Bandits Strike Back Against Blackjacks

CREDIT: VANCOUVER BANDITS/X

The Vancouver Bandits evened the season series against the Ottawa Blackjacks with a gritty, resilient 104-95 win. While both teams showed strong defensive plays, the Bandits ultimately wore their opponents down while managing to maintain their lead throughout the game.

Jarkel Joiner continued to establish himself as an elite athlete within the league, breaking the team’s single game scoring record with 37 points, more than double than that of many of his teammates. His Head Coach gave him a glowing review post game.

“The way you see him play is exceptional, but he's an even better person. Like he's so fun to be around, and I love that kid. I feel like I've coached him for 10 years, I really like him a lot.”

Joiner was a big part of the team’s success over the Blackjacks, but their defensive plays are ultimately what kept the Bandits opponents away. Vancouver at times suffocated Ottawa’s offense, displaying the exact type of resilience and grit Kyle Julius wants to see in their defensive game.

“You got to make them work, then you got to find a way to tire them out. We call them body shots, you know, just land body shots, and maybe target time, or at the end they miss a few or make a few mistakes.”

Indeed they did tire them out, which became increasingly evident as the Third Quarter went on. The Blackjacks entered the second half of the game swinging and quickly worked to cut the Bandits lead by a significant amount, only to have their momentum quashed by the relentless home team and new star, Jarkel Joiner.

One of the biggest moments of the night though came at the end of the Third, when John Knight III gained possession off of a Blackjack rebound with three seconds left to go in the Quarter. He sprinted down the court to make a three point jump shot to beat the buzzer, sending his teammates, coaching staff, and the entirety of the building into a frenzy.

As is the norm now at the Langley Events Centre, the hometown crowd did not disappoint their Head Coach in terms of vocal support.

“You know, the biggest thing through this crowd is just year after year, summer after summer, more engaged, phenomenal. So, so cool to be a part of it”

The Bandits don’t have much time to rest as they host the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Monday, June 15, for a chance to pull ahead in the overall standings.