Humber Hawks focus on defence

TORONTO–The Humber Hawks men’s basketball teams top ranked defence helped them win their second provincial championship in a row last year, and commitment on the defensive side of the court has continued under first year head coach Shawn Collins.

“We have always been a defensive minded team, and the focus is the same this year,” said third-year guard, and co-captain, Michael Acheampong. “But we still have to focus on limiting opponents chances and getting set up into our offense quicker.”

The Hawks are unbeaten so far this season in league play, and are coming off an 63-49 win against Fanshawe College, but they are taking one game at a time.

“The coaches really emphasize defence,” said first-year guard Mark Perrin. “We try to hold every team under 47 points.”

 

While the Hawks man-to-man defence has not been quite as effective as previous years, they are still only allowing 62 points a game while scoring 83 a game using a triangle type offence.

 

Assistant coach J.R. Bailey, who was a first team OCAA all-star last year for the Hawks, is helping the team on both ends of the floor.

“Most teams win with solid defence,” said Bailey. “You have to hang your hat on the defensive end of the floor to win championships.”

Head coach Collins, who worked as an assistant for the past five years, has relied on the veteran players on the team to achieve defensive success this season.

“We have seven returning players from last season, and five who have been here for the past two years,” said Collins. “They have a high basketball IQ and an understanding of the expectations within the program.”

The team is travelling to Sault Ste. Marie to face Algoma and Sault next weekend. They will return home to host Niagara College on Feb. 3 at 8 pm.