The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) 20th edition of Basketball All-Star Saturday took place at Durham College on Saturday, January 20th. The event opened with the co-ed 2-ball team competition which was captured by the duo of Igor Trbojevic and Melissa Zwolak from Mohawk College. The Spalding 3-point shootout champions for 2007 were Andrew Turgeon of the Algoma Thunderbirds and Jeralyn Espirtitu of the Sheridan Bruins with the buzzer beater.

The women's East All-Stars (team Bonnie Bacvar) dominated the west all-stars (team Earl Begg) 79-64 to open the all-star action. The East was led by player of the game Sara Maybee from Algonquin College (Ottawa) with 10 points, 1 assist, and 4 steals. Durham's own Samantha McConnell played with remarkable confidence adding 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. The Seneca trio of Natasha Thombs, Ashley Docking, and Heather Elchuk were a deadly offensive threat combining for 24 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 steals. For the West All-Stars, OCAA leading scorer Danielle D'Ettorre from Algoma College (Sault St. Marie) proved she was the best player in the province with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, and 3 steals; she was also named player of the game. Algoma teammate Lara Stilin added 12 points, and Humber's power forward Kristina Harse chipped in with 10 points.

The men's game was one for the ages as the East All-Stars pulled off a tight 82-78 action packed, back and forth victory. It was a tied 38-38 game at the half but the West managed to pull away 62-51 with eight minutes to go. The East turned it around with great defensive rebounding and a few quick fast breaks baskets to tie the game at 62. East player of the game Odane Harding from Centennial College (Scarborough) had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Durham's Anthony Batchelor started the game for the East and finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Other offensive leaders included Ahamed Eman from Algonquin College with 13 points and Brad Mickle from Loyalist College with 12 points. For the West All-Stars, it was another Algoma earning the player of the game as Pat Murray dropped 11 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and was 3 of 4 behind the arc. Fanshawe Falcons duo Omar Sybbliss and Pat Sewell combined for 22 points and Dwight Taylor from the Sheridan Bruins (Oakville) chipped in 11 points.

All in all, it was an OCAA Basketball All-Star Saturday success that everyone sat back and enjoyed the stellar performances by the top male and female across the province.

"Rif the Saint" from St. Clair College in Windsor was also in attendance and out danced Lord Durham (Durham College) and Freddy the Falcon (Fanshawe College) to be crowned the 2007 OCAA Best Mascot. "Rif" opened his act handing out roses to all the ladies in the crowd followed by some hot dance steps that had the entire crowd dancing along.

2007 OCAA Basketball All-Star Saturday Summary of Events:

Men's Game : East 82 vs. West 78
East player of the game: Odane Harding, Centennial Colts
West player of the game: Pat Murray, Algoma Thunderbirds

Women¹s Game: East 79 vs. West 64
East player of the game: Sara Maybee, Algonquin Thunder
West player of the game: Danielle D¹Ettore, Algoma Thunderbirds

Spalding 3-point shootout:
Men's Champion: Andrew Turgeon, Algoma Thunderbirds
Women¹s Champion: Jeralyn Espirtitu, Sheridan Bruins

Co-Ed 2-Ball Champions:
Mohawk College ­ Igor Trbojevic and Melissa Zwolak, Mohawk Mountaineers

Best Mascot:
Rif the Saint, St. Clair College

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Angela Cull
Sports Information & Marketing Officer
Durham College/UOIT Department of Athletics
T: 905.721.3111 ext 2784
F: 905.721.3117
www.durhamlords.com