University Ravens, enter this weekend’s CIS Championship seeded third. The
Ravens have a strong national team contingent with guards Osvaldo Jeanty, Ryan
Bell and forward Aaron Doornekamp, all members of Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team
last summer. Doornekamp was also a member of Canada’s 2005 Young Men’s (U21) team that won a
bronze medal at the FIBA World Championship in Argentina.
Off-the court Raven Head Coach Dave
Smart has been an assistant coach with Canada’s senior Men’s Team since
2005. Smart is assisted on the bench by
nephew Rob Smart, who was a member of the 2002 and 2003 Development Men’s
National Teams.
Other coaches in the CIS
Championship Tournament associated (last association listed) with Canada’s
national team programs include; John Dore of Concordia (Assistant Coach 1998
Junior Men’s National Team), Ottawa’s Dave DeAveiro (Assistant Coach 2004 Senior
Men’s National Team), UBC’s Kevin Hanson (Head Coach 2005 Development Men’s
National Team) and Assistant Coach Randy Nohr (a guard on Canada’s 2005 Senior
Men’s National Team).
The UBC Thunderbirds also
have two players who have donned the red and white, Casey Archibald played on
Canada’s 2002 Junior Men’s National
Team while rookie Brent Malish played on the 2006 junior
team.
In other CIS action, last
week Simon Fraser University edged out Alberta 72-68 to claim their third title in
six years in the women’s CIS Championship Game.
Meanwhile, in the Canadian College ranks, Dawson College Blues pulled
out a 94-84 victory over the Douglas College Royals last night to capture the
championship title. On the women’s side of the draw, Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan
College is getting ready to
tip-off the women’s championship tonight (March
15-17).
Canadian players are also
making an impact in playoff action south of the border at the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships. Greg Noel and the Niagara
University Purple Eagles won their opening round game Tuesday night over Florida
A&M to bring the number of Canadians playing in the tournament to 13.
On the women’s side of the
draw, seven Canadian players (two redshirted) are participating in the NCAA
tournament beginning March 17.
A complete list of Canadians
in the NCAA tournament is below...
Canadian Players in the NCAA Tournament (Men)
- Sefton Barrett Central Mich. Sr. Brampton, Ontario
Max Paulhus Gosselin Davidson So. Carignan, Quebec
Jimmy Balderson Brigham Young Sr. Magrath, Alberta
Ryan Wright UCLA So. Mississauga, Ontario
Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes Gonzaga Jr. Montreal, Quebec
Sheray Thomas Kentucky Sr. Montreal, Quebec
Maurice Joseph Michigan St. So. Montreal, Quebec
Greg Noel Niagara Sr. Montreal, Quebec
Joel Anthony UNLV Sr. Montreal, Quebec
Jemino Sobers Central Conn. St. Sr. Scarborough, Ontario
William Archambault Davidson Fr. St. Hubert, Quebec
Tristan Blackwood Central Conn. St. Jr. Toronto, Ontario
Marlon Pompey Texas A&M Sr. Toronto, Ontario
Levon Kendall Pittsburgh Sr. Vancouver, British Columbia
Canadian Players in the NCAA Tournament (Women)
- Natalie Doma Idaho St. Jr. Victoria, British Columbia
Breanne Watson Washington Sr. Richmond, British Columbia
Andrea Plouffe Washington Jr. Edmonton, Alberta
Chantelle John George Wash. So. Toronto, Ontario
Jaleesa Rhoden Georgia (REDSHIRT) London, Ontario
Janelle Bekkering Gonzaga (REDSHIRT) Taber, Alberta
Chelsea Aubry Nebraska Sr. Kitchener, Ontario