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Canada West men's basketball preview: T'Birds shoot for repeat
EDMONTON – The 2011-12 Canada West basketball campaign begins on Friday night, and here is an overview of the 14 Canada West teams that will compete in the two-division conference – East and West.
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS
2010-11 conference record: 16-8 (4th)
2011 playoffs: 2-3
Last CW title: 2005
Last CIS title: 2002
CIS ranking: #6
CW ranking: #3
Key additions: Sahr Saffa (G), Adam Weir (F), Andrew Bates (F)
Key returnees: Daniel Ferguson (G), Jordan Baker (G), Todd Bergen-Henengouwen (F), Robert Dewar (F), Matthew Cardoza (G)
Key departures: C.G. Morrison (G), Graeme Mitchell (G)
EDMONTON – The Alberta Golden Bears ares poised to take big leap forward in the 2011-12 season.
The Bears have full intentions of competing for the Canada West title, while also picking up a berth to the CIS Final 8 tournament. Key returning players include fifth-year shooting guard Daniel Ferguson, as well as third-year guard Jordan Baker, third-year forward Todd Bergen-Henengouwen, and third-year forward Robert Dewar.
Ferguson spent the majority of the 2010-11 season leading Canada West in scoring, and if preseason numbers are any indication, the Malton, ON native should find himself once again leading the conference in scoring, and perhaps winning the scoring race. Baker has had a busy off-season, one that will benefit him and Alberta in a number of ways. The Edmonton product helped Canada to a silver medal finish at the Summer World University Games, held in China, and recently competed for the national program again at the Pan-Am games in Mexico. The former conference Rookie of the Year was a 1st team all-star last season, and is now poised to lead Alberta with his all around game. Bergen-Henengouwen brings excellent shooting and an unmatched work ethic, while the 6’11” Dewar continues to develop his game as an elite CIS big man.
BRANDON BOBCATS
2010-11 conference record: 4-20 (12th, missed
playoffs)
Last CW title: 2002
Last CIS title: 1996
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #13
Key additions: Ali-Mounir Benadbelhak, Ilarion Bonhomme, Alex Klocek, Pacome Matulu, Emerick Ravier
Key returnees: Kyle Vince, Donovan Gayle, Jordan Reaves, James Elias
Key departures: Isaiah James, O’Brian Wallace, Kyrie Coleman, Jimi Falana
BRANDON – After jumping to a strong start in the first half of last year, Bobcats head coach Gil Cheung will look to continue that trend and sustain the success as this season rolls along.
Nine new players are on the roster this year, including two international imports, and new players from both sides of Canada. Add that to a core of CIS veterans in Kyle Vince, Donovan Gayle, Jordan Reaves and James Elias, and Cheung is confident in this year’s team.
After spending last season as a red-shirt, Washington, D.C. native Ilarion Bonhomme will be on the active roster while fellow American Eric Schippers, a 6’8 forward has transferred from Montana Tech.
Recent graduates of Gleneagle Secondary in Port Coquitlam, BC Alex Klocek and Turell Scott will be making the jump to CIS as they join the Bobcats for their rookie seasons. Also in their freshman year are Chris Oppong and Ali-Mounir Benadbelhak.
Pacome Matulu, a transfer from College-Edouard Montpetit, joins the team and rounding out this year’s recruiting class are Michael Smith, transferring from the University of Regina, and Emerick Ravier from La Cite College in Ottawa.
UBC THUNDERBIRDS
2010-11 conference record: 22-2 (1st)
2011 playoffs: 4-0 (CW champs)
2011 CIS: 2-1 (bronze)
Last CW title: 2011
Last CIS title: 1972
CIS ranking: #5
CW ranking: #2
Key additions: Malcolm Williams, Nakai Luyken, Jermaine Cherry
Key returnees: Graham Bath, Nathan Yu, Kamar Burke, Doug Plumb, Balraj Bains, Tommy Nixon
Key departures: Josh Whyte, Alex Murphy, Brent Malish
VANCOUVER – Reigning Canada West Coach of the Year Kevin
Hanson enters the 2011-12 campaign with a team that is very
different from the one that finished third in the CIS last season,
despite having five fifth-year players returning.
First Team All-Canadian and former CIS player of the year Josh
Whyte and second team Canada West All-Star Alex Murphy, along with
Brent Malish, have all graduated. They were the top three scorers
on the UBC team last season.
A core group of seniors - Graham Bath, Nathan Yu, Kamar Burke, Doug
Plumb, Balraj Bains - is expected to lead the way on offence and
defence, in addition to providing leadership to a squad that has
many newcomers who include high school stars David Wagner, a
6’9 star, and athletic guards, Malcolm Williams and Nakai
Luyken. Mike Lewandowski and Geoff Pippus will both play this
season after redshirting last year.
New transfers include Jermaine Cherry, who will see time at point
guard this season, along with Mamadou Sakho and Glenn Gravengard.
Tommy Nixon is expected to provide more for UBC after a solid
rookie season coming off the bench.
UBC OKANAGAN HEAT (inaugural CIS season)
2010-11 conference record: N/A
2011 playoffs: N/A
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #14
Key additions: Yassine Ghomari, Bret Macdonald, Julian Asselstine, Ben Hindson, Brad Quevillon
Key returnees: Steve Morrison, Mack Roth, Simon Pelland, Ed Dane Medi, Iain Con
Key departures: Alex Roth, Micah Cockrill, Dan Briscoe
KELOWNA, BC – Coach Darren Semeniuk has realistic expectations for his squad this year and will look to put the foundation in place to be a consistent contender. One way to do this is recruiting quality players.
Semeniuk has brought in a talented point guard in Bret Macdonald to quarterback his program for the next five years, along with college transfer Yassine Ghomari, a former player at UBC Okanagan and is just going into his third year. Iain Con has come back to play in the back court. Brad Quevillon, a former high school teammate of Ghomari, has also transferred in from Langara College to add depth in the back court.
Six-foot-nine Ben Hindson is a classic post player and former rugby. Six-foot-eight Julian Asselstine is an athletic forward with a nice skill set and a knack for knocking down open jumpers. To mentor the young posts the Heat have fourth-year Steve Morrison, at 6’5” he is an undersize post who is used to defending and rebounding against larger opponents, while 6’7” Simon Pelland is back for his fifth year with the Heat.
Mack Roth is a 6’6” wing player heavy enough to
score in the post and has enough range to knock down the
three-point shot. Also returning is 6’5” Ed Dane Medi,
an athletic utility player that has the ability to get his hands on
any ball, and this makes him a great rebounder and a tenacious
defender.
http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/athletics/welcome.html
CALGARY DINOS
2010-11 conference record: 7-16 (9th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: 2009
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #7
Key additions: Boris Bakovic, Josh Owen-Thomas
Key returnees: Tyler Fidler, Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson, Matt Letkeman
Key departures: none
CALGARY - The year after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, optimism surrounds the Calgary Dinos men’s basketball program.
With point guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson back from his ankle injury that sidelined him for virtually all of last season, a solid core of returning veterans, and some intriguing newcomers, the Dinos look to make some noise this season and get back to the Canada West playoffs.
One major wild card will be in the form of Boris Bakovic, the transfer from Ryerson who led the nation in scoring each of his last three seasons. He’s out indefinitely with an injury sustained at the training camp for Team Canada before the Pan American Games, and his fortunes could very well determine those of the entire team.
Tyler Fidler returns to close out his impressive five-year career, while last year’s conference rookie of the year, Matt Letkeman, will continue to muck it up in the paint for the Dinos. Andrew McGuinness has the ability to shoot the lights out, while Keenan Milburn presents a steady presence on the floor. Milburn and Fidler are two of the four fifth-year seniors on this Dinos team, joined by Bakovic and Dustin Reding.
A couple of international newcomers provide a different look for the Dinos in 2011-12. Daan Wiersum comes to Calgary from the Netherlands through a connection with former Dino Henry Bekkering, while Josh Owen-Thomas could crack the starting lineup. Owen-Thomas comes to the Dinos from Adelaide, Australia via the British U20 national team program.
FRASER VALLEY CASCADES
2010-11 conference record: 10-14 (7th)
2011 playoffs: 1-2
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: #7
CW ranking: #4
Key additions: James York, Mike James Jordan Blackman
Key returnees: Sam Freeman, Joel Friesen, Kyle Grewal
Key departures: Zeon Gray, James Elliott
ABBOTSFORD, BC – Head coach Barnaby Craddock enters his fifth season at the helm of the UFV Cascades with an excellent opportunity to challenge for a Canada West post-season berth.
Players returning after injury are Kyle Grewal and Jasper Moedt, both excellent performers in 2009-10, recovered and stronger than ever. Add Canada West Second Team All-Star Joel Friesen and Sam Freeman to the lineup and the Cascades look very confident to make a run at the CW post-season tournament.
The Cascades will introduce James York and Mike James as new players in the lineup.
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS
2010-11 conference record: 7-17 (10th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: 1986
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #8
Key additions: Dom Coward (P), Daryl Cooper (G), Alex Fletcher (G), Logan Reiter (G), Morgan Duce (G)
Key returnees: Derek Waldner (P), Niko Kovacs (P), Julian Spear Chief-Morris
Key departures: Danhue Lawrence (G), Randy Davis (G), Abner Kamps (P)
LETHBRIDGE, AB – Of the 10 new faces the ‘Horns added this season, seven of them are coming off season’s where their respective teams finished among the tops in their leagues. Four of those recruits travel across the Old Man River from the Lethbridge College, where the Kodiaks lost in the both the ACAC and the CCAC final.
Highlighting the Kodiaks transfer to the University is CCAC All-Canadian Post Dominyc Coward. Coward, who is entering his third-year of eligibility also played one season with the Calgary Dinos and will be looked to for a big presence in the post along with the ‘Horns senior statesman Derek Waldner and second-year Pronghorn Niko Kovacs. True freshman Tyson McIntyre, coming off a Provincial Championship with the highly success Raymond Comets will also be in the mix among ‘Horns forwards.
The back court for the ‘Horns has been entirely revamped; gone are the Horns two leading scorers from last season in Danhue Lawrence and Randy Davis, but a quartet of newcomers are expected to fill the void.
Along with Coward’s teammates from last season, Logan Reiter and Morgan Duce, two junior College transfers from California join the fold. A true point guard, Daryl Cooper comes off a California State Championship with the City College of San Francisco and Alex Fletcher from Fresno City College will give the ’Horns a threat from the outside.
MANITOBA BISONS
2010-11 conference record: 9-15 (8th)
2011 playoffs: 0-2
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: 1976
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #10
Key additions: Stephan Walton, Kurtis Sansregret, Xavier Smith, Yigit Ozsayiner
Key returnees: Kevin Oliver, Richard Reimer, Jonar Huertas, Keith Omoerah
Key departures: Eric Garcia, Josh Ogden, Sean Maxwell
WINNIPEG – After snapping a seven-year drought of not playing in the playoffs by qualifying last season, the Manitoba Bisons look to build on that success and prove that the leap to the post-season was not a one-year burst with a young team under third-year head coach Kirby Schepp.
There are six newcomers out of the 15-player roster, with no fifth-year players and only four players in their fourth.
Manitoba lost its top three scorers from last season to graduation and now must rely on new co-captain fourth-year forward Kevin Oliver (10.6 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game last season), fourth-year forward Richard Reimer (9.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg), fourth-year guard Jonar Huertas (8.9 ppg) and second-year guard Keith Omoerah (6.1 ppg) to continue their growth from last season. The team is poised to utilize its strength with speed and athletic ability by playing a fast, up-tempo game. A major difference for this season’s edition is the depth at numerous positions that will assist in running a deeper rotation throughout the season.
The Bisons have also added firepower in new recruits starting with co-captain guard Stephan Walton coming from Valdosta State and has been directing the offence during the 2011 pre-season along with guard Kurtis Sansregret from Red River College, guard Xavier Smith from Brandon University and power forward Yigit Ozsayiner travelling over from Turkey.
REGINA COUGARS
2010-11 conference record: 14-10 (6th)
2011 playoffs: 0-2
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #11
Key additions: F Gradyn Childerhose, G Ryan Schmidt
Key returnees: F Paul Gareau, G Sterling Nostedt
Key departures: F Marek Downarowicz, P Kris Heshka, G Jeff Lukomski
REGINA – Regina loses three starting players from its 2010-11 squad that finished sixth place in the Canada West standings and look for several returning players to step into new roles to fill those minutes and help solidify their standing in newly formed East Division.
Leading the group of returning players is fourth-year forward Paul Gareau, who returned last year following a two-season absence and finished sixth in the conference with an average of 18.7 points per game. Guard Sterling Nostedt started eight games last year and averaged just under 20 minutes played per game, but will be counted upon to be a big part of the team’s perimeter offence as a full-time starter this season.
Three other returning players will all be seeing major increases in floor time this season including third-year post Connor Burns, who recorded double-doubles in four of the team’s five non-conference games this season. Fourth-year guard Addison Docherty and second-year guard Brendan Hebert are expected to join Burns in transitioning to starting roles.
Second-year players Matt Campbell and Jared Janotta – who is also a slotback for the U of R’s football team – should both get significant minutes off the bench. Rookie guard Ryan Schmidt (Centennial Collegiate) led all newcomers in playing time through the non-conference schedule, with transfer forward Gradyn Childerhose (Briercrest College) not far behind. Rookie forward Jeremy Zver (Balfour Collegiate) and transfer guard Kenroy Jones (Chattahoochee Technical College) have also been used off the bench by head coach James Hillis.
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
2010-11 conference record: 20-4 (3rd)
2011 playoffs: 4-3 (CW silver)
Last CW title: 2010
Last CIS title: 2010
CIS ranking: #3
CW ranking: #1
Key additions: Peter Lomuro, Matt Forbes, Nick Foth
Key returnees: Nolan Brudehl, Michael Lieffers, Jamelle Barrett
Key departures: Rejean Chabot, Trevor Nerdahl
SASKATOON – After a second place finish in the Canada West and a fourth place finish in the CIS, the Saskatchewan Huskies look to get back on top this season.
The Huskies have only lost one starter in guard Rejean Chabot. Returning to the starting line up are fifth-year forward Michael Lieffers, fourth-year forward Nolan Brudehl and fourth-year guard Jamelle Barrett, reigning Canada West MVP and CIS First Team All-Canadian, and fifth-year shooting guard Duncan Jones. Lieffers was a member of the Canadian Universiade basketball team that travelled to Shenzhen, China this summer and brought home a silver medal. Lieffers was ranked first in the Canada West last season in field goal percentage at .657. Brudehl started all games in 2010-11 and was ranked in the top 10 in the conference in both field goal percentage (.545) and rebounding (8.4). Barrett was ranked first in steals (73), scoring (25.5 points per game) and assists (231) in the Canada West.
Also coming back to the Huskies are fifth-year forward Chris Unsworth, fourth-year Patrick Burns and second-year guards Ben Baker and Andrew Henry.
New recruits include Nick Foth, touted as “the best guard in the province”, Matt Forbes, a 6’6 forward, and Canada West veteran Peter Lomuro who last played with the Winnipeg Wesmen in 2009.
Barry Rawlyk was named the official head coach of the Huskies for the 2011-12 season. Last year, he spent as the interim head coach of the program filling in for former coach Greg Jockims.
THOMPSON RIVERS WOLFPACK
2010-11 conference record: 4-20 (13th, missed
playoffs)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #12
Key additions: Justin King (forward), Akeem Pierre (guard), Will Ondrik (forward)
Key returnees: Chas Kok (forward), Kevin Pribilsky (guard), Brett Rouault (guard), Brett Parker (guard)
Key departure: Greg Stewart (post)
KAMLOOPS, BC –Scott Clark enters his second year at the helm of the Thompson Rivers WolfPack with only four returnees who helped set school records for the most wins in a season since the ‘Pack entered Canada West play six years ago.
Chas Kok and Kevin Pribilsky, Brett Parker and Brett Rouault are the key members returning. All were major contributors last season. In fact, Pribilsky and Kok led the Canada West in minutes played last season.
Justin King was the MVP of the NAACC last year with Skagit Valley Community College. Clark has also recruited heavily from the BC high school ranks with an eye to establishing a long term program which has the cornerstones of hard work, good grades and developing the best student/athletes they can.
High school recruits coming in to help turn the WolfPack program around include Mike Zayas, Zac Usherwood, Will Ondrik, Derek Wolf and Richard Bos.
Another player expected to be a leader is Akeem Pierre, who sat out last year after playing two seasons at UBC. He is a grad of the highly touted R.C.Palmer high school program.
http://www.tru.ca/athletics.html
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS
2010-11 conference record: 21-3 (2nd)
2011 playoffs: 3-2 (CW bronze)
2011 CIS: 2-1 (silver)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: #8
CW ranking: #6
Key additions: wing Sean Peter, guard Justin Bakuteka, forward Taylor Heinrichs
Key returnees: guard Calvin Westbrook, forward Kyle Coston, guard Tristan Smith
Key departures: Jacob Doerksen, Tyrell Mara
LANGLEY, BC – The Trinity Western Spartans enter the season after having the most successful year in the program’s history, a CIS silver medal, but has seen the departure of seven players from last year’s squad, including Jacob Doerksen and Tyrell Mara.
The new-look Spartans have 10 players returning from last year’s squad, but only four players of which saw significant minutes at last year’s national championship, and will look to five new faces to blend quickly in order to have success in the wide-open season.
Returning to lead the way for the Spartans will be 6-8 fifth-year forward and 2011 CIS tournament all-star Kyle Coston (11 points, 5.3 rebounds per game), 6-5 fifth-year shooting guard Calvin Westbrook (13.8 ppg), 5-11 point fourth-year point guard Tristan Smith (10.3 ppg) and 6-5 second-year guard Eli Mara (3.4 ppg).
The new additions to the squad, who will hope to have an immediate impact, are 6-6 fifth-year wing and University of Ottawa transfer Sean Peter, 6-0 second-year guard and Lakeland College transfer Justin Bakuteka, 6-7 first-year wing Taylor Heinrichs and returning from injury 6-6 third-year forward Niko Monachini.
VICTORIA VIKES
2010-11 conference record: 16-8 (5th)
2011 playoffs: 1-2
Last CW title: 2006
Last CIS title: 1997
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #5
Key additions: G Michael Acheampong, G Vijay Dhillon, G Reiner Theil, G John Woldu
Key returnees: G Ryan MacKinnon, G Zac Andrus, F Mike Berg
Key departures: G Jeff Cullen, G Jeff Spoor, G/F Marco Dolcetti, F Wendall Thomas
VICTORIA, BC – The UVic Vikes hope a strong contingent of returning players and a great group of transfers and recruits will translate into a trip to Halifax for the CIS Final 8 National Championships in March.
Key returnees to the Vikes are guards Ryan MacKinnon, Zac Andrus and Reese Pribilsky, and forwards Mike Berg and Pierce Anderson. MacKinnon averaged 16.6 points per game in 2010-11and led the team with 60 steals and 64 assists and has the ingredients to be a conference all-star and CIS All-Canadian with a strong two-way game.
Recruits Vijay Dhillon and Reiner Theil add great depth, with both players leading their respective high school squads to the B.C. Provincial championship final last spring and impressing in preseason. Dominic Ohl and Sean Patrick will also compete for playing time in their rookie season.
Humber College transfer guard Michael Acheampong was the OCAA tournament MVP guiding his Hawks to the Ontario provincial college championship and he adds great outside shooting and speed, while former Windsor Lancers guard John Woldu adds depth at both ends of the floor along with valuable CIS experience.
Forward-guard combo Terrell Evans could be the X-Factor and is expected to start for UVic. Ameet (Andy) Kaila and Ryan Erikson are transfers who provide excellent additional forward options for coach Craig Beaucamp. Returning forward Chris McLaughlin will also see more playing time this season at the No. 5 spot.
WINNIPEG WESMEN
2010-11 conference record: 6-18 (11th, missed playoffs)
Last CW title: N/A
Last CIS title: N/A
CIS ranking: N/A
CW ranking: #9
Key additions: Eric Zimmerman, James Horaska, Mark McNee, Dominique Brown, Andrew Cunningham
Key returnees: Kelvin Smith, Benny Iko, Craig Sharpe, Brayden Duff, Pawel Gacon
Key departures: Nick Lother, Lynden Drayton-Barrow
WINNIPEG – Entering his second season at the helm of the Wesmen, head coach Mike Raimbault is looking to improve on last season.
The team will feature six players from the 2010-2011 season. After a successful rookie season forward Kelvin Smith will look for better things in his second season. Smith finished third in team scoring with 12.0 ppg. Benny Iko (4th year) was a force last season leading the Wesmen in rebounds with 6.6 rpg while scoring 10 points per game. Third year forward Brayden Duff, one of the hardest workers on the team was second in rebounds on the team (5.5 rpg) and he will be looked upon to provide leadership on and off the court this season. Pawel Gacon (3rd year) has two years under his belt and he will be expected to provide scoring and rebounding with increased playing time. The team features a pair of fifth year players in guard Craig Sharpe and forward Joshua Stolar. Both players will look to make an impact in their final seasons. Guard Nolan Gooding another player expected to have a big year suffered an injury last season and will miss the entire season. The team did lose point guard Nick Lother but did pick up a pair of players with previous CIS experience. After a year off, Eric Zimmerman (4th year) and James Horaska (5th year) return to the Wesmen with high expectations heading into the season.
Coach Raimbault was successful in recruiting four players, all of which have previous playing experience at Junior Colleges/Universities. Mark McNee and Dominique Brown (3rd Years) join the Wesmen after playing at Lakelands College. Point guard Andrew Cunningham (3rd Year) last played at Redlands College (Oklahoma, USA). Sharp shooting guard Travis Krahn from Winkler, Man. joins the team after playing one season with Briercrest College.
About Canada West Universities Athletic
Association
Canada West is consistently the most decorated of the four
conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), winning at
least 10 CIS national titles every year, 1997 to 2010. Comprised of
16 schools from the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
and British Columbia, Canada West produces numerous major award
winners and Academic All-Canadian student-athletes each year, with
many going on to athletic success around the globe in pro leagues
or events such as the Olympics, Paralympics or Universiade Games.
“cwuaa” on Twitter. www.canadawest.org / www.canadawest.tv
