It was a weekend of learning and growth for the University of the Fraser Valley men’s basketball team, and they picked up a trio of wins along the way.
The Cascades emerged undefeated from a three-games-in-three-days gauntlet, as their exhibition schedule got going in earnest.
They started in dominant fashion on Friday, demolishing the Kwantlen Eagles – a PacWest program – by a score of 111-68 at Tamanawis Secondary in Surrey. Nate Brown, a 6’6” forward in his first year with the Cascades, set the pace with 18 points.
On Saturday, the Cascades were back at the Envision Athletic Centre’s North Gym to host the Seattle Mountaineers, a men’s club team. UFV prevailed 87-80 and showcased a balanced attack – Kevon Parchment led the offence with 17 points, while Brown (16), Kadeem Willis (14) and Jasper Moedt (12) also scored in double figures.
On Sunday the Cascades faced another PacWest squad, the Vancouver Island University Mariners, and while they ended up winning 88-70, the game was closer throughout than the final score indicated. UFV opened an 11-point lead in the third quarter, only to watch VIU battle back to cut the deficit to 65-63 with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth. But back-to-back three-pointers from Parchment and Manny Dulay gave the Cascades some breathing room, and they cruised from there.
Parchment racked up a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, while Brown stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, three steals and three assists. Moedt (16 points) and Dulay (13 points) also chipped in offensively for UFV, while Justin King replied with 24 points and six rebounds for the Mariners.
Cascades head coach Adam Friesen said the purpose of these exhibition tilts is to build chemistry and help players learn how their teammates operate in a game situation.
“We’re definitely happy we played these three games – lots of stuff we can learn from,” said Friesen, whose team’s last game was Aug. 17 vs. the NCAA’s Detroit Titans.
“Our turnovers are probably a lot higher than they will be – at least they better be – in the future. But we kind of learned how everyone likes to play and what they naturally do well. As we learn who we are, we’ll see improvement.”
Up next for the Cascades is their first preseason game against a CIS foe – they travel to Surrey’s Semiahmoo Secondary this Thursday to take on the Trinity Western Spartans. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
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