Tariq’s Tidbits: University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre is BIG TIME!

tariqs tidbitsI travelled from Mississauga to Brampton to Richmond Hill to Toronto & back to home base Sauga, which means it’s time for my Tidbits…

I caught action from the high school level all the way to the PROS in one day, plus of course CIS action in a memorable day for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

 

 

University of Toronto Goldring Centre Grand Opening

 

BBALL Womens_DSC07049

 

  • Let me start off by saying the University of Toronto Goldring Centre is BIG TIME…as big time as it gets in Canadian university basketball.
  • So much so, that it’s arguably the best facility in the country. While I haven’t been in every university gym in Canada, I have travelled enough to see a good variety.
  • When I’m talking about Goldring, I’m not simply referring to the size or even necessarily the look of the facility, rather the feeling.
  • Being inside Goldring watching basketball in a packed house–like it was in the grand opening against Nippising–provides an intimate, sort of prestigous environment that is suited for a major university in one of the most major cities in the WORLD–T.Dot.
  • I sat up top in the media gandala balcony, and looked down at the action. Then at halftime, I gave myself a tour around on ground level. I liked what I saw.
  • UofT recruits Calvin Epistola, D’Wan Willams, William Kohler were in the house.
  • Devin Johnson was player of the game with game-high 23 points, 11 rebounds
  • The photo above won’t do Goldring justice, you will have to see for yourself.

 

UofT Head Coach John Campbell recognizes the impact Goldring will have on the Blues program but also acknowledged that wins and losses will ultimately determine long-term success.

I think it was an exciting night for our players  and for our program in general, to see this kind of student-athlete support in this buildilng is special.

It creates not only a great playing experience, but a great spectator experience. – John Campbell, Uoft Head Coach

 

Brampton A’s Roll Over the Milrats

 

brampton As

 

  • Brampton was lights out from deep, pick up first victory of the season 136-110, now 1-5.
  • Packed house around 4,500 young, enthusiastic bodies in the Powerade Centre
  • Tyshawn Edmonson was locked and loaded from long-range, and I thought he played a big part in creating seperation from the Milrats in the first half. Total 19 points.
  • Brian Oliver lead Brampton with 29 points. Anthony Harris 21,
  • My condolences to Brampton Head Coach David Magley & his family, recently losing his brother to a heart attack.
  • My first live look at Aquille Carr-I thought his performance was less than mediocre.
  • How you respond when you’re down is what reveals one’s mental toughness and discipline. Saint John was down big, pretty much all game and looked defeated from the first half. It wasn’t just Carr that didn’t respond…the entire team looked shaky, particularly on the defensive end.
  • Bright Spot – Anthony Anderson. Competed entire game and was productive. 31 points total.
  • To the team’s defense, they had played the night prior in Mississauga, roughly a 12-hour turn around time.
  • There is great upside for pro basketball in Canada. This experience is one that provided me a glimpse of what the long-term future could hold. Still lots of strategic & innovative work to do to reach our potential as a basketball community.

Jean Vanier Make Comeback in Buzzer-Beater

 

  • Kascius Small-Martin hits buzzer beater for Vanier after being down 8 with under 1 minute left against to Joh Paull II (London)/ Raymond Yeung & Dean Andrade also hit key threes in the comeback!
  • Back on day two for the Double Blue tip off in Richmond Hill for a full day of basketball.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.