NPH CIS Preview: Fraser Valley Cascades
Last Season:
|
Overall |
Pct. |
Home |
Away |
|
13-5 |
.722 |
8-1 |
5-4 |
Head Coach: Adam Friesen
Assistant Coaches: Bryan Crowe, Kyle Graves
2011-12 Record: Regular Season: 13-5 (Canada West). Post Season: 4th Place in the CIS
Key Players: Kyle Grewal, Jordan Blackman, Sam Freeman
Incoming Recruits:
- Manny Dulay – 6’3”, Surrey, BC / Tamanawis Secondary
- Aaron McGowan – 6’0”, Toronto, ON / Lakeland College
- Simon Hudson – 6’7”, Toronto, ON
- Luke Morris – 6’5”, Mission, BC / Mission Secondary
- Kevon Parchment – 6’3”, Toronto, ON / Lakeland College
- Andy Khaira – 6’5”, Surrey, BC / Queen Elizabeth Secondary
Departures: Joel Friesen, Jasper Moedt
Going into the offseason, The University of The Fraser Valley Cascades were set to return five starters from a team that had just come off a fourth place finish in the CIS. However, head coach Barnaby Craddock was hired by the University of Alberta and two key players followed him to the Golden Bears.
The Cascades will certainly feel the loss of leading rebounder Jasper Moedt, but the bigger departure was that of last season’s leading scorer, and Canada West First Team All Star, Joel Friesen.
In a recent article in the Abbotsford News, fifth year forward Kyle Grewal, when asked about the departures, was quoted as saying: “I think people around the country are like, ‘Oh, UFV might be done.’ But I honestly believe we’re stronger than last year. I’m a big fan of Adam. He’s going to put everything he has into it, and we’ve got some great recruits.”
The 6’6” Grewal – who broke out with a 35 point, 14 rebound performance in a loss to St. FX in last year’s CIS Bronze Medal game – will need to carry the load if the Cascades are hoping for a return trip to the CIS Final 8.
Also returning are last season’s second leading scorer, 6’3 guard Sam Freeman (15.4 ppg) and 6’6” guard Jordan Blackman.
Blackman, after averaging only 5.7 points per game last season, showed a much improved offensive game, and scored a team-high 30 points in a recent preseason loss to the NCAA Div. I Eastern Washington Eagles.
The Cascades also look to have a strong recruiting class, headlined by 6’3” point guard Manny Dulay, 6’5 Centre Andy Khaira and three players from the Toronto area (Aaron McGowan, Simon Hudson and Kevon Parchment).
First year head coach Adam Friesen, who has been with the Cascades for five seasons as an assistant, has a lot of talent to work with, and a team that is sure to be motivated by the departure of two starters.
Expect the Fraser Valley Cascades to remain in the mix in the Canada West conference, and you could even expect a rivalry officially formed between UFV and the Alberta Golden Bears.
