Carleton Completely Dominate OUA Championships, Cole Hobin Takes Home MVP Honours!

NPH TOP PERFORMERS

Carleton

• Cole Hobin- 17pts, 11 rbs (MVP)
• Philip Scrubb- 13pts, 4rbs, 3ast

WATERLOO, ON–It’s tough to watch a lop-sided victory in an OUA championship, yet when a team like the Carleton Ravens are on hand, it could’ve been expected. The Ravens defeated the Rams by a lopsided score of 82-39.

However, before we go any further, this victory was a credit to an extremely efficient and well-oiled machine. There are teams that are faster and there are teams that are more athletic, but in terms of execution on both ends of the floor, I have yet to see a cohesive unit like the Ravens.

The Rams were coming off a high from the previous night where they upset the 32-ranked team in the country, Lakehead. And with such great play from Ryerson as of late, I had expected a competitive match up, which was the case…until the second half that is.

At the end of the first quarter, the Ravens lead 23-11 but Ryerson won the second quarter to make it a halftime score of 34-25 in favour of Carleton.

Prior to the start of the game, the “Ryerson hooligans” as we have referred to them in the past, were taunting, heckling, and chanting “over-rated” to try and get inside the minds of the Ravens.

However, as the OUA championship MVP Cole Hobin puts it, “Maybe it’s not as big for other people but I love that stuff, I love the opposing crowd being there making a bunch of noise.”

While the Rams contingent would not be silenced for the entire game, that didn’t matter as the Ravens continued to go to work, executing on offense and absolutely shutting down the Rams to 14 points in the entire second half!

It was a collective defensive effort, but Cole Hobin was the deserving MVP, receiving the assignment of guarding arguably the fastest player in the CIS with the ball in his hands, otherwise know as Jahmal Jones. Or as Hobin jokes, “the fastest player in the world.”

Be that as it may, Hobin rose to the occasion, particularly in the second half while holding Jones to a total of 11 points.

“I don’t know if you can prepare for a guy like Jahmal Jones…it’s a credit to our team defense,” Hobin modestly replied.

On the bright side for Ryerson, they will still be heading to Nova Scotia for nationals, and this spanking could be a blessing in disguise. Not every team gets the opportunity to get a taste of the defending champions right before the Final 8. Afterall, there is a possibility that the two teams match up in the first round and Coach Rana of the Rams will certainly be making adjustments.

As for the Ravens, they reclaimed the OUA championship after a hiccup last season falling to Lakehead.

“It definitely feels way better than a loss. Its good for our team and focus, but it all about next weekend!” exclaimed Hobin.

With regards to the teams that they will meet at nationals, the Ravens have lightly monitored their competition, nothing too in-depth.

“I wouldn’t call them scouting reports but we all pay attention, watch the scores and watch the games online when we can.”