Mid-Season All-Stars In Canada West
CALGARY,AB–At this interim stage of the season, here are two of the top candidates for Canada West Player of the Year … Jordan Baker (L), Alberta, and Justin King (R) of Thompson Rivers.
Early Season Canada West All-Stars
Most teams will have played 8 games, some 7, some 6 … so, in a 20 game schedule for the Prairie teams, and an 18 game set for the Pacific, there’s still some icy patches on the road (yes, we’re talking about the Coquihalla Highway !) before we know who’s in the playoffs.
Just for entertainment in a quiet week, we thought we might risk naming some Mid-Season all-stars and top rookies … pure speculation
First Team All-Stars
Justin King, TRU WolfPack – top scorer, 2nd top rebounder … a ‘money player’ who is relentless around the basket.
Jordan Baker, Alberta G-Bears – all-around threat to take over the game. Finesse, power, sharp floor game. Top rebounder.
Nathan Yu, UBC T’Birds – speedy scorer, off the break, from 3 point range, who can also direct the offense.
Paul Gareau, Regina Cougars – carrying the Cougars, he shoots 55%, tough on the glass, and scores down the stretch.
Second Team All-Stars
Daryl Cooper, Lethbridge Pronghorns – huge addition for U of L, scores, sets up teammates, plays D. 57% from the floor !
Zac Andrus, Victoria Vikes – finds ways to win. 58% from 3, 4.5 assts., and more rebounds per inch of height than everyone except Calgary’s injured Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson.
Tyler Fidler, Calgary Dinos (photo, left) – multi-talented, and can control the game. Scoring, rebounding determine Dinos fate.
Michael Lieffers, Sask. Huskies – into his stride lately. Fierce rebounder, and quick finisher inside, who can really D it up for the ‘Dogs.
Chas Kok, TRU WolfPack – contributes in so many ways. 21 ppg, 8 rebs., 3 assists … leads with his floor play.
Others who catch our eye …
Daniel Ferguson, G. Bears – scorer, better athlete than many realize. A sure-fire pro.
Kamar Burke, T’Birds – a phenom, who can be unstoppable. Can he be under-used at the moment?
Stephen Walton, Manitoba Bisons -scores, directs the offense, another small, but mighty rebounder.
Kyle Coston, TWU Spartans – scores, rebounds … wondering where all his ‘wing -men’ went.
Joel Friesen, Sam Freeman, Kyle Grewal, UFV Cascades – a talented trio, who could lift this team higher.
Jamelle Barrett, Huskies – rare sightings for a rare talent. He’ll ‘come out and play’ in the next 13 games + playoffs !
Emerick Ravier, Ilarion Bonhomme, Brandon Bobcats – much needed perimeter duo for the struggling ‘Cats.
Dominyc Coward, Pronghorns – a rock in the paint. Will be a constant if the ‘Horns are to move up the standings.
Peter Lomuro, Huskies – a most valuable transfer … ‘Dogs love to have him, and Wesmen wish he were still in ‘Peg.
Top Rookies –
Ilarion Bonhomme, Brandon – 5.6 assists, 13 ppg, starts at the point … .500 from 3 pt. (4th in CW)
Malcolm Williams, UBC – highest scoring 1st yr., 14 ppg , 2.2 treys pg (11th in CW)
PHOTO COURTESY: VICTORIA TIMES (McKinnon photo), DAVID MOLL (Fidler photo)
