Carleton v. Victoria            Carleton 82 – Victoria 67

October 17, 2010

by Devin Gray

Top Performers

Carleton: Tyson Hinz                                   Victoria: Marco Dolcetti

Pts: 30, Reb: 6, Ast: 2, Stl: 0, Min: 31         Pts: 20, Reb: 4, Ast: 0, Stl: 0, Min: 24

 

Carleton defends their title

 

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n the final game of the tournament, Carleton looked to stay undefeated and pull away with a championship. Before the game, Victoria coach Craig Beauchamp said that in order to win against Carleton in their home gym the Vikes would have to have “work ethic, we have to rebound the ball. They come to play every day so it’s about matching their intensity. Transition defense is important because they’re going to contest your shot every time.” Experienced forward Marco Dolcetti says that what makes Carleton tough is “they’re such a fundamental team and don’t make lots of mistakes. We’re going to have to rebound.”

Kanye West’s new jam “Power” blares through the gym, somewhat a little less raucous than the two evening games the first two nights. The crowd is still in it though and Carleton looks empowered early as Tyson Hinz delivers a post move in the lane to control the beginning of the game. Dolcetti and McKinnon make shots early but Dolcetti picks up some tough early fouls.

The Ravens finally crack the Vikes’ tough defense with varied scoring from the Scrubb boys, Manigat and Hinz again. Phil and Thomas Scrubb are both BC natives going up against some of the players they grew up with. Dolcetti and McKinnon are still scoring in bunches for the Vikes as well as making their free throws but trail 19-16 with Carleton in the lead after the first quarter.

The Vikes are making their shots, but so are the Ravens with Elliot Thompson hitting a tap-out three pointer and Tyson Hinz lighting up with multiple baskets and defensive leadership although he admits “I have to work on my defense.” His offense looks pretty good with eighteen points coming in the first half and leading Carleton to a 41-32 advantage at the half-way mark.

After a couple early baskets for Victoria by Jeff Cullen and Marco Dolcetti, the deficit is only three 43-40. The Ravens aren’t looking as sharp as usual and have several minor breakdowns, but though it’s pre-season coach Smart brings his team back together. Hinz, Phil Scrubb and Dan Penner lead the surge forward, but Dolcetti pulls the Vikes close with a drive to the basket and a buzzer-beating three. Cole Hobin hits another shot while being fouled to gain some breathing room and a 57-52 lead going into the final quarter.

Cole Hobin continued solid play blocking Vikes Zac Andrus on a breakaway while Tyson Hinz remained consistent on offense. Thompson and Manigat continue Carleton’s balanced offensive attack and after Willy Manigat finds Aaron Chapman down low with a smart assist the lead is back to thirteen points.

Coach Dave Smart is fired up to the wire and is warned to sit back on the bench, but his team rewards his efforts. After Dolcetti hits another three-pointer, Phil Scrubb and Cole Hobin each hit another three to lead 80-64 and wrap up an 82-67 championship. It is the tenth time that the Ravens have won the House-Laughton Hoops Classic and tournament MVP Tyson Hinz of the Carleton Ravens accepts to award with pride and humility. Coach Smart is glad to have come out on top but he digresses “it’s still preseason, but it’s always nice to get a win.”