HAWKS SOAR TO 2015 OCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

SCARBOROUGH: The Humber Hawks women's basketball team were crowned the 2015 OCAA Women's Basketball Champions on Saturday night, as they defeated a formidable Mohawk Mountaineers team by a score of 61-46.

Humber advanced to the gold medal game by way of their semi-final win over the 4-time defending champion Algonquin Thunder, while the Mountaineers knocked off the number three ranked team in country, the St. Lawrence Vikings.

The game, played in front of a packed house at Centennial College, started off fierce and did not let up throughout the entire game. In what was a ping-pong affair, the scoreboard indicated a three point lead for the Hamilton squad at the break.

Humber responded when the second half started and went on a run that saw them move out in front with every possession. As the third quarter ended, the Hawks were up 8 and seemed in full control.

They extended the lead to double figures, but then the scrappy Mountaineer squad battled back. Led by All Star Jen Jen Abela they cut the lead to seven and looked to be intent on tightening up the match even more. But, then the game changed in an instance. Jen Jen landed awkwardly on her damaged ankle and had to be carried off, and would not return.

It was at this point that Humber played its toughest defence of the night, not allowing Mohawk any opportunities to score early in the shot clock. As the clock ticked down, a win in double digits was assured.

As soon as the final horn sounded, mayhem took over. The Hawks team huddled to celebrate the win, and the coaches enjoyed their own huddle just feet away.

Mary Asare was named the Humber Player of the Game, and then took home the top award, as she was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Atissa Cronk and CJ Nufuente were named championship All Stars.

Humber will now head out to British Columbia in two weeks, to represent the OCAA at the CCAA National Championships.