Written by: Jeremy Sawatzky, BU Sports Information
BRANDON, MB – Ranked number 1 in the country and winners of 13 straight games, the Brandon University Bobcats are looking to move one step closer to
a trip to Halifax and hosting the Canada West Final 4 championships.
Up first, however, is a best-of-three showdown with the Regina Cougars to
determine the champions of the Great Plains Division this weekend at the BU
Gymnasium.
“We have to be focused and will be ready to play from the first tip,” says
Brandon head coach Barnaby Craddock. “Regina has won this division the past
two seasons, and if we want to be the best, we have to knock off the
defending champs. They (Regina) are playing good basketball right now. We
need to be ready to go this weekend.”
The Bobcats have been victorious in all 5 meetings with the Cougars this
season, including a pair of wins three weeks ago. Since that weekend,
though, Regina has won 4 of 5, including an impressive series victory over
the Winnipeg Wesmen in the Great Plains Division semi-final. Brandon,
meanwhile, is rested following a bye week.
Dany Charlery, who topped the team with 16 points per game during the
regular season, leads Brandon. Adam Hartman delivered just over 15 points
per game, while three other ‘Cats also averaged double figures in scoring.
And with last year’s opening round upset at the hands of the Wesmen still
fresh in their minds, Craddock expects his team to come out firing on all
cylinders this weekend.
“We’ve been motivated since September by what happened last year,” noted
Craddock. “We felt we didn’t reach our potential, and that drives us on a
daily basis. But as far as basketball basics go, we’re just going to get out
there and play like we have all year.”
Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February
24, with game 3 – if necessary – scheduled for Sunday afternoon, February 25
at 3:00 p.m.
In conjunction with the match on Saturday, February 24, 2007, Brandon
University will honour Coach Emeritus Jerry Hemmings with a tribute night.
The evening will feature the unveiling of a banner designating Hemmings as
Coach Emeritus at 6:55 p.m. (attendees should be seated by 6:45).
Immediately following the game, a reception will be held in the Private
Dining Room (located on the ground level of McMaster Hall on the Brandon
University campus) that will feature speeches from BU representatives, as
well as others, honouring Hemmings' career.
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For more information, please contact:
Rick Nickelchok, Athletic Director
Phone: 727 - 7405
Email: nickelchokr@brandonu.ca
Kelly Stifora, BU Communications Officer
Phone: 727 - 9762
Email: stiforak@brandonu.ca
Xanthe Burch, Athletic Clerk
Phone: 727 - 7375
Email: burchx@brandonu.ca
BRANDON, MB – Ranked number 1 in the country and winners of 13 straight games, the Brandon University Bobcats are looking to move one step closer to
a trip to Halifax and hosting the Canada West Final 4 championships.
Up first, however, is a best-of-three showdown with the Regina Cougars to
determine the champions of the Great Plains Division this weekend at the BU
Gymnasium.
“We have to be focused and will be ready to play from the first tip,” says
Brandon head coach Barnaby Craddock. “Regina has won this division the past
two seasons, and if we want to be the best, we have to knock off the
defending champs. They (Regina) are playing good basketball right now. We
need to be ready to go this weekend.”
The Bobcats have been victorious in all 5 meetings with the Cougars this
season, including a pair of wins three weeks ago. Since that weekend,
though, Regina has won 4 of 5, including an impressive series victory over
the Winnipeg Wesmen in the Great Plains Division semi-final. Brandon,
meanwhile, is rested following a bye week.
Dany Charlery, who topped the team with 16 points per game during the
regular season, leads Brandon. Adam Hartman delivered just over 15 points
per game, while three other ‘Cats also averaged double figures in scoring.
And with last year’s opening round upset at the hands of the Wesmen still
fresh in their minds, Craddock expects his team to come out firing on all
cylinders this weekend.
“We’ve been motivated since September by what happened last year,” noted
Craddock. “We felt we didn’t reach our potential, and that drives us on a
daily basis. But as far as basketball basics go, we’re just going to get out
there and play like we have all year.”
Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February
24, with game 3 – if necessary – scheduled for Sunday afternoon, February 25
at 3:00 p.m.
In conjunction with the match on Saturday, February 24, 2007, Brandon
University will honour Coach Emeritus Jerry Hemmings with a tribute night.
The evening will feature the unveiling of a banner designating Hemmings as
Coach Emeritus at 6:55 p.m. (attendees should be seated by 6:45).
Immediately following the game, a reception will be held in the Private
Dining Room (located on the ground level of McMaster Hall on the Brandon
University campus) that will feature speeches from BU representatives, as
well as others, honouring Hemmings' career.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Rick Nickelchok, Athletic Director
Phone: 727 - 7405
Email: nickelchokr@brandonu.ca
Kelly Stifora, BU Communications Officer
Phone: 727 - 9762
Email: stiforak@brandonu.ca
Xanthe Burch, Athletic Clerk
Phone: 727 - 7375
Email: burchx@brandonu.ca