TORONTO - Twenty-one teams began the Ontario Colleges Athletic
Association (OCAA) men's basketball regular season with dreams of
winning a provincial championship. After 200 games, only a dozen
teams still have hopes of winning the OCAA title.
Of these 12, four are the lucky ones, having advanced straight to
the OCAA championship. They include East regional champion and
undefeated Algonquin College (20-0), West champion Mohawk College
(15-3), George Brown College (second best in the East with a 15-5
mark) and OCAA championship host and defending gold medalist
Sheridan College (15-3).
The fate of the remaining eight teams will be determined this
weekend in the OCAA qualifying round. Teams will play an opponent
from the opposite division based on seeding for the opportunity to
advance to provincials.
The elite eight will be on display at the OCAA Men's Basketball
Championship from Feb. 27-Mar. 1 at Sheridan College in Brampton,
Ont.
Lambton (7-11, 6th West) at Seneca (10-10, 3rd
East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 2 p.m.
Two teams with double digit loss totals will battle for a berth in
the OCAA quarter-finals.
Seneca has won three of its last five games to finish the regular
season at .500. First-year point guard Jamal Boyce
(Rexdale) is averaging 19.7 points per game for the Sting.
Third-year forward Mike Lucier (Forest) is
averaging 15.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for Lambton. The
Lions ended a four game losing skid with a pair of wins to conclude
the regular season.
The winner takes on the winner of the Georgian-Humber qualifying
game in the OCAA quarter-finals.
Fanshawe (11-7, 5th West) at Centennial (10-10, 4th
East)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 3 p.m.
Two teams starving for a victory will compete for a chance at
provincials.
Fanshawe has lost two straight after winning four in a row. The
Falcons are led offensively by second-year forward Chavaun
Miller-Bennett (London) and his 13.2 points per game
average.
Centennial has also lost two straight and four of its last five
contests. First-year forward Joseph Wani
(Scarborough) is averaging 17.4 points per game for the Colts.
The winner takes on Mohawk in the OCAA quarter-finals.
Durham (10-10, 5th East) at St. Clair (11-7, 4th
West)
Saturday, Feb. 22 - 5 p.m.
A timely three-game win streak helped propel the Durham Lords into
the OCAA qualifying round.
Veterans Ajahmo Clarke (Ajax) and Eric
Smith (Ajax) are both averaging over 20 points per game
for the Lords.
St. Clair has also won three straight entering the post-season.
Third-year guard Matei Nuna (Windsor) is averaging
12.5 points per game for the Saints.
The victor takes on undefeated Algonquin in the OCAA
quarter-finals.
Georgian (10-10, 6th East) at Humber (15-3, 2nd
West)
Sunday, Feb. 22 - 6 p.m.
Outside of Algonquin, Humber is the hottest team in the OCAA
entering the post-season unbeaten in its last 10 contests.
Third-year centre Greg Edelsward (Burlington) is
averaging 12.8 points per game to lead all Hawks.
Conversely, Georgian is coming off a victory after dropping three
straight. First-year forward Teq Zwarych (Whitby)
is averaging a double-double for the season at a clip of 15.8
points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
The victor takes on the winner of the Lambton-Seneca qualifier in
the quarter-finals.
- 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 29 members
sponsoring 11 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