New-look Chargers set to hold court
Camosun Chargers basketball fans will need to pick up a program to keep up with the changes to both the men’s and women’s 2017-18 teams, which begin play tonight at Vancouver Island University, before returning home on Saturday at PISE gym.
The main changes for the men come on the floor as they replace a handful of graduating players. The main replacement for the women comes on the bench where Mount Douglas grad Cait Haggarty takes over after her successful career as a studentathlete at UBC.
“The fact that we’ve turned over so many guys allows us a really great opportunity to reset a bit and restructure the culture that we want,” Chargers head coach Scot Cuachon said prior to the season’s tip-off. “We’re pleased that the guys have bought into what we’re trying to do as far as what we’re trying to build here, which goes way past winning and losing.”
Both teams tip off at VIU tonight with the women opening at 6, followed by the men at 8. The scene shifts to PISE on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively, as the Chargers play host to the Columbia Bible College Bearcats.
The men have lost Evan Woodson (the sixth highest scorer in Pacwest history), Lucas Derksen, A.J. Beaudry, Ted Neilson and Rulon Schmidt. Among the newcomers, the Chargers add forwards Dallas Hancox of Red Deer, Alta., and Shaquille Maharaj of Australia and guard Brandt Seibel of Ponoka, Alta.
Also joining the Chargers is first-year forward Bright Dododza of Surrey and a group of local recruits who have enrolled in the college’s university transfer program. These include Oak Bay High grads Matthew Gray and Isaiah Romnov and Lambrick Park products Ismail Abdulahi and talented twins, Calvin and Austin Somers. Austin will redshirt this season after suffering a knee injury in the summer.
“We’re extremely happy about our recruiting,” said Cuachon. “Dallas had his choice of universities and colleges throughout B.C., Alberta and down in the States, so we’re very happy that he chose to come to Camosun. He’ll push the culture here with his integrity.
“Shaq is also a great addition for us. He played two years at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. He’s a really good athlete and an intuitive player and is solid academically as well. We are also very pleased to have Brandt who transferred over from St. Mary’s in Calgary. We really tried to shore up our point-guard spot after losing so many guys and the combination of Brandt with our other recruits — Ismail Abdulahi and Matthew Gray — will make us very effective in that position.”
Returning are Riley Botting, Dylan Marsden, Mat Hampton, Jake Wilmott and Walker Vandebovenkamp, while Esquimalt’s Bryan Elder will also red shirt.
Cuachon has also added new assistant coaches Brett Burley and Tyler Verde.
The women begin a new era under Haggarty, who played for UBC from 2003-08 where she helped the Thunderbirds to three national CIS titles (2004, ’06 and ’08) and was a three-time CIS academic All-Canadian. She was a team co-captain in her final two years and also served as an assistant coach to the T-Birds in 2009-10 and 2012-13.
Despite having just a few months to recruit, Haggarty believes she has managed to put together an exciting mix of returnees and newcomers.
“Things are moving along well and I feel really good about the progress we have made so far,” she said. “The team is coming together nicely and we are all excited about the opportunity to begin league play.”
Island products Kathryn Candell, Isla Swanick, Mia Roberts, Courtney Anderson and Michaela Witte return, along with Tessa Lannon-Paakspuu of Penticton. Veterans Ella Goldschmid and Aija Salvadore both come out of varsity retirement, although both are battling injuries.
“We’re looking at Kathryn to play a big role this year as she has obviously had success in her past years at Camosun,” Haggarty said of Candell, who is a two-time CCAA National Scholar award recipient as well as a CCAA Academic All-Canadian and two-time Pacwest 1st team all-star. “She’s the quiet leader of the group.”
Among the newcomers are Ashely McGinnis, Jasmine de Vries, Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg, Madison Terbasket-Winser and Bailey Schmidt. Makena Lejeune will red-shirt.
“Hopefully, this year will be a fun, exciting, up-tempo pace that highlights the teams ability to run as well as execute effectively both on offence and defence,” said Haggarty.