This was the most important game of the season for the Sea Bears up to this point. It was game #15, a chance to clinch a playoff spot in the franchises first season, and an opportunity to do it against your prairie rival. Instead Winnipeg decided to fumble the bag. Don’t get me wrong, this one was a barn burner from start to finish and it was close. But the Sea Bears had most of the momentum late in the game, especially going into Elam Time. Poor decision making, and defence let down Winnipeg in this one. Before I say to much, let’s move into my three important keys of this game.

Shot Selection

I know that I have made mention of this teams shots selection at times, especially when it comes to Elam Time. As much as there were mistakes made throughout this game, it was lost in the final possessions trying to reach the Target Score. Teddy Allen had a fantastic game against the Rattlers, but he hurts this team so bad when he tries to take the game into his own hands at times. His final field goal attempt of the night was atrocious. That completely shot the Sea Bears in the foot. He was somewhat bailed out by E.J. Anosike getting to the free throw line on the following possession and tying the game. On the whole, Winnipeg took 39 threes on the night. While they did connect on 17 (43%), there were much better shots they could have taken on some offensive possessions. Shot selection can be a decision making issue, and while some of those threes had to be taken at the end of the shot clock, there were reasons for it. Whether it have been by not executing on offence, or missing prime opportunities, it put the Sea Bears in bad positions. This needs to clean up before their game against the Montreal Alliance on Friday. As I mentioned in a previous article, the Alliance like to run the floor, and they can make you pay if you can’t convert.

Late Defensive Stops

My goodness was the Sea Bears defence lacking late on in this one. There were moments of it throughout the entire game, but it was especially bad late. I say this because it was either a bad decision made, or a late (even a lack there of) rotation that costed them. I knew it would cost them at some point, but the scheme that coach Mike Taylor runs on defence is easily exploitable. I am very surprised that it took until game 15 for an opposing coach to figure it out. New Saskatchewan coach Tanner Massey put Winnipeg in pick and rolls all night, which is a weakness for the scheme coach Taylor prefers to run. They also did a fantastic job with off ball action, and having the Rattlers players ready if Justin Wright-Foreman was double teamed. Speaking of those double teams, as much as I appreciate them and think they aren’t a bad idea, not against that guy. Wright-Foreman has great vision, and is a great passer. The three that gave Saskatchewan late on in Elam Time, came off a Wright-Foreman double team, and an WIDE OPEN shooter. As good as he is, the Sea Bears did a decent job guarding Wright-Foreman one on one, and it even showed on the ensuing Rattlers offensive possession, so I am not sure why they did throw a double team there. I get the game plan of having the ball out of his hands, but not if rotations aren’t going to be correct. Not my favourite decision from coach Taylor this season, but we will see how he tries and keep the dynamic Ahmed Hill in check of the Alliance.

Depth Scoring (Again)

The Sea Bears scoring as a team has been overall good throughout the 15 games this season. In this one, not so much. 11 bench points was all they could muster in a three point loss, and that is a little sad. Jelani Watson-Gayle had his worst performance of the season, being held scoreless. All they needed was a couple extra buckets to sea a win, and they couldn’t get them.

With not much more to say on the three important keys of this game, let’s move into the individual player performances.

Teddy Allen

36 points. Eight threes, one off his season high in that category. Allen did his best to carry, but also cost the Sea Bears when he took the game into his own hands too much. Still a very good game from the MVP candidate.

E.J. Anosike

A near 25 point double double. This dude is so good, and so underrated. I hope he makes an All-CEBL team at the end of the season because he deserves it. Anosike has been rock solid, and been a major contributor to this team, more than anyone could have asked or thought. They are going to continue to need him down the stretch here, I have a good feeling he is going to be very important coming up.

A.J. Hess

This was a much better game from Hess, connecting on 50% of his threes. While his offence looked very good in this game, he was getting picked on defensively all night. When I mean all night, every single opportunity that the Rattlers had to force him into a one on one scenario, or make a play on defence, they did. The worst part is he could never answer the bell. This was in particular the reason the Rattlers also did so well on offence. Hess could not just get a stop. It either ended in a bucket, or a foul. Overall this was a performance to build on, and this team is going to need his spot up shooting.

Glen Yang

I’m starting to think that because Yang is not the primary player on offence that he will never really appear. I understand that Allen needs the ball in his hands a lot, and maybe because Yang is more of a ball dominant guard that it doesn’t allow him to shine as much. But he does need to find a way to be more effective than just a above average defender that soaks up fouls. Yang needs to have more of an impact if he wants to play more minutes. I hear Watson-Gayle’s footsteps quickly on Yang’s tail for a starting spot. I’m not sure if he is going to be able to hold on much longer.

Shayne Osayande

A plus defender that protects the rim and rebounds. That is about all you will get from Osayande. Even when he doesn’t score much, he is still noticeable. I thought he played just fine in this one.

Jelani Watson-Gayle

This was his worst game of the season so far. But I also think that Saskatchewan did a fantastic job limiting hisw opportunities. I have a good feeling he bounces back on Friday against Montreal.

Simon Hildebrandt

A better rebounding day for Hildebrandt, but not offensively. Will also point out I thought he looked better on some defensive possessions, and is starting to get the hang of the speed of this league. Don’t quote me unless I’m right, but I feel a breakout coming on soon with five games to go in the regular season.

Michael Okafor

Okafor drew back into the lineup for this one, but did not impact this game too positively. Not much impact at all really. Not sure how he has gone from the starting two guard to in and out of the lineup. I am disappointed his season has not gone better.

Tyler Sagl

Not much of a better performance for Sagl, who was trying to build off of two good ones in the times he has played. He got just under five minutes in this one, so I think coach Taylor realized he wasn’t having a similar impact to other games, and retracted the bet on him he made by subbing him in.

Chad Posthumus

I had thought that Posthumus was going to start in this one, and play a lot considering the Rattlers were going to trot out Julian Roche at centre. Posthumus was as solid as ever, but only in just under nine minutes. Some of the rotations that coach Taylor runs certain games has me scratching my head, but I won’t really question it because at most times it has worked. In this case, it sort of did because Roche did not play much, or have any sort of real impact.

Final Thoughts

This game was nothing less than disappointing for the Sea Bears. It was a prime opportunity to clinch a playoff spot, and do it before the remaining schedule got slightly more difficult. The Montreal Alliance like to get out and run, so Winnipeg better bet ready to play in transition most of the night.