Saturday 22 January 2011

Marauders fight injury bug

More on last night's Lakehead/Mac game from Brian Decker of the Sil, Mac's campus newspaper

After winning their first four OUA West games in January with significant contributions from several new faces, it appeared that McMaster Marauders under rookie Head Coach Amos Connolly were turning corner back into the program's perennial spot at/near the top of the OUA West.  The last week has unfortunately not been kind to Mac, beginning with injuries last week to 6'8" freshman sensation Taylor Black, who remains sidelined with shoulder and arm injuries.  More bad news emerged from last night's tight two point loss to Lakehead after 6'8" Scott Brittain sustained another knock to the head when he fell akwardly after a ball tie-up with Thunderwolves 6'6" Yoosrie Salhia.  Both players got their hands on the ball until a jump ball was called; during the battle, Salhia let go of the ball and Brittain fell back, initially on his buttocks but then continue his fall, ending with the back of his head hitting the floor.  Brittain got up under his own power and was at the bench when the game ended; his status for tonight's game is uncertain - the Marauders have been justifiably cautious with Brittain given his history of concussions/head injuries.  Also, early in the fourth quarter, 6'3" soph wing/guard Victor Raso turned his ankle and did not return.  The scrappy Raso who is a 25+ minute regular in the Marauder lineup injured his other ankle earlier in the year, missing time and it appears he may miss as long as a week with this newest ankle injury.  On a more positive note, the Marauders this week announced the commitment of one of the better high school players in Ontario in two-time Ontario Provincial team member Brett Saunders, a 6'7" forward out of Stoney Creek, who has had his share of injuries during his career but remains a blue chip prospect.

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