Week 1 Recap: Big Performances Lead Skyforce to 2-1 Record
Jackson Crist /November 18, 2023
Before the G League season could begin the Skyforce, who led the league in NBA call-ups over the past two seasons, received the team’s first call-up of the 2023-24 campaign. Jamaree Bouyea signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trailblazers. Bouyea averaged 18.6 PTS, 5.1 REB and 6.4 AST last season with the Skyforce and was a key player in the team’s playoff run to the Western Conference Finals.
On opening night, the Skyforce took on the Indiana Mad Ants at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. With Bouyea out of the lineup, players like Jon Elmore, Alondes Williams, Bryson Warren, and more were called upon to step up.
“The next man up mentality is a good fit for this league” said head coach Kasib Powell.
The Skyforce fell to the Mad Ants 129-114 despite good performances from players such as Justin Champagnie (27 PTS), Alondes Williams (20 PTS & 10 AST, Jon Elmore 17 PTS, Caleb Daniels (16 PTS) and Bryson Warren (18 PTS). The Mad Ants were led by Oscar Tshiebwe who scored 33 PTS and collected 22 REB.
The 2-0 Cleveland Charge came to town Tuesday, November 14th, as the Skyforce looked to bounce back.
“We have confidence in each other” said Justin Champagnie “We all put in a lot of work this summer to get here and be ready for these moments.”
Ready Sioux Falls was, as they put together a stellar performance defeating the Charge 129-116 behind a dominate 38-point performance from Miami Heat two-way player Jamal Cain. 38 points tied Cain’s career high. This victory marked win number 50 for Kasib Powell as head coach of the team.
“I wanted to come out and be aggressive from the jump” Cain said, “I wasn’t planning on going for 40 but the ball was going in the hole for me that night.”
Cain wasn’t the only one who had the ball going in the hole that night as 7’1 center Brandon McCoy also tied a career-high in points with 20, and Justin Champagnie added a 26-point 10-rebound performance.
Head coach Kasib Powell was impressed with his team’s response, “Alondes Williams is playing well, Justin Champagnie has been leading us in scoring, and we’ve been getting a big contribution from Brandon McCoy.”
The Force got right back into action Thursday, November 16th against the Grand Rapids Gold. Justin Champagnie continued his fast start to the season putting together a third-straight game of 26 points or more, tallying 35 PTS and 12 REB while adding a career high 7 steals en route to a 100-94 win over the Gold, improving the team’s record to 2-1.
“Just being here last year, knowing the system, being in condition from training camp in Miami, and just coming in here with a chip on my shoulder” said Champagnie about his fast start “I feel like I deserve to be up in the league, but I still got things to work on.”
Champagnie is the second-youngest member of the Skyforce at 22-years-old, but he doesn't let age stop him from leading and being vocal.
“When my voice needs to be heard or I feel like something’s going the wrong way, I open up about it. Age doesn’t really matter in this locker room we all got a voice here” said Champagnie “I try to lead everywhere I go. That’s just my personality.”
Champagnie is currently 3rd in the G League in points per game and 2nd in steals per game. Champagnie isn’t the only league leader in a Skyforce uniform, however. Guard Alondes “ManMan” Williams ranks 4th in assists per game with 8.3.
“That’s just what I always do, I like to pass, but I’m just in a good opportunity and a good system right now. They’re trusting me and letting me be who I am.”
The Skyforce rank 4th as a team in assists per game which comes as no surprise to coach Powell.
“A couple of our goals this season were to lead the league in points and assists so we’re headed in the right direction with that, there’s still room to grow but we’re working on it.”
Moving forward, Sioux Falls takes off on a road trip against the Wisconsin Herd on November 19th, at 5:30 PM, and again on November 21st, at 6PM, before traveling to Illinois to face-off against the Windy City Bulls on November 22nd at 7 PM.
“We have a tough road trip coming up but I think it’s always fun to see what your guys are like and how they’ll be when adversity hits” said Powell.
The Skyforce will return home to the Sanford Pentagon to take on the Iowa Wolves on November 25th at 7 PM.