New coach looks to improve record.
The 2012-2013 season was one of ups and downs for both the men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams. It was a season in which both teams proved they could hang tough with the best in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), but also one in which they showed inconsistent play and lost games which should have been wins. Both teams will try to improve their records and join the upper echelon of their respective leagues this upcoming year.
For the men, it will be a tough season as they look to replace star Ben Chisholm, last year’s ACAA most outstanding player. His eighteen points and ten rebounds per game will be greatly missed this year, but look for the Mounties to focus on a greater team play and spread the ball around. At 12-9, the Mount Allison men finished fifth in the standings, but easily could have finished higher with more consistent play.
Look for Mt. A to rely on their defensive play this season to help with the loss of Chisholm. The team only allowed sixty-one points per game this past season and often frustrated teams with their tough defensive play. Second-year Tyrell Laurent, who joined the team midway through last season, will hope to have an improved role on both ends of the court. Chisholm’s brother Alex, who is transferring this season from the University of New Brunswick, will also help to try and fill the void that his brother left.
For the women, who finished with a record of 9-13 last season, it will be a year to attempt to build on many positives from the past and shake off some inconsistent play. Arguably the best game of the Mounties season came in a loss to the national powerhouse St. Thomas Tommies (STU), a game in which Mt. A pushed STU right down to the wire.
Two key losses for the Mounties will be Coach Al Hart, who will not be returning, and graduated point guard Kayla Robichaud. New coach Matt Gamblin looks to achieve a new winning atmosphere with the group and should bring a fresh positive attitude. Look for Sara Mackellar to fill the void left by Robichaud at the point and get some quality minutes. Mackenzie Gray will once again hope to lead the team in scoring and rebounding, as she was third best in each of those categories last year.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will look to improve on seasons that had both positive and negative aspects. Both teams feature a core of returning players and should realistically be able to improve their records. Look for the schedules to be released and the seasons to begin this fall.
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