Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thunderwolves Host Badgers in Final 2010-11 Home Games

With play-off implications riding on every game in the OUA West, the Lakehead Thunderwolves take the Thunderdome court for the final time in the 2010-11 regular season this Friday and Saturday night. Not only does the weekend represent big games for both teams but also the honoring of three Lakehead Seniors who have represented the team for five or more years.

Please see below the summary from Lakehead SID Hugh "Two Scoops" Mullally
(Includes notes on the graduating players to be honored Saturday night)

Men's Match-up

Brock boasts one of toughest and most experienced back courts in country with returnee Mike Cruikshank and transfer Andrew Kraus (who both average 15 PPG). They run an uptempo offense with plenty of guys who can shoot the 3 and run the floor, and have been propelling the Badgers to some big wins of late (Windsor), and although they have lost their last 3 games, it has been only by a total of 9 points. A hungry Brock team is surely on their way to the Thunderdome.


Last Match-up Results

Lakehead swept the two game series in St. Catharines last year, winning 64-45 and 72-53. Yoosrie Salhia had big games for LU in both affairs, scoring 14 the first night followed by 20 points and 12 rebounds in the second game. No Brock players had exceptional individual performances in either game, although Mike Cruijshank had 13 points in the second game, and almost all of Brock's roster did get on the scoreboard in both games.

Coach Morrison's Message:

"Like all of our OUA West opponents, Brock will be a tough matchup. They have strong guards that can really take over a game and an improving core of posts that will command some extra attention from our defense. We have had a good season thus far but will be measured on how we do over the next month and need to be both prepared and energized for each game this weekend."
With regards to recognizing the work of veterans Searle, Hackner, and Quirion over the last 5 years, Morrison notes:
"I am proud to have coached our three seniors for the duration of their career. They are the perfect representatives of our athletic department both on and off the court. Just like our program they have remained dedicated in tough times and have survived to enjoy more successful chapters in their career because of their hard work and persistence. I would personally like to thank these three young men for their contributions over the past 5-6 years and for being such major parts of the historic turn-around we have made here with Lakehead Basketball."


Games can also be watched on SSN Canada, www.ssncanada.ca/games , and heard locally on LU Radio, 102.7 FM.



Additional Notes on Retiring Seniors Jamie Searle, Andrew Hackner and Andrew Quirion:

Jamie Searle - Belleville Moira HS
- went essentially unrecruited by CIS level schools except for Lakehead out of high school
- was one of 9 pure freshmen on the roster in 2006-07, (only one to complete 5 years of eligibility)
- went 1-31 overall as freshman, Lakehead was last in RPI nationally (43) (Came off bench that year)
- grew as player along with team, went 28-9 last year and is currently 19-10 this year
- was major part of turn-around as team captain 3 years and OUA West 1st team all-star last season
- team's leading scorer for second consecutive year
Andrew Hackner - Thunder Bay FWCI
- walked on as an unrecruited red-shirt freshman 2005-06.
- one of 10 players using 1st year of eligibility 2006-7 (1-31 year)
- worked his way up from red-shirt, to 12th man, to traveling player to starter
- started every game of 2009-10 season that saw LU qualify for the CIS championships for first time in 33 years
- led CIS in 3pt % in 2009-10
- last ever CIS player from FWCI
Andrew Quirion - Thunder Bay St Pats
- walked onto team in 2006-07, one of 10 first year players
- developed into a solid back up post player contributing regular minutes by his 3rd season
- played with injuries for most of career including shoulder problems that eventually cut short his playing career
- last game played was Lakehead's November 2009 win over #1 ranked Carleton
- has continued on with the team assisting with coaching, post player development and working with the Lakehead camp and Blaze club ball.


Last Edited: February 10th, 2011


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