Over the Edge + November 17, 2010 17 T-Wolves Basketball Expecting Huge Crowd Friday UNBC's first home game against league rival VIU BROCK CAMPBELL SPORTS EDITOR The Northern Sports Centre will be rocking this Friday and Saturday as the Timberwolves basketball teams play their first home games of the regular season. The Vancouver Island University Mariners (VIU) will be unpleasantly greeted by an amped up UNBC crowd who have long anticipated opening night. Having collected three championship banners in three years, expectations are high once again for both teams, who are considered among the top programs in the nation. Two of those three banners will be raised Saturday as the men’s team will be honoured for their championship season. The women entered the season ranked twelfth nationally, the men second and both teams are excited to get out and prove their worth to the home crowd. Jennifer Clyne, a forward for UNBC, mentioned, “It has been a long preseason and we are all so excited that league play has finally started. We hope to see a big crowd at our home opener, not just to see how great the teams are shaping up, but to congratulate the boys as they receive the national championship rings and get their banner raised”. Sam Raphael, a third year guard for the men’s team, also touched on the excitement of opening night and the team’s outlook for the season, “We definitely want to see a huge crowd. But most of all we are looking forward to getting the season underway and work towards repeating what we accomplished last year”. Given the talent and experience on the men and women’s side, both teams are poised for another successful season. Despite a 17-1 record last year, the women T-Wolves are looking to bounce back from a disappointing early exit from the 2009 provincial championship. With such a substantial returning class they should be a difficult matchup for any team this season. British Columbia Colleges Athletic Association (BCCAA) player of the year Christine Kennedy is back for her final season to run the point, and BCCAAAII- Star Kady Dandeneau has returned healthy after suffering a season ending injury last year. The return of Jennifer Clyne and Maria Neumann, veteran members of the 2008 provincial championship team, and the addition of fifth year centre, Sarah Moxley, provide the T-Wolves with an experienced frontcourt. UNBC also has some talented sophomore stars including BCCAA Rookie of the Year Mercedes Vankoughnett, as well as Jennifer Marsh and Emily Kaehn who are instant offensive contributors. Clyne commented on the T-Wolves potential this season, “Our strengths are definitely how deep, athletic and well rounded our team is. We have great point guards, posts, and outside shooters and everyone is a threat”. As for the men, they too are loaded with talented senior players and athleticism. Absent from last season’s championship team are BCCAA Rookie of the Year Kevin Madsen, and Jose Araujo, a National Championship first team all-star. However, the remainder of last year’s team has returned as well as some exceptional replacements for Araujo and Madsen. Inderbir Gill, an All-Canadian and nationals MVP, is back for his final season as point- guard for a team with an exceptional backcourt. UNBC has six guards who could likely start for any other team in the BCCAA. Francis Rowe, Matt Mills and Sam Raphael are serious outside threats who command respect from defenders anywhere on the floor, particularly Raphael whose size also makes him a strong rebounder and inside scorer. Joel Rybachuk and Sebastian Kevin- Louis not only posses an outside touch, but also provide a defensive spark for their team. Add to the mix Robert Rodriguez, UNBC’s electric new recruit, and the T- Wolves arguably have the best backcourt in the league. Up-front several players will have to step up in place of Madsen, but that is not to say there is a shortage of athleticism inside. Kenny Carnes, Abdu Benrabah, Jesse Smith and Dan Stark are all capable of providing solid minutes shutting down opponent’s inside game and cleaning the glass. Veteran Dennis Stark plays much bigger than his 6’4” frame would suggest, and his ability to run the floor suits the T-Wolves run-and-gun style. Also keep an eye out for first year center ,Joshua Jebose. The 6’7” raw talent should develop into a solid performer by season’s end. The matchup between VIU and UNBC is quickly developing into a league rivalry. The Mariners are one of the top programs in British Columbia and both squads are nationally ranked, the men’s team is fourth in the country, and the women are seventh. Last year the UNBC men spoiled the Mariners run at a perfect season, beating VIU in the final two games of the regular season at the Northern Sports Centre. Furthermore, the Mariners hearts were crushed when UNBC beat them in the provincial finals hosted by VIU. The Mariners would want nothing more than to upset the T-Wolves in their first home game and ruin the championship celebration on Saturday. The women T-Wolves will be out to seek their own revenge as it was VIU that beat UNBC in the bronze medal game at provincials. Therefore, the games Friday and Saturday will have an exciting edge to them as VIU will try to play spoiler. The men and women teams are looking forward to the huge crowd support that in many cases can be the difference in such significant games. So rally up the troops, put on your green and gold and get out and make some noise for the T-Wolves Friday and Saturday. On opening night fans will receive UNBC rally towels, and Saturday, not only will the championship banners be raised, but players will be accepting awards received for their accomplishments last season. The women kick things off at 6:00pm and the men follow at 8:00pm. Green Beats Gold in Intersquad Game UNBC Men's basketball team prepare for season by playing eachother Oa ee = 5 Greem vs. Gold B-ball game 2s ~ tetas BROCK CAMPBELL ia eel Ry i NL ae \ Joel Rybachuk takes a jumper Robert Rodriguez and Inderbir Gill BROCK CAMPBELL Women T-Wolves checking out the action Green Eventually Win 110-101 BROCK CAMPBELL