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