BY SCOTT HADDOW
Big Ben Palmer is ready to stomp all over the
competition in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA)
basketball league.
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Ben Palmer is hoping for a big
season and a championship ending for 2005-06. |
The six-foot-eight centre is in his fourth
and potentially final year at Laurentian University. As one of
the team's leaders, Palmer has his sights set high.
"My role is to be a leader on this team,"
said the Kincardine native. "We have a lot of young players. I
want to help them improve. I lead by example and keep players
motivated."
Palmer averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds
per game last season. The big man who was born, ironically
enough, in Palmerson, ON, wants to better those numbers by
helping the team make the playoffs, and hopefully, lead them on
a long run towards a championship.
"I definitely feel ready for a big season,"
said the 22-year-old. "From a team stand point, if we play hard
like a team all year than we could go a long way. We want a top
spot for the playoffs and then take it as far as we can go from
there."
Voyageurs head coach Virgil Hill has Palmer
pencilled in as a key cog in the Laurentian machine during the
2005-06 campaign.
"As Ben goes, we will go," said Hill. "When
Ben is on his game, I believe he's as good as any forward/post
in the country. We as a team gain strength from his production
as other teams have to double team him, resulting in open shots
for his teammates."
Palmer can be a dominating force and hell to
play against thanks to his 220-pound frame.
"Ben's an excellent runner in transition and
plays very physical in the low block," said Hill. "If he's
playing against another player who doesn't want to be physical,
Ben will punish that player all game. He's an underrated
athlete. I am expecting him to play...about 25 to 30 minutes a
game and put up
18 points and 10 rebounds every game."
With the graduation loss of big scorer, Andy
Grieg, there will be pressure on Palmer to produce offensively
and show savvy leadership. It's exactly the kind of situation
Palmer wants to thrive in.
"It doesn't bother me at all to be a marked
man," said the forward. "It's a challenge I want every game.
Being the focus of other teams is a good opportunity for our
team to show everyone just how deep we are."
Opponents can expect to see a lot of Palmer
this season, especially under the basket battling hard for
rebounds.
"Rebounding is one of my best strengths
because of my intensity, anticipation and positioning," said
Palmer. "My low post scoring is also a strength."
Palmer has enjoyed the sights and sounds of
living in Greater Sudbury over the past four years.
"This has been an experience I wouldn't trade
for anything in the world," said Palmer. "The basketball
program has been like a second family to me. It's taught me a
lot about myself such as how far I can push myself and what I
am capable of."
Palmer Fast facts:
Jersey Number: 44
Position: centre
Height: 6-8
Weight: 220-pounds
Program: commerce
Age: 22
