Vancouver Bandits beat Brampton Honey Badgers to stay on top

JEN FIELD/ GATG

The Vancouver Bandits welcomed the Brampton Honey Badgers on July 6. The Bandits are now 11-3 in the season after Sunday night’s win. As is the norm lately, there were roster changes announced ahead of the game.

In addition to Kyle Mangas being placed on the suspended list for the NBA Summer League requirements with the San Antonio Spurs, Tyrese Samuel was away after signing with the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the week.

Kur Jongkuch resigned with the Bandits for his third consecutive season earlier this week and made his season debut, while Nick Ward also returned to the lineup after being given the last couple of games to rest.

Vancouver got off to a reasonable start thanks to 2 early three-point baskets. Zach Copeland kicked things off for a second consecutive game 30 seconds into the first quarter.

Vancouver’s most recent re-signings both made contributions in the first. Kur Jongkuch in particular wasted no time, as he netted his first 4 points of the season in the first few minutes alone.

Mitch Creek once again dominated the game. Early on in the second quarter, the captain made an effortless no-look, behind-the-back pass to Copeland who netted 2 points.

Creek has been a consistent leader on the court this season, but it’s the non-flashy efforts off the court that he credits to his game and leadership.

“You know when it comes to training, I’m really just trying to set an example. I’m trying to be the first guy on court…I do the hard conditioning, shooting drills that I don’t want to do but I put pressure on myself to set an example for the guys…I’m just trying to set an example by kind of just doing it and not demanding anything from anyone else.”

While the Bandits did hold the Honey Badgers at bay for the first few minutes of the game, Brampton held their own thanks in large part to the efforts of Quinndary Weatherspoon.

This seemingly marks the start of another trend for the Bandits, where the visitors are given the opportunity to either stay neck and neck or take off in the second quarter, leaving the Bandits to try and clean things up at the beginning of the second half.

The second half stayed tight for the most part. Each team had long scoring runs, though Brampton’s run of 10 points decimated Vancoouver’s brief 7 point lead.

Target Score Time got off to a similar foot. The Bandits went on a scoring run courtesy of a three-point basket from Zach Copeland, a layup from Mitch Creek, a great dunk from Kur Jongkuch that brought the team within 3 points of the win.

Both teams swapped attempts back and forth before Copeland drove to the net for the layup, bringing the home team within 1 point of the win.

Brampton wasn’t ready to go down without one last fight though, as Amari Kelly and Quinndary Weatherspoon each got layups that brought the Honey Badgers 3 points away from the win and 2 points behind the home team.

David Muenkat’s last foul of the game against Duane Notice meant that the evening’s results fell onto Notice’s shoulders. Thankfully, he only needed one of the free throw attempts he was awarded to finish it off and secure the win for Vancouver.

After the game, Head Coach and GM Kyle Julius praised his team for finding a way to come out on top after a lot of back and forth action throughout the night.

“We’re in a messy time right now with personnel changes and I think I’m really proud of the fact that we found a way to win a game…while we’re missing some pieces and it was a messy game at that, so I’m proud of that.”

He also credited the leadership core with steering the team through a period of inconsistency as the lineup continues to fluctuate.

“We had a completely different rotation today. Everything was uncomfortable, our sub pattern was wacky and we found a way to win at the end.”

Mitch Creek also reflected a bit on his mindset when facing discomfort, and stayed humble while doing so.

“Pregame there were two kids on the sideline and I threw them the basketball and every game I throw kids basketballs and they shoot, whether it’s half time, before the game…that reminds you of why you do it…Enjoy the moment, because it’s fleeting, and it could not be here next week or next year. So the little things are important because it’s the sum of the little things that make it, you know, the big thing.”

Creek also talked a bit about how grateful he is to be a part of a team that not only works hard, but plays hard for each other, while looking out for one another.

“We have guys that just do the work and do the right things consistently and I think that’s why we’ve done really well as a team. I’m proud to, you know, be a captain. I’m proud to try and lead the way but I’m also really proud of the guys who when I’m down and when I’m really struggling come and give me a hug and encourage me along as well, ‘cause it means a lot.”

Sunday Night’s win now puts Vancouver 2 wins ahead of Division rivals Calgary and Edmonton, as well as last year’s CEBL Champions, the Niagara River Lions.

The Bandits hit the road for the next 3 games, before returning home to host the Saskatchewan Rattlers on July 18 at 7pm, and the Edmonton Stingers on July 20 at 5pm. They play their final home game of the regular season on Sunday, Aug 3.