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.”