COUGARS READY FOR LIONS

Ontario Colleges Athletic Association men's basketball returns to Sault Ste. Marie this weekend.

Friday at 6:30 p.m., the Sault College Cougars will play host to the Lambton Lions. Lambton then plays at Algoma University on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 against the Thunderbirds.

Actually, Lambton faces the tough task of playing three games in four days beginning tonight in Windsor against St. Clair.

Lambton features the first and third leading scorers in the West Region in Chris Williams and Matt Stevers. Williams is averaging 25.8 points per game in four outings, while Stevers has a 23.6 average in five contests.

Lambton is tied with St. Clair for fourth place in the West Region. Both the Lions and Saints have 3-2 records.

The Niagara Knights are first in the West with a 6-1 record followed by the Fanshawe Falcons at 5-3, the Sault at 4-3, Lambton and St. Clair both at 3-2, the Redeemer Royals at 2-5 and Algoma at 1-8.

Sault College's starting five are all averaging at least 10 points per game, so Friday's game against Lambton has shootout possibilities.

Sean Seivwright leads the Cougars in scoring with a 19.6 average. He's followed by Robbie Green at 16.2, Tim Walker at 15.9, Tim Higgins at 11.2 and Ray Henry at 10.0.

The Cougars, however, are more than just a team of five starters who can score. Green is one of the better defensive players in the West and Walker is a standout rebounder. Veterans Green (Sir James Dunn) and Walker (St. Basil) are both former local high school stars.

As well, the Cougars are deep on the bench led by second-year guard Chris Muncaster and forwards Ryan Court and Jeff Rennison.

Muncaster has not shot as well this season as he did last, though the Bawating grad plays good defence. The 6-foot-6 Court was added to the lineup in the New Year and the White Pines' grad is a definite asset on the boards. Rennison, meanwhile, has shown steady improvement as a rookie forward after an outstanding high school career at Korah.

The Cougars also have a potentially dangerous weapon off the bench in swingman Reynord Bobb. Bobb is extremely quick and athletic and can put on a dunk show like few others.

Cougar head coach Thomas Cory also has the luxury of calling on outside shooting specialist Rob Martel off the bench.