The Redeemer University College Royals men's basketball team enters the 2002-2003 season with high expectations. The team is coming off a disappointing 2001-2002 campaign in which they went 2-10 in the OCAA West Division and finished in 6th place. The teams only two wins came against Algoma University College (0-12). However the Royals did lose a number of close games last year which could have drastically helped their record including two close contests against second place Sault College (9-3) and first place St. Clair College (10-2).
The Royals will once again compete in the OCAA West Division with home and away games against Algoma University College, Sault College, Niagara College, Lambton College, St. Clair College, and Fanshawe College for a total of 12 conference games. Their non-conference schedule consists of games against Houghton College (N.Y.), at Mohawk College (OCAA Central Division), and the Loyalist Tournament (Bellevile, On). The Royals will also continue a tradition with their annual Alumni Game being held on January 17.
The only significant loss for the Royals is co-MVP and OCAA West Division All-Star guard Ryan Schipper (P.E.I) who graduated in 2001-2002. The nucleas of the team remains the same with four returning starters. Back for the Royals is team co-MVP and the OCAA's 5th top scorer, junior forward Eric Bulthuis (Grimsby, On/SDC). Bulthuis will be relied upon a lot this season for scoring, rebounding, and interior defense. He will be the go to guy in the post. Also returning are sophomore small forward Jesse Van Houwelingen (St. Thomas, On/London Christian), junior shooting guard Jason Schouten (Lambton, On/Lambton Christian) and senior center Peter Markus. Schouten (11.3ppg) will be asked to provide some scoring punch with his quickness and perimeter shooting (team high 24 3-point field goals made). Van Houwelingen (3.8ppg) and Markus (3.3ppg) will be counted on for solid rebounding and tough defense. Other players returning for the Royals are junior guard Brent Minty (Elmvale, On/Elmvale District H.S.) and sophomore forward Jeff Johnson.
The team has made a number of key acquisitions in the off season that look to have put Redeemer right in the thick off the race in the West. With the signing of freshman guard Dustin Van Houwelingen (St. Thomas, On/London Christian) and rookie transfer point guard Victor Finora (St. Catharines, On/Holy Cross) the Royals appear to be strong in the backcourt. Finora will be counted on to run the team from the point and also contribute in scoring and rebounding. Van Houwelingen will start at the 2-spot and be expected score both inside and outside as well as help on the glass. They also have added some depth in the frontcourt with sophomore transfer James Sikkema (Vineland, On/Governor Simcoe). Sikkema will share time at forward and center and with his leaping ability he provides solid rebounding and a shot blocking presence on the defensive end. Other additions to the team are freshman point guard Mark Speelman (Rexdale, On/Toronto Christian), Freshman guard Doug Sikkema (Vineland, On/Heritage Christian), and former Royal Justin Allen (Toronto, On/Unionville) who returns after a year away from the program. Redshirting for the Royals this year are freshman guard/forward A.J. Rainford, and freshman guard/forward Ben McDougall Cranston.
The team is very excited about the chance to contend this year in the West and should prove to be one of the teams fighting for a playoff spot come March. The men are anxious to get the season underway and after the first two weeks of the season they should have a good idea where they stand in the division. Good Luck Royals!
- Redeemer University College Basketball |
