Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

The Mohawk Mountaineers advance in an opening-round thriller

Mohawk Mountaineers 88,  Keyano Huskies 84

Nationals kicked off in spectacular fashion with a quarterfinal matchup between the ACAC champion Keyano Huskies and the OCAA wildcard Mohawk Mountaineers.

Mohawk entered as the OCAA’s wildcard, having lost to the Humber Hawks in the OCAA’s gold medal game. Conversely, Keyano enters with an ACAC gold medal in tow, having recently concluded an epic playoff run which saw them topple the top-ranked SAIT Trojans in the semifinals.

Mohawk coach Jamie Girolametto emphasized the importance of slowing down Keyano’s efficient offense, opting not to institute a proper full-court press, but to “extend [our] man defense into the full court.”

The first quarter showed just how evenly matched these two teams are. Though Keyano held the lead for lengthy stretches, the Mountaineers were always close.

A three-pointer from graduating forward Keenan Miller got the Keyano lead up to four, but that’s as large as it would get. A late floater from fourth-year forward Marko Dosen gave the Mountaineers a one-point lead going into the second quarter.

The early second quarter was more of the same as neither team could pull away. Eventually, the Huskies found their shooting form and got the lead up to seven with a side-step three from graduating guard Tafari Carefoote-Jones, sending Keyano’s already thunderous bench into a frenzy.

Mohawk refused to be outdone and began a 9-2 run punctuated with an and-one layup from Kazim Raza. Those would be the last points of the half, however, as both teams went into halftime deadlocked at 45.

In the third quarter, the pendulum swung hard for Mohawk. After an early runner from Keenan Miller, the Mountaineers scored seven straight points and flexed their newfound control of the game. Though the Huskies would keep it close and take the lead on a Tafari Carefoote-Jones three, they would only see the lead one more time.

The Mountaineers got many chances from the free throw line and made them count. Iverson Chong and Kazim Raza caught fire in the fourth quarter, pitching in from all three levels. Though the Huskies nearly mounted a legendary comeback, their past fouls were too great to overcome as the Mountaineers escaped the quarterfinals by the skin of their teeth.

Kazim Raza led all scorers with 25 points and was named Mohawk’s 4Imprint player of the game. Iverson Chong added 24 points on 64% shooting, while Paul Omofoma added two blocks off the bench.

Keyano’s leading scorer was Keenan Miller with 17 points. Evan Meyer wasn’t too far behind, finishing with 14 points while converting all his field goal attempts and being named Keyano’s 4Imprint player of the game.

The Mountaineers advance to the national semifinals tomorrow evening at 6 pm (Pacific) against Jean-de-Brébeuf. The Huskies pivot to the bronze side of the bracket and will play the Camosun Chargers at 1 pm.

Ole, Ole, Ole - Two overtimes later, RSEQ champion Brébeuf survives an instant classic

Dynamiques de Brébeuf 89 (2OT), Camosun Chargers 73

The energy from the traveling fans was palpable even before the opening tip. The cowbells of the Camosun faithful were countered by the wooden ratcheting of the Brebeuf supporters.

Offense was hard to come by for both teams in the first quarter. Brebeuf could only muster a single point, though they were able to contain most of Camosun’s chances.

In the second quarter, the Chargers really got down to business. Julius Ferguson gave Brebeuf their first lead, but it wouldn’t last long. The Chargers began an 11-0 run, capped off with an and-one layup from David Finch.

Even as Brebeuf found form, the Chargers still maintained a sizable lead. From there, Michael Chmeliewski showed his coaching chops and made crucial adjustments.

Slowly, the lead began to crumble.

Julius Ferguson jumper.

Malek Alphonse three-pointer.

Mael Coutou runner.

Three straight points from Malek Alphonse.

Samuel Desrochers dunk.

After an incredible rally (and an earth-shaking slam dunk from Julius Ferguson), a 30-27 halftime lead was Brebeuf’s to cherish.

The two teams traded threes to open the third quarter, but a straightaway three from Cole Belton and a pair of free throws from Tyler Synesael tied the game. Camosun held serve deep into the fourth quarter, always just out of arm’s reach of Brebeuf.

The Dynamiques slowly chipped away, just as they had all game long. Untimely fouls prevented Brébeuf from gaining any traction for long stretches.

However, foul trouble was a two-way street tonight. The Dynamiques took a two-point lead after a jumpshot from Samuel Desrochers, but Maël Coutou fouled Thomas Beames on Camosun’s last possession.

Beames makes no mistake: Tie game, and we’re off to overtime. 

In overtime, Camosun took an early lead following a three and subsequent free throw from Cole Belton, but Samuel Desrochers responded in kind to tie the game.

The game trudged into its second overtime.

Thomas Beames opened the second overtime with a driving layup, but Julius Ferguson responded with an and-one layup. Those three points were the first of twelve straight for Brébeuf as they took the lead and hit the gas. With David Finch and Tyler Synesael both fouled out, the Chargers were left without an answer as the Dynamiques outlasted them in a thriller.

Julius Ferguson led all scorers with 25 points, including two electrifying dunks, adding 11 rebounds for a double-double and showing why he’s one of the nation’s top point forwards. Malek Alphonse was named Brebeuf’s 4Imprint player of the game, posting a 16-11 double-double off the bench.

Camosun’s 4Imprint player of the game, Cole Belton, scored 14 points. His wingman, Cormick Brown, dropped 20. David Finch, despite being held to just four points, grabbed 10 rebounds despite fouling out early in the second overtime.

The Dynamiques advance to the semifinals, where they will face the Mohawk Mountaineers at 6 pm (Pacific). The Chargers move to the bronze bracket and will play the Keyano Huskies tomorrow afternoon at 1 pm. 

Kod(i)ak Moment - The host VIU Mariners win a gritty quarterfinal matchup

VIU Mariners 75, Lethbridge Kodiaks 63

The VIU Mariners, two weeks removed from a buzzer-beater to win the PACWEST title, got their first crack at hosting nationals and fans celebrated by coming out in droves, brandishing masks of their favorite players. Even before the opening tip, the VIU gymnasium was loud enough to register on the Richter scale.

Lethbridge quickly showed that they weren’t a team to be taken lightly, as Marley Kenion scored the game’s first points on a floater. Two quick baskets from Keyonte Beals gave the Mariners a three-point lead, and an Ekman Sohal bank shot got it as high as five, but the Kodiaks took the lead right back on a pair of threes from Rhett Lewis and Nathaniel Hosannah.

The teams continued to trade blows amidst a cavalcade of turnovers and fouls, only remaining tied thanks to a Levi Van Egdom corner three in the waning seconds of the first period.

The battle continued deep into the second quarter, but after another basket from Marley Kenion, the Mariners wouldn’t see the lead for the rest of the half. Randall Mongard and Levi Balderson scored 10 points each in the half, and a late layup from Nathaniel Hosannah put the Kodiaks up by four going into halftime.

Lethbridge continued to flex their muscle in the third quarter, but after a jump shot from Winston Cole, the Kodiaks would never lead again. VIU ended the quarter on a 22-13 run.

The fourth quarter saw the Mariners continue to assert themselves as a team to be feared. The Kodiaks got the lead down to five with a putback from Jackson Wright, but a Winston Cole and-one layup sent the VIU Gymnasium into hysteria. Even though he missed the free throw, Markus Modrovic compensated by getting fouled twice within the minute, converting three of a possible four free throws.

From there, the Mariner lead continued to grow. Despite the best efforts of Ryan Heggie’s team, the Mariners cruised to a 75-63 victory.

Keyonte Beals led all scorers with 24 points and was named VIU’s 4Imprint player of the game. He also added seven steals and five assists.

Nathaniel Hosannah received the 4Imprint Player of the Game honour for the Kodiaks, posting an 11-11 double-double. Levi Balderson led the team with 16 points while Randall Mongard and Marley Kenion combined for 25 points.

The Mariners advance to the national semifinals and will face the Humber Hawks at 8 pm (Pacific). The Kodiaks will look for redemption in the bronze bracket tomorrow afternoon at 3 pm against the St. Thomas Tommies.

Tommies Hawked - Hawks survive St. Thomas rally, advance to semifinals

Humber Hawks 82, St. Thomas Tommies 78

Despite Humber’s status as the reigning champions of both the OCAA and the country at large, coach Omar Miles hasn’t let his players grow complacent.

He treats it as a new season fit for only the hardest working teams in the country, which both teams showed in their conference title games. “It’s a special opportunity,” he added.

Both teams showed they had the muscle to compete at the highest level in the first quarter, but the Hawks quickly demonstrated their championship pedigree.

That talent was put on full display in the first quarter, going on a 12-0 run before the five-minute mark. St. Thomas, while able to stop Humber’s scoring opportunities, found themselves stymied by the Hawks defense. The first quarter concluded with Humber up by 15.

The early second quarter was all Tommies. They got contributions from all around the lineup to get the lead down to as low as one point, but the Hawks were able to stave off a blown lead, at least temporarily, and go into halftime up by three.

St. Thomas continued the rally coming out of the half, taking the lead on a Vincent Lyttleton straightaway three. Not wanting to lose the lead they’d spent all game caring for, the Hawks battened down the hatches in the latter half of the quarter, though their once mighty lead dwindled to only one with one quarter left to play.

The Hawks kicked into high gear in the fourth quarter despite continued pressure from St. Thomas. St. Thomas’ epic comeback falls just short as the Hawks advance to the national semifinals.

The Hawks were led by Adrian Aluyi’s 16 points and seven rebounds. CCAA player of the year Malik Grant added 14, while Benny Kazadi added 13 points off the bench and was named Humber’s 4Imprint player of the game.

Vincent Lyttleton took home the 4Imprint Player of the game award for St. Thomas, scoring 22 points on 33% shooting. Jeven Eddy posted a 14-10 double-double, while Marcus Wilson and River Lanz combined for 27 points.

The Hawks continue their title defense on Thursday night where they will face the host VIU Mariners in a national semifinal at 8 pm. St. Thomas shifts their focus to the bronze bracket and will face Lethbridge at 3 pm. 

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