OCAA men's basketball preview

MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

The 2007-08 OCAA Men’s Basketball season will have a new look this season with a new league format. The teams have merged into two regions (East and West) and will play each team in their region in a home and away series. The top teams in each region will qualify for the OCAA Championship, with teams finishing third through six participating in crossover qualifying matches. The OCAA Championship is scheduled from February 28 – March 1 at Mohawk College in Hamilton. The all-star game will take place at Durham College in Oshawa on March 29.

TEAM PREVIEWS

WEST REGION

Algoma Thunderbirds 2006-07 Record: 7-7 2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Thunderbirds missed out of the postseason last year as they were in a three way tie with Mohawk and Lambton, as the Mountaineers advanced due to tie breaking procedures. The Thunderbirds hope to reverse their fortunes and make a splash in the highly competitive West Region.

Algoma is a team to watch out for in the West Region this season as head coach Thomas Cory has assembled a lineup that many predict could be the “St. Lawrence Vikings” of 07-08. Returning from last season will be guards Andrew Turgeon and Lloyd Coke along with forwards Zach Wright, and Pat Murray, who were the top four scorers in the Thunderbird’s lineup last season. Also returning to the team will be defensive specialist Peter Chapman.

Minnesota native Vyron Phillips has joined the Thunderbirds this season. Phillips averaged 26.3 PPG in his first three games with Algoma, to lead the team in scoring. Cory had a busy off season off season bringing in freshmen to add some depth to the lineup. Brad Young, Paul Whitman, Igor Vuckovic and Andy Haidar join the team after successful high school careers.

Fanshawe Falcons 2006-07 Record: 14-0 2006-07 Post Season Record: 3-0 (Gold)

Although they have two losses already this season, London’s Fanshawe Falcons prior 17-0 record speaks for itself as they brought home a gold medal in 2006-07, their second in four years. Pat Sewell and his 15.5 PPG are gone this year, but coach Glenn Johnston’s team offense is very deep, as six players scored over 100 points for them last year.

Humber Hawks 2006-07 Record: 13-2 2006-07 Post Season Record: 2-1 (Bronze)

Humber returns a year after a bronze medal showing over Algonquin College to prove that they’re still one of the top teams in the province. They have a large roster, both in numbers and in size, with eight players 6-foot-4 or taller. With 10 point-per-game players Kerlon Cadougan and Chris Thompson returning, their offense should be similar to last season. The Hawks also bring back guard Paul Cade, and forwards Erik Schmidt and Swiss-born Sebastien Hunziker.

Lambton Lions 2006-07 Record: 7-7 2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

The Lions enter 2007-08 with a healthy mix of rookies and veterans and hope to improve on a .500 season with head coach Steve Pepper. They narrowly missed out on the playoffs, locked in a 3-way tie with Algoma and Mohawk, only to see the Thunderbirds advance due to a tie-break. Two of last year’s leading scorers, guards Chad Pereira and David Akelatis return, as well as Chris Harrison, Navado Hamilton and John Whitney. With one of the smallest college enrollments in the OCAA, they still field a competitive team in the West Region.

Mohawk Mountaineers 2006-07 Record: 7-7 2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

Mohawk College will be playing host to the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Championship February 28 to March 1, 2008 and the Mountaineers’ goal is to be there and compete for a championship.

For starters, three key contributors to last year’s team are back. They include centre Ray Downey (Waterdown) and two outstanding guards, Matt Bruyn (Brantford Assumption) and Marko Gacic (Hamilton Sir John A. MacDonald).

Other returning veterans are forwards Phil Bucknor (Hamilton Hill Park) and Matt Powless (Brantford Pauline Johnson). Also, coming back after a year’s absence is centre Alen Beader (Hamilton Glendale), arguably the top rebounder in the OCAA two years ago.

Courtesy of Al Craig, Mohawk Sports Information

Niagara Knights 2006-07 Record: 8-6 2006-07 Post Season Record: 1-1

The Niagara Knights rolled into 2007-08 with a bang, winning their first three games, including an upset over the defending OCAA Champion Fanshawe Falcons and pushing the Knights to second in the OCAA Top-Five rankings.

Things look very optimistic for head coach Mike Beccaria so far. They have the services of last year’s leading scorer Anthony McAleese, who finished first in West Region scoring in 2006-07. Also returning are veterans Ian Harriette, Vaughn Williams and Phil Ramirez.

Submitted by Randy Conlon, Niagara Assistant Coach

Redeemer Royals 2006-07 Record: 2-12 2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

Redeemer will need some major firepower from their nine rookies to make a splash in the West division this year. Only Jordan DeWeger, Dave Tum and Joel Sjaarda remain from last year’s squad and their four highest scorers have departed. The Royals have come up short in both their games so far this year, but DeWeger has emerged as a strong starter, putting up 48 points, including 20 free throws.

St. Clair Saints 2006-07 Record: 10-5 2006-07 Post Season Record: 1-1

The Saints only have four players returning from last season, among them Bilal El-Haghassan, who has chipped in 25 points in two games thus far. A couple of rookies to watch out for will be Windsor native David Korenic and 6-foot-6 guard Tyler McGarrity. Both of them appear to be good marksmen in the OCAA and have put up a combined 66 points.

Sault Cougars 2006-07 Record: 1-13 2006-07 Post Season Record: N/A

It is a certainty that the men's basketball team at Sault College will play more games come the '07-08 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association regular season than in previous campaigns. It is also beyond doubt that the Cougars will display a lineup that affords opportunity to local talent, in keeping with the credo of second-year assistant athletic director Scott Gray and second-year head coach Willie Greco.

One player who's a lock to return is shooting guard Aaron Richards, a former high school standout with the Korah Colts who averaged 8.2 PPG while suiting up for all 14 OCAA matches as a Cougar rookie in '06-07.

Toronto native Hassan Sulley will also return for his second year with the Cougars. Fans of Sault basketball will hope he can increase his 7.29 PPG average from last season, and become one of the Cougars prominent scorers.

The lineup will also feature freshmen Jay Ripplinger, a former first-rate guard at Central Algoma Secondary School and Jake Doan, a standout forward at White Pines High School last season.

Excerpts from Randy Russon, RR Media Service

Sheridan Bruins 2006-07 Record: 12-3 (2) 2006-07 Post Season Record: 0-1

After an early exit from last year’s OCAA Championship, the Sheridan Bruins are looking to rebound in 2007-08. The combination of size, speed and experience should make them a formidable opponent for anyone and will give them the versatility to compete in every game. They will look to finish near the top end of the OCAA West, as well as the league overall.

Source: Ryan Kelly, Sheridan Athletics

(From the Ontario College Athletic Association)