Calgary Surge making all the right moves during inaugural season
The Calgary Surge has only just started playing in the Canadian Elite Basketball League but already, the team has made a mark in the community.
The Surge is going about things the right way on and off the court.
The team is visiting communities and playing a winning brand of basketball.
And is 3-1 to start the season.
Forward Justin Jackson says he's not surprised at the hot start.
"I'm not really shocked or anything," Jackson said.
"I mean, we have a great team. I knew from the first practice we were going to do great things. It's really just about us now. We've got to lock in on whatever the coach (Nelson Terroba) is telling us to do.
"We've got to respect practice and we've got to do all of the things that, you know, brought us to that level and continue to get better."
AMAZING VIBE
The city has certainly embraced the Surge.
In its first-ever game at Winsport, the Surge beat the defending champ, the Edmonton Stingers, in front of a sellout crowd.
In the team's second home game, it drew almost 2,500 fans in a thrilling 85-82 victory over Niagara.
Forward Deon Ejim says he's having a great time in Calgary
"I think the vibe has been amazing and the fans have been behind our back," Ejim said.
"We always try to be great role models for these kids growing up and we can just see that connection to the community.
"A lot of them are asking around who we are and seeing these big tall guys everywhere. It's been a great vibe and we all like it as a team and we want to win for Calgary."
BIG TEST AGAINST BLACKJACKS
Up next for the Surge: the Ottawa BlackJacks on Friday night at Winsport.
Ottawa is also off to a 3-1 start, so it's going to be a big test.
Jackson says he's familiar with some of the players in Ottawa.
"I went to school with a few of the guys on the team in Ottawa, so I mean, it's always a good matchup when you get to go against some old-time friends," Jackson said.
"They're a really great team. They're also 3-1 and they've had a lot of great wins and they have some great players, so it's going to be a battle."
EJIM HAS CALGARY CONNECTION
Ejim says he does have some familiarity with Calgary.
His sister Yvonne played high school basketball at Bishop Carrol High School and at the Edge School.
"I think she really drew me in toward Calgary," Ejim said.
"She told me a lot of good things about the city and I'm super excited to be here and actually be around where she had her stomping grounds.
"It's been a great opportunity to be here and be around my family and just continue to grow and try to be a Calgarian one day."
Ejim's sister now goes to Gonzaga University.
Tip-off for Friday night's game between the Surge and the BlackJacks is 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.