Make it zero for four. With a 97-89 loss on Friday night, the Saskatchewan Rattlers suffered their fourth straight defeat to the league leading Niagara River Lions, and they continue to spiral downward in the CEBL standings. The Rattlers were no doubt reeling from the absence of the incomparable Bruce Massey, who has stepped away from the team to spend more time with his family. Through three quarters, the Rattlers' otiose defense paved the way for many a River Lions' lay-in. The visitors trailed by as many as 18, though they managed to slither back within 5 thanks to a few rousing dunks from Marlon Johnson. Excessive rim-hanging on one of these dunks, however, earned Johnson a delay-of-game infraction. The River Lions were able to hang on for the victory, and to remain undefeated on their home hardwood. With the loss, the Rattlers fall to a middling .500 with a record of 6-6. The only silver lining for the Saskatchewan side is that they won't have to face the River Lions again in the regular season. Perhaps they're saving their win over the Niagara boys for the Championship Weekend in August back in Saskatoon.
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| Fare thee well, Bruce Massey! |
The bigger loss for the Rattlers is that of Bruce Massey. The "Headband Hotshot" from Germantown, Maryland, was the spiritual core of the Saskatchewan squad. Moreover, he was (and is) a preternatural ball-handler who could singlehandedly change the tone and pace of a game, even at his advanced age. The man should have had his chance in the NBA. Now it appears he has finished with even the CEBL. It remains to be seen how the spiraling Rattlers will deal with Massey's absence. Let this blogger be the first to say: please Bruce, don't leave us—Saskatchewan is gonna need you, especially on Championship Weekend!
