The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Not too many players can say they have a 50-point game logged on their résumé as a college player. Van Hutchinson Jr is one who can boast of this feat.

On Saturday night, Hutchinson pumped in a career high 56 points, shooting 21-for-38 from the field, 2-for-7 from behind the three-point arc and 12-for-21 from the free throw line. He also pulled down 13 rebounds, stole five balls, dished out four assists and blocked a pair of shots.

His performance in playing the full game came as the No.4 ranked Niagara College Knights suffered their first loss in six games - 108-101 to St Clair Saints in a OCAA West divisional match-up on Saturday night.

It was the second of a double header for the Knights, who shined on Friday night with a 100-93 triumph over the Lambton Lions as Hutchinson Jr scored 25 points with 10 assists, nine rebounds and four steals.

For his efforts, Hutchinson Jr was named the OCAA Player of the Week as he came up shy of posting his second triple-double, but earned his fifth and sixth double-double scoring-rebounding feat. It was an achievement that had Niagara College head coach Phil Mosley singing the praises of his third year guard. “Tonight we witnessed an amazing performance by the most dynamic player in the league,” said Mosley after the 56-point performance. “I know he would have traded those personal stats for a win, but he was a warrior and should be commended on his performance.”

Hutchinson Jr, 24, was more than elated, although he indicated that it was something that he envisioned was bound to happen sooner or later.

“It was a very good experience. I had one of those nights,” said Hutchinson Jr, who was a proven scorer from his high school days here at HO Nash, CR Walker, Westminster College and Noble Preparatory before he headed to Canada.

“I had everything going for me. The team was feeding me so I just ride the wave out. That was the outcome.”

Once he surpassed the historic 50-point mark, Hutchinson Jr said he felt his game was complete. “This year I set some personal goals for myself and prior to that game, me and my dad had a talk and he told me I am not going to get 50 points on making free throws and leaving points on the floor,” he said.

“I had no intentions of just going out there and getting 50, but it was the moment and the time that my team needed me the most. I had a great night. Everything was dropping. That was the outcome.”

Hutchinson Jr, who previously had a career high of 40 points, said it just goes to show that once you put your mind to it, you can achieve it.

Proud father Van Hutchinson Sr said he and his 6-foot, 4-inch son talked about it and he is pleased that he finally achieved it. “I’m still in awe. I’m still in awe,” he echoed. “All of my friends are amazed too. I mean, I expected it, We talked about it. He told me that they have some posters in the rafters at school and he wants to put his own up there too.

“He told me he will have a 50-point game and place his legacy up in the rafters too. So said, so done. He’s now on a mission and that is to take his team to the championship.

“Anything is possible for him. Once he puts his mind to it, he will give it his best shot. I am so proud of him.”

As a standout at St Gregory College from 1988-89, Hutchinson Sr came close to scoring the half century digit with 44.

“He already surpassed the old man,” Hutchinson Sr said. “I never won an overall championship, but I won a conference championship. So I have that edge on him. He has to surpass that. But I am expecting some great things from him.”

The Knights will return to action this weekend on their four-game road trip as they take on Saulty College in Sault Ste Marie on Friday and Saturday. They will be back home on November 30 to host Fanshawe Falcons at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre.

“We are playing pretty good. We are not at our full potential yet,” Hutchinson stated. “It’s a pretty young team, but we have some adjustments to make.

“I feel pretty good about the team. We’re looking pretty good. We just need to stay healthy.”

Hutchinson Jr is playing alongside a couple of Bahamians, including Livingstone Bromwell, who came off the bench with eight points in Saturday’s loss, Kevin Cooper, who scored four in his starting role, and Stefon Augustus, who didn’t play.

“It’s going good. We’re going to be a force to reckon with,” stated Hutchinson Jr of their season so far. “Coaches down here know that as long as you have two or more Bahamians on the team, they have to scout us because we are going to be a force to reckon with.”

Last year, the Knights finished third in their conference, but got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Hutchinson Jr said the goal is to improve on that this year.

“We just don’t want to finish out strong and make the playoffs, but the goal is to make the playoffs and finish off strong in the playoffs,” he said.

“I’m healthy, my coach gave me the green light and my team is with me, so we will see how it goes.”