Friday, 22 February 2008

OUA East Honours

OUA East was definitely two divisions within one this season with the Top 4 teams (Carleton, Toronto, Ottawa and Queen's) losing only one game total against the bottom 4 teams (York defeated Toronto). With neither of Wednesday night's first round playoff games very close, it is clear that this season the top 4 teams in the conference are meeting in the semi-finals. The standings were a strong consideration in the selection of the CISHOOPS.CA OUA East all-stars and other honours for this season, outlined below.

OUA EAST FIRST-TEAM ALL-STARS
6'7" Aaron Doornekamp, Carleton; Player-of-the-Year His numbers (15.6 ppg/8.3 rpg) hardly tell the entire story as he proved to the best player in the conference, leading Carleton to another undefeated season. Had his biggest games in the biggest spots including 33 points vs. Windsor in a meeting of then #1 vs. #2 in November, 20 points/10 rebounds at Scotiabank Place against Ottawa at the Capital Hoops Classic and 30 points and 11 rebounds against Toronto at home. Arguably the toughest matchup in the country with his ability to draw double teams and either finish or find teammates, Doornekamp is well deserving of the Player of the Year in his conference.
Stuart Turnbull, Carleton No one plays with more grit, determination and confidence than the scrappy Turnbull, who became an elite scorer (15.9 ppg) this season including dropping 27 points on Toronto and another 27 to will his listless Ravens to their most recent win against Ottawa. Turnbull has become a back-court force in his fourth year with the Ravens.
Josh Gibson-Bascombe, Ottawa The most skilled guard in the conference who without question gives the Gee-Gees a chance to win each night. He has had several big games scoring, rebounding and playmaking, averaging 18.6 ppg (third in the OUA East). The Gee-Gees are simply a different team without the 6'4" Toronto native on the floor.
Mike Degiorgio, Toronto The fifth-year point guard is the main reason why the Blues were able to grab a first-round bye in the OUA East playoffs. Degiorgio is a tough floor leader who takes care of the ball, rebounds and finds people. He ordinarily flirts with a triple double and, while not a natural scorer, made several big shots including long 3's in important Toronto victories this season.
Simon Mitchell, Queen's Numbers again don't tell the entire story for the Gaels floor leader who, as the only experienced member of the Queen's rotation led the freshmen-laden Gaels to a surprising fourth-place finish and Queen's first Top 10 ranking in the history of their men's basketball program earlier this season. Mitchell was arguably the league's top defender, handled the ball at key times in games and made big shots. The former OUA East Rookie-of-the-Year is the key to Queen's having a chance to advance in the playoffs.

Second Team
Sean Peter, Ottawa On the verge of a first team selection with a breakout season (16.0 ppg/ 6.6 rpg). Also has developed into one of the league's strongest defenders.
Ryan Bell, Carleton Tremendous defender and unselfish point guard who tends to defer to others offensively. Still, without question one of the keys to the undefeated Ravens.
Mitch Leger, Queen's This sophomore had an injury-plagued early part of the season but recovered to average 17.5 ppg (4th in OUA East) and 8.2 rpg (4th in OUA East).
Rob Paris, Toronto The Blues offense is a perfect fit for Paris, who loves to come off screens to rise to shoot or get to the rim. Paris (15.3 ppg, 45.4% 3's) had several games where he scored 19 points in a half and emerged as a legitimate scorer in the league this season.
Boris Bakovic, Ryerson The league's leading scorer at 23.8 ppg, Bakovic hopes to continue to help the Rams program grow into a league contender.

Honourable Mention: Dax Dessureault, Ottawa; Tut Ruach, York; Nick Magalas, Toronto; Nick Snow, Toronto.

Coach of the Year: Mike Katz; Honourable mention: Rob Smart, Queen's; Both Katz and Smart Sr. came into this season having to deal with severe loses to their rosters yet both teams were able to finish in the top half of the division with virtually brand new rotations.

All-Freshman Team:
Jon Ogden, Queen's, Freshman of the Year Unheralded as a recruit out of Belleville, Ogden fit perfectly into the Gaels read-and-react offense, emerging into a tough matchup with his ability to knock down 3's and rebound inside.
Elliott Thompson, Carleton The most advanced of the 3 Ravens prized freshmen at this point; the scrappy Thompson looks to be emerging into the same type of player Carleton veteran Stuart Turnbull has become.
Travis Mitchell, Queen's Another big man who can shoot it and handle the ball; a perfect fit for the Gaels offense was a tough matchup as a freshman.
Andrew Wasik, Toronto The burly redshirt freshman from B.C. made his presence felt at both ends in the paint with his strength and confidence around the rim. Wasik finishes inside without fear and eats up space defensively for the Blues.
Jacob Gibson-Bascombe, Ottawa The sixth man on the third place team in the conference was coming on as a combination guard before injuries curtailed his season in January.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hows does a coach go 22-0 and not win Coach of the Year?