By Marcus Rebelo and Emmanuel Mvovi
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP
The Centennial Colts women’s basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak against the Georgian Grizzlies with a 78-51 win Wednesday evening at the Progress Campus Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC).
The Colts (2-6) were led by Janai Menzes with 13 points and Cori Browne who added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double.
Although the Grizzlies (0-8) came into their OCAA East matchup winless this season, Colts head coach Justin Bobb was impressed by his team’s response to an early slow start.
Centennial found themselves down 4-0 before they jumped out to a 19-point lead (30-11) after the first quarter and led the rest of the way on the strength of a 23-0 run.
“We had good energy for the most part tonight,” said Bobb, post-game. “I thought we did a good job to apply pressure defensively and turning their turnovers into layups for us.”
Turnovers aided the Colts victory as the hosts forced their opponents to a season-high 36.
“We’re at our best when we’re engaged defensively,” Bobb added. “We mixed in our defensive pressure in the right spots and didn’t foul. That was key.”
For the Colts, two double-digit scorers joined Menzes as well as Browne offensively. Katryze Magdaong had 12 points and Christianna Crooks added 10 of her own.
The Grizzlies were led by dual threat Kelsey Dunkeld (18 points, 16 rebounds) and Jessica Stockdale (16 points, 12 rebounds).
The Colts will try to make it back-to-wins following the holiday break, as they are on the road against the George Brown Huskies Friday, January 10 at 6 p.m.
“You always want to go into the break on a good note,” Bobb said. “I think getting a win at home is important for us. Our fans have been very supportive for us in the first semester and we’re happy we could send them off to the winter break with a win.”
MEN’S BASKETBALL RECAP
The Centennial Colts men’s basketball team dominated all four quarters with a 75-48 win to remain a perfect 5-0 at home against the Georgian Grizzlies.
After every Colt (6-4) scored in their last contest, a win against Durham at home, Centennial had another complete team effort with nine different players registering a point at the Progress Campus Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC).
The Colts’ third quarter was perhaps their best of the season. Turnovers on defence—blocks and steals that led to dunks flying in from every direction on offence. Colts head coach Trevor Challenger offered his assessment of that third frame.
“The guys paid attention to the scouting report,” Challenger said post-game. “We wanted to make sure that we put a little bit more pressure on Georgian—on the passing lanes and just cause a little bit more deflections.
“So it all comes down to energy, when the guys play with energy and they play with passion we win games.”
Centennial capitalized with points off turnovers outscoring the Grizzlies (6-4) 33-9 and held the visitors to 18-of-75 from the field (24%).
Dieu Merci (DM) Betoukoumessou led the Colts in scoring with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Kyrin Henlin added to Centennial’s offensive output with 14 points and leads Centennial in scoring this season with 14.1 points per-game.
Walshak Yusuf added another perfect game from the field (5-for-5 FG) and double digit scoring with 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench in 16 minutes. Yusuf had an 11-point performance (5-for-5 FG, 1-for-1 FT) in eight minutes in the Colts' last contest.
“Honestly, I just try to do my best for our team,” said Yusuf. “I try to push us offensively and defensively. Everyone on the court is a leader; I just try and help the young guys when I’m on the bench with them. I try and help them out since I’m a vet.
I tell them to keep their heads up. You’ll have a better chance the next game or the next play; just keep going through it.”
Quinton Paul also had 10 off the bench, including having his own personal dunk show in the third quarter with three of them.
The Colts will return from the holiday break on the road against the George Brown Huskies Friday, January 10 at 8 p.m.
“The most important thing is that we get everyone back healthy—rested and ready to go,” said Challenger. “The first half of the season I think we underachieved and the guys now understand what they are capable of doing.”
MOVEMBER
Every Centennial Colts’ player wore a Movember t-shirt, supporting the cause regarding men’s health.
Centennial's Motivation: Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health, and this Movember the Centennial Colts are joining the cause. Together we can make a difference for men's health – in prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Help us stop men dying too young.
We encourage you to be a prime example and contribute to our Movember fund! The link is below.