HAWKS SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES, EXTEND WIN STREAK TO EIGHT
UPDATE: The Women's Basketball Team swept this weekend's double-header against Sault, improving to 12-1 on the year and extending their win streak to eight games. The Hawks controlled both games from the get go, winning 63-21 on Saturday night and 72-33 on Sunday afternoon. The pair of victories move Humber just a game back of Mohawk for top spot in the Western Division with a game in hand.
Next up for the Hawks are a pair of weekend home dates; they will play host to St. Clair on Saturday, January 31st and Lambton on Sunday, February 1st.
WINNERS OF SIX STRAIGHT, HAWKS LOOK TO KEEP ROLLING IN SAULT
Over their past six games, all wins, the Women's Basketball Team have outscored opponents by 115 points while holding them to under fifty-five a night. The Hawks will look to continue their surge this weekend when they travel to Sault Ste. Marie for a doubleheader with the Cougars on Saturday and Sunday.
Humber has been among Ontario's strongest defensive outfits all year, with opposing teams shooting just 30.9 percent from the field (third lowest in the OCAA) and 20.9 percent from beyond the arc (fourth lowest). The Hawks combine their ability to force the opposition into tough, contested shots with a group of interior players that lead the province in rebounding margin by more than four per game (plus-14.0). The trio of Llyandra Kerr, Jill Semple and Aleena Domingo are totalling twenty-three boards a night, and the dominance on the glass has come largely without Atissa Cronk, one of the team's strongest presences in the paint. The Hawks also rank among the provinces best protecting the rim, averaging over three blocks a night and rarely allowing easy looks inside. Humber's elite numbers across the board on the defensive end highlight to a cohesive unit that works together and whose breakdowns are few and far between.
On the other side of the ball, it has been Natalie Hagopian and Ceejay Nofuente leading the way as of late. Hagopian has been deadly from long distance as a floor spacer, hitting six triples in two games since the season's midway point and averaging 15.5 points per game over that time. Nofuente, named Athlete of the Week just before the break, is averaging over twelve a game while leading the team in assists (5.8) and steals (2.7). Her ability to get the Hawks into their sets and beat pressure have been crucial parts of an offense that has averaged the fourth most points in Ontario (74.3) and leads the OCAA in assists by nearly four per game, at 22.2.
The Western Division's top three teams, Humber, Mohawk and Fanshawe, have clearly differentiated themselves from the pack. Just two game separate first from third, and come playoff time seeding will be crucial in the path to a provincial title. As the blue and gold hit a softer portion of their schedule before match-ups with Sheridan and Mohawk later in the year, taking care of business will be key over this stretch.
Opening tip is set for 6pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday, stay tuned to @HumberHawks for updates throughout the games.
For full standings, schedules, stats and more please visit http://ocaa.com/sports/wbkb/2014-15/standings-include.
