The CIS Men’s basketball season official concluded its first half schedule as teams take their annual end of year break. Below are your top performers for the week Nov 28 – Dec 4th 2010.
#6 Jacob Doerksen – Trinity Western Spartans – CW
There’s nothing else to be said here. The Trinity Western Spartans are the hottest team in the nation, having won 10 straight conference games. Jacob Doerksen is shooting a blistering 66% from the field in 14 Canada West games. He shot 16/25 on Saturday, pouring in a Spartans school record with 42 points against the Fraser Valley Cascades. He was equally impressive on the glass (8 rebounds) and in the assist column (8 assists) nearly missing out on a triple-double, in 34 minutes of action. The Spartans swept the weekend series 92-73 Friday and 114-89 Saturday. Their 12-2 record is good for first place in the Canada West standings. It will be hard to deny Jacob Doerksen the Player of the Year award if he and the Spartans continue to roll like they are.
#5 Owen Klassen – Acadia Axemen – AUS
The Acadia Axemen’s 3-3 AUS conference record is a bit misleading; two of their three losses have come courtesy of the undefeated Cape Town Capers (7-0). Forward Owen Klassen is enjoying an outstanding sophomore campaign and will be an integral part of the Axemen’s second-half success. In a close contest against the 1-5 UPEI Panthers, Klassen displayed his versatility putting up a key double-double of 30 points (11/18 FG, 4/7 3FG, 6/9 FT) including 14 rebounds and 3 assists. Klassen is currently averaging 17.7 points per game (2nd on the team) and a team leading 9.7 rebounds.
#8 Kyle Desmarais – Concordia Stingers – QSSF
In a battle of Quebec’s top teams, Kyle Desmarais proved too much for the previously undefeated Laval Rouge et Or, leading the Stingers to a clutch 92-86 victory. His 24 points (11/18 FG, 4/7 3FG, 6/9 FT) including 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 5 steals concluded an outstanding first half for the Concordia Stingers who are currently tied for first place on QSSF standings with the Rouge et Or at a record of 4-1.
#30 Daniel Ferguson – Alberta Golden Bears – CW
Daniel Ferguson continues to sizzle. This weekend against the surging Regina Cougars, Ferguson went off 30 points (11/20 FG, 4/10 3FG, 4/5 FT) and added 4 assists as the Golden Bears notched a 107-80 home victory. The following night, the result wasn’t in Alberta’s favour as the Cougars battled back to steal a road victory, 95-83. Ferguson didn’t miss a beat though, he once again topped the 30-point mark with 32 points (8/18 FG, 5/10 3FG, 11/13 FT) adding, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. The #2 leading scorer (26.2 points) in the CIS has put together three-straight 30-plus games, he also leads the league with 49 three-pointers made, shooting an outstanding 47.6%.
#12 Manny Pasquale – Laurentian Voyageurs – OUA
The Laurentian Voyageurs should continue to push teams in the OUA as long as they get strong performances from Manny Pasquale. In a key road game against a divisional foe, the BC product carved up the York Lions with 25 points (9/14 FG, 1/5 3FG, 6/6 FT) 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The 89-62 victory moved the Voyageurs into sole possession of third place in a crowded OUA East division. With upcoming games against the Queens and RMC to open up the second half of the season, look for the Voyageurs and Pasquale to be right in the thick of things.
Honourable mentions:
#11 Kris Heshka – Regina Cougars – CW
The Cougars earned a weekend split against the Victoria Vikes thanks to game highs from Kris Heshka 30 points (11/17 FG, 8/10 FT) 12 rebounds.
#09 Dwayne Johnson – St. F.X X-men – AUS
Tough and rugged player who likes to bang. His double-double off the pine was hard to ignore 16 points (4/5 FG, 8/9 FT) 12 rebounds and 4 assists in 23 minutes.
#22 Jerome T-Routhier – Laval Rouge et Or – QSSF
Despite losing their first QSSF conference game of the season, Jerome Turcotte-Routhier continues to be as consistent as they come. He’s currently ranked in the top 10 in scoring at 21.2 points per game and should continue to be a focal point for the Rouge et Or in the second half of the season.
#12 Sam Freeman – Fraser Valley Cascades – CW
Displayed some of his potential with a strong performance against a formidable TWU opponent. 32 points (10/14 FG, 4/6 3FG, 8/8 FT) 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
#21 Mike Hull – Laurentian Voyageurs – OUA
The Voyageurs have a decent back-court in the Pasquale brothers, but holding down the fort in the middle is Mike Hull. More performances like his near double-double of 16 points (6/13 FG, 0/1 3FG, 4/5 FT) 9 rebounds and 4 assists should raise more eyebrows.
