By Chris Kallan
Former St. Francis Xavier basketball great Randy Nohr almost returned to hoop heaven Sunday afternoon in Ottawa.
Nohr, a full-time assistant coach at UBC, screamed and hollered like a champion, but the third-seeded Thunderbirds fell 87-77 to the host and top-seeded Carleton Ravens in the CIS menÕs basketball final at Scotiabank Place. The product of Aldergrove, B.C., led the X-Men to back-to-back national titles in 2000 and 2001 at the Halifax Metro Centre and helped UBC defeat Dalhousie and Canada West rival Calgary on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before settling for silver. The T-Birds, who were unable to sustain an early 12-point advantage, had lost their opening game in their five previous trips over a six-year span at the Canadian championship. In fact, the host of a Vancouver radio station (CiTR 101.9 FM) who made the trip to Ottawa waited until UBC led by as many as 25 points versus Dal and slightly over two minutes remaining before declaring the ÔstreakÕ over and a W in the books.
Nohr was quick to defend his head coach, Kevin Hanson.
ÒKevin had a bad rap for quite awhile, but a lot of people never talked about the fact he continuously got this team here to nationals Ð how many coaches would just love to get here and be in his place,Ó said the 31-year-old Nohr. ÒIÕm very proud of the guys. They fought as hard as they could. They did everything we asked of them.Ó
Nohr, who spent several years playing pro as well as stints on the national team since graduating from St. F.X., was hired as a full-time assistant in April of 2005. Since that time, the T-Birds have won four straight Pacific Division titles Ð including a perfect 20-0 season in 2005-06 -- and two Canada West crowns. UBC was ranked in the top three all season, including one week at number one, and finished 31-4 overall.
Nohr enjoys the fact there isnÕt an overload of responsibility as an assistant, but heÕd like to be the top guy at some point in the future.
ÒThis is a perfect situation for me at the moment because IÕm still learning and KevinÕs great to be around,Ó said Nohr, who also won a pair of CCAA titles at Langara College under Hanson. ÒThere were a few jobs that came up this year, but it wasnÕt the right timing for me.Ó
St. F.X. head coach Steve Konchalski will step down at some point from the post heÕs held for the past 34 years. The former national team coach believes Nohr is a quality candidate to succeed him.
ÒRandyÕs a winner everywhere he goes and I have a lot of respect for him so heÕs someone I would like to see consider coming to Antigonish,Ó said Konchalski. Then, a pause and a laugh. ÒBut not for awhile yet.Ó
Added Nohr: ÒHe still has quite a few years left in him, and I donÕt ever want to see him stop. I still check the X boxscores all the time.Ó
ItÕs an exciting time for Nohr off the court, too. He was married last June and his wife, Chrissy, had their first child -- a baby girl -- on Feb. 24.
ÒJordyn Teresa was born on a Tuesday and we had her at the gym on the Friday ... the same day we qualified for nationals,Ó chuckled Nohr. ÒSheÕs our little good luck charm.Ó
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