Shooting Stars Crush Calgary in Home Opener Victory

The Scarborough Shooting Stars bounced back into the win column Saturday night as they took down the Calgary Surge 96-80 in the teams home opener at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. 

A week after allowing a CEBL record 37 first quarter points to the Surge in Calgary, the Shooting Stars wanted their get back. They responded by holding Calgary to 17 points in the first quarter and taking a 27-17 lead

Per usual, Myles Powell and Frank Mitchell led the offensive charge for Scarborough. Powell finished the game with 29 points and five rebounds while Mitchell posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and the Target Time winning free throw as Powell jumped on his back to celebrate. 

‘The guys believe in me through and through and I love my brothers,” said Mitchell. “It makes me want to play with an edge, it makes me want to work harder… so that all goes to the culture of the team.” 

It has not been by coincidence that whenever players like Powell, Mitchell or anyone else is asked about their success they credited ownership, coaching and locker room camaraderie. 

One addition to that locker room was forward Anthony Walker. Walker played 10 games for Scarborough last season averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game. Despite only scoring two points in his debut, he racked up 7 rebounds, 3 assists and played fantastic defense for a team in need of forward depth. 

“To come in and [play for us in Target Time]...I felt very comfortable with him on the court,” said Vernon.

Trey Thomas continued his steady backup point guard play on Saturday. He now has turned the ball over only three times in over 110 minutes of play. He also sank four of the team's 11 threes on an efficient 4/6 from deep. 

“Just my work. I work a lot. It pays off. My teammates give me confidence and I have a lot of confidence in myself,” said Thomas. 

The Shooting Stars were favoured against the now 0-7 Surge and they played like it. Unlike most games this season where Scarborough has been trailing and needed a miraculous comeback, they pretty much held a 10-15 point lead over Calgary throughout the whole game.

"Honestly we were just tired of winning by buzzer beaters," said Mitchell.

UP NEXT: The Shooting Stars take on the Niagara River Lions at the Meridian Centre on June 10th. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.