No. 1 Men's Basketball clinches division with road win

By: Thiago Neuenschwander
Humber Athletics Communications

ANCASTER - Top-ranked Humber men's basketball showed no mercy against the Redeemer Royals on Friday night, confirming their favouritism to claim the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Division title. In an inspired performance, the navy and gold delivered a resounding 102-72 defeat to the home team, which had no answers to Humber's best game plan. The result secured head coach Omar Miles his second division title in four seasons at the helm. With home-court advantage secured, the Hawks will aim for their third provincial championship under their leader's guidance.

Game Recap

The team arrived in Ancaster, still riding the momentum of Malik Grant's incredible performance against the Condors in the previous game, where he scored 42 points and set his personal record. The Hawks played freely and didn't need much effort to start pulling away on the scoreboard. 

Grant had another solid performance (18 pts, 9R), but the night's star was point guard Jalen Menzies, who scored 24 points and led the team's offensive charge. By halftime, the Hawks were already up 56-38.

With the game in control, coach Miles had the opportunity to rotate his squad, and his players did not disappoint in showcasing their potential. Alongside Menzies and Grant, who regularly lead the team on the court, several others stood out, including point guards Kwabena Antwi (12 pts, 7A) and Isaiah Brady-Clarke (16 pts), as well as shooting guard Dwayne Burke (8 pts, 5R). 

A true team effort paid off. At the final buzzer, the men's squad matched the women's team's feat from the opening game, closing the match with a commanding 30-point margin. With a flawless road campaign, the Hawks now return home, looking to finish the season undefeated while already setting their sights on the playoffs.

Humber Highlights

• Humber has not lost a regular-season game since January 20, 2024.
• The Hawks lead the OCAA in rebounds, averaging 46.3 per game.
• Humber holds the lowest opponent field goal percentage in the OCAA, allowing just 35.1% shooting.
• Coach Omar Miles holds an overall record of 42-10 (.807).

What's Next?

With the division title secured, the Hawks now conclude the season with a two-game homestand. Kicking it off will the Canadore Panthers (2-13, 10th West) on Feb. 2 at the North Campus Gym. Tip-off is is set for 1 p.m., and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.