STEWART NAMED CANADA WEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR March 4, 2010
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Greg Stewart (A. Snucins photo)
For the first time in their five year history, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team has a major award winner. Forward Greg Stewart (4th year, Kamloops, BC) has been selected as the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year.
Stewart was chosen in a poll of Canada West coaches and will now compete for the CIS “Defensive Player of the Year.”
Stewart led the Canada west in rebounding and blocked shots. He had 57 offensive rebounds and 138 defensive rebounds in 17 games. That was an average of 11.5 rebounds per game. He also had 43 blocked shots in 17 games with an average of 2.53 per game.
Stewart was second in the Canada West in field goal percentage. He made 103 of 183 in 17 games for a percentage of .563.
WolfPack interim head coach Tom Gillespie had this to say about Stewart’s honor: “The numbers for rebounding and blocked shots speak loudly for Greg’s impact at the defensive end of the court. Even more impressive was how many shots he altered and the indecision he created for our opposition in the key.
Opponents were forced to prepare for Greg each game and it was reflected in the number of perimeter shots our opponents attempted. Strategically teams tried to force him to defend on the perimeter but found out that his athleticism was as impressive as his height and length in the paint.
Greg was far and away our plus minus leader. When he wasn’t on the court our opponents were more confident in attacking the basket and it was evident many nights in CW competition.
The defensive play of the year would have to be his block on a reverse dunk attempt by 6′9″ CIS All-Canadian Ross Bekkering in Calgary. The fans rose to their feet for an exciting slam dunk finish only to have Greg throw the ball out of bounds behind the Dinos bench to silence their fans momentarily. “
After learning of his honour, Stewart said: “It feels amazing. It just goes to show that when you work hard and try our best you can succeed!. It really feels amazing knowing that whatever you are dealt with in life, you can achieve something great if you strive for it.”
Stewart felt the 2009-10 campaign was one where he came out of his shell and he demonstrated he could play in the league. He added that winning the award is a huge honor and is another step in his evolution as a basketball player. Stewart was a member of Canada’s Standing Men’s Volleyball team and felt that experience helped him learn to show greater respect, sportsmanship and professionalism towards being on a high calibre team.
“I’d like to thank my coaches for pushing me to take the next step and my wonderful friends and family for their help and support,” he added.
Here is a list of the rest of the Canada West award winners and All-Stars:
Following is a breakdown of all individual award winners and All-Stars:
Awards
MVP: Josh Whyte, UBC
Rookie of the Year: Jordan Baker, Alberta
Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Stewart, Thompson Rivers
Ken Shields Award nominee: Kevin Shaw, Simon Fraser
Coach of the Year: Kevin Hanson, UBC
All-Stars
First Team Second Team
Josh Whyte, UBC Jeff Price, Lethbridge
Showron Glover, Saskatchewan Dany Charlery, Brandon
Ross Bekkering, Calgary Sean Burke, SFU
Jacob Doerksen, TWU Robbie Sihota, Calgary
Zeon Gray, Fraser Valley Chas Kok, SFU
Major award winners become finalists for national awards, handed out by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) at Nationals, hosted by Carleton University, March 19-21 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
WOLFPACK PLAYERS FINISH UP AMONG CANADA WEST STAT LEADERS February 15, 2010
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Kevin Tillie was the best in the Canada West when it came to service aces (A. Snucins photo)
The 2009-10 Canada West regular season has now officially closed. Although only one team from Thompson Rivers Univeristy has made it to the playoffs, there are a number of personal accomplishments from the teams to be proud of.
Three WolfPack athletes finished on top in individual catagories. In men’s volleyball, Colin Carson (1st year, setter, Prince George, BC) was the Canada West assist leader. He had 722 in 67 sets averaging 10.78 per game. Kevin Tillie (1st year, left side, Cagnes Sur Mer, France) was tops in Service Aces (30 in 67 sets for an 0.45 per set average).
In men’s basketball, Greg Stewart (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) was the top rebounder (57 offensive, 138 defensive for 195 and an average of 11.5 per game). He also had the most blocked shots in the Canada West (43 in 17 games averaging 2.53 per game). Jeff Friesen (5th year, forward, Duncan, BC) led the league in minutes played (639 through 18 games, averaging 35.50 minutes per game.
There were a number of WolfPack athletes who figured prominently in the year end stats. In men’s volleyball: Gord Perrin (3rd year, outside hitter, Creston, BC) and Tillie were second and third in Kills (Perrin 309 in 66 sets for a 4.68 average, Tillie had 250 kills in 67 sets for a 3.73 average). They were also second and third in points (Perrin had 342 for a 5.18 per game average, Tillie had 295 points for a 4.40 average). Carson was sixth in service ages (17 in 67 games for an average of 0.25 per game).
Anna Dyakiewicz (3rd year, outside hitter, Burnaby, BC) was second in women’s volleyball in kills (247 in 71 sets averaging 3.48 points per set). She was also sixth in points (274 averaging 3.86 per game).
In men’s basketball: Sean Garvey (5th year, guard, Kamloops, BC) was seventh in league scoring (319 points in 18 games averaging 17.7 points per game) and second in three point shots made (61 in 18 games for an average of 3.39 per game. Friesen was seventh in rebounding (39 offense, 98 defence for 137 in 18 games averaging 7.6 rebounds per game). Drew Bleth (5th year, guard, Ridgeview, Wash) was second in free throw percentage (40 of 47 in 18 games for a percentage of .851).
The WolfPack men’s volleyball team opens up the Canada West Quarterfinals on the road in Brandon on February 26 th.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC.
WEBSITE: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index http://francais.cis-sic.ca/championships/mvball/index
MBB LEAD BY 10 AT HALF BUT FALL TO SFU February 6, 2010
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Sean Garvey's 23 points gave him the TRU Bookstore "Leader of the Pack" award
It was ‘close but no cigar’ time once again for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team. Closing out their 2009-10 Canada West season on home court, the WolfPack led the #7 Nationally ranked SFU Clan 44-34 at half time, but wound up on the short end of a 91-74 decision at the Tournament Capital Center on Saturday (Feb 6).
The Clan up their record to 13 and 3. TRU finishes the campaign at 3 and 14—the winningest season in the schools brief CIS history (5 years).
The WolfPack jumped out to a 20-17 lead after the first quarter, and rolled to the 10 point lead at the half thanks in part to shooting 53.8 % from beyond the arc. Sean Garvey (5th year, guard, Kamloops, BC), playing his final game in the CIS had 13 of his game high 23 points in that opening period.
But, the WolfPack ran into some foul trouble in the third quarter—sending SFU to the line a number of times. That cost them as they were outscored 31-17 in that period.
The Clan also got some key baskets from 5th year guard Matt Kuziminski (Nanaimo, BC) in the second half en route to the victory. He wound up with a team high 21 points as did fellow fifth year guard Sean Burke (Surrey, BC).
“I thought we played a pretty solid first half,” said WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie. “ We shot the ball well and rebounded. The third quarter saw some factors which we couldn’t control which took the momentum away from us. Certainly their rebounding presence and defence stepped up. The fourth quarter saw them make a couple of big three’s to win. I thought we did a good job to hang around but they are number seven in the country for a reason.”
Clan coach Scott Clark felt his team’s mental effort wasn’t where it should have been in the first half. “ If you try to win a ‘little bit less’ you think a little more clearly. I thought that we really wanted to win. But that wasn’t the goal. The goal is to do your job and the win will take care of itself. I thought we did a little better job of that in the second half.”
The WolfPack had three other players in double figures scoring wise: Greg Stewart (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) had a double double—15 points and 11 rebounds. Jeff Friesen (5 th year, forward, Duncan, BC) had 13 points with Drew Bleth (5 th year, guard, Ridgeview, Wash) chipping in with 11 points in their final games in the CIS.
SFU also had two other players with 10 points or more. Eric Burrell (3rd year,forward, Surrey, BC) had a double double (16 points and 10 rebounds). Kevin Shaw (5th year, guard, North Vancouver, BC) had 10 points.
The Clan outrebounded the WolfPack 42-36 and had 12 turnovers to TRU’s 17.
FREE THROWS: Garvey felt that he played three good quarters in his final game. “I ran out of gas in the fourth. The season was very long and tough on my body. Coming back and playing large minutes….overall, I was happy with it. I wish we could have come out with the win.”
Bleth felt the game was a battle all night. “ I don’t want to say they out worked us but a couple of loose balls, a couple of key shots and tough calls and it wound up being a 14 point game.”
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC
MBB COME CLOSE TO KNOCKING OFF CLAN IN FIRST OF TWO February 5, 2010
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A. Snucins photo
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team proved they can play and stay with the number seven ranked team in the CIS. The WolfPack outscored the Simon Fraser University Clan 24-22 in the second quarter and later fell short to them 79-73 in a see saw Canada West basketball game at the Tournament Capital Center on Friday (Feb 6).
Matt Kuzminski (5th year, Guard, Nanaimo, BC) hit a three pointer with 1:17 to make the score 74-71 which was the difference in the contest. The victory gives SFU a record of 13 and 3. TRU falls to 3 and 14.
“I thought we had a let down early in the first quarter,” said WolfPack head coach Thom Gillespie. “We started out really well and they capitalized. We didn’t score for a very long time. I thought we played pretty well through the second and third quarters. But down the stretch, we didn’t execute. They are number seven in the country for a reason. They can execute and get key stops.”
“They are a quality opponent,” said SFU coach Scott Clark. “For them to beat Trinity Western and Victoria proves they are a quality basketball team. They have some size and some shooting. Despite their record, we knew that they would be tough against us.”
The Clan outrebounded TRU 43-37 in the contest led by Eric Burrell’s (3rd year, forward, Surrey, BC) 12. TRU turned over the ball 15 times in the contest compared to SFU’s 12.
The game see sawed with both teams exchanging the lead.
Greg Stewart (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) was the games high scorer. He was named the TRU Bookstore “Leader of the Pack” player of the game with 22 points. Sean Garvey (5th year, guard, Kamloops, BC) had 16 points for the WolfPack. Matt Pierce (3rd year, guard, Winnipeg, Man) added 13 points with Drew Bleth (5th year, guard, Ridgeview,Wash) contributing 10points.
SFU was led by Kuzminski with 16 points. Sean Burke added 15 points. Other Clan in double figures were Kevin Shaw( 5th year, guard, North Vancouver, BC) and Jordan Nostedt( 4th year, guard, Brandon, Man) with 10 points a piece.
Clark thought the difference in the contest could have been his team’s depth: “ We didn’t have to play anybody any extended minutes where they had to.”
The Clan coach expects more of the same when the two teams close out the Canada West regular season Saturday (Feb 6) at the TCC at 7 pm. “ It should be a good game. I know it’s going to be seniors night and there will be a lot of emotion from those kids. They’ll want to play well. We will have to be up to the task.”
Gillespie expects his three seniors—Bleth, Garvey and Friesen —to be composed in their final University basketball game. “ I don’t anticipate they’ll get caught up in emotion. They have had a pretty good experience in general. Jeff and Sean had a championship and a different type, but good experience in the CIS. Drew has really enjoyed all the friends he has made and his teammates and to experience something most U.S. kids don’t get to experience. I think they will be happy celebrating their time here. Hopefully they go out with a “W”.”
Bleth, Friesen and Garvey will be honoured before the contests.
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC
WOLFPACK TO SAY GOOD BYE TO BLETH, FRIESEN AND GARVEY February 3, 2010
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Drew Bleth (A. Snucins)
Jeff Friesen (A. Snucins)
Sean Garvey (A. Snucins)
As the Thompson Rivers Universithy WolfPack men’s basketball team closes the book on its 2009-10 Canada West season this weekend (Feb 5-6), they also will say good bye to their three veteran players.
Guards Drew Bleth (Ridgefield, Wash) and Sean Garvey (Kamloops, BC) along with forward Jeff Friesen (Duncan, BC) will be playing out their university eligibility against the seventh ranked team in the CIS: the Simon Fraser University Clan at the Tournament Capital Center.
The three players admit that they haven’t thought much about the significance of this week in their basketball careers. “ It is just starting to hit me,” says Bleth, who came to TRU in 2008 from junior college in the U.S. . Friesen and Garvey returned to school to play out their eligibility. Friesen came back last year, Garvey this season. Both had started University when TRU was known as the University College of the Cariboo.
“I think as we get a day away, or after Saturday’s game is when I think I’ll come to the conclusion that its actually all over,” Friesen explains.
All three players have enjoyed some personal success in their final year. Bleth is among the Canada West’s top free throw shooters (2nd: good 39 of 45 times for a percentage of .867), Friesen enters the final weekend ninth in the league in rebounding (7.5 per game average), Garvey is eighth in scoring (averaging 17.5 points per game) and second in three point field goals (53 in 16 games for an average of 3.31).
While all three say they have had a great time playing at the highest level, they say the friendships they gained through playing with the WolfPack is what they will remember most. “ Having the opportunity to come back and play with one of my best friends (Friesen),” is something I’ll cherish most.” Garvey explains.
Garvey and Friesen were part of the U.C.C. Team which won the Canadian College Athletic Association title in 2005. It was the final year in that league before moving to the CIS. Both have fond memories of that experience. “I just remember everything coming together perfectly and it being a very satisfying experience at the end of the year,” says Friesen, who completed his final two years of eligibility while holding down a full time job at CIBC. “We were actually rewarded for all the hard work we put in. Only one team in the nation each year gets to feel that way, it was amazing.”
Says Garvey: “ the 2005 national championship….holding the banner and cutting down the nets. But, my fondest memory of that was when a NAIT fan pulled the fire alarm at our morning shoot and we went to the next building and sang and danced in the main lobby area. It was incredible fun.’
The time Garvey and Friesen spent away from the university environment gave them a special insight into being a student athlete, one they hope that their current teammates and future players with the WolfPack Athletic program don’t take for granted. “ If you ever get a chance to be a student/athlete, take advantage of it and play for as long as you can,” says Friesen. “ I took 2 years off and regretted every second of it. I was lucky enough to get a second chance. Even if you think the team might be as strong, you should still play. Not to sound cliché, but it really isn’t about the wins and losses: it’s about the experiences you gain from being apart of something special. If you ask any players about their favourite experiences while playing, I can guarantee the first thing they will talk about are the people and stuff that happened along the way before they mention any game they won. That is what they miss the most. That already, is what I will miss the most.”
So, what will it be like on Saturday night when the clock ticks down?
Bleth: “ It is definitely going to be weird. I don’t think I’ll cry but it’ll be sad and crazy to think that it’s my last university basketball game that I’ll ever play.”
Garvey: “ I’m not sure how emotional it’ll be because I have already walked away with the intent of never playing again. But, I think this will be a little different because I will never plahy again. I think taking the jersey off will be tough.”
Friesen: “ I’m not really an emotional guy. I will be mostly happy. I think Sean will cry. He is a lot more emotional than me (Iaughing).
All three players will be honoured before their final game and will have parents, siblings and friends in attendance.
NOTES: Both Garvey and Friesen should pass former teammate (and current friend) Ryan Porter atop of the all-time Cariboo College/UCC/TRU scoring list. Entering this weekend, Garvey sits at 1295 points, Friesen is at 1249. Porters record is 1274.
Garvey took time to thank both former coach Nevin Gleddie and current coach Thom Gillespie for giving him the chance to play the sport he loved.
Game times this weekend are 8 pm on Friday (Feb 5) and 7 pm on Saturday (Feb 6). At halftime on Friday, the TRU Sports Task force will honor 2009-10 scholarship/bursary winners: Robin Schoebel, Kevin Tillie and Kyle Donen (Men’s Volleyball), Brittany Bureau (Women’s Volleyball) and Garrett Babichuk (Badminton). On Saturday, it’ll be Ashley Shannik (Women’s Volleyball), Casey Cullen (Men’s Soccer) and Jessie Lebert (Women’s Soccer).
TRU WOLFPACK ATHLETICS: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2010 CIS MENS NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-MARCH 12-14 TH TOURNAENT CAPITAL CENTER, KAMLOOPS BC