Jan. 6 2008

The Battles in Balmy Bear Country

The past weekend had us in an unusually balmy Edmonton watching the dual personality Dinos battle to a split with the Golden Bears, as each team took an opportunity to make it’s case for Central Division control, and each team had one night where they looked like they had found the answers. On Friday, Alberta caused Calgary to turn the ball over 23 times and scored easy lay-ups when their full court press was successful; the Bears also scored 10 pts. off offensive rebounds as they rolled over their visitors 87-68. In this game the outside shooting of Neb Aleksic, Scott Leigh, and Alex Steele gave the gold - clad Bears a big edge over the Dinos, who looked like they had a Christmas season rust attack .

On Saturday, Calgary spotted the Bears a 31-15 lead in the first quarter, then went into the phone booth to change into their ’supermen’ outfits and proceeded to shellack their hosts 83-56 in the final 3 stanzas. Blistering the nets with 12/20 shooting from beyond the arc, the Dinos also attacked with Henry Bekkering (15 pts.) and Robbie Sihota (20 pts.) bruising and fouling out Justin VanLoo, and sitting a frustrated Andrew Parker down with 4 fouls and 4 points. Calgary had five players in double figures, with Cody Darrah adding 12, Tyler Fidler hitting several clutch J’s for 10, and, oh yes, Jeff Price with 24 to lead both teams, and quarterback Calgary to their eventual 98- 87 win.

Having seen most Dinos point guards over the years (since 1962 ), we could testify to the abilities of Skip Morgan, Ian MacKay, John Rhodin, John Vigna, Ian Minnifee, Tony McDougall, Richard Bohne, Whit Hornsberger, and Josh Feist ( with many others not mentioned, but respected nonetheless), but Jeff Price played a game Saturday in Edmonton which rivalled any we have seen from a Calgary 1 - man. Playing against what Bears coach Don Horwood calls “the best guard combination in Canada West” (Alex Steele-CG Morrison), and following a game where he took a lot of heat from fans from both teams Friday, Price showed the mental toughness of a competitor who is ready to face any and all comers. Shooting 9/11 from the floor with few, if any, bunnies, and the composure to break the Alberta press and penetrate for scores or scoring passes. At the other end Price had Steele handcuffed to the degree that the Bears’ scoring leader was visibly shaken in the final 5 minutes, venting his frustration at prices defensive pressure. For my money, Jeff Price has answered the question asked by many observers all season long … ‘Do the Dinos have a point guard to run the show and compliment the power up front?”

In the Winnipeg MTS Tournament he competed favourably with guys like Erfan Nasajpour, Brad Rootes, and Paulo Santana, and he will not back down as he guides his team into the final 10 league games and the playoffs. If the rest of the Dinos can give what they gave Saturday, they can rely on Jeff Price to match that effort every time out.

Notes …

> Best tan among the many ‘Golden ‘ Bears coming off their Hawaiin getaway ? … Braydon Jantzen … by several shades. Is it better preparation to go to Hawaii or Winnipeg over the holidays? Who cares? Let’s book the Islands Coach Dan, then we’ll have a much better fan following!

> Cody Darrah’s final game in the U of A gym was a good one … with his parents Doug and Joanna looking on, he struck for a dozen points, 3 steals, 4 rebounds in one of his best outings in his home town. Nice article by Chris O’Leary in Sunday’s ‘Edmonton Journal’ about Cody and his 1st year Teammate, Andrew Parker, who also is an Edmonton product.

> Ross Bekkering played a strong game Saturday despite a painfully sprained ankle suffered Friday. Bekkering is all about playing the game, and has battled through several injuries in his 3 years in Calgary. Nobody gets better family support than the Bekkering boys as father Simon and various members of the clan are at each and every contest.

> Alberta’s 5th year post man Richard Bates has worked his way into a very reliable scorer for Coach Horwood … he had 23 Saturday when he was the steadiest presence on the floor for the Bears. Also one of the truly nice guys in the league.

> Scott Leigh, in only his 2nd year, looks like he’s a capable floor leader for Alberta as he handles the ball, distributes, and hits the outside shot. Calgary has three freshmen who can play as well … Fidler is the best known, but the super-quick Andrew Champagnie and the combative Brennen Fule will also give Coach Vanhooren many fine games ahead.

> Is anybody better than Jeremy Odland at being a team leader in his 5th year despite playing limited minutes this season? J.O. enters the game and gives the team a lift at both ends of the court, and is the vocal leader on the bench. Definition of a team player.

> You know it’s a January heat wave in Edmonton when you can stroll across the High Level Bridge without a toque, mitts, or raising the hood of your fur-lined parka … Or when you see some addled fool wearing a Maple Leafs toque cruising Jasper Avenue in his BMW sports car with the top down !

> Calgary welcomes the Lethbridge Pronghorns to ‘The Jack’ this coming weekend.

Jan. 5 2008

In a complete reversal of Friday’s game, the Dinos shocked the Golden Bears with a come from behind 98 - 87 win to take the season series 3:1. Alberta started fast and took a 31 - 15 lead, but the Dinos turned the tables in the second quarter outscoring the Bears
30 - 12.

Jeff Price was the driving force behind the Dinos win scoring 24 points on 9 of 11 shooting, and shutting down the Bears’ top scorer Alex Steele (12 points). Robbie Sihota had 20 points and 6 rebounds. Henry Bekkering added 15 points and Cody Darrah played a solid game notching 12 points.

Calgary maintains a hold on first place and hosts Lethbridge next weekend.

BOX SCORE

Jan. 4 2008

Inept offense marred by 23 turnovers gave the Golden Bears all the opportunity to run up the score on the hapless Dinos who were down 39 - 26 at the half. The Dinos offense showed no consistency and they turned the ball over several times against a full court press. Calgary was in foul trouble for most of the game as Jeff Price and Henry Bekkering sat out much of the first half.

Alberta was led by Alex Steele with 21 points. The Bears hit 9 of 23 three pointers. Rebounding was even at 37 - 36 for Calgary.

Robbie Sihota was high scorer for the Dinos with 17 and Henry Bekkering had 13. Ross Bekkering led both teams with 17 rebounds.

The loss drops Calgary to 9 -2 in league play with Alberta now at 8 - 3.

BOX SCORE

Jan. 3 2008

Could Be Final Series For Cody In Edmonton

For 5th year Dinos guard Cody Darrah, this weekend could well be the last University basketball he plays in his home town of Edmonton, as the Bears host Calgary in the first series of games in the second half of league play. This weekend is a chance for Cody to play in front of friends and family, and to get a little of his folks’ home cooking, but it is also a chance to help the Dinos pull away from the Bears, and ensure they will not have to play at U of A in a playoff series.

Darrah, who enters his 3rd season as a Dino, started CIS competition as a Golden Bear, but was released by Alberta after his 2nd year. Calgary coach Dan Vanhooren was happy to welcome the versatile shooting guard to the Dinos camp, and Darrah has played well as an outside shooting threat and on an occasional stint as a point guard, which he played at Strathcona High School for Coach Tim Martens. The 5th best 3 pt. shooter in Canada West thus far this season, Darrah is also playing his best defensive ball as well, and his passing skills are crucial to the powerful inside game of the Dinos.

Game time is 8:00 pm both Friday and Saturday as the Bears (7-3) and Dinos (9-1) battle for Alberta bragging rights and playoff positions.

Notes …
> 1st year guard Andrew Champagnie, from Edmonton’s Ross Sheppard T-Birds, will also play in front of familiar faces, but this is ‘Champ’s” first action in the CIS in his home town.

> Jeremy Odland joins Darrah as the two 5th year Calgary players on the roster, while Alberta has Alex Steele, Richard Bates, Andrew Parker, and Jeff Storck in their final year of eligibility.

> Calgary lost both games in Edmonton last season, as they were 1-3 on the year vs. U of A, but they posted two impressive wins in Calgary against the Bears before Christmas this campaign.

Jan. 2, 2008

Whenever the Calgary Dinos meet the Alberta Golden Bears, it is a big game, but the upcoming pair of league games to be played at U of A can go a long way to determining the relative playoff positions of the two teams, even though it is just the first week back.

The Dinos, who sit at 9-1 atop the Central Division, stomped all over Alberta (95-74 and 98-73) in the two league contests in Calgary before Christmas, can take control with a similar performance in Bear Country, while Coach Don Horwood looks to the return of point guard C.G. Morrison to turn the tables for the Bears. Alex Steele, the Alberta scoring leader, has had to shoulder much more of the ball-handling and scoring responsibility, and Horwood says,” … when C.G. returns, that should relieve some of the scoring pressure from him.”

The Bears also need Andrew Parker to play at his best , if they hope to match the power of Calgary up front. “Andrew continues to be, in my mind, our most improved player,” says Coach Horwood. “His only weak series was against Calgary ….” Indeed, Parker had little success against Henry Bekkering , who had 28 pts. the first night to Parker’s 5, but Andrew came back for 14 the second night, and has the athleticism to give the Dinos concern.

Richard Bates, the 6′11″ 5th year post player has been a steady force for Alberta all season , and was effective at the offensive end in Calgary, with 16 pts. in game two. Giving Bates more touches might well be on the Bears’ agenda this weekend. Alberta’s fortunes will probably hinge, however, on the play of Steele, who has been a thorn in Calgary’s side in years past. He can score from the perimeter and take it to the hoop, and will be a tough match-up for the visiting Dinos.

Calgary comes off a 2-1 weekend tournament in Winnipeg with wins over Acadia and the Wesmen, but a frustrating loss to Brock, so they are looking to get on track for a strong second half, which sees them facing three challenging road trips starting at U of A, then at Regina and Brandon ( Jan.18/19), and finishing with two in Saskatoon against the Huskies ( Feb. 8/9).

Ross Bekkering got his offensive game on track Sunday vs. Winnipeg with 25 pts., and his ability to stay in the game and avoid foul trouble will be crucial to Calgary fortunes. Brother Henry has been the leader, and played well in Winnipeg , for the most part, and , when he takes it inside, he is a load for anybody the Bears can put on him. Robbie Sihota has really hit his stride, and several double-doubles in the last half-dozen outings make him another big threat for Calgary.

A key reason for Calgary strength this season is the overall toughness of point guard Jeff Price, who has come over from Mt. Royal College and taken the reins for Coach Dan Vanhooren, who says” Jeff is a gritty competitor, who has made a huge difference for us at both ends of the floor. He has been hitting clutch shots, distributing the ball, and doing a great job at the defensive end as well.”

Dec. 31 2007

The Calgary Dinos claimed third place in the MTS Wesmen Classic at the University of Winnipeg with a convincing 99-79 shellacking of the home team on Sunday afternoon at the Duckworth Centre. Ross Bekkering broke out for 25 pts. and led a strong 4th quarter charge to stifle Winnipeg, who got a game high 36 pts. from the incomparable Erfan Najaspour, their 5th year super guard.

Robbie Sihota and Hennry Bekkering both had 20, and Jeff Price added 16 for the Dinos , who led 46-38 at the half. Winnipeg had no answer for the inside game of Calgary, who shot 50% from the field against 40% for the Wesmen, and cashed in 14/18 free throws (77%) compared to only 5/10 from Winnipeg. The Dinos won the battle on the boards 48-38 led by 12 from Ross Bekkering, and 11 each from Sihota and Henry B., as all three starting forwards record double-doubles.

Next Dinos action will be at Alberta on January 4th and 5th to open up the second half of Canada West league play.

Dec. 30 2007

“Up-Up-Up the ladder … D-o-o-w-w-n-n the snake!” As high as the Dinos were after beating #2 Acadia on Friday night at the MTS Wesmen Classic in Winnipeg, they are reeling after a 75-72 loss to the previously unranked Brock Badgers on Saturday.

After an excruciatingly slow start, allowing Brock to seize a 22-10 1st quarter lead, the Dinos made a 4th quarter run to get as close as 71-70, but the Badgers’ Scott Murray hit a trey with 30 seconds left, and a Robbie Sihota 3 pt. attempt to tie rattled out at the buzzer.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well with Brock at 38% from the floor and Calgary a tepid 37% as the Dinos relied on 22 pts. from Jeff Price, 17 from Henry Bekkering, and a double-double from Robbie Sihota, who notched 13 pts. and grabbed 12 boards. Murray led both teams with 24 points including 5 treys, as the Badgers put up 12/40 from beyond the arc, while the Dinos managed only 4/19. Calgary out-rebounded Brock 52-31, but were missing offensive contributions from Cody Darrah and Tyler Fidler, who were a combined 1 of 11 from the shooting guard spot, and Ross Bekkering, who played only 18 minutes and drew a technical foul in frustration after having rung up only 8 pts.

So as much as the Acadia win was a big plus for the Dinos for CIS rankings, the Brock loss will prevent them from gaining ground on Eastern schools. Calgary meets Winnipeg in Sunday’s 3rd place game, and return home Monday to prepare for the resumption of league play next weekend at Alberta.

Dec. 28 2007

The 7th ranked Calgary Dinos out-rebounded, out-shot, and out-played the #2 Acadia Axemen in chalking up a 79-69 win in the first game of the MTS Classic at the University of Winnipeg Friday. The Dinos dominated the game and were up by 22 at one point in the second half, led by a sparkling effort from point guard Jeff Price, who dealt out 11 assists against only 1 turnover, and notched 14 pts. of his own.

Henry Bekkering was the high scorer with 20, and he also grabbed 8 boards, while Robbie Sihota had 16 pts. and 9 rebounds, and Ross Bekkering contributed 15 pts. and 9 boards in only 21 minutes. Calgary had 38 rebounds to 34 for the Axemen, from Wolfeville, Nova Scotia, who were last year’s Atlantic Champions. Acadia was led by Leonel Saintil, who netted 19 points and had 7 rebounds. Josh Lovestone and Tyler Fidler were impressive off the bench for the Dinos, with Fidler snaring 5 rebounds and Lovestone playing strong defense.

In one semi-final Saturday Calgary now faces the Brock Badgers (St. Catherines, ON) , who turned aside the powerful Brandon Bobcats 74-66 Friday in a come from behind win against the #5 ‘Cats. Late games tonight have Winnipeg against Royal Military College, and manitoba facing Minot State, ND.