The Comox Valley-to-Canadian basketball championships connection is alive and well.
Calvin Westbrook helped lead the Trinity Western University Spartans to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men's basketball championship on the weekend (March 11-13), becoming the second G.P. Vanier Towhee to reach the national final.
"In the past four seasons we have had a G.P. Vanier student play in the men's CIS championship basketball final and showcase their talents as starters on very good university teams, shown on television to the viewing public in Canada," said Towhee coach Larry Street.
"Both Brandon Ellis (2008) and Calvin (2010) were integral parts to a championship season, even though both UVic and Trinity Western lost in the final to the same team 鈥� Carleton University.
"This is a further testament to the continued tradition we have in the Comox Valley, and in particular at G.P. Vanier, of developing elite athletes. Way to go, Brandon and Calvin," said Street, who coached both players.
At this year's CIS championships in Halifax, fifth-seed TWU defeated fourth-seed Lakehead (Ontario No. 1) 82-74 in the quarter-finals with Westbrook contributing 16 important points.
In the semifinals, TWU stunned No. 1 ranked UBC 74-72, coming back from a 16-point second-quarter deficit to win a dramatic game. Westbrook shot 7-for-11 with a key steal and assist in the dying minutes. The 6', 5" 210-pound guard from Courtenay had been assigned the top scorer to check in both games.
In Sunday's championship game the Carleton Ravens prevailed 82-59 and the Cinderalla story was not to be. It was the Ravens seventh national title in the last nine years and the Spartans first Final 8 appearance since joining the CIS in 1999-2000.
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com
