UFV Cascades face UBC Thunderbirds, in Point Grey, next Friday night with trip to Ottawa and the “CIS Final 8” on the line
Saskatoon, SK….The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s basketball team defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, 92-76, to earn a berth in the 2013 Canada West elite “Final Four” tournament next weekend in Point Grey (Vancouver), BC. The Cascades are one of two teams (Victoria Vikes the other) to return to the elite four, joining them are the host UBC and Winnipeg. UFV’s men’s basketball program has battled through numerous issues this year a new coach, six new players on the roster from the team that earned the Canada West silver medal a year ago, numerous injuries to “key “ players like Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC and Sam Freeman, Coquitlam, BC who was missing this evening from tonight’s game. Coach Adam Friesen has done an unbelievable job in winning numerous games with “short benches” and juggling the line up to accommodate more than 30 man games lost to those various injuries.
Tonight was no exception, without the Cascades leading scorer, Freeman, UFV jumped out to a quick lead showing no negative effects from last night’s 20-point loss to Saskatchewan. The Cascades ball movement, hustle and accurate shooting early set the pace for a spectacular evening as UFV never trailed in this nail bitter. The Cascades shot 60 percent front the floor in the first half and Saskatchewan had trouble defending UFV as seven different players scored at least two points in the fast paced half.
Grewal’s veteran leadership and determination not to see his final year end early, paced the Cascades as the forward led the team in assists, and rebounds in the half, while Klaus Figueredo, Calgary, AB and Kevon Parchment, Toronto, Ontario led UFV with 10 points each at the break. UFV went into the locker room up by 14 points.
“What can you say about the play of Klaus, Manny (Dulay)and Andy (Khaira) tonight, they stepped up and played like fifth year veterans,” commented a beaming head coach Adam Friesen. “Their contributions in the first half set the tone for the victory.”
The Huskies would score the first six points of the second half and keep that pace going through a very fast but low scoring quarter, going into the fourth the Huskies seemed to have the momentum and knocked UFV’s lead down to six. UFV was not phased even with veteran point guard James York, Richland, Washington fouling out on the last play of the third quarter. Dulay and Figueredo stepped up and hit several three point baskets each to take the wind out of Saskatchewan and set the pace for a double digit lead down the stretch. Outscoring Saskatchewan by 10 points in the final stanza to clinch the playoff series victory. UFV continued to shoot the lights hitting on 49 percent of their shots in the half.
NEW UFV SCHOOL RECORD
Figueredo led UFV in scoring with 22 points as six different Cascades were in double figures a new UFV regular and post season school mark. In addition to Klaus, Grewal hit for 19, Dulay and Kharia, 14 each, Parchment 13 and York 10. “All season long Freeman and Parchment led the way, it is nice to see the other guys scoring and having some offensive success,” said Friesen.
Grewal and Parchment each pulled down 9 boards as UFV recorded 40 (30 on defense) for the game. UFV’s defense forced 14 Huskie turnovers.
The Cascades first appearance in Canada West’s “Final Four” was last year at Saskatoon, where they defeated Victoria, 63-62 to earn the school’s first ever CIS “Final 8” Berth. UFV fell to Alberta in the gold medal match 72-71. The road to Ottawa and playing in one of the most beautiful facilities Scotiabank Place (in Kanata, Ontario) is one win away, the two Canada West semi-final winners receive an invitation to play in the “mecca” of arenas in Canada, the weekend of March 8-10.
UFV Cascades Canada West Quarterfinal Schedule
(Cascades win best 2 out of 3 series)
Men at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Friday, February 22 Cascades 83 @ Sask Huskies 64
Saturday, February 23 Cascades 58 @ Sask Huskies 78
Sunday, February 24 Cascades 92 @ Sask Huskies 76
Comments are closed.