Stingers get sweet revenge against Honey Badgers

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Stingers are using the “Next man up” mentality and it’s proving to be a dangerous combination.

Over the last several weeks, the team have had different players step up and carry the load and Thursday night against the Hamilton Honey Badgers, power forward Grandy Glaze and point guard Xavier Moon, who made his return to the lineup after missing the last seven games with a foot injury led the Stingers in a 102-92 victory at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Moon, a fan favourite was playing just his second home game of the season posted a near triple double with 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while Glaze recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds off the bench.

The victory was the third-straight, and the Stingers sit in second place in the CEBL standings with a 7-4 record.

“We’re missing guys… (Jordan) Baker is arguably the best rebounder in the league and everyone has to step up,” said Glaze.

“It wasn’t just myself stepping up, it was all across the table and that’s the sign of a championship team.”

Edmonton has been dominant on their home court, and the Honey Badgers are the only visiting team to earn at victory over the Stingers at the Hive, and the Stingers had their eyes set on avenging that June 14 loss.

“It was the mindset of being the aggressor,” said Stingers head coach and GM Jermaine Small, who is 3-0 since taking over from Barnaby Craddock earlier last month.

“We were very hungry against a team we’ve struggled with and we have belief in one another right now. We really believe we’re coming together. There will be mistakes, there’s no perfect game, but we’re holding each other accountable.”

Edmonton led 21-19 after the opening quarter and the play continued to be tight as the first half wrapped up, but the Stingers continued to show why they’re the top defensive team in the league.

They made things tough on the Honey Badgers, forcing 13 of Hamilton’s 16 turnovers from the visitor’s starting unit.

Power forward Travis Daniels continued to be a force at both ends of the floor for the Stingers.

He led Edmonton with 21 points and seven rebounds in the win. Since joining the team, he’s averaging 17.9 points per game.

Moon was held to just two points in the first half, but he did his damage in other ways. He got his teammates involved distributing the ball and his speed and creativity caused all kinds of problems for Hamilton.

Moon found his shooting stroke in the second half and hit back-to-back jumpers in transition off of turnovers to give the Stingers a 61-54 lead in the third quarter.

“He had 11 assists tonight, but he can hurt you in so many ways,” said Small.

“He’s so dynamic and you can trust him when he has the ball in his hands to make plays.”

The Stingers had seven players score in double figures, including small forward Mathieu Kamba, who’s elevated his game the last few weeks in the absence of some of his teammates.

Kamba recorded 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in over 34 minutes of action.

Edmonton held a 73-63 lead entering the third quarter, and in some home games this year at home, it’s come right down to the wire. They let a late lead slip away against Hamilton in their previous meeting, and it cost them -- but not this time.

“It’s winning time. We’re at the halfway point in the season and we got to take care of our business. We don’t have time for mental lapses,” said Glaze.

“Those teams we lost to in the beginning of the season, you can’t help it remember, and you have to have that vengeful mentality.

“It was nice to come out and beat these guys and Niagara (last week).”

NEXT UP: The Stingers play the Guelph Nighthawks (3-8) on July 6, before returning home on

July 11 in a return matchup against the Nighthawks.

Get your tickets at www.thestingers.ca/tickets