Monday, March 22, 2004

Contact; Mark B. Kosak

Director of Athletics

University College of the Fraser Valley Cascades

Phone: 604-854-4583

email: mark.kosak@ucfv.ca

UCFV men win gold CCAA National Championships;
Women battle to earn bronze

UCFV's men's Cascades basketball team defeated the St. Thomas University Tommies (Fredericton, NB) 88-81 on Saturday night to earn the Cascades their third CCAA National Championship in the past five years.

The #3 seeded Cascades opened the tournament with a 78-62 win over Sheridan College (Oakville, Ontario), setting up a semi-final match-up against the defending champion NAIT Ooks (Edmonton). A hard-fought 93-80 win earned UCFV an entry into the championship game in front of a full house in Kamloops.

Jamie Vaughan was selected as the tournament MVP while both Mike McLaverty and Mark Turner were honored as tournament all-stars.

At the women's nationals, the #2 seeded Cascades won a medal for the first time since 2001, dramatically rebounding from a devastating semi-final loss. A tournament opening 58-43 win over St. Clair College (Windsor, Ontario) had the Cascades one game away from the Championship final. Unfortunately, the team could not get by the eventual champions from Lethbridge Community College who won 67-60.

Compounding the loss were tournament-ending injuries to key players Leah Garrigus (dislocated ankle) and Cassi Born (concussion). The final day of the tournament was a test of character for the Cascades who dominated Langara 66-50 in a consolation semi-final, before knocking off the #1 seeded team, CEGEP Ste. Foy (Quebec) 73-64 to capture the bronze.

Tournament all stars were Lauren Alonzo and Kalisha Reid.

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