HAWKS OPEN OCAA CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY VS. ST. LAWRENCE (K)
ETOBICOKE, ON: The Humber Hawks men's basketball team, defending CCAA National champions, start their quest for a return to the CCAA National tournament on home court this Friday afternoon in an OCAA quarter-final meeting with St. Lawrence – Kingston.
The game, which is being played on the hardwood at the Humber Athletic Centre, is slated for a 3:00 pm tip.
Humber, as the host, had known that they would be at the OCAA championships a year ago when the bid to host was accepted by the league. At 13-5, they have had a successful season, finishing third in the tough West Division and ranked in the CCAA National top ten rankings for much of the second semester.
St. Lawrence moved directly to the OCAA championships after the end of East Division regular season play, finishing second and avoiding the treacherous play-off crossover game. Their 13-7 record placed them in a three-way tie for the bye, but they advanced based on the complicated tie breaking system.
The two teams have not met this year in regular season or exhibition play, but have seen each other multiple times over the years. The basketball community within the OCAA playing and coaching ranks is tight and with every game being uploaded for viewing, familiarity will not be a problem.
Although they lost their last two regular season games, the Hawks coaching staff believes that the long rest and playing on home court gives them an advantage. The same amount of rest has been placed in the hands of the Vikings, but they too, lost their last two games leading into the play-offs.
Humber's Gibson Eduful has led the Hawks all year long, both offensively and defensively, leading the team in points per game average (14.6) and steals (48). With the return of the "big two" in Tyrone Dickson and Vule Grujic, he has been able to alter his game and has been just as effective. Dickson has been a force, averaging a double/double, and tossing in over three blocks a game on average.
Jaz Bains of the Vikings has been an offensive machine this year, placing second among all OCAA players with an average of 23.7 points per game. He is supported by Andrew Dawkins and Donald Gibson, who check in with marks of 16.4 and 12.77 ppg, respectively.
|
Team |
W |
L |
PF |
PA |
FG% |
3PT% |
FT% |
RB |
|
Humber |
13 |
5 |
80.9 |
69.33 |
43.2 |
28.8 |
63.9 |
46.9 |
|
St.L K |
13 |
7 |
75.2 |
69.35 |
41.1 |
32.8 |
68.4 |
42.7 |
"Home court has been a special place to play for our team over the years", said Hawks head coach Shawn Collins. "This year the fans have come out in droves, and we are counting on them to support us on this, the biggest basketball stage in the province".
A victory would catapult the Hawks to the semi-finals and a match-up with either Niagara or the first place Sheridan Bruins. A loss would drop them into the consolation bracket, with no chance at a provincial podium finish.
OCAA MBB Website:
http://humberhawks.ca/information/2016_OCAA_Mens_Basketball/index
Watch "LIVE":
https://www.youtube.com/user/hawksrock121/live
