CIS Hoops.ca

Congratulations to Steph Barrie (pictured) who had the "interim" tag removed from his title and now assumes the Head Coaching job of Western's women's team full-time. Former Head Coach Mike Milne was in full support of the decision as the following press release courtesy of Andy Watson from Western Sports Information Mustangs Renew Contract for Stephan Barrie also article in Western News, Western's campus newspaper Barrie to guide women's basketball

Mac at Brock tickets on sale now Brock Playoff Tickets

A nice article on Chris Oliver and his OUA West Coach-of-the-Year award Oliver Named Coach-of-the-Year

Mac's Martin Ajayi was named OUA West Defensive Player-of-the-Year for the third consecutive season From the Mac web site

HOT OFF THE PRESSES (thanks to Dale Stevens)

Courtesy of NABCC ...

NABCC Top Ten
February 27, 2007

LW Votes
-- -----
1. Brandon (35) #1 442 votes
2. Concordia (2) #2 406 votes
3. Carleton #4 354 votes
4. UBC #5 329 votes
5. Ottawa #6 285 votes
6. Victoria #3 278 votes
7. St. Francis Xavier #8 187 votes
8. Cape Breton #7 179 votes
9. Acadia #9 152 votes
10. Windsor #10 135 votes
11. Brock #12 58 votes
12. Saskatchewan #15 44 votes
13. Toronto #11 15 votes
14. McMaster NR 3 votes
15. York #14 1 vote
Saint Mary's NR 1 vote

Last week, we provided our take on the OUA East All-Stars and top freshmen. This week, we take a look at our choices for OUA West honours.

CISHOOPS.CA OUA WEST FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS

BRAD ROOTES, 5'9" Point Guard, Brock Badgers PLAYER OF THE YEAR The incomparable fourth-year guard took his game to new levels this season, logging almost 37 minutes per game while averaging 19.9 ppg (second in OUA West). Rootes also averaged a record 8.1 assists per game against only 3 turnovers/game. At no time was his value apparent than when, with Brock up by double digits, Rootes fouled out of his only game of the season at McMaster and the Marauders promptly mounted a miracle comeback. Rootes also continued to play on a severely injured ankle during Brock's nine game winning streak that clinched a first-round playoff bye for the Badgers and still averaged over 35 mpg. Rootes shot 46% from the floor for the season and 81% at the foul line while making 50 3's. Down the stretch, Rootes had 32 points in the season-ending loss to Windsor and had 31 while battling the bad ankle in a win against Western.

MARTIN AJAYI, 5'8" Point Guard, McMaster Marauders The OUA nominee for CIS defensive player of the year, Ajayi also led the OUA West in scoring at 22.1 points per game, igniting Mac's offense with his fearless, coast-to-coast attacks at the rim and momentum-swinging steals setting up easy transition. Ajayi also averaged 5.4 assists per game, including at least one typical highlight-reel look-off pass on the break per game. Ajayi flirted with a triple/double on several occasions and had 30 in a recent game at Guelph.

KEVIN KLOOSTRA, 6'6" Forward, Windsor Lancers Kloostra established himself as the OUA West's top wing with his ability to create for himself and get to the rim combined with range beyond the three point line as the slick forward averaged 16.6 points per game for the OUA West regular season champions. Kloostra, who averaged a team-high 35 minutes per game, also averaged a solid 40.3% from three point land and was one of the top free throw shooters in the entire CIS at 87.1%. The "go-to" guy in Windsor's offense, Kloostra has also improved on the defensive end and is the main reason for the recent resurgence of the Lancers program.

ADAM STEINER, 6'7" Forward, McMaster Marauders Until he injured his wrist in practice with 2 games remaining in the regular season, Steiner was probably the division's most consistent player after the holidays, averaging nearly 4 points and 2 rebounds per game more in January and February than prior to Christmas. Steiner finished 6th in OUA West scoring at 16.6 ppg and averaged 8.0 rebounds per game while playing a team-high 35 minutes per game. Steiner also shot 47% from the floor and 80.5% from the foul line and, with teammate Martin Ajayi, ordinarily was counted on to lead the team offensively as Mac recovered from a poor start to finish third in the OUA West.

GREG SURMACZ, 6'7", Forward, Windsor Lancers A newcomer to OUA West play after transfering back home from the U.S., Surmacz immediately had an impact, averaging a double/double of 15.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg while shooting 53.5% from the floor. Surmacz made life easier for Windsor's shooters by forcing double downs in the post and, teaming with the Allin brothers (Greg and Rich), protected the paint defensively for the Lancers. Down the stretch, Surmacz had a double/double in the win over Brock to clinch first place and also had 18 points/14 rebounds against Western to help end Lancers mini-slump earlier in February.

CISHOOPS.CA OUA WEST SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS

CHRIS KEITH, 6'5", Forward, Brock Badgers The versatile, athletic forward showed again that he is equally adept at either pulling out slower defenders to the perimeter or posting up smaller, less stronger checks inside, averaging 16.4 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game for the second place Badgers. Keith also averaged over 32 minutes per game and shot 46.2% from the floor. Keith finished the season strong during Brock's 9 game winning streak with a 5-6 effort from 3 and 20 points vs. Guelph, 21 points/14 rebounds vs. Western, 27 points/12 rebounds vs. Waterloo and 24 points/6 rebounds vs. Laurier.

MATT WALKER, 6'5", Forward, Laurier Golden Hawks A former OUA West Rookie-of-the-Year, Walker emerged as a legitimate league-wide threat in his third season, averaging 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, helping the young Hawks to the playoffs. Walker had probably his most impactful effort against McMaster on Senior's Day in front of a large crowd, scoring 22 points as the Hawks defeated their foes to clinch a playoff spot. Walker represents the veteran presence in the young Laurier program on the rise.

RYAN STEER, 6'2" Guard, Windsor Lancers Emerging as a legitimate all-conference selection in his 4th season, the ultra-competitive, hard-working Steer improved all aspects of his game this season, becoming a much more consistent perimeter shooter and running the point as a mature, mentally-tough floor leader. Steer was 9th in the OUA West in scoring at 13.7 ppg and was second in assists at 7.1 apg including several double/doubles, highlighted by a 21 point/12 assist effort against Brad Rootes and the Badgers in the first-place deciding win against Brock and 23 points/10 assists vs. Western.

ARON BARIAGBRE, 6'3", Guard, Guelph Gryphons With the Gryphons floundering in late January, Bariagbre was the main reason for Guelph winning 6 of their last 7 games as he took big shots, guarded opponent's top defenders and rebounded, allowing the Gryphs to host a home playoff game. In his second season with Guelph after transfering from Humber College, Bariagbre upped his season average down the stretch to 12.9 ppg and 5.2 rpg while shooting 41% from 3 point land and 87.1% from the free throw line. Aron went 9-13 for 23 points down the stretch against Brock and had 18 points/8 rebounds in a key win against Laurier.

MIKE KEMP, 6'2", Forward/Guard, Brock Badgers Not only did Kemp average 13.1 ppg (10th in the OUA West), the undersized swingman was usually asked to guard the opponent's top player, generally giving up inches and pounds, while holding guys below their season averages. Kemp also did the dirty work on the glass, helping the undersized Badgers to outrebound opponents during every game of their 9 game winning streak which gave Brock a first-round bye and a semi-final home game.

CISHOOPS.CA TOP FRESHMAN IN OUA WEST
Andrew Wedemire, Western (Freshman-of-the-Year)
Andrew Pennycook, Laurier
Justin Golob, Laurier
Evan Eliason, Laurier
Danny Jeon, Western

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ROOTES HONOURED WITH OUA WEST MENS BASKETBALL MVP... Courtesy of the OUA

February 26, 2007 - HAMILTON, Ont. Brock Badgers senior guard Brad Rootes (Niagara Falls, Ontario) had large shoes to fill in the 2006-2007 after the departure of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standout teammate Kevin Stienstra, and he did not disappoint. Heading into the OUA West semi finals, Rootes has been named the OUA West Most Valuable Player and first-team all-star. The five-foot-10 guard finished his last game of the regular season with a season high 32 points, which allowed him to surpass former All-Canadian, from the University of Western Ontario Jimmy Grozelle (1289) for 15th all-time in OUA career scoring with 1291 points after just four seasons. Rootes sits second in the OUA in scoring with an 19.9 points per game average, and is ranked number one in assists with 179 on the season. Rootes is an overriding threat whether it be on offense or defense, as he also sits third in the OUA in steals (48) and has 103 rebounds, 87 coming off of the defensive glass this season.

For the third consecutive year, McMaster Marauders Martin Ajayi (Hamilton, Ontario) has been named the OUA West Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-star. Regardless of the situation on the court, Ajayi is a dominant force. The fifth year geography major, finished the season with 46 steals and 90 rebounds. Not only does he excel on the defensive end of the court, but this year he has picked up his offensive game and finished the season first in the OUA in scoring, averaging 22.14 points per game.

Ajayi's McMaster teammate Adam Steiner (Dundas, Ontario) is the OUA West nominee for the prestigious Ken Shields Award, presented annually to the student-athlete who best exhibits outstanding success in basketball, academics and community involvement. A second year MBA student, Steiner has a long list of awards and achievements. In 2006 he was the recipient of the Jack Kennedy Award for Top Marauder Scholar at McMaster University and has been an academic all Canadian the past four years. Steiner has been awarded the MBA Refining Directions Scholarship in 2006, as well as the Ray Lewis Award (Sport Volunteer Community Service). He has been a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) committee member from 2006 to the present, representing over 10,000 student-athletes across the country, and is a member of the McMaster Judicial Review Committee. Steiner is the lead student representative on the Judicial Board regarding athletes code of conduct. He is a member of the entrusted panel of university officials which hear the infractions involving McMaster student-athletes. As Co-President of McMaster Athletic Council, Steiner acted as one of two lead coordinators of the Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA) program. On the court the six-foot-seven forward had an outstanding year finishing second in team scoring and ninth in the OUA in scoring averaging 16.7 points per game.

Andrew Wedemire (Sarnia, Ontario) of the Western Mustangs has been named the OUA West Rookie of the Year after exploding onto the OUA scene. Wedemire sat second on his team in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game. Not only has Wedemire been an offensive threat for the Mustangs, but he also has hauled down 95 rebounds on the year. As a rookie Wedemire has also shown an impressive coolness and poise shooting an inspiring team high and seventh in the OUA, 53.1 percent from the field.

Joining fellow all-stars Rootes, Ajayi, and Steiner on the first-team all-stars is Windsor Lancer Kevin Kloostra (Chatham, Ontario). The six-foot-three forward finished the season eighth in the OUA in scoring averaging 16.77 points per game. He has been a leader on the Lancer team, helping them to the OUA West playoff semi finals. He collected 104 rebounds and 19 steals on the year, and is a player who you do not want to see on the foul line shooting an exceptional 89.3 percent from the charity stripe. Rounding out the first-team is Brock Badger Chris Keith (Burlington, Ontario). Keith has distinguished himself as one of the leagues top players, and is an all around player for the Badgers. He is a threat whether it be on the offensive of defensive end of the court. Keith finishes the season tenth in the OUA in scoring averaging 16.36 points per game, but has also brought down 170 rebounds for sixth spot on the leader board.

Chris Oliver has been named the West Coach of the Year in his second season as the Head Coach of the Windsor Lancers Men's Basketball program. Oliver has led his Windsor squad into becoming the OUA West Division Regular Season Champions (16-6) for the first time in 27 years. The Lancers have been nationally ranked for the entire season, and boast the best season record Windsor has seen in 25 years. Widely considered to be one of the top young coaches in Canada, Oliver has turned the Windsor Lancers into one of the top defensive teams in the nation, on average holding their opponents to under 70 points per game. His team led the OUA and sit second in the CIS in rebounds averaging 38.38 per game.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Brad Rootes- Brock

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Martin Ajayi- McMaster

KEN SHIELDS AWARD
Adam Steiner- McMaster

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Andrew Wedemire- Western

COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Oliver- Windsor

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Brad Rootes- Brock
Martin Ajayi- McMaster
Kevin Kloostra- Windsor
Adam Steiner- McMaster
Chris Keith- Brock

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Greg Surmacz- Windsor
Matt Walker- Laurier
Aron Bariagabre- Guelph
Ryan Steer- Windsor
Warren Thomas- Lakehead

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Andrew Wedemire- Western
Andrew Pennycook- Laurier
Justin Golob- Laurier
Jermaine Decosta- McMaster
Saad Beg- Lakehead

Wayne Kondro previews the OUA East All-Stars and award winners in this morning's Ottawa Citizen (subscription required) Jeanty in line to repeat as top player in OUA East According to the article, Jeanty will be named OUA East Player-of-the-Year for the third consecutive season and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees' David DeAveiro will also repeat as OUA East coach of the year after leading his troops to an 18-4 record, including a pair of victories against the Ravens. Jeanty will also earn his third consecutive selection to the OUA East first all-star team, and teammate Aaron Doornekamp will be named to the squad for the second year in a row. They are joined by U of O's Joshua Gibson-Bascombe, Toronto's Ben Katz and York's Daniel Eves. The Gee-Gees also have two representatives on the second all-star unit, fifth-year seniors Curtis Shakespeare and Alex McLeod, who is on that team for the second consecutive year. Others on the second team include Toronto's Mike Williams and York's Jordan Foebel and Rohan Steen. Williams will also again be named the league's defensive player of the year, and Ryerson's Boris Bakovic will earn top rookie laurels.