Surge win and set single game scoring record in the team’s first game at the greatest outdoor show on earth.

A high security game that began with players needing three separate badges to enter, ended in a thrilling 107-91 Calgary win against the Montreal Alliance.

The 16-point victory at the Surge2Stampede game marked the third time this season that the team has scored 100 or more points.

CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale called the game a perfect event, saying that he is “never not amazed at what our (CEBL) teams do.”

“I gotta play down the middle, I’m the neutral guy, but at the same time, I’m rooting for a great event, a great opportunity for the fans, great opportunity for the players, a really good game,” he said.

“It all delivered tonight. When you look at it in totality, it’s just a really perfect day. Montreal may not think that way, but in terms of what these guys have been able to accomplish, and everyone else (its been a) really good day.”

Surge head coach Kaleb Canales said the ‘Dome had an NBA-environment. Canales was head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers for 23 games. 

“The home crowd, the environment today was just spectacular. My hats off to (Team President and Vice-Chairman) Jason (Ribeiro). He had mentioned it, and his vision for it tonight just played out,” he said. 

Nearly 7,000 fans were in attendance for Wednesday’s game. Morreale, who has now been in attendance for both of the team’s Dome games, said that despite the smaller crowd, the Stampede game was “better.”

Ribeiro called the game “the right risk at the right time.”

“We went right at the hotbed of entertainment right now in North America, there are concerts everywhere throughout the city. It’s not an automatic that you’re going to compete with established acts and people that tour all over the world,” he said.

The team was led by new addition Evan Gilyard Jr., whose 37 points set the franchise’s record for most points scored in a game. The point guard also had four rebounds, four assists and shot 7-12 from the three point line. 

Post-game, Surge head coach Kaleb Canales said that Gilyard “feels like he’s been with the team since training camp.”

“He fits right into our system, our identity, a team that plays both (defence and offence) at a high level. Obviously, you see the box score, but it’s a testament not only to Evan’s hard work, but everybody’s hard work,” Canales said.

Greg Brown III said that simply being around Gilyard has raised his own three point percentage. Brown III finished the Surge2Stampede game 3-5 from beyond the arc.

Despite being down 62-49 at halftime, a Stampede Showband performance and youth basketball game half-time show changed the Surge’s defensive pace. The team allowed only 29 points in the second half, backed by five blocks between Javonte Brown and Greg Brown III.

In target time, the game finished with a pair of fast break dunks. First, from the franchise’s all time leading scorer, Rugzy Miller-Moore, who finished the game with 23 points and the second from Greg Brown III, his third game winning basket this season. 

MVP-buzz for Surge star

Both Canales and team president Jason Riberio said that Brown III has been playing MVP-level basketball this season.

“All those awards are cool and they’re nice to get, and I know it’s part of (Brown III) motivation. But the coolest thing we know starts with him holding that trophy at the end of the season, and that’s our goal, and we know that with winning, awards usually come so we’re not focused on the awards and we’re focused on the trophy,” Canales said.

CEBL commissioner Mike Morreale seconded the praise, stating that the league has many high-level players, Brown III being one of them. 

Brown III said that even amongst MVP conversations, his eyes are set on larger goals.

“I talked about being MVP, but I just be talking. My biggest goal is the championship, just bringing a championship to Calgary,” he said.

Before looking too far ahead to the post season, Brown III said he’s been eyeing a certain snack throughout his walks across the Midway.

“I saw this little Fruity Pebbles chicken sandwich, I’ve been eyeing it ever since I’ve seen it. It’s like a cookie jar, you always walk by the kitchen, you feel like it’s looking at you, literally. It’s like big, googly-eyes,” he said.

“Probably tomorrow I’m gonna get it.”

More photos from Surge2Stampede: