Some of the best young collegiate basketball players in the country are coming to 麻豆社国产and the hometown Quest University Kermodes will look to use home court at the Kermode Kave to their advantage.
The Quest men's team is one of eight teams entered in the small-university Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national tournament today through Saturday (March 13 to 15). The Kermodes take on the Ontario champion Sheridan Bruins on Thursday (March 13) at 6:30 p.m.
Quest is seeded seventh in the eight-team tournament but the best regular season in school history (16 wins and five losses) and a bronze medal showing at the Pacwest provincials have helped prove they belong at the national showcase.
Kermodes guard Jose Colorado told The Chief that the team's goal at the start of the year was not to back their way into a spot at the tournament.
"We want to prove that we're more than just a host team," he said. "We want to deserve to be there and hopefully we can make some noise."
Making noise in the tournament won't be an easy task against the two-time defending OCAA champion Sheridan Bruins. The Bruins finished the regular season with a record of 18 wins and three losses and won the OCAA title with a 76-75 win over the Algonquin on March 1.
The Bruins are led by playoff MVP Michael Selkridge, who scored 50 points in the Bruins' three playoff wins, and by guard Trevor Williams, who led the team with 16.4 points per game during the regular season. Bruins head coach Jim Flack was also named his division's coach of the year.
Other teams participating at the tournament include champions: the Langara Falcons (Pacwest, B.C.), Red Deer Kings (ACAC, Alberta), Vanier Cheetahs (RSEQ, Quebec) and Holland Hurricanes (ACAA, PEI). Wildcard teams competing are the Crandall Chargers (ACAA, New Brunswick) and Concordia Thunder (ACAC, Alberta).
It's the first time in school history that Quest has hosted a nationals event and athletic director and men's basketball head coach Sean Shook said it should be a great event for the school and the 麻豆社国产community.
"Many people at our institution and in the community are already excited to host a memorable event for all participants," he said. "We look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches and fans to Squamish."
麻豆社国产residents are encouraged to check out the games, which kick off on Thursday at 1 p.m. and last until Saturday (March 15) evening when the national champion will be crowned.
A tournament pass gives fans access to all 13 games and costs $40 or there are six different blocks of two games each that cost $10 apiece. Individual game prices are $10 for preliminary games and $15 for the gold- and bronze-medal final games. All tickets are available for purchase inside the Quest University gym.
Stay tuned to The Chief online for updated results and coverage from the tournament.
