The 2017-18 OCAA women's basketball regular season has reached its unofficial halfway mark.
Here's a look at what transpired so far, and what to watch for in the new year.
STATE OF THE CHAMPIONS
The Humber Hawks have just completed their sixth straight undefeated half of a regular season, having not lost an OCAA sanctioned game since Nov. 8, 2014.
Humber's 69 straight victories in OCAA play is a new women's basketball record. The Hawks are nine wins away from a third straight undefeated regular season.
Humber's average margin of victory through its first 11 games is an impressive 55 points. It's closest margin of victory was 28 points in a 95-67 win over Fanshawe on Nov. 26. Can you say juggernaut?
THE UNDEFEATED
Humber is not the only undefeated team currently in the OCAA.
The George Brown Huskies have gotten off to a terrific start, running the table in their first nine games of the season. They currently have a two-game lead in the East Division over Seneca.
Despite playing their home games just 24 kilometres apart, there is no interdivisional play in OCAA. If Humber and George Brown remain undefeated in the second half, the earliest these teams can meet is the OCAA gold medal game on Mar. 4.
STATE OF THE HOST
One guarantee is the gold medal game will be on the home court of the Humber Hawks, no matter the combatants.
As host of the 2018 belairdirect OCAA Women's Basketball Championship, the Humber Hawks earn an automatic bye into the eight-team tournament, no matter their record at the end of the regular season.
Humber will look to become only the second program to four-peat in OCAA women's basketball, joining the 2010-11 to 2013-14 Algonquin Thunder.
MOST IMPROVED
The most improved team from last season, based on winning percentage, is the George Brown Huskies.
George Brown had a 6-11 record in 2016-17, having already surpassed its win total by three games. The Huskies are looking to complete a "near" worst to first finish (finishing next to last place last season).
The Huskies are one win away from their first double digit win total since going 10-8 in 2012-13.
JUST THE STATS
Fifth-year guard Jenni Thompson (Belleville) of Loyalist leads all OCAA players averaging 23.3 points per game.
Another fifth-year player, Humber point guard Ceejay Nofuente (Toronto), leads the OCAA with 221 points, 83 assists and 82 steals.
Conestoga first-year forward Jamila Beckford (Kitchener) leads all OCAA players with 140 rebounds and 21 blocks.
NEW POST-SEASON FORMAT
The OCAA is offering more post-season play in 2017-18, with the top seven teams in each division (not including the championship host) advancing to the crossover round.
Match-ups will be based on seeding, with the top seeds in each of the divisions squaring off against the bottom seeds in the opposite division. The second-best teams will take on the second-worst, and so on. The higher seed will host.
Here is a look at potential crossover match-ups:
UTM (3-6) at George Brown (9-0)
Algonquin (3-7) at Mohawk (10-1)
Redeemer (3-6) at Seneca (7-2)
Sheridan (4-5) at Durham (5-5)
Loyalist (3-5) at Fanshawe (9-2)
St. Clair (6-3) at St. Lawrence-K (4-4)
Centennial (4-4) at Niagara (6-4)
Championship Bye: Humber (11-0)
CURRENT PROVINCIAL RANKINGS
1. Humber Hawks (1st CCAA)
2. Mohawk Mountaineers (10th CCAA)
3. Fanshawe Falcons (14th CCAA)
4. George Brown Huskies
5. Seneca Sting
6. Niagara Knights
7. St. Clair Saints
8. Durham Lords
9. Sheridan Bruins
10. Redeemer Royals
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com