‘Have a ball with dad’ on June 21: the Ottawa BlackJacks halfway mark at home

June 21 Father’s Day theme game

What a better way to finish off your Father’s Day celebrations than a basketball game with dad? 

The Ottawa BlackJacks will host a Father’s Day game on June 21 to celebrate and to welcome fans back to the Arena at TD Place for the second half of their home games. 

The game will feature a father and child half-time show, as well as a Father’s Day-themed photo booth, so you can cement your BlackJack’s memories forever.

Versus the Saskatoon Mamba

The BlackJacks will host the newly rebranded Saskatoon Mamba, formerly the Saskatchewan Rattlers. 

Ottawa will face Saskatoon tonight at Merlis Belsher Place, before returning to the Arena at TD Place on Sunday to play the Mamba for the first time at home. The rematch will happen just six days later, and fans will see the newly rebranded purple jerseys on the court, rather than the former Rattlers green and white jerseys. 

The BlackJacks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Vancouver on Saturday. The Mamba currently have a 3-5 record compared to the BlackJacks 4-5 record. 

The game on Sunday will also mark the seventh home game for the BlackJacks, meaning they are officially more than halfway through their season at home. 

Halfway through the home season reflection

With a current 4-5 record mid-way through their first Western Conference road trip, the BlackJacks are currently seated at third place in the Eastern Conference. 

They have a 3-3 record at home, compared to a 1-2 record on the road. 

Before heading home to re-match the Mamba, they will make a stop to play the Scarborough Shooting Stars on Friday. The Shooting Stars are currently the number-one-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. 

Currently on their first road trip of the season, this away streak will really be a test of their grit and longevity when it comes to not having a home court advantage. 

The team has been finding their rhythm offensively, shooting 47.5 per cent from the field. 

They are becoming powerhouses on both ends of the court with players like Justin Harmon and Javonte Smart lighting up the front court, and defensively strong players like Matthew Cleveland, Alex Fudge and Drew Cisse leading the charge on the back court. 

Cleveland is currently second in the league for total defensive rebounds this season with 64. A dominant player on both ends of the court, Cleveland brings diversity to the BlackJacks that has become essential to bringing them to a winning season. 

Fudge is another defensive bright spot on the BlackJacks. He averages two blocks per game and has a total of 14 blocks on the season. 

Smart averages eight assists per game and has a total of 55 assists on the season. The franchise record holder for points in a single game is now a veteran on this team and is really becoming a playmaker. 

Join us on Father’s Day to welcome the BlackJacks back to home court and to celebrate the second half of our at-home season.