NBA at the all-star break – can the Raptors keep pace?

by Rod Mawhood

The Toronto Raptors have been one of the pleasant surprises of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season thus far. As the league began its annual all-star break Friday, the Raptors sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings nine games above .500 at (32-23). Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Collin Murray-Boyles, Alijah Martin and A.J. […]

NHL hits Olympic break with questions galore

by Rod Mawhood

It’s been 14 years since the Buffalo Sabres made the National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Playoffs – the longest drought in the league. The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the postseason was 2016. That’s just two of the story lines many here in Niagara are watching as the NHL […]

River Lions announce coaching transition as Mackenzie takes over from Raso

by The Niagara Independent

The Niagara River Lions are turning the page on one of the most successful coaching tenures in Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) history while keeping continuity at the core of the franchise. The team announced that Victor Raso will step aside as Head Coach and General Manager and move into a new role as Senior […]

Brock Badgers Paint the Meridian Red returns Saturday

by Rod Mawhood

For what is believed to be the first time in Brock University and Badgers basketball history the entire starting lineup for the women’s team is made up of all Niagara natives. Yes, all five starters are home grown. That’s why this Saturday’s Paint the Meridian Red is extra special for many on the women’s team. […]

Super Bowl 60 is set

by Rod Mawhood

Buffalo Bills fans are expressing mixed reactions to the New England Patriots winning the AFC Championship Sunday. Yes, the Patriots defeated the team that knocked the Bills out of the postseason the week before – the Denver Broncos – but the Patriots win also means that either New England or Kansas City has represented the […]

A Welland native could be returning to Buffalo to coach the Bills

by Robert Lyman and Tom Harris

It was an interesting week in Buffalo Bills land. There were reports that Sean McDermott may have been fired if the Bills lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wildcard Weekend. That obviously didn’t happen but a week later, and a 20-17 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, saw McDermott shown the door in the Queen […]

Niagara River Lions release 2026 schedule

by Rod Mawhood

The Niagara River Lions of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have announced their 24-game 2026 season schedule. The reigning back-to-back CEBL Champions will open the season with a three-game road trip, tipping off against the Ottawa BlackJacks on Monday May 18, followed by matchups with the Winnipeg Seabears on Friday May 22, and Edmonton […]

OLA appoints Niagara resident as its new Jr. B Commissioner

by Rod Mawhood

The Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League (OJBLL) has announced that Bram Cotton has been appointed as the league’s next Commissioner, following an extensive search led by the league’s Board of Governors. Cotton, who calls St. Catharines home, brings more than 18 years of experience across provincial, national, international, and professional sport, with expertise spanning governance, […]

Sport Niagara and Row Ontario form partnership to grow the sport of Rowing

by Rod Mawhood

The sport of rowing, already with deep roots in St. Catharines and Niagara, is about to receive a further push. Sport Niagara and Row Ontario have announced a formal partnership that will strengthen traditional rowing programs in Niagara while also advancing the development of innovative rowing programs that expand participation, engagement, and excellence across the […]

The real NFL season begins Saturday

by Rod Mawhood

“Playoffs?! Don’t talk about—playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?!” Yes, that is most of former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Mora’s famous quote when discussing his team making the playoffs back in 2001. A quarter of a century later it is still being used. And this weekend the 14 teams (12 teams in action with top […]