Knights have their day in spotlight
The Niagara College women’s basketball team has long known what Mary Ingribelli and Courtney Kilyk bring to the court.
Now, the rest of the province knows that, too.
Ingribelli, a St. Catharines native and Governor Simcoe graduate, and Kilyk, who grew up in Fonthill and played high school hoops at Notre Dame in Welland, were selected provincial all-stars at a season-ending awards banquet hosted by Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).
Ingribelli, who finished league play tied for third in scoring in the province averaging 19.1 points per game, was named to the first all-star team. Kilyk, a second-team selection, averaged 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and three assists per game.
All this while providing lockdown defence from the point guard position.
Ingribelli, a fourth-year veteran, and Kilyk, in her final year of eligibility after transferring from St. Francis Xavier University, were recognized on the eve of the OCAA championships that wrap up Sunday at Humber College in Toronto.
Knights head coach Mike Beccaria said the accolades are welldeserved.
“They are the leaders of this team and have been exemplary all year,” he said.
With the Knights spending the past week preparing to compete at provincials, the 5-foot-8 guards have been key contributors off the court as well.
“They guided the younger players nicely during the last few days,” Beccaria said.
Ingribelli finished the 20-game season with a school record 382 points, eclipsing the previous record of 301 set in 1980-81 by Carol St. Angelo.
The Knights, who entered the OCAA championships ranked fifth in a field of eight, tipped off the tournament against fourthseeded George Brown Friday night.
Results were unavailable at press time but a summary is posted online.
A win would put the Knights into the medal round with a loss relegating them to a consolation semifinal.
Niagara’s last medal in women’s basketball was a silver in 2003. The program won back-toback Ontario championships in 1969-70.
Knights lose opener
Host Niagara College opened the men’s basketball championships in Welland and was bounced from medal contention with a loss to the top-ranked team in Canada.
“It was a great game, both teams battled hard start to finish,” Knights head coach Mike Hurley said after the 84-72 loss to Seneca.
Momentum generated by a 39-36 halftime lead was insufficient to carry Niagara the rest of the way. “The second half saw Seneca go on a scoring burst while we went cold from the field which ended up being the game,” said Hurley.
Van Hutchinson, with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists; Jordan Wilson, 18 points, 11 rebounds, six assists; and Johnnine Richardson, 10 points, were standouts for the Knights.
Niagara played Fanshawe Friday with a berth in a consolation final on the line.
The Knights swept the homeand-home season series with the Falcons.