Improving Knights welcome Mohawk in hoops doubleheader
Niagara hoping to rebound from losses in basketball, stay on win track in V-ball after Conestoga conquest
The Niagara Knights take the court against Mohawk Mountaineers in men’s and women’s basketball Thursday night, hoping to rebound from losses in their home openers.
An 84-81 setback to the Sheridan Bruins dropped the men’s team to 1-3, while the Niagara women fell to 0-4 in league play after dropping an 86-61 decision against the Bruins.
Sheridan came into the men’s game as the defending Ontario champions and nationally ranked, but the Knights performed well and led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter.
“This was a solid effort by our guys, and we proved that we could compete with any team in the league,” Knights head coach Phil Mosley said. “We are seeing progress each week and understand that each week we must bring a consistent work ethic every time we step on the floor.
“Our veterans played outstanding and, with more game experience, our new guys will find ways to contribute as we move forward,” he added.
Jordon McDonald had a double-double for the Knights, scoring 23 points and coming down with 10 rebounds. Johnnie Richardson, a Niagara Falls native, had 17 points, followed by Lequan Hylton, with 12.
Niagara outrebounded Sheridan 26-11, but the Bruins outscored the Knights 17-6 on points off turnovers.
Sheridan (4-0) had 35 points from the bench, while Niagara, had 16.
Kaisen Mackinnon, a thirdyear point guard from Cole Harbour, N.S., led the Knights in scoring in the women’s game with 13 points. Rookie Veronika George Brown topped the team in rebounds with nine. Mohawk is 2-2 and 1-3 in men’s and women’s basketball, respectively, coming into tonight’s doubleheader at the Athletic Centre in Welland.
VOLLEYBALL
The Niagara Knights feasted on home cooking, sweeping the Conestoga Condors in volleyball in their home opener.
First-year head coach Steve Dow’s women’s team beat Conestoga, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17, after losing in straight sets to the Humber Hawks two days before.
“It’s always a nice feeling to get back on the winning track, especially at home in front of such an excited crowd,” Dow said. “After being involved in three straight home openers for opponents, it was our turn and our crowd was a huge boost.”
Kristen Oudman, a rookie from Wainfleet, led Niagara (3-1) with 14 kills. Jean Vanier grad Natasha Desjardins and Anica Habertstock had 12 kills each, while Governor Simcoe graduate Madelyn Berg had 13 digs.
Also rebounding from a loss to Humber were the Niagara men, who grounded the Condors in four sets — 24-26, 25-13, 25-22, 25-21 — and improved their record to 3-1.
Tommy Sloan, in his second season as head coach, liked how his team is progressing.
“I thought this was the second match in a row where our guys really bought into the offensive ideas that we’re working on this year,” he said. “I thought our middles worked hard this week on closing blocks, which allowed our defence to be a little more consistent than it had been up to this point. “We’re starting to get a feel of what this team’s identity will be this year, and the guys are playing with a ton of confidence right now,” he added.
Sam Otten led the Knights
with 18 kills. Elijah Bugiardini added 13
Friday’s schedule has Niagara in Hamilton playing the Mohawk
Mountaineers men (1-3) and women (4-0).