Star-Gazing to Star-Hunting: Niagara Opens Postseason in Scarborough
St. Catharines, ON – The regular season is now in the rearview mirror as the River Lions gear up for their biggest challenge of the season: an Eastern Conference Semi-Final matchup against the top-seeded Shooting Stars on Thursday night. Niagara enters the postseason looking to bounce back after a difficult finish to the regular season. The River Lions lost 81–76 to the Calgary Surge in their season finale, capping off a difficult two-game Western-Conference road trip where the team lost two games, bringing their record on the season to 10-14.
With clean slates all around, every possession carries even greater significance as fourth-seeded Niagara travels to Scarborough with their three-peat aspirations on the line. To pull off the road upset, Niagara will need to carry forward the gritty identity they’ve played with all season and get going right out of the gate in order to push past their Eastern Conference rivals.
Leading the charge is two-time Finals MVP Khalil Ahmad, who has continued to impress when the lights shine brightest. Ahmad stood out in the season finale for Niagara, contributing 21 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Alongside him, forward Nathan Cayo has solidified his role as a reliable second option, delivering 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals against the Surge. For Niagara to extend their season, Ahmad and Cayo will need to set the tone early, allowing the River Lions bench to make timely contributions when needed and control the tempo of the game. If Niagara can establish its pace early and continue sharing the basketball, they'll give themselves a chance to pull off the upset.
An away playoff game will present a formidable test for Niagara as they face a Scarborough squad that won a historic 20 games en route to earning the first seed in the Conference. The Shooting Stars boast a deep, battle-tested roster capable of controlling the pace and punishing turnovers and mistakes in transition. Anchored by MVP candidate Myles Powell, who's averaging 22.9 points (3rd in CEBL), 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and defensive stopper Kellen Tynes, averaging 2.0 steals per game (tied 1st in CEBL) the Shooting Stars have one of the CEBL’s most talented roster.
However, Scarborough will be without three key contributors on Thursday after Frank Mitchell, Javan Johnson, and Terquavion Smith were suspended following an altercation in Monday's game against Brampton. The trio accounted for nearly 54 points, 18 rebounds, and over 78 minutes per game during the regular season, leaving a significant void on both ends of the floor. Their absence leaves Powell as the only available Shooting Star who averaged double figures this season, while Charles Bediako becomes the club's lone active player averaging more than five rebounds per game.
With a trip to the Eastern Conference Semi-Final on the line, Niagara's success will hinge on its defensive intensity, rebounding, and ability to capitalize on Scarborough's depleted lineup. The River Lions have shown throughout the season that they can compete with anyone when they're playing their brand of basketball. A road playoff victory over the conference's top seed would not only extend Niagara's title defense, but serve as another reminder that championship experience matters when the postseason begins.
Game Information
Date: Thursday, August 6th, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
Broadcast: CEBL+, CBC Gem, YouTube
For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, & LinkedIn and @RiverLions on X.
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Media Contact:
Cole Meyering
Communications Coordinator