varsity news
Durham Lords Media Release
Monday, March 30, 2009
Another slam dunk at Durham College for OCAA All-Star Saturday
Oshawa, Ont. – The stars were shining at Durham College on Saturday as the 22nd edition of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Basketball All-Star games took place at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at Durham College.
Both men’s and women’s games were very exciting as both teams battled for all-star supremacy. After the final buzzer sounded, the West turned out to be the best winning both the men’s and women’s games.
In the men’s game, the West picked up the win by a final score of 99-88 over the East Region. Anthony Batchelor ended his magnificent five year career at Durham College in style as he was named the East Region MVP after scoring 17 points in the game. Batchelor finished his career as the OCAA all-time leading scorer with 1,833 career points.
“I think it is a great way to end his career. He played a great game and was well deserving of his MVP pick.” Ernie Durocher, senior convenor.
Leading the way on the West side was David Akelatis of the Lambton Lions. He scored 13 points in the game while having an outstanding defensive game.
“Dave’s a hard working guy and it showed in his performance in the All-star game. His hard play makes him a worth recipient of the MVP award,” Ernie Durocher, senior convenor.
In women’s action, after being tied at the half 37-37, the West All-Stars outscored the East All-Stars 34-31 in the second half for the 71-68 victory. Leading the West All-Stars was Chelsea Nekuliak of the Algoma Thunderbirds who played a selfless and solid all around game.
“We chose Chelsea as our MVP because she did a little bit of everything well,” said All-star Coach Shane Bascoe of the Sheridan Bruins. “She rebounded well, made the extra pass and made it a lot easier for the other girls to score by her hustle up and down the floor.”
As for the game itself, Bascoe continued “it was a great game and it was great to see the girls work together and enjoy each other for once, instead of competing against each other.”
On the other side of the ball, it was Sara Maybee who was named the All-star Game’s MVP for the East All-stars.
“I thought Sara had an outstanding game,” said East All-Star coach Craig Walker of the Seneca Sting. “She shot the ball really well and we were trying to get some ball movement and have the defense collapse inside and get an opportunity to shoot the ball from 3-point range. Sarah hit a couple of big shots when we were stagnant on offense. I told her to put one up for a heat check, she hit it and we decided to continue to get her the ball.”
In the Three-Point shootout, overtime was required as both Heather Alonzo of the Seneca Sting and Jeralyn Espiritu of Sheridan sank 14 shots in the final round to pus the event into extra shots. In the extra shots, it was Espiritu who caught fire, nailing nine threes for the victory and successful defense of her title she claimed one year ago on the same court. On the men’s side, OCAA Player of the Year Charly Spurr put on the shooting clinic as he scored 20 points in the final round, earning the shootout title.
In two ball action, it was Cambrian’s Brady Bolan and Durham’s Jill Leistra getting it done, winning the event with 43 points. Algoma’s Andy Haidar and Miranda Chaimbrone finished in the runner-up position with 29 points, while Redeemer’s Ian Klingenberg and Hannah Roukema were third with 35 points.
Between games, Boomer the Thunderbolt had heads spinning as he won the 11th annual OCAA Best Mascot competition. On hand as a celebrity guest judge was the NBA’s top mascot, the RAPTOR!
Overall, all-star Saturday was another huge hit with the fans across Ontario. People in attendance were entertained with everything from slam dunks to spinning Thunderbolts!
2009 OCAA Basketball All-Star Saturday Results:
Men's Game
West 99 East 88
East Player of the Game: Anthony Batchelor, Durham
West Player of the Game: David Akelatis, Lambton
Women’s Game
West 71 East 68
East Player of the Game: Sara Maybee, Loyalist
West Player of the Game: Chelsea Nekuliak, Algoma
Coca-Cola 3-Point Shootout:
Men's Champion: Charly Spurr, Algonquin
Women¹s Champion: Jeralyn Espiritu, Sheridan
Co-Ed 2-Ball Champions:
Brady Bolan and Jill Leistra (Cambrian College and Durham College)
Best Mascot:
Boomer the Thunderbolt, Algoma
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca
Pictured: Ernie Durocher (OCAA Senior Convenor), Anthony Batchelor, Ken Babcock (DC Athletic Director)
