St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday their 24-game 2026 season schedule presented by Crime Stoppers Niagara . The reigning back-to-back CEBL Champions (2024,2025) will open the season with a four-game road trip, tipping off against the Ottawa BlackJacks on Monday May 18th, followed by matchups with the Winnipeg Seabears on Friday May 22nd, Edmonton Stingers on Sunday May 24th and the Montreal Alliance on Tuesday May 26th. The River Lions will then return home for the Home Opener at the Meridian Centre on Friday May 29th when they host the Vancouver Bandits . In 2025, the Niagara River Lions marked the 10th anniversary of the franchise while completing their seventh season as a member of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The club concluded the campaign with a 14–10 regular-season record and captured its second consecutive CEBL championship, defeating the Calgary Surge 79–73 in Winnipeg to further cement its place among the league’s elite. “As we unveil our 2026 schedule, our focus remains the same: delivering an exceptional experience for our fans, our partners, and the Niagara community. We look forward to returning to celebrate our second championship together, while staying hungry and determined as we chase our third” said Michelle Biskup, President of the team. New this year, the league will host a full in-market playoff model and the first best-of-three CEBL Finals series. The 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League Playoffs will begin with single-elimination Conference Semifinals on Thursday, August 6, where the 1st seed faces the 4th seed and the 2nd seed faces the 3rd seed in each conference. Winners will advance to the Conference Finals on Saturday, August 8, also single elimination, with higher seeds hosting each round. The CEBL Finals will be a best-of-three series from August 12–16, marking the first multi-game playoff series in league history: Game 1 – August 12 Game 2 – August 15 Game 3 (if necessary) – August 16 The lower seed team will host Game 1, while the higher seed will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary), replacing the previous single-elimination Championship Weekend host team model. Key highlights of the River Lions’ 2026 schedule include: May 29th home opener at the Meridian Centre at 7:00pm versus the Vancouver Bandits A 24 game schedule including 12 home games at the Meridian Centre and 12 games on the road over the thirteen weeks Four Friday, two Wednesday, one Thursday and one Saturday evening home game nights A School Day Game on Friday June 19th at 11:00 am A five game home stand starting May 29 A championship rematch on June 3rd versus the Calgary Surge The final home game on Sunday July 26th at 3:00pm versus the Ottawa Blackjacks Niagara River Lions season tickets are now available, with voucher packs, group and single-game tickets set to go on sale in the coming months. Fans can find ticket information at www.riverlions.ca/tickets or by calling 289-273-5905 or visiting 102-10 Albert St. East, Thorold. In 2025, the CEBL featured 17 players with NBA experience, and nearly 70 per cent of its athletes were Canadian – the highest proportion of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. To date, nearly 40 players have signed NBA contracts following CEBL seasons, which run from May through August. For more information about the league, visit CEBL.ca or follow @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. Full schedule details for the Niagara River Lions are available at www.riverlions.ca/schedule .

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are proud to announce the return of Breakfast with Dunkin, a family-friendly community event to kick off Family Day weekend Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 9:00am to 11:00am at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138 Merritton (2 Chestnut Street East, St. Catharines). Designed to bring families together for a fun and welcoming morning, each ticket includes access to the breakfast buffet, face painting, colouring stations, photobooth, local mascot meet & greet, and a complimentary swag bag for children 13 and under. Admission is $10 per person for the general public and $5 for River Lions Season Ticket holders. All proceeds will support the ‘Stubs for Cubs’ initiative, helping underprivileged children and families experience the excitement of a River Lions game who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Families interested in attending can purchase tickets here . The event continues the River Lions’ commitment to creating meaningful community connections and providing accessible, family-oriented experiences for fans across Niagara. In the spirit of community partnership, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138 Merritton is once again generously opening its doors to host the event. The Legion’s long-standing dedication to community engagement makes it an ideal venue for a morning centered around togetherness, fun, and local pride. The Niagara River Lions are one of the founding franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) and the league’s reigning back-to-back champions (2024 & 2025). Competing out of the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, from May to August each season, the River Lions proudly represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region, uniting fans through passion, pride, and purpose. Entering their second decade, the River Lions have earned a reputation for championship-caliber performance and community impact, embodying the strength and spirit of Niagara both on and off the court. For more information, visit www.riverlions.ca or follow on social: @NiagaraRiverLions on IG, FB, TikTok, & LinkedIn and on X @RiverLions. ### Media Contact Mya Hastings Social Media & Marketing Coordinator mhastings@riverlions.ca

Myles Dichter – September 18, 2025 Michelle Biskup paced nervously along the sidelines of Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. As Niagara’s Khalil Ahmad stepped to the free-throw line with the 2025 CEBL championship in his fingertips, Biskup couldn’t help but battle flashbacks from one year earlier, when Ahmad missed a shot to win it all. Some things were different: the locale, for one. The River Lions’ path to the Final — one much more fraught this time around — for two. And, of course, Biskup’s title, now president of the franchise. One thing, though, did not change. No matter what happened, Biskup could not control what happened on the court. At least not at this point. “I've gone through the highs, I've gone through the lows, but I just stay even keel until I know it's over,” said Biskup, who has now been with the River Lions for 10 years. Ahmad, of course, went on to make those free throws, clinching the River Lions’ second consecutive championship and matching the Edmonton Stingers as the only teams to win multiple titles, let alone go back-to-back. With the trophy, Biskup became the first female president to win a Canadian men’s professional sports title. Detroit Red Wings president Marguerite Norris (1954, 1955) and Los Angeles Lakers boss Jeanie Buss (2020) have also accomplished the feat in the U.S. “It's a milestone to have my name stamped on history while also showing other young females in sports who are dreaming of having a career in sports that it's attainable,” Biskup said. “It's not something that can't be done because now they can see someone who's done it.” Biskup, the 35-year-old from Burlington, Ont., was a Day 1 staffer of the River Lions 10 years ago when she held the title of operations coordinator. The job only came about through a coincidental meeting with the River Lions owners, when Biskup pitched herself on a whim and suddenly found herself moving from her first job out of school in the entertainment department at Fallsview Casino to a professional basketball organization. Steadily since, she’s risen the ranks until being promoted to president in September. And in her first season atop the organization, she lifted it atop the CEBL. “We really put 12 months into it — into something that we can't control the outcome of as front-office staff. So to have that full-circle moment from last year where, yes, I was involved, I was still a very big part of it as VP, but then for everything that I put into this past year, building a new culture in our office, hiring new staff, making some big changes. It really was like, ‘OK, this made it all worthwhile,’” she said. “There's no greater feeling than winning at the end of the day. There's a reason why everyone wants to win. That's the best, ultimate feeling.” Biskup said the team is almost unrecognizable from when she first started a decade ago — especially when she looks at the Meridian Centre crowd and the River Lions fan base. But even more has changed since she took over as president. Biskup hired team captain Kimbal Mackenzie as community and brand ambassador in a CEBL first — an idea that was born late last off-season and one she hopes will truly take flight now. Meanwhile, she signed head coach Victor Raso to a three-year contract lining up with a three-year Meridian Centre lease, locking in two key aspects of the team. “Knowing that Vic's going to be here every year, or at least for the next three, we can depend on that, that we're going to have that returning group that helps us be successful on the court,” said Biskup, who credited the coach for maintaining season-to-season continuity in a league where that’s rare. “It helps us be successful off the court too, right? It's great for our sales staff to be able to call people and say, we're back-to-back champions or we have their favourite players returning. So that consistency is really big.” Raso has worked next to Biskup for the past eight years. “I've seen her go from doing absolutely everything to doing absolutely everything as the president,” he said. The coach described Biskup as “incredibly hard-working,” saying she’s created a culture of “doers” while keeping the atmosphere light and fun with plenty of laughs. He added that he’s always coordinated closely with Biskup, with whom he enjoys a strong two-way relationship of trust. “Michelle and I always talked about what we were doing on a day-to-day basis, but never from the perspective of she's my manager. So for her and I, it was a cool experience this year. She's always let me do my thing with the basketball and trusted me with decisions and budgets and everything,” he said. To Raso, Biskup is the “lifeblood” of the River Lions. “She can run a professional sport organization like with her eyes closed now. And I don't think people really understand how much actually goes into that,” he said. Now, Biskup’s next task is one that’s never been done before: win three straight championships. After last season’s motto was ‘Run It Back,’ Biskup said conversations are already underway about next year’s slogan, with the word dynasty being thrown around. “That's definitely the goal for us to make that next stamp on history is being the first team to do a three-peat,” she said. It’s a topic with which Biskup is now quite familiar. - CEBL -

St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara River Lions are proud to announce a new partnership with St. Catharines CYO Basketball Association, offering young athletes a unique opportunity to learn directly from River Lions team captain, Kimbal Mackenzie. Beginning in October, members of St. Catharines CYO Basketball Assoication will have exclusive access to bi-weekly Sunday drop-in sessions with team captain Kimbal Mackenzie, held at Ridley College through December. These sessions will give players the opportunity to develop their basketball skills and gain leadership insights from Mackenzie, who earned a Division 1 scholarship at Bucknell University, has competed professionally in Europe, represented the Great Britain National Team, and is now a two-time Canadian Elite Basketball League Champion.  The drop-in sessions will be split into two age groups to ensure players receive development suited to their skill level. Session 1 will run from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for boys and girls in Grades 2–4, followed by Session 2 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for boys and girls in Grades 5–8. Participation requires pre-registration and a $10 donation per session, with all proceeds supporting the River Lions’ Stubs for Cubs initiative, which provides tickets and opportunities for local youth to attend River Lions home games. “We’re thrilled to formalize a partnership with St. Catharines CYO Basketball Association and provide this unique opportunity to Rebels players,” said Michelle Biskup, President of the Niagara River Lions. “It’s a fantastic way to help grow the game in Niagara, giving young athletes access to professional mentorship while fostering skill development and a love for basketball.” “We’re super excited to team up with the Niagara River Lions and kick off something really special,” said Gerry Mcilhone, President of the St Catharines CYO Basketball Association club. “It’s an awesome chance to grow the game more here in Niagara—giving our players a chance to learn from the pros, build their skills, and continue to love the game of basketball even more.” The drop-in sessions will take place each starting Sunday October 19,and run biweekly until December 14th. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required to secure a spot. For registration details, please visit https://registration.teamsnap.com/form/39121 About the Niagara River Lions The Niagara River Lions are one of the original six teams of the CEBL and the league's reigning back to back champions. Playing out of Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the River Lions represent the twelve municipalities of the Niagara Region while living up to the River Lions moniker of pride and strength of community. Visit www.riverlions.ca for more information. About CYO St. Catharines Basketball The St Catharines Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Basketball Association is committed to providing boys and girls in our community with the positive and enjoyable experience of learning and competing in the great sport of basketball. We believe that every person is important and deserves the respect and consideration of others. CYO operates House Leagues for players of various skill levels and experience. As well, CYO operates a Select Team Program, for players with advanced skill levels. ### Media Contact: Mya Hastings Social Media & Marketing Coordinator mhastings@riverlions.ca

The mountain had only been scaled once before. But after the most grueling season in CEBL history, the Niagara River Lions reached the summit once again. The River Lions captured the 2025 CEBL title on Sunday, beating the Calgary Surge 79-73 at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre. Niagara joins the 2020-2021 Edmonton Stingers as the only teams ever to go back-to-back. They are also the only franchises in league history to claim multiple titles. “It feels incredible. It really does,” head coach Victor Raso said. “It’s as special of a moment as I ever had as a coach. This one, for these guys, it just cemented them. I’m really happy for them.” Khalil Ahmad was named Finals MVP after scoring 16 points, including the game-winner, while adding nine rebounds. When the clocks stopped for Target Score Time, a River Lions lead that was once 16 had been cut to three points at 70-67. Clutch as ever, Khalil Ahmad opened the proceedings with a three-pointer. After Sean Miller-Moore made a free throw at the other end, Elijah Lufile deposited a putback to move Niagara within four points of the win. Calgary then went to the line on two straight possessions around an Ahmad miss, but made just two of four attempts. Niagara moved within any bucket of the title when Nathan Cayo cashed a pair from the charity stripe himself. On the following play, Evan Gilyard II breathed some life into the Surge with a three-pointer. It turned out to be their last gasp. While the Surge earned a defensive stop, a turnover sent Ahmad streaking back the other way, where he drew a foul in the corner that sent him to the line. Attempt No. 1: splash. Attempt No. 2: ballgame. Champions. “Redemption,” said Ahmad, who missed a free throw in the same situation in last year’s Final. “I thought about exactly that, [when] I made the first one, missed the second. I was like, ‘Oof, I can’t do that again.’” The clutch free throws pushed Ahmad to his second straight Finals MVP and marked his fifth straight playoff game scoring the Target Score Time winner. He knocked down the game-winning three in Friday’s East Final against the Scarborough Shooting Stars, too. After the game, Raso had high praise for his star player, who will need to make room on his trophy case next to a number of other accolades. “He’s the greatest player to ever play in this league and he’s just a phenomenal person, so he won’t say all the things that I say, but that’s the truth,” Raso said. Captain Kimbal Mackenzie echoed Raso’s sentiment. “[It’s] getting a little bit ridiculous at this point, quite frankly,” Mackenzie joked. “When he hit that shot against Scarborough, I was like, ‘How many times is this guy gonna do this?’ He just has a knack for when those moments get big, just playing off his instincts.” The game itself proved to be a defensive grind — the lowest-scoring final in league history. No player on either team reached 20 points, and the clubs combined to make just 27.5 per cent of their three-point shots while neither reached 40 per cent overall from the field. For the River Lions, it came down to simple effort in their own end. “These guys cared a lot. There was no in-between moments that we lost. These guys were thoughtful on every defensive possession and we just kinda forced them to play to their weaknesses instead of playing to their strengths,” Raso said. Nathan Cayo was second on the River Lions with 14 points, while Ahmed Hill added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench while posting a team-high plus-16 rating. Meanwhile, the star Surge guard duo of Jameer Nelson Jr. and Gilyard II struggled mightily, combining for 16 points on just seven-for-32 shooting. “We didn’t make enough plays, but we’re a team. I’ve said it all year long,” head coach Kaleb Canales said. Canada’s Sean Miller-Moore led the way for the Surge with 19 points, while Greg Brown broke a pair of championship record with 17 rebounds and five blocks. Miller-Moore, the league’s all-time leading Canadian scorer, came up just short at his third Championship Weekend. “Every loss is a heartbreak. Even when we lose in the regular season, it’s a heartbreak. So of course this was the last game and the last time I’m gonna be with this particular group, so it hurt more, but we were a good team all season and we just came up short today,” Miller-Moore said. For Niagara, By Raso’s own admission, this season — the longest in CEBL history, with 24 games per team — was more difficult than last, as a roster featuring multiple returning players struggled at times to find motivation during the summer-long grind. Around mid-season, however, the River Lions ripped off a seven-game winning streak to clinch the Eastern Conference. And the team found its motivation. “I read a lot about teams who repeated and it all rang true,” Raso said. “It’s not gonna be like the first time. It’s gonna be hard. There’s gonna be ups and downs. You’re gonna have to find a new why. You have to shed last year.” For some, that “why” was obvious. Ahmed Hill has scored more points than anyone in league history but was still searching for his first championship. Guillaume Boucard was a River Lion two years ago, but missed last year’s title run, and sought his first title, too. Hill and Boucard were both part of the Montreal Alliance squad that fell to the River Lions in the semifinals last season. “It’s amazing,” said Hill, who added that it’s his first title at any level. “I’ve always been a player to want to score and get all the accolades, but this is one thing I always missed.” Added Boucard: “It doesn’t even feel real right now. It’s just full circle. … It’s been something that I’ve been chasing for a long time. It’s something that we always want every summer in Niagara.” Elijah Lufile wanted to win for himself to become the first player to ever three-peat; he also wanted to win for brother Meshack, a teammate who had never won before. “That’s something we can tell our kids,” Lufile said. “We just stayed true to ourselves and our identity is guys giving 100 per cent effort.” Captain Kimbal Mackenzie was a leader on last year’s team, but didn’t play much. This year, he was a relied-upon starter. And for all his league accolades, Khalil Ahmad still felt like he didn’t get the love he deserved. “I mean, sheesh. Can’t put any words on it,” Ahmad said. Raso said all the parts came together to make a roster that was underrated by some throughout the season. Now, they’re champions. “It took a while for this team to gel and find their rhythm. We have Ahmed Hill coming off the bench. He’s the leading scorer in CEBL history. That’s what bothers me when people talk about us this year the way they did,” Raso said. “This was a really, really good basketball team and when it mattered, we were awesome.” In the early going, Calgary made its presence known, racing to an 11-3 lead that was punctuated by a monstrous alley-oop jam from Brown III. But last year’s winners showed their championship mettle immediately, responding with a 13-0 run of their own to go in front. They never relinquished that lead. Through one quarter, Niagara led 21-20. Then, it turned the defence up a notch en route to a 42-36 halftime advantage as Calgary made just three of 19 three-point attempts. But momentum followed Calgary into the locker room after Nelson Jr. drained a halfcourt buzzer-beater. Still, the River Lions weren’t fazed, opening the third frame with an Ahmad three and stretching their lead to 16 after back-to-back Hill triples. Niagara took a 63-51 lead into the final quarter of the season before it ultimately prevailed. Basketball royalty was among the 7,129 total attendance for the Final, as longtime Canadian coach Steve Konchalski and Nick Elam, who created Target Score endings, both witnessed the championship game. Meanwhile, the parents of Chad Posthumus — a CEBL lifer and Winnipeg native who tragically died in November at age 33 — were on hand to present the championship trophy. Now, for the second straight year, that trophy will make a home in St. Catharines, Ont. “We fought through so much adversity,” Ahmad said. “We deserved this win.” Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2702972 - CEBL -