Scarborough Defeats Montreal in Season Opener

Before Friday night's game in Montreal, not a single member of the Scarborough Shooting Stars roster had played in a CEBL game before. That didn’t seem to matter too much when Scarborough forward Aamir Simms threw down a game winning Target Time dunk to take down the Montreal Alliance 91-87.

Veterans such as Simms and guard Myles Powell were leaned on early to allow everyone else to settle in. Powell’s immediate spark of confidence and two threes got the Shooting Stars off to a quick 11-3 lead. The former Seton Hall star would end the game with a team high 28 points and had the ball in his hands for most of the fourth quarter and Target Time.

Javan Johnson provided a spark from the wing with a few dunks early in the game, hit two clutch threes in the fourth quarter and got the game winning steal and assist on Simms’ dunk. He showcased his ability to be the prototypical high flying three-and-D wing that is so valuable to current basketball rosters.

The defence had its ups and downs. They held 2025 CEBL All Canadian Quincy Guerrier to two points for three quarters before he scored seven in the fourth to end the game with nine total. The problem was former Toronto Raptor Javon Freeman-Liberty who dropped 31 points on 63% shooting. 

One of the positives on defence for Scarborough was former two time America East Defensive Player of the Year guard Kellen Tynes. Tynes showed up as advertised, guarding Montreal’s primary ball handlers for 28 minutes and racking up four steals and nine assists. With a former guard at head coach in Tyrell Vernon, the offensive and defensive duo of Tynes and Powell were his clear choices to run the backcourt.

NEXT UP: The Shooting Stars take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Tuesday May 19. Tip off is set for 11 a.m.