BY
KEITH LACEY
It's been many years since there's been a big basketball game
held on campus at Cambrian College.
But that will all change Saturday evening when the Golden
Shield men's basketball team hosts Centennial College.
The winner of that contest earns a spot in the Ontario College
Athletic Association (OCAA) provincial championships next
weekend in Barrie so the importance of this game can't be
overestimated, said Cambrian head coach Brad Hann.
"One win and we're off to provincials...so yes, it's a very big
game," said Hann, a former standout player with the Laurentian
Voyageurs back in the 1990s.
The men's basketball program at Cambrian was cancelled several
years ago, but was brought back by the athletics department
last season.
In only its second season back in OCAA ball, the Golden Shield
had a very solid campaign finishing 10-8 in the regular
season.
Playing on home court is always an advantage, especially in a
one-game, sudden-death showdown, but his squad is in tough
against a very talented Centennial team, said Hann, who visited
Toronto Tuesday evening to watch them play against Sheridan
College.
"I don't know a lot about them, except that they are very
athletic and play very good one-on-one basketball," he
said.  "They have some tremendous athletes and their
athleticism and skill means they play a very up-tempo,
in-your-face style of basketball.
"They pressure you offensively all the time and then get in
your face and try not to let you set up offensively in their
defensive zone."
It's going to be crucial for his team to be patient and play
smart basketball against a team that is going to try and
intimidate them with their skill level, said Hann.
His squad knows how to play smart basketball and that's going
to be crucial if they are to have any success Saturday night,
he said.
Veteran Mitch Mallette is one of the best players in OCAA
basketball and he's going to have to lead the way and play a
great game, said Hann.
His other two top players, Mike Raskivicius and Jerome Bailey,
will also be counted on heavily, he said.
"Your best players have to be your top players when the games
get tough and I expect these three guys are going to have to
carry a lot of the load," he said.
While the team hasn't attracted big crowds all season, Hann is
expecting a huge crowd Saturday night.
There's been a lot of promotion around campus and it would be
nice to host a huge playoff game in front of hundreds of
screaming and yelling fans, said Hann.
The winner of this contest earns a trip to the OCAA
championships at Durham College in Oshawa March 1-4.
Game time Saturday night is 7 pm in the main gym at Cambrian
College's Barrydowne campus.
All sports fans are welcome.
