Camosun Chargers basketball teams open season with UBC-Okanagan Heat
November 3, 2008
The Camosun College Chargers men’s and women’s basketball teams open their 2008-09 season on the new hardwood at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) this weekend against fellow 2007-08 British Columbia Colleges’ Athletic Association (BCCAA) Provincial medalists, the UBC-Okanagan Heat.
Last year, the Chargers men finished the season with a bronze medal, just one spot under UBC-O who lost the championship to Douglas College Royals. On the women’s side, the Chargers made their way to the program’s first-ever BCCAA gold medal game. Despite leading at the half, the Chargers had to settle for silver against the UNBC Timberwolves while UBC-O finished with bronze.
This season, the Chargers women are off to a solid start with an exhibition game record of seven wins and one loss (71-69 defeat at the hands of Capilano two weeks ago).
“Our advantage is that we have a veteran team which has had some real ups and downs the past seasons and hopefully they will not forget what made last season possible,” said Chargers women’s head coach Brett Westcott.
Returning to Westcott’s program are CCAA Academic All-Canadian award recipients and BCCAA All-Stars, Ashley MacKay (4th year) and Kate Carlson (3rd year) as well as BCCAA All-Star Jill Proudfoot (3rd year) and BCCAA All-Rookie Carmen Lapthorne (2nd year). Kayla Morris and Kendall Allen are back to play their third year as are second year players Teresa Hartrick, Jessica Hickey and Julia Fisher.
Newcomers include Christine Ireland (Stelly's), Carly Hopp (Oak Bay), Lauryn Kerr (St. Michael's) and Kymber Gale (Lambrick Park).
Fifth year veteran Heidi Padjen who played her first two years of eligibility at Camosun (2003-05) rejoins the Chargers after playing for Douglas College (2005-06) and the University of Victoria (2007-08).
Despite their pre-season wins, the team has been decimated with injuries with Ireland and Fisher both out of the lineup until the Christmas break and Carlson, Mackay and Gale also missing significant time due to an assortment of injuries.
“We’ve shown throughout the short pre-season that we are competitive with the teams in our league and if we can get healthy and do the things on the court we are supposed to do we have the chance to have another successful season,” commented Coach Westcott. “That said, I think the league is much deeper and more competitive than the last two years so it would only take a couple of bad weeks to drop from the upper levels of the league to a spot out of the playoffs."
Catch the Chargers this weekend at the new Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (4371 Interurban Rd.):
- Saturday, November 8 Chargers vs. UBC-O Women 6pm; Men 8pm
- Sunday, November 9 Chargers vs. UBC-O Women 12noon; Men 2pm
Tickets are available at the door: $6 for adults, $4 for ages 12-17, Children under 12 and Camosun College students FREE.
Contact
Graham Matthews
Camosun College Recreation & Athletics Coordinator
250–220–2505
matthews@camosun.bc.ca
