The Pacwest basketball season is just around the corner and the Quest University men's and women's teams are gearing up for the start of the 2011-'12 campaign.
The women's team participated in the annual Vancouver Island University (VIU) invitational starting on Thursday (Oct. 13). Quest took on Camosun College in the tournament opener and despite having a 26-9 lead after one quarter, they fell to the Chargers 68-58. Maja Smiljic and Nicola Hitchcock led the way with 17 and 10 points, respectively, while Katrin Sandbichler grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
The Kermodes had a re-match with Camosun on Friday (Oct. 14) and managed to get a little revenge on the Chargers, winning by 15 points. According to Kermodes head coach Mike Woollard, strong play at both ends helped lead to the win.
"Ten players hit the score sheet and we were led by Maja Smiljic with 12 points," he said. "We had a very strong effort defensively that was highlighted by the job both Cynthia Lau and Smiljic did on Camosun's Anja Salvador, holding her to 10 points on the evening."
Quest battled Capilano University to close out the tournament, losing 64-59 after being outplayed in the game's final quarter. Smiljic again led the team with 15 points, with Delainee Behrns and Hitchcock contributing 12 apiece. Behrns led the way on the glass with nine rebounds, with Hitchcock grabbing eight.
The men's team also continued its exhibition schedule, hosting the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks on Friday (Oct. 14). Quest lost the game 70-50 and will now prepare for a busy upcoming weekend. The team has its annual Alumni Game on Friday (Oct. 21) and then hosts Douglas College on Saturday (Oct. 22). The women's team will next host Langara College on Saturday evening.
The season starts for both teams on Nov. 9, when they travel to Capilano University. The home opener is scheduled to tip off on Nov. 18 against Langara.
For more information on the teams, visit www.questkermodes.ca.
