Strong debut for Express guard

It was a strong debut for the newest member of the Windsor Express on Tuesday.

Guard Omar Strong scored a team-high 22 points to help the Express to a 119-102 road win over the St. John’s Edge in NBL of Canada play.

“He’s a veteran who has played in our league and can really shoot the ball,” said Express head coach and vice-president of basketball operations Bill Jones.

“He’s averaging 50 per cent (61 of 122) from three-point range and that’s something we identified that we needed to get better.”

Strong, 27, was the NBL of Canada sixth man of the year in 2015 and a second-team All-NBL of Canada selection with the Mississauga Power.

After two seasons in France, Strong was playing for the Niagara River Lions before being released last month, despite averaging 12.8 points in 20 games.

Strong was one of a six players in double figures for the Express (1112) on Tuesday against the Edge (15-9).

Logan Stutz had 20 points for Windsor with Chad Frazier adding 19. Maurice Jones scored 17 points, while Shaquille Keith chipped in 16 and Sefton Barrett had 12.

HOCKEY AWARDS

The Essex 73’s picked up a trio of trophies for the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Bills Stobbs Division.

Wyatt O’Neill was named the division’s rookie of the year while Anthony Cristofaro was named defenceman of the year.

The 16-year-old O’Neil finished second in team scoring for Essex with 14 goals and 35 points in 40 games.

The 21-year-old Cristofaro, who is in his fourth season with the 73’s, had 12 goals and 28 points in 38 games.

Amherstburg Admirals defenceman Austin Jennings finished second in the voting.

Essex goalies Jax D’Hondt and Tyler Ryan combined to allow the fewest goals against in the league.

Admirals forward Cory Burns won the scoring title with 26 goals and 65 points in 40 games while Lakeshore Canadiens goalie Eric Morneau posted the league’s top goals-against average at 2.14.

Lakeshore forward Brandon Ireland was named the division’s most dedicated player.

Tim Oliphant of the Wheatley Sharks was named volunteer of the year.

Petrolia’s Kole Keating was named most valuable player.

STEWART HONOURED

LaSalle Vipers goalie Dershahn Stewart has been named West Division goaltender of the month for January in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The 17-year-old Stewart posted a 6-1 record in seven games in January with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

SEEKING COACHES

The Windsor Minor Hockey Association is now accepting travel team coaching applications for the 2018-19 season.

Anyone interested should visit www.wmha.net