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Few people could have imagined such a dreamlike ending to the first season of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
As the confetti settled around the thousands of cheering fans Sunday at SaskTel Centre, it was the Saskatchewan Rattlers claiming the inaugural CEBL championship following a 94-83 victory over the Hamilton Honey Badgers.
“ ‘Wow’ I guess is the easiest way to say it,” head coach and general manager Greg Jockims said. “This one is certainly special.”
Here’s what being mobbed by 10 guys carrying champagne looks like. #RattleTheRim pic.twitter.com/rv6ZJPsoJl
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 26, 2019
Jockims brought another championship to Saskatchewan a little more than nine years after he led the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball team to its first national championship. At his side for both historic rides was Michael Linklater.
The hometown hero played some valuable minutes in his swan song game before retiring from competitive basketball as a champion.
“I couldn’t have been going out with a better group of guys. I’ve got to give all these guys the credit,” Linklater said. “The work they put in, it’s just phenomenal to see the professionalism and the leadership that each and every one of these guys have, and what they’ve all contributed to this team and this championship.”
Playing less than seven minutes to chip in with four points, one rebound and one assist didn’t matter to the thousands of fans cheering on Linklater with every mention of his name, touch of the ball or run around the court. The love and support from the community had a profound meaning for Linklater.
“This past year we lost my father. He was a big supporter of me. My mother was in the stands, and when I won my national championship they were both there to support,” Linklater said. “My mother was here in her physical form and my father was here in spirit form, so it’s really meaningful.
“I’m extremely, extremely grateful for these guys. It’s just been an amazing experience.”
Trophy vibes. pic.twitter.com/ycQNGTpT1R
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 26, 2019
Rattlers captain Alex Campbell led the team with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. He was named Championship Finals MVP for his efforts.
“Everyone was able to put their own agenda aside in order to come together as a team and realize that if we double down and stay engaged on defence, it will result in wins,” Campbell said. “Once we started, we never looked back.”
Negus Webster-Chan added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. A string of four three-pointers in the second quarter helped the Rattlers run away with the win.
Forward Marlon Johnson was left nearly speechless after the game. The new and shiny CEBL trophy was the first trophy Johnson has lifted at any level of basketball.
“I still can’t believe it. It’s an unreal feeling. It’s a full body rush. I’m lost for words,” he said, with goggles firmly around his head for the champagne showers taking place in the locker room.
The champs are here. #yxe #champs pic.twitter.com/U7nfRVBw41
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 26, 2019
Every storyline, dramatic finish and upset during Championship Weekend was what Commissioner Mike Morreale dreamed of when he started pursuing the idea of a summer basketball league.
Now he can’t wait for what’s to come.
“I couldn’t have written a better script. I’m happy for basketball in Canada,” Morreale said, acknowledging the league’s desire for expansion for Year 2. “I will continue to raise the bar for this product and this game. It will take time, but we will ride this wave.
“If people don’t want to get on board, we’re just going to keep on trying because if we can’t do it, I don’t think anybody can.”
Linklater can’t wait to see how the league changes in the coming years.
“I see growth for the league, because there were a lot of people that were skeptical at first,” he said of the league’s potential. “I think now that people see it’s legit — there’s solid content, there’s players in here that are phenomenal — I think it’s just going to grow from here and that it’s around to stay.”
Morreale won’t rest until that mission is accomplished.
“Call me crazy, I am a little bit crazy, but I will continue to do everything I can to make this work,” he said.
A year ago, no one could have predicted what professional basketball would look like in Canada. With the dust settling on the first season of the latest league to attempt stability in the country, the CEBL’s humble beginnings could be remembered for its historic start with a championship trophy being lifted in Saskatoon.