OCAA Men's Basketball Qualifying Round
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.
