BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
In one word, big.
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The 2004-05 Laurentian University menÂ's
basketball team will feature plenty of big players. Team
officials hope this will allow the squad to compete in the
ultra tough OUA East Division and make a return to the
playoffs.
Last season, the men finished with a 6-16
record.
Over the summer, head coach Virgil Hill was
busy plugging holes on his team with size, size and more
size.
In a series of recruitment signings, Hill
landed six-foot-10 centre Jonathan Rass from Aurora,
six-foot-seven centre/power forward Alex Whiteman from
Vancouver, six-foot-four guard Matt Brown from Michigan, and
two local products, six-foot-four guard Matt Battistoni and
six-foot point guard Geoff MacRae.
Â"Rass has the size we need,Â" said Hill.
Â"MacRae goes all out and challenges guys. Whiteman is another
big man, and has a huge upside that once itÂ's realized he will
be a force. Brown knows how to compete and is a leader. All the
recruits have potential.Â"
Hill is counting on the big players to make
huge contributions as the team attempts to make the
playoffs.
Â"Basketball is a tall manÂ's game,Â" said
Hill. Â"All things being equal, the taller athlete has a
certain advantage. Size just makes it easier to compete. We
have to fight fire with fire in the OUA. I have addressed the
issue of our size.Â"
Last season, the squad struggled with
chemistry issues, but Hill sees a more cohesive group this
season.
Â"Last season didnÂ't go well,Â" said Hill.
Â"We didnÂ't have much harmony. I thought we were a group
divided. The biggest thing with this yearÂ's group is that we
are a team unitedÂ…I think we made great strides towards the
harmony I am looking for. Harmony is huge in any sport. It
plays a role in success. This yearÂ's group has a lot more
trust in one another.Â"
The squad lost one of its all-time greats in
Jimmy Jefferson to graduation, but a terrific nucleus returns
for Hill.
Veterans Andy Greig, Brodie Bishop, Ben
Palmer, Jesse Adjei, Lucas Wiebenga, Nathan Graham and Aaron
Sidenburg will all be relied upon for leadership, scoring,
defence and setting positive examples.
Â"Greig was our second leading scorer last
year behind Jefferson,Â" said Hill. Â"Greig is a tremendous
shooter and he gets better every year. Bishop has come back
more mature and bigger. Palmer is more poised. Adjei,
Sidenburg, Wiebanga and Graham are all key players. Our core
group is strong, and it should bode well for the
season.Â"
The offence and defence are shaping up.
Â"We are not quite as dynamic on offence
without Jefferson, but we are more balanced in terms of
scoring,Â" said Hill.
Â"Defensively we will be better because we
are bigger. One of the areas we were hurt in was our defensive
rebounding. Because we were shorter, we
were giving up key rebounds at inopportune
times.Â"
The men began their season last Friday
against Carleton University in Ottawa. They lost 84-53.
Saturday, the Vees played the University of
Ottawa and lost 73-70.
Their first home game is Friday, Nov. 19
against Western.
