The UBC Thunderbirds are coming to town this weekend to face the Cascades basketball squads.
Weekend Preview:
UFV Cascades take on UBC Thunderbirds at the Envision Athletic Centre (EAC)
Men’s Basketball:
The UFV Cascades men’s basketball team (3-5) will play a double-header against the UBC Thunderbirds (4-4) this weekend, in what will be their first meeting since last year’s Canada West Final Four tournament at UBC. Both teams have struggled to find last year’s form, and sit at fifth (UBC) and sixth (UFV) in the Pacific Division of the Canada West. Since only the top four teams in the division make playoffs, both programs would like to head into the Christmas break two wins closer to that final playoff position.
The Cascades are coming off consecutive losses to the University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies, and will be looking to claw their way back to .500. So far this season the team has relied heavily on the transition game of top-scorer Kevon Parchment (averaging 14.5 points a game), and the inside game of Jasper Moedt (averaging 12.5 points a game). Kadeem Willis, an off-season transfer from Lakeland College, has been the Cascades’ secret weapon in the first eight games of the season, grabbing 57 boards and averaging 12.3 points a game shooting a very efficient 49 percent.
The Thunderbirds have not looked the same since a rash of injuries complicated the beginning of their 2013-2014 season. While many of the pieces haven’t changed for last year’s Canada West champions, the results haven’t been as forthcoming. UBC is led by Tommy Nixon (averaging 11.1 points a game) and David Wagner (averaging 14.4 points a game), and will look to continue a two-game winning streak spurred by the return of guard Isaiah Solomon to active duty.
Women’s Basketball:
The UFV Cascades women’s basketball team (6-2) will need to fight to maintain their position as first in the Pacific Division this weekend, playing their closest competition, the UBC Thunderbirds (6-2), in doubleheader action. The Cascades have dropped from third to sixth in the national rankings this week, and are eager to prove their dominance this side of the Rockies.
UFV fields a veteran roster hungry for a third second appearance at CIS Nationals. The Cascades are led by guard Kayli Sartori (averaging 10 points a game), whose explosive athleticism often catches opponents flat-footed. She is supported on the court by sisters Nicole and Sarah Wierks, and second year forward Kaitlyn Brink (averaging 8.1 points a game).
The Thunderbirds have rallied behind fourth year guard Kris Young and University of Nebraska transfer Harleen Sidhu to build an impressive record despite a young roster. In last Friday’s 81-75 victory over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen, Young accumulated a sensational 27 points and 8 steals, while Sidhu scored 24 points, including going 12 for 13 from the free-throw line.
Schedule:
Friday – Nov 29
6 pm UBC Thunderbirds @ UFV Cascades (WBB)
8 pm UBC Thunderbirds @ UFV Cascades (MBB)
Saturday – Nov 30
5 pm UBC Thunderbirds @ UFV Cascades (WBB)
7 pm UBC Thunderbirds @ UFV Cascades (MBB)