COLLEGE HOOPS OPENING WEEKEND

There are four Ontario Colleges Athletic Association basketball games on tap locally both tonight and Saturday afternoon. It's opening weekend on the OCAA regular-season schedule and the men's and women's teams from Redeemer College will play at both Sault College and Algoma University.

TONIGHT: Women's basketball, 6 p.m., Redeemer at Sault College. The Cougar women are playing their first year in the OCAA on an exhibition basis with the plan being to join the league full time next fall. It's a collection of all rookie players on the Cougars. Some of the local talent includes Amy Colizza (Mount St. Joseph), Jen Cronin (Central Algoma), Lee Anne Faganely (St. Mary's), Becky Methot (Central Algoma), Erica Nethery (White Pines), Cara Russon (St. Mary's) and Tara Smith (Mount St. Joseph.) Men's basketball, 8 p.m. Redeemer at Sault College. The Cougar men are favourites in the OCAA West Region led by outstanding local products Robbie Green (Sir James Dunn), Chris Muncaster (Bawating), and Tim Walker (St. Basil.)

SATURDAY Women's basketball, 12 noon, Redeemer at Algoma University. The Lady Thunderbirds are a second-year entry in the OCAA. They feature high-scoring post Carly Uhlman (St. Basil), forward Kristan Chaimbrone (Mount St. Joseph) and a host of former St. Mary's players including Candace Boston, Sarah Miller, Jen Ross, Stella Viotto and Melissa Viotto. Men's basketball, 2 p.m., Redeemer at Algoma University. The Thunderbird men are also a second-year entry in the OCAA. Local talent includes Ron Backstrom (Sir James Dunn), Adam Hawdon (Bawating), Greg Sirie (Bawating), Tom Smith (Korah), Paul Tomchak (White Pines) and Jamie Wabigwan (Sir James Dunn.)