OTTAWA - The Mohawk Mountaineers are the Ontario Colleges
Athletic Association (OCAA) men's basketball champions for the
first time since 1972, defeating three-time defending champion
Humber 89-86 in the tournament finale.
The 2012 OCAA Men's Basketball Championship was hosted by
Algonquin College in Ottawa.
All-Canadian Aminu Bello (Hamilton, Ont.) was
named Mohawk's player of the game, scoring 33 points, including a
running jumper with 17 seconds remaining to seal the victory. He
was also named a tournament all-star.
"I saw a clear lane and I wanted to put enough arc on the ball. I
guess it was a floating jumper," said Bello about his winning
shot.
Teammate Manny Campbell (Burlington, Ont.) was
named most valuable player in the championship. Campbell said he
was surprised by the honour.
"I didn't expect it," said Campbell. "I wasn't playing for myself.
Everyone worked hard."
The Mountaineers have won seven straight games, including three in
the regular season, one in the OCAA playoff qualifying round and
another three at the championship. Mohawk defeated OCAA East
regular season champion Centennial 73-69 in the quarter-finals,
then upstart Georgian 96-61 in the semis to secure its first OCAA
medal since 1999 when it was awarded bronze.
"I couldn't be prouder of this group," said Mohawk head coach
Brian Jonker. "They work hard every day. They
listen, they show up to practice and they go to classes."
Mohawk opened the 2011-12 regular season with a 96-68 loss at
Humber, but avenged this defeat with an 87-86 win at home over the
Hawks in the regular season finale before the all important rubber
game on Saturday.
Mohawk goes on to represent the OCAA at the CCAA Men's Basketball
National Championship, taking place in Truro, N.S. from March
15-17.
Humber has won four straight medals at the OCAA tournament with
its silver at Algonquin. Second-year guard Mark
Perrin (Toronto) was named player of the game for Humber
for his 33-point effort.
Along with Perrin and Bello, Shane Rowe of
Georgian, Dele Oworu of Algoma and Boyd
Vassell of Fanshawe were named tournament all-stars.
OCAA West region teams completed a podium sweep as Fanshawe won
its second consecutive bronze medal, and fifth medal in six
seasons. Fanshawe defeated divisional rival Algoma 92-63 in the
bronze medal game.
Andy Campbell was named Fanshawe's player of
the game, scoring a game-high 21 points. Jonathan
Gordon was named player of the game for Algoma,
contributing seven points and three rebounds.
It was the rubber match between these teams as well, having split
their two-game regular season series. Fanshawe finished fifth in
the West with a 12-6 record, one game behind Algoma and Mohawk
(13-5).
Fanshawe lost its quarter-final game 67-58 to OCAA West regular
season champion Humber before winning three straight, including two
games played on Saturday. The Falcons defeated Algonquin 66-57 on
Friday and Georgian 97-64 on Saturday morning.
The new "back door" bronze format rewarded Fanshawe, as the
Falcons would have been eliminated from previous tournaments
following a quarter-final loss. Previously, losing teams in the
semi-finals would compete for the bronze medal. The new format,
introduced this season, allowed losing teams in the quarter-finals
to compete for bronze.
For complete tournament results, please visit the championship website.
With files from Mohawk College
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized
leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to
student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members
sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.
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