed former Winnipeg Sea Bear Teddy Allen. The former MVP has not been able to turn it around for Saskatchewan who are enduring a seven-game losing skid.
Before we get set for the first home for Calgary in almost a month, let’s jump back to June 29. The Surge visited the Ottawa Blackjacks for the first time since the team moved from Guelph to Calgary.
Smith Leads Surge Past Blackjacks
The Surge defeated the Blackjacks 100-90 despite trailing by 14 points at halftime. What was the point of difference that propelled Calgary to the win? The restoration of Stef Smith’s dominance.
June 29 was Smith’s second game of the season after finally joining the lineup in June 23rd’s crucial victory over Edmonton. Smith recorded a measly three points in 15 minutes off the bench and did not look like the player he has normally been.
The Ajax, ON native let everyone know that he has shaken off any rust that he had with a fantastic game against Ottawa. His 24 points off the bench were the most of any player on the Surge. Most fitting of all, Smith knocked down the game-winning three and waived goodbye to the Blackjacks-faithful. Session adjourned in Ottawa. Cold-blooded, Mr. Smith.
It was a great start to their tour through Ontario. Malcolm Duvivier returned to the lineup without missing a beat and Mathieu Kamba continued his staggering efficiency from beyond the arc. A big change from the first half to the second was the team limiting their turnovers. Going into the contest in the nation’s capital, Calgary turned the ball over more than anyone else in the CEBL. While they still average 15.9 turnovers after 14 games, ball security has seen improvement.
Honey Badgers Edge Surge
Calgary moved on to play the Brampton Honey Badgers on July 3rd. The Surge have been used to playing in front of a loud and passionate crowd which made the game in Brampton an adjustment. The arena’s atmosphere was underwhelming, to say the least, with a reported attendance of only 1,022 in a venue that seats 5,000.
Despite the quiet setting, the game was the closest of Calgary’s season so far. Brampton ultimately secured a 108-105 victory with Elijah Mitrou-Long hitting the dagger from deep. The Surge couldn’t find an answer for Mitrou-Long who put on an offensive clinic off the bench, scoring a game-high 28 points including six three-pointers.
Justin Lewis’ team-high 27 points was not quite enough for Calgary but was certainly impressive. Lewis’ consistency on both ends of the floor has made him one of the team’s most important players and arguably the best power forward in the CEBL. His size and skill give the Surge spaces the floor to allow his teams to get open looks. Unfortunately, the Surge will be without his services for the time being. More on that to follow.
Stef Smith showed us that his big game against Ottawa was not a fluke, as he scored 25 points off the bench. Smith reminded views that he is one of the best players at drawing fouls. The quickness that he and his backcourt partner Corey Davis Jr. possess forces defences to stay honest and often results in drawing fouls.
Roster Shake Up
The unfortunate reality of the CEBL is a lot of in-season roster turnover. Every team is affected by it including the Calgary Surge. One of the league’s biggest competitors for players in the NBA Summer League. Fans may remember the Surge losing Tre Scott to the Charlotte Hornets Summer League team last season.
Once again, Calgary’s roster has been bitten by the NBA. While it is tough for the Surge, it is a great opportunity for the players to showcase their skills in Las Vegas and in front of NBA scouts and managers.
Justin Lewis, Gabe Osabuohien and Trhae Mitchell will all be departing Calgary to participate in the Summer League.
Trhae Mitchell guards the Brampton Honey Badgers (photo by Ethan Bomhof / @bomhof.jpeg)
Lewis will be joining the New York Knicks, Osabuohien goes to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Mitchell donning a New Orleans Pelicans uniform. All players are still on Calgary’s roster but it is unknown if they will return to the team following their respective stints in Las Vegas.
All three of these players’ departures leave massive holes in the Surge lineup. Gabe Osabuohien’s absence was seen immediately in Calgary’s 109-89 loss to the Niagara River Lions. Calgary missed his versatility and playmaking in the high post causing the offence to struggle significantly. I have to admit, I stopped watching the game against Niagara because it was becoming too frustrating to watch.
As noted before, Justin Lewis has quietly been one of the better front-court players in the entire league. It will be very difficult to replace what he brought to the court.
Trhae Mitchell was held out of the lineup against the Surge’s most recent game despite being in attendance. The broadcast stated that he had already departed Alberta for Vegas but was seen in street clothes behind the bench. I assume he was not playing to not risk injury.
Also notable, the Surge are now without their first-round pick, Dondre Reddick. No reason has been given to Reddick’s absence but he is no longer on their roster.
Following the news of the trio leaving Calgary, Surge general manager Shane James swiftly made two signings, both from the United States.
CEBL veteran Marlon Johnson Jr. has signed with the team for the remained of the season. The 30-year-old from Chicago is no stranger to the league, most recently playing with the Vancouver Bandits in 2023. Johnson Jr. has won two CEBL Championships, first with Saskatchewan in 2019 and again with Edmonton in 2021.
Standing 6-foot-11, Johnson Jr. fills the void in the front court left by Lewis and Osabuohien. Despite his size, the forward can move well and is not a traditional big. I thought Johnson Jr. was a great player when watching him last season and am thrilled with the addition by Shane James.
The Surge also inked guard Kyler Edwards. If that name seems familiar, it is because Calgary signed Edwards before the 2023 season before he ultimately decided to try out for USA’s 3x3 National Basketball Team instead of joining the Surge.
The former University of Houston Cougar would have been an impact player for Calgary last season and will certainly be a contributor on both ends of the floor for the remainder of the 2024 season. He is a “3-and-D” type player, much like Trhae Mitchell.
Both Johnson Jr. and Edwards made their Surge debuts in Calgary’s 87-58 blowout win over the Edmonton Stingers. Edwards recorded 13 points off the bench and made an immediate impact.
Some crafty work by Shane James to replace the departing players quickly.
Speaking of the big win over one of the Stingers, one of the league’s top teams: Jordy Tshimanga settled any anxiety about the depleted frontcourt. The centre exploded for 25 points and 13 rebounds for his best game in a Surge uniform.
Jordy Tshimanga scores a reverse layup against Edmonton. (photo via @calgarysurge on Instagram)
When Simi Shittu left the Surge before the playoffs last year, Tshimanga was forced to assume a prominent role for Calgary and excelled. After his performance in Edmonton on Tuesday, it looks like the centre from Montreal is poised to perform again in an elevated capacity.
Final Regular Season Meeting with Vancouver
The Surge are set for yet another test, the time against the Vancouver Bandits. Calgary has lost both games they have played against Vancouver. The Bandits have the CEBL’s MVP frontrunner, Taze Moore and the Surge’s kryptonite Nick Ward in their arsenal. Calgary will certainly have their hands full but after the emphatic win over Edmonton, I would count them out. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. MT, live from WinSport Event Centre in Calgary.
The is for catching me up Ethan! Great article…very informative and interesting at the same time!