Get ready for basketball action
Mike Kostoff

With the 1999 OUA West men's basketball season set to get underway, the Laurier Golden Hawks appear poised to do something they have not done for a long time- contend for post season play.

"The guys have grown tremendously as players," noted Hawk Head Coach Mike Kilpatrick, entering his second year at the Golden Hawk helm.

His team, coming off a disappointing 1-13 season in 1998, will be looking to carry foreword some of the momentum they have built in pre-season competition.

"We have shown an ability to play hard and effectively for longer," commented Kilpatrick who noted a significant improvement from last years gap filled play. The Hawks have succeeded in turning several heads around the league by beating some of the top ranked teams in the country this fall. Their most recent success was a bronze medal performance at the York tournament at the end of December.

The Hawks defeated the University of Toronto by a convincing 78-59 score to gain a birth in the semi-final against Ryerson, where they dropped a tight 62-55 contest. The team ended the tournament on a good note by topping the host York Yeomen 81-80 to earn the bronze medal.

"That's a game we would have lost last year," noted Kilpatrick, who praised the Hawk players for their composure and ability to stay focussed in a game which saw Laurier called for 17 personal fouls and three team fouls.

While the Hawks did come away with the bronze, they suffered a significant blow which will leave the team scrambling to compensate. Kevin Ryan, a 6'6" 4th year forward from Hamilton, re-aggravated a knee injury in the game against Toronto and is lost to the team.

"He's a great leader and will be working with the guys in a coaching capacity, but it doesn't replace having big #44 out on the court," admitted Kilpatrick.

As a result of the Hawks early success, Kilpatrick has already noticed a difference in the way teams around the OUA view the Hawks.

"Teams are coming in totally prepared to play against us, leaving no stones unturned," commented Kilpatrick who noted, in the past, teams would just blast in expecting to pick up an easy two points. This increased preparation and respect for the Hawks suggests that there is a perception the team will be contenders in the OUA West this season.

"Our goal to return to post season play is an attainable one," suggests Kilpatrick, providing that the team continues to progress as it has.

"Our learning centres around being able to play consistently hard, efficiently, and effectively," added Kilpatrick. The Hawks will have to do exactly that if they hope to achieve their goal of post season play.

While the Hawks need only to finish in the top six of an eight team division, five of these teams (Western, Waterloo, McMaster, Guelph, and Brock) have spent time recently in the CIAU's top ten rankings.

Despite the loss of Ryan, the Hawks will be able to put a solid five on the court tonight in Windsor for the season opener. Jeff Zdrahal, a former OUA rookie of the year (96-97) and current OUA 2nd team all star, will be looking to provide the on court leadership for the Hawks this season.

"As much of an example as he was in his first year, his overall impact on the team is more significant now as the guys more clearly see what he is and what he does," praised Kilpatrick.

Along with Zdrahal, 4th year guard Bob Papadimtriou, 2nd year centre Ken Hodgkins, and 2nd year guard Chris Popofski should see the lion's share of the playing time this season. Filling in for the injured Ryan will likely be first year centre Adam Rodgers, who had a strong 15 point, 12 rebound performance in the game against York.

The players on the court for the Hawks this year can expect to be given a lot of freedom to work their magic.

"We've made things a lot simpler," noted Kilpatrick, who is unlikely to be seen standing on the sidelines barking orders for every trip up court. The players will find decisions largely in their hands, with the goal of exploiting the teams strengths.

The Hawks will open their season tonight in Windsor where they will take on the University of Windsor Lancers (0-1). The Lancers also missed the playoffs last year, with a 5-9 record, and will be looking to jump back into post season play in 1999.

After this contest, it is onto the home opener on Saturday, where the Hawks will battle the Western Mustangs, game time 2:00pm.

"Western's scoring is a lot like I would like ours to be; as a result of team play," commented Kilpatrick. The Hawks will need a full team effort to top the pesky Mustangs, who finished the 1998 regular season at 12-2 before being surprised in the OUA west semi-final by the Waterloo Warriors. Western currently sits at #8 in the CIAU top 10 rankings.

In short, the Hawks seem the have the experience, dedication, and system in place to compete with the best teams in the country. Don't miss you first chance to catch the Hawks, 2:00pm Saturday at the Athletic Complex.