The lights of Verdun Auditorium will shine bright Wednesday night as the Alliance finally return home after a humbling three-game road swing that delivered both triumph and heartbreak. What started with a dominant statement win has become a learning experience, with Jermaine Small's squad returning battle-tested but eager to rediscover their winning formula.

It’s been 10 days since Alliance fans have seen their team in person - a lifetime in basketball terms. In that span, this young franchise has experienced the full spectrum of professional basketball: the euphoria of a 20-point blowout victory, followed by the sting of consecutive defeats.

Scarborough’s Burning Questions

The Shooting Stars arrive in Montréal carrying more questions than answers after a turbulent stretch that’s seen them alternate between brilliant and bewildering. At 4-4, they’re a classic .500 team - capable of beating anyone on their best night, vulnerable to anyone when things go sideways.

Their most pressing concern? Defensive consistency. Giving up 108 points to the Alliance was alarming enough, but the manner of that defeat - watching Montréal’s players feast on open looks - exposed issues that won’t be easily fixed with personnel changes alone.

Donovan Williams remains their most reliable weapon, and the addition of Cat Barber brings veteran savvy, but integrating a new floor general during the season carries inherent risk. Chemistry takes time to develop, and against a Montréal team playing with obvious confidence and continuity, those growing pains could prove costly.

The Louis Legacy Moment

Lost in discussions about star players and statistics is one of the most remarkable individual achievements in league history. Alain Louis recently surpassed 338 career assists to become the CEBL’s all-time regular season leader - a milestone that perfectly encapsulates what makes this Alliance team special.

Louis represents everything right about basketball: selfless play, basketball intelligence, and the kind of veteran leadership that elevates teammates. His record-breaking assist against Scarborough nine days ago symbolized how this franchise has embraced collective success over individual glory.

At 19.1 minutes per game, Louis isn't dominating headlines or highlight reels. Instead, he’s quietly orchestrating an offensive system that has six different players averaging double figures. His 5.7 assists per game represent the kind of basketball IQ that turns good teams into great ones.

Home Court, Home Cooking

Verdun Auditorium has become a fortress for the Alliance, and Wednesday marks their first chance to show off their road-tested confidence before their passionate fanbase. The energy and atmosphere of Montréal basketball creates genuine advantages that visiting teams struggle to replicate.

The Alliance’s ball movement becomes even more effective at home, where familiar surroundings and crowd energy create rhythm and flow that’s difficult to disrupt. Their depth rotations, perfected through road adversity, should translate beautifully to home court advantages.

Small’s tactical adjustments throughout the road trip - including lessons learned from tough losses in Winnipeg (92-89) and Vancouver (91-82) - have shown both the team’s potential and areas requiring attention. These are growing pains that every championship contender faces, and how the Alliance respond at home will reveal their true character.

Walker’s Emergence Creates New Dynamics

Anthony Walker has quietly become one of the season’s most intriguing storylines. The 6’9” forward is averaging 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting an efficient 41.4% from the field, but his impact extends far beyond the box score.

Walker’s versatility allows Small to deploy lineup that create serious matchup problems for opposing teams. His ability to stretch the floor while maintaining interior presence gives the Alliance tactical flexibility that proved crucial during their road swing. When Walker finds his rhythm - like his explosive 25-point performance against Brampton - the Alliance become virtually unstoppable.

Against Scarborough’s length and athleticism, Walker’s skill set becomes even more valuable. His basketball IQ and ability to make plays in transition could prove decisive in what promises to be an up-tempo affair. The young forward has shown he’s not intimidated by big moments, making him a potential X-factor in Wednesday’s rematch.

The Bigger Picture

For Scarborough, this road game represents an opportunity to prove they can bounce back from adversity - something both teams now share after difficult stretches. A strong performance in Montréal could provide momentum for both franchises heading into the heart of the season.

The Alliance, meanwhile, need to prove that consecutive road losses were learning experiences rather than concerning trends. Playing at home with their passionate fanbase behind them, they’re positioned to rediscover the formula that made them so dangerous early in the season.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM at Verdun Auditorium. Both teams enter with 4-2 and 4-4 records respectively, making this a crucial early-season matchup that could set the tone for the remainder of their campaigns.

Game Information

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM ET

Location: Verdun Auditorium

Broadcast: RDS, CEBL+, TSN+, Game+

Next Game

June 20 at 11 AM in Niagara