Varsity Update - February 1, 2010
Men’s Basketball
Jerome Smith scored 25 points to power the Mohawk men's basketball team to a narrow 70-68 win over the Niagara Knights in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association action in Welland January 27.
"Jerome played his best game in his three years at Mohawk," said Mountaineers head coach Brian Jonker. Former Niagara star Nick Fadayel had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Mike Soluk contributed 11 boards.
"It was a big win for us, said Jonker of his team, which improved to 7-5. "It puts us in a good spot to make the playoffs. Now we want to keep the run going and get a home playoff game."
January 29 in Sault Ste. Marie, the Mountaineers rolled to their fifth consecutive victory and sent the hometown Sault Cougars to their 14th straight loss, 73-64. Ricky Heath paced the team with 13 points. Alex Reis and Soluk had 12 apiece.
However, it was not a good day the next afternoon at Algoma University. The Thunderbirds snapped the Mountaineers five game run in a 90-59 romp. Mohawk had a chance to pull even with their opponent in the West Region standings, but instead fell to 8-6, while Algoma went to 10-4. Soluk had 17 points for the Mountaineers and Tanner Lane added 14. Coach Jonker said the team was hoping to make it two wins in as many days. "But we didn't shoot well and they did, said Jonker. "Algoma also had more energy at the start of the game.”
Women’s Basketball
The news was not good for the Mohawk women in the past week as they dropped two games on the road, starting at Niagara in Welland, where they bowed 67-40 to the Knights January 27.
"We battled in the first half for 15 minutes and threw in the towel, said head coach Kelly Dunham. "We were out-rebounded, outworked and had over 25 turnovers," as Niagara improved its record to 5-4. The Knights led 32-22 after 20 minutes, but really decided the issue with a 9-0 run to start the second half. Casey Boggs scored 17 points for Mohawk. Alisha Mills and Tracy Lehane added 10 each.
In Sault Ste. Marie, January 30, Mohawk lost 56-38 to Algoma. The Thunderbirds led 27-20 at the half. Mohawk fell to 1-9. Algoma improved to 5-7.
Lehane scored 10 points for the Mountaineers. Morgan Taylor and Keanan Vernon had nine apiece.
Coach Dunham said her team had a strong first half and competed for 30 minutes. "We lost our edge in the second half, said Dunham. "We made too many mental mistakes. We went away from the things that were working well for us and that really hurt us."
Women’s Volleyball
The Mohawk women's volleyball team improved it's OCAA record to 10-4 with two straight sets victories the past week. First, the Mountaineers beat the Redeemer Royals 25-16, 25-16, 25-9 at the Fennell Gymnasium January 26.
Lauren Aquilina had nine kills and one stuff block for the Mountaineers. Jenna Gignac collected nine kills and one service ace and Jenn Knowles had six kills and three blocks.
January 29 the team travelled north and swept the Sault Cougars 25-14, 25-11, 25-19. Leah Waxman had 1 kills, two blocks and three aces to lead the Mountaineers, who had to make the trip with just eight players. Aquilina had another good match with 11 kills and two aces.
Men’s Volleyball
Redeemer ran it's West Region-leading record to 10-1 downing Mohawk in a five set marathon. The scores were 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 21-25, 15-12. Chris Davidson had 16 offensive points and Ian Cameron 15, for the Mountaineers, who fell to 7-3.
