Falcons off to flying start and dreaming of bigger things
What was potentially shaping up to be a transitional year has been nothing but perfect for the Fanshawe Falcons men's basketball team.
With a roster littered with six first and six second-year players, the team has taken the OCAA by storm, out scoring opponents by an average of 30.8 points per game (their closest game was a 14 point win over Humber, their largest a 58 point shellacking of Sault) while running their record to 6-0.
“Everyone is gelling together. We have a lot of rookies that are playing like they have been here a couple of years,” said second-year forward Jabari Cooper. “Everyone shows up and practices hard and we're all ready to play. Even the guys who don't get a lot of minutes are out there cheering us on. And we have guys who are stepping up this year like (third year centre) Bryan Kamerman.”
While the team's fast start has opened eyes around the OCAA, Cooper concedes the team still has room to grow and mature.
“Every game we've been putting together one good half, but we haven't played one complete game,” said Cooper. We've routed some teams, but I don't think we have reached our full potential yet. There is still room to get better and more consistent.”
The quick start has Cooper dreaming of another OCAA title for Fanshawe, and a trip to the national championships. The team won the OCAA title in the 2006-07 season, a team Cooper was a part of before taking the 2007-08 season to concentrate on studies. The comparisons to that OCAA title winning team may be premature but inevitable, especially since that team finished the season with a spotless 14-0 regular season record.
“That team I played on in my first year was far more experienced than this one,” said Cooper. “A lot of the guys I'm playing with this year are younger and we play a different style of game now as well. I see us playing a quicker game. We may have had more skill in my first year, but this group is making up for it with hustle.”
Three players, Cooper, Kamerman and Andro McKenzie were part of that magical season that saw the team finish fifth in the nation, and saw first hand what it takes to ascend the mountain, especially as expectations and pressure are raised, and the games become increasingly important.
“I think I can guarantee we will make up for the disappointment of my first year and finishing fifth at the nationals,” said Cooper, clearly focused on what the team is aiming for. “The nationals this year are in my hometown of Prince George (British Columbia) and I'm anxious to get back.”
Another area of concern could be the team's lack of size if the team is fortunate enough to make it to the nationals.
“The lack of size can be an issue beyond the OCAA's, especially with the teams from out west and in particular British Columbia,” said Cooper. “In the OCAA though a lot of the teams are small and quick and in our conference I don't see it being an issue. The only team that I think could pose a problem is St. Lawrence (a perfect 5-0 as of press time, and a team Fanshawe is 1-1 against in exhibition tournaments).”
Whatever unfolds for the men's basketball team this group of men are having fun.
“I'm really enjoying myself. I really enjoy the personalities. There are no selfish guys on this team,” said Cooper.
The Falcons close out the first half of the season with a pair of home games. Mohawk comes to town on Friday November 28 for an 8pm tipoff (women play at 6pm), and a Wednesday December 3 showdown versus Sheridan at 6pm (women tipoff at 8pm).
With a roster littered with six first and six second-year players, the team has taken the OCAA by storm, out scoring opponents by an average of 30.8 points per game (their closest game was a 14 point win over Humber, their largest a 58 point shellacking of Sault) while running their record to 6-0.
“Everyone is gelling together. We have a lot of rookies that are playing like they have been here a couple of years,” said second-year forward Jabari Cooper. “Everyone shows up and practices hard and we're all ready to play. Even the guys who don't get a lot of minutes are out there cheering us on. And we have guys who are stepping up this year like (third year centre) Bryan Kamerman.”
While the team's fast start has opened eyes around the OCAA, Cooper concedes the team still has room to grow and mature.
“Every game we've been putting together one good half, but we haven't played one complete game,” said Cooper. We've routed some teams, but I don't think we have reached our full potential yet. There is still room to get better and more consistent.”
The quick start has Cooper dreaming of another OCAA title for Fanshawe, and a trip to the national championships. The team won the OCAA title in the 2006-07 season, a team Cooper was a part of before taking the 2007-08 season to concentrate on studies. The comparisons to that OCAA title winning team may be premature but inevitable, especially since that team finished the season with a spotless 14-0 regular season record.
“That team I played on in my first year was far more experienced than this one,” said Cooper. “A lot of the guys I'm playing with this year are younger and we play a different style of game now as well. I see us playing a quicker game. We may have had more skill in my first year, but this group is making up for it with hustle.”
Three players, Cooper, Kamerman and Andro McKenzie were part of that magical season that saw the team finish fifth in the nation, and saw first hand what it takes to ascend the mountain, especially as expectations and pressure are raised, and the games become increasingly important.
“I think I can guarantee we will make up for the disappointment of my first year and finishing fifth at the nationals,” said Cooper, clearly focused on what the team is aiming for. “The nationals this year are in my hometown of Prince George (British Columbia) and I'm anxious to get back.”
Another area of concern could be the team's lack of size if the team is fortunate enough to make it to the nationals.
“The lack of size can be an issue beyond the OCAA's, especially with the teams from out west and in particular British Columbia,” said Cooper. “In the OCAA though a lot of the teams are small and quick and in our conference I don't see it being an issue. The only team that I think could pose a problem is St. Lawrence (a perfect 5-0 as of press time, and a team Fanshawe is 1-1 against in exhibition tournaments).”
Whatever unfolds for the men's basketball team this group of men are having fun.
“I'm really enjoying myself. I really enjoy the personalities. There are no selfish guys on this team,” said Cooper.
The Falcons close out the first half of the season with a pair of home games. Mohawk comes to town on Friday November 28 for an 8pm tipoff (women play at 6pm), and a Wednesday December 3 showdown versus Sheridan at 6pm (women tipoff at 8pm).
