CIS men’s basketball
Carleton’s Scrubb named player of the year
HALIFAX (CIS) – Philip Scrubb, a second-year guard from Carleton University, was named the most outstanding player in CIS men’s basketball, Thursday night.
The 19-year-old from Richmond, B.C., became the fifth Raven in seven years – and the fifth in program history - to claim the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy. He follows back-to-back recipient Osvaldo Jeanty (2006, 2007), national team member Aaron Doornekamp (2008) and current teammate Tyson Hinz (2011). Hinz was also a 19-year-old sophomore when he captured the award last season.
Scrubb, who earned CIS top-rookie honours a year ago, is the first player in history to merit the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy and the Moser Trophy in consecutive campaigns.
Another member of the reigning national champion Ravens entered the CIS men’s basketball annals during the All-Canadian Gala held at the Westin Nova Scotian. Head coach Dave Smart, a native of Kingston, Ont., received the Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy – presented by Coaches of Canada – for the second straight season and for a record-breaking fifth time overall.
Other major award winners for the 2011-12 campaign include Lakehead guard Greg Carter of Ottawa, who was named defensive player of the year; McMaster guard Adam Presutti of Oakville, Ont., the recipient of the Dr. Mullins Trophy as the nation’s top freshman; and Guelph forward Daniel McCarthy, a Guelph native who claimed the Ken Shields Award recognizing excellence in basketball, academics and community involvement.
The 50th CIS championship gets under way Friday at the Metro Centre in Halifax and culminates Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Atlantic Time with the gold medal final, live on EastLink TV and SSN Canada (ssncanada.ca).
Championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mbkb/index
MIKE MOSER MEMORIAL TROPHY (player of the year): Philip Scrubb, Carleton
Scrubb put up impressive numbers in his sophomore campaign despite averaging only 23 minutes of court time per contest on a team that, more often than not, put games out of reach by halftime. He was one of the main reasons behind Carleton’s second straight 22-0 regular season.
The 6-foot-3 guard finished 10th in OUA scoring with a team-leading 16.2 points per game and placed sixth in Ontario with a 55.7 field goal percentage. Remarkably, his success rate went up to 57.0 per cent from beyond the arc, making him the most accurate player in the country from three-point range. The commerce student, whose 61 three-point baskets were the most in the conference, also led the Ravens in assists (3.3 per game) and was second on the team in steals (26). At 27.5, his point-per-40-minute average ranked fifth in the nation.
A former member of the junior national team, Scrubb represented Canada last October at the Pan American Games in Mexico, where he had a spectacular 35-point performance in an overtime win over Argentina.
“Phil has taken his game to another level this season,” said Ravens head coach Dave Smart. “He has done whatever he has needed to do to win. His defence gets overlooked because he is so dominant on the offensive end, but he may be our best defender as well.”
The other finalists for the Moser Trophy were Cape Breton guard Jimmy Dorsey, Concordia forward Evens Laroche and Saskatchewan guard Jamelle Barrett.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Greg Carter, Lakehead
Carter was named the best defensive player in the OUA West division for third straight season and became the first Lakehead player to win the CIS award since its inception in 2005.
The 5-foot-10 point guard was the anchor of a defensive unit that ranked fourth in the 16-team OUA conference in both points allowed (72.0 per game) and opponents’ field goal percentage (40.6). The business administration student finished second in Ontario with 2.5 steals per game and fifth with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.4. Named an OUA West all-star for the first time in his fourth campaign with the Thunderwolves, he also chipped in offensively with 9.4 points per contest.
Thanks in large part to the exceptional play of their co-captain, the T-Wolves took first place in the OUA West standings with a stellar 20-2 conference record and were ranked among the top four teams in the country the entire season, including the last seven weeks at No. 2.
“We are very excited that the CIS coaches have recognized what we at Lakehead have known for four seasons - that Greg Carter is the top defensive player in the country,” said T-Wolves head coach Scott Morrison. “Many players have the ability to change a game with a big defensive play but few, if any in recent memory, have the amount of impact on an opponent’s offensive game plan that Greg has on a weekly basis. Greg has been a hard worker, a leader and a winner at every level he has played and it is nice to see his efforts rewarded by this outstanding honour.”
Forwards Owen Klassen of Acadia, Éric Côté-Kougnima of UQAM and Michael Lieffers of Saskatchewan were also in the running for defensive-MVP honours.
DR. PETER MULLINS TROPHY (rookie of the year): Adam Presutti, McMaster
Presutti is the first-ever McMaster player to receive the Dr Mullins Trophy. He also became the fifth consecutive winner from the OUA conference, including four from the West division.
A 19-year-old business student, Presutti was handed the keys to the Marauder engine by head coach Amos Connolly and told to drive it, and he did. A starter from the first day of training camp, the 6-foot-2 point guard finished among the top 10 in Ontario in both assists per game (4.0) and free throw percentage (84.5) and was third in team scoring with 11.6 points per contest, including a season-high of 27 against Guelph on Jan. 25. The most utilized player on his team, he also averaged 3.6 rebounds per outing and shot 42.2 percent from the floor, including 35.6 from three-point range.
A product of St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School, Presutti was a major factor in the resurgence of the Marauders, who finished second in the OUA West standings with a 17-5 record after placing fourth with an 11-11 mark a year ago. McMaster ranked fourth in OUA scoring and 10th in CIS this season with an average of 84.8 points per game.
“McMaster has had some great point guards like Marc Sontrop, Titus Channer and Steve Maga, and it looks like our next outstanding floor general is Adam Presutti,” said Connolly. “He brought a steadiness and reliability to the point position and played a key role in getting our team back into the top 10. Along with our other young talent, Adam is a pleasure to coach and watch and he ensures that the future of Marauder men’s basketball is very bright.”
Saint Mary’s guard Brian Rouse, Laval post Boris Hadzimuratovic and Brandon guard Ilarion Bonhomme were the other nominees.
STUART W. ABERDEEN MEMORIAL TROPHY (presented by Coaches of Canada): Dave Smart, Carleton
With five CIS coach-of-the-year awards in only 13 campaigns, Smart now has one more Aberdeen Trophy than legendary sideline bosses Ken Shields and Bruce Enns. He became the first coach to claim back-to-back awards since Enns did so with UBC in 1990 and 1991.
His troops have been as dominant as ever in 2011-12. En route to their second straight 22-0 regular season and their 12th consecutive first-place finish in the OUA East, the Ravens outscored their opponents by an average of 38 points in league play. Offensively, they were the best team in the country in scoring (94.9 ppg), field goal percentage (52.4) and three-point shooting (44.7). Defensively, they held their rivals to CIS lows in points (56.6 ppg) and field goal percentage (34.2). Not surprisingly, Carleton was ranked No. 1 in all 14 weekly national coaches’ polls this year.
With Smart at the helm of the program, the Ravens have won 340 of 370 regular and post-season games since 1999-2000, for a winning percentage of 91.9. He has guided Carleton to seven OUA titles and seven W.P. McGee Trophy victories, one shy of the all-time record for most CIS championships.
A former CIS scoring champion during his playing days at Queen’s, Smart also represented his country on the world stage this season, coaching the Canadian men’s basketball team at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico.
“Dave has done another outstanding job motivating his team throughout the season,” said Jennifer Brenning, Carleton’s director of recreation and athletics. “Their focus, competitiveness and determination is a direct result of the leadership Dave provides. His commitment and preparedness is second to none in the country.”
The other finalists were UPEI’s Tim Kendrick, Concordia’s John Dore and Victoria’s Craig Beaucamp.
KEN SHIELDS AWARD (basketball, academics & community service): Daniel McCarthy, Guelph
McCarthy is the second Guelph player to receive the Ken Shields Award. He follows Christian Baldauf, who captured the inaugural trophy in 1994.
On the court, the 6-foot-3 forward was named an OUA West all-star for the second straight year after he finished fifth in Ontario with 17.5 points per game, while also grabbing 6.0 rebounds per outing. While undersized for his position, the fourth-year senior compensates with desire and determination and currently ranks fourth in Gyphon history with 1,129 career points.
In the classroom, the biomedical science student has achieved Academic All-Canadian status each of his first three years at Guelph and was named the University’s Presidents award winner last year for his outstanding excellence in his academic program.
Outside of his student-athlete routine, McCarthy is active in the Guelph community. He is currently the regional coordinator for Brain Day, an organization that educates children about brain safety, and is a mentor to fellow student-athletes, whom he helps academically. He also volunteers in schools as part of the Boys, Books and Basketball program and the Believe to Achieve program.
“I know I speak for many people at the University and in the community of Guelph when I say how proud we are to see Dan win the Ken Shields Award,” said Guelph head coach Chris O’Rourke. “He has been the consummate student-athlete and has set a remarkable example in the community and to the younger players in the program by showing the dedication that is necessary to excel in the classroom and in athletics. He is truly a leader on and off the court, this recognition reflects on what an outstanding individual he is as an athlete and in all other aspects of his life.”
Acadia’s Thomas Filgiano, Bishop’s Tim Hunter and Trinity Western’s Calvin Westbrook were also nominated.
ALL-CANADIAN TEAMS
The all-Canadian teams were also announced on Thursday.
Joining Scrubb on the first squad were fellow guards Jamelle Barrett of Saskatchewan, Jimmy Dorsey of Cape Breton and Jordan Baker of Alberta, as well as Carleton forward Tyson Hinz.
Hinz, last year’s CIS MVP, and Barrett were both voted to the top unit for a second straight season.
The second dream team is comprised of a quintet of first-time all-Canadians, including guards Venzal Russell of Lakehead, Ryan MacKinnon of Victoria and Terry Thomas of St. Francis Xavier, as well as forwards Evens Laroche of Concordia and Owen Klassen of Acadia.
In addition to Presutti, the all-rookie squad is made up of guards Brian Rouse of Saint Mary’s, Ilarion Bonhomme of Brandon and Michael L’Africain of Ottawa, along with Laval post Boris Hadzimuratovic.
2011-2012 CIS MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS & ALL-CANADIANS
Mike Moser Memorial Trophy (player of the year): Philip Scrubb, Carleton
Defensive player of the year: Greg Carter, Lakehead
Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy (rookie of the year): Adam Presutti, McMaster
Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy (coach of the year - presented by Coaches of Canada): Dave Smart, Carleton
Ken Shields Award (basketball, academics & community service): Daniel McCarthy, Guelph
First Team
Position Athlete University Year Hometown Faculty
Guard Philip Scrubb Carleton 2 Richmond, B.C. Commerce
Guard Jamelle Barrett Saskatchewan 4 Sacramento, Calif. Arts & Science
Guard James Dorsey Cape Breton 4 Baltimore, Md. Community St.
Guard Jordan Baker Alberta 3 Edmonton, Alta. Business
Forward Tyson Hinz Carleton 3 Ottawa, Ont. Commerce
Second Team
Guard Venzal Russell Lakehead 4 Detroit, Mich. General Arts
Forward Evens Laroche Concordia 4 Montreal, Que. Independent
Forward Owen Klassen Acadia 3 Kingston, Ont. Kinesiology
Guard Ryan MacKinnon Victoria 5 Comox, B.C. Education
Guard Terry Thomas StFX 2 East Preston, N.S. Arts
All-Rookie Team
Guard Brian Rouse Saint Mary’s 1 Mississauga, Ont. Arts
Guard Ilarion Bonhomme Brandon 1 Washington, DC Science
Guard Adam Presutti McMaster 1 Oakville, Ont. Business
Post Boris Hadzimuratovic Laval 1 Sarajevo, Bosnia Engineering
Guard Michael L’Africain Ottawa 1 Oakville, Ont. Communications
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Fifty-two universities, 10,000 student-athletes and 550 coaches vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca.
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