Falcons top OCAA, third nationally
The top team in Ontario is off to a fantastic start.
The Fanshawe Falcon men's basketball team is ranked first in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and third in the entire Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA).
With a 3-0 record in OCAA regular season play as of Wednesday, November 8, the Falcons have won both tournaments they have entered this season, and have also defeated the University of Western Ontario (UWO) Mustangs 62-61 in an exhibition contest.
UWO head coach Brad Campbell told the London Free Press that the Falcons earned the victory over the Mustangs and that Fanshawe is a very competitive team.
“Full credit goes to Fanshawe,” Campbell said. “I don't care if they're college or university, they're a good team. I look at their personnel and they would be a decent team in our league (Ontario University Athletics).”
The Falcons have claimed two tournament championships this season including; the Durham College Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament on October 14 where they defeated George Brown 79-63 in the final, and The Sheridan College Bruins Bash invitational tournament where they defeated St. Lambert College 75-57 in the championship.
With the OCAA's top ranking and national recognition with the CCAA, Fanshawe's Athletic Officer Ernie Durocher said head coach Glen Johnston must keep the team in the right frame of mind.
“Heads can get big,” Durocher said. “However, Glen (Johnston) keeps them focused and keeps things in perspective. The second half of the season is when the real season begins.”
Leading the squad is veteran sharpshooter Pat Sewell, who was named MVP of the Sheridan tournament, forward Pat Wright, point guard Omar Sybbliss, and rookie Jabari Cooper, MVP of the Durham tournament.
Durocher said the athleticism of Cooper makes him a very entertaining player to watch.
“He's (Cooper) is a real sky walker. At 6'4 he can really get up there,” Durocher said.
Guard Dave Brown and forward Adrian Pykta were two players that Durocher said are vital to the teams success as they both do the little things needed to win.
Durocher said the team's depth is its biggest strength while consistency is something the team must focus on to remain successful.
“We have fourteen players who could all see floor time and all contribute, whereas is the past we would only have about seven,” said Durocher.
“If by chance a player like Sewell goes down with injury, we have people that can step up and fill his shoes.”
The Falcons next home contest is on Wednesday, November 29 at 8 p.m. against Niagara College.
The Fanshawe Falcon men's basketball team is ranked first in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) and third in the entire Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA).
With a 3-0 record in OCAA regular season play as of Wednesday, November 8, the Falcons have won both tournaments they have entered this season, and have also defeated the University of Western Ontario (UWO) Mustangs 62-61 in an exhibition contest.
UWO head coach Brad Campbell told the London Free Press that the Falcons earned the victory over the Mustangs and that Fanshawe is a very competitive team.
“Full credit goes to Fanshawe,” Campbell said. “I don't care if they're college or university, they're a good team. I look at their personnel and they would be a decent team in our league (Ontario University Athletics).”
The Falcons have claimed two tournament championships this season including; the Durham College Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament on October 14 where they defeated George Brown 79-63 in the final, and The Sheridan College Bruins Bash invitational tournament where they defeated St. Lambert College 75-57 in the championship.
With the OCAA's top ranking and national recognition with the CCAA, Fanshawe's Athletic Officer Ernie Durocher said head coach Glen Johnston must keep the team in the right frame of mind.
“Heads can get big,” Durocher said. “However, Glen (Johnston) keeps them focused and keeps things in perspective. The second half of the season is when the real season begins.”
Leading the squad is veteran sharpshooter Pat Sewell, who was named MVP of the Sheridan tournament, forward Pat Wright, point guard Omar Sybbliss, and rookie Jabari Cooper, MVP of the Durham tournament.
Durocher said the athleticism of Cooper makes him a very entertaining player to watch.
“He's (Cooper) is a real sky walker. At 6'4 he can really get up there,” Durocher said.
Guard Dave Brown and forward Adrian Pykta were two players that Durocher said are vital to the teams success as they both do the little things needed to win.
Durocher said the team's depth is its biggest strength while consistency is something the team must focus on to remain successful.
“We have fourteen players who could all see floor time and all contribute, whereas is the past we would only have about seven,” said Durocher.
“If by chance a player like Sewell goes down with injury, we have people that can step up and fill his shoes.”
The Falcons next home contest is on Wednesday, November 29 at 8 p.m. against Niagara College.
